Thread: Leave-behind Letter to Seller

Every seller is a buyer.

Here's a letter that I leave behind for the property seller.
It's a great marketing tool.

HomeownerLetter-BenGromicko.pdf
Take it. Use it for your own marketing.
.

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Originally Posted by Benjamin Gromicko

Every seller is a buyer.

Here's a letter that I leave behind for the property seller.
It's a great marketing tool.

HomeownerLetter-BenGromicko.pdf
Take it. Use it for your own marketing.
.

.
Only if your Marketing English 101 at the Community College.
*quote from above letter.

" Here is a list of some things
you may want check and make sure that they are back as they
were prior to the inspection.
.

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

.
Only if your Marketing English 101 at the Community College.
*quote from above letter.

" Here is a list of some things
you may want check and make sure that they are back as they
were prior to the inspection.
.

HA!
Looks like I need check my grammar.

Nice letter Ben
Thanks

Originally Posted by Benjamin Gromicko

Every seller is a buyer.

LOL.... yep, maybe in 10 years when their credit is cleaned up

Seriously, I've throught of marketing to sellers of houses I'm inspecting but it just seems too difficult to work for my client and try to make friends with them. Not on every house but often enough.

About all I can do is leave a card.... and if the house is a dump and I'm going to trash it I don't do that.

Originally Posted by Benjamin Gromicko

Every seller is a buyer.

Here's a letter that I leave behind for the property seller.
It's a great marketing tool.

HomeownerLetter-BenGromicko.pdf
Take it. Use it for your own marketing.
.

You better make sure the freezer or fridge that is plugged into the garage GFCI is rrunning before you leave or you will be paying for whatever went bad in it.

Mike

Originally Posted by Mike Inspector

You better make sure the freezer or fridge that is plugged into the garage GFCI is rrunning before you leave or you will be paying for whatever went bad in it.

Mike

I once had to buy a cow for a freezer not turned back on. There were four GFCI in the garage and they all acted independently of each other, test and reset, except for the one in which the freezer was plugged, the only one I did not fool with made a fool out of me.

In my experience letters such as Mr. Gromicko has suggested have a potential to do more harm than good. The reasons are legion.

The best tool for marketing to sellers an inspector can possibly have is an extremely thorough, 80-100 page report. They will never forget that, I assure you.

So Elliott, leaving that bag of microwave popcorn on the counter with a businesss card attached stating, "Thanks for letting us pop in for the home inspection." is not a great idea.

Seriously I saw one of those the other day at an inspection.

rick

that bag of microwave popcorn on the counter with a businesss card attached stating, "Thanks for letting us pop in for the home inspection." is not a great idea.

Mr. Hurst: The TREC roboinspectors out there will do literally anything - except what they are hired to do, of course.

You are correct.

I just lost one on the phone a few minutes ago. 6800sqft. in Frisco with a pool, sprinkler, needed a WDI.

Called me to cancel saying she had found someone else that was willing to do it for 350. and could I meet or beat their price.

WTF?

WTF?

Mr. Hurst: TRECTF

Originally Posted by Mike Inspector

You better make sure the freezer or fridge that is plugged into the garage GFCI is rrunning before you leave or you will be paying for whatever went bad in it.

Mike

To get into a crawlspace, I once unplugged a fridge full of wine. Forgot to plug it back in. Lost all the wine. No biggy. I paid for the wine, reimbursed the seller/owner of the property and added flowers and a sincere apology. I got a thank you letter from the seller for such a quick, complete response. I used that letter as a marketing piece for other agents. The story spread from the seller's agent to all the agents in the office. It shows that we all make mistakes, and our company knows customer service and making people whole. Sometimes making a mistake is the best thing you ever do at an inspection.

My best compliment was when a seller hired my inspection company because they received (and read) my inspection report that a recent client (homebuyer) was using for negotiation purposes. Many of my clients were the sellers of the properties that I inspected. The stronger, robost and revealing the inspection report, the more desirous the seller was to hire me for their inspection. It was a driving motivation to inspect with all my heart. It was a win-win. The homebuyer loved the report, and the seller found a great inspection company that didn't "pull any punches."

Quoting from the Leave-Behind Letter, "All of the inspectors of my company bring clean shoes that are worn indoors only." This helped us out tremendously by reducing complaints to our office about stains on carpets, and shifted the focus away from the inspector to the many other occupants in the house during the inspection. Sellers need to be reminded that the inspector is NOT the only one walking around the house during the inspection. And for sure, we're the ONLY ones wearing indoor-only shoes.

I personally hate it when people think that a HI or a service company person does not have the GD sense to make sure his shoes are clean.

When people ask me to take off my shoes, I show them the bottom and assure them I was not raised in some damn barn not to know if my shoes are clean or not. I don't take my shoes off regardless, and if they have a problem with it let them find another inspector.

rick

My niece is a nurse....really a super nurse boss lady ($125K) and she gave be two boxes of surgeon booties....they are great to wear inside a house. I wear rubber shoe covers in the yard just to be sure my feet are clean when I put on the booties.

I would never leave anything at a house that reminds them of me being there. One time I thought it would a good idea to mark bad receptacles and such with small red dots. I got a call that evening "to come get those dots out of my GD house. This is still my house until I sell it."

From that point on I leave a house like I found it.

There's money to be made performing inspections for sellers.
Many inspectors do it. And the inspection report that the seller uses is typically seen (read) by many potential home buyers and agents, usually during walk-throughs or open house events. ...More leave-behind marketing.

By Sat I will have done three seller inspections this week.....no dots involved!

Originally Posted by Benjamin Gromicko

My best compliment was when a seller hired my inspection company because they received (and read) my inspection report that a recent client (homebuyer) was using for negotiation purposes. Many of my clients were the sellers of the properties that I inspected. The stronger, robost and revealing the inspection report, the more desirous the seller was to hire me for their inspection. It was a driving motivation to inspect with all my heart. It was a win-win. The homebuyer loved the report, and the seller found a great inspection company that didn't "pull any punches."

Doing an inspection this weekend. Buyer hired me because I did an inspection on a house that he was selling last year. He said he knew the house was bad but he didn't know it was that bad until he saw my report. Now he wants me to inspect the house he's buying.

Originally Posted by Benjamin Gromicko

Here's a letter that I leave behind for the property seller.
.

Ben,

Thanks for sharing. That is a really good idea.

I think it is a bit presumptuous to think that a seller allowing you into there house to do an inspection creates an advertising bonanza for the inspector.

Originally Posted by James Duffin

I think it is a bit presumptuous to think that a seller allowing you into there house to do an inspection creates an advertising bonanza for the inspector.

Agreed.
But my example of a leave-behind letter is much different than "an advertising bonanza."

I'm not suggesting leaving behind things such as a flyers, business cards or discount coupons. A letter is much more meaningful.

Quoting the leave-behind letter... "We understand that a home inspection can be a stressful process. During our inspection, we make every effort to respect your home and leave it as we found it."

That communicates to the seller empathy and respect.

HomeownerLetter-BenGromicko.pdf

Originally Posted by James Duffin

I think it is a bit presumptuous to think that a seller allowing you into there house to do an inspection creates an advertising bonanza for the inspector.

James,

I do not see this as a direct advertising effort, it is a respectful acknowledgement to the seller. Yes, it may result in a seller booking an inspection, which is not necessarily a bad idea.

I don't take my shoes off regardless, and if they have a problem with it let them find another inspector.

Mr. Hurst: I completely agree.

Originally Posted by Benjamin Gromicko

Every seller is a buyer.

Here's a letter that I leave behind for the property seller.
It's a great marketing tool.

HomeownerLetter-BenGromicko.pdf
Take it. Use it for your own marketing.
.

Thanks Ben.

I always leave a business card and thank you letter / advertisement to the seller, even on flipped properties. I've gotten a few buyer / occupant inspections and many inspections for investors (flippers) by doing this.

...and if the floors are nice I take my shoes off. I enjoy doing most of my job in just my socks

Re: Leave-behind Letter to Seller
Quote:

I don't take my shoes off regardless, and if they have a problem with it let them find another inspector.

Mr. Hurst: I completely agree.
__________________
Dallas Home Inspections Dallas Texas Home Inspections Dallas TX Home Inspections
In honor of all those who are not here to defend themselves.

So much for manners and respecting someone elses property of which you are a guest.

No Raymond, I have enough sense to check my shoes to make sure they are clean and if not then I will put on shoe covers. After 25+ years of servicing homes, not once have I had a phone call or complaint about leaving the home or carpeting dirty.

Do you ask everyone who comes in your home to remove their shoes?

rick

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

No Raymond, I have enough sense to check my shoes to make sure they are clean and if not then I will put on shoe covers. After 25+ years of servicing homes, not once have I had a phone call or complaint about leaving the home or carpeting dirty.

Do you ask everyone who comes in your home to remove their shoes?

rick

You must not know to many Japanese.
In my area if you step on clean carpet with shoes on you will be shot and killed.

Rick you need to get rid of that athletes feet and wear socks with no holes.

I've had Japanese guests in my house. Guess what?

They wore shoes!

I can check my shoes/boots as well without any help as well. If I need to take them off or put covers on them.. I will. Geez leweez.... I can brush my teeth without help as well.

"Tim, did you check your boots, the carpets are new"

"No Mom... I didn't. This is my first time doing this and I didn't think to look at my shoes with new carpet" "By the way MOM... is that your car in the driveway with the windows down... the buyer turned on the sprinklers while I was on the roof" I very seldom park in a driveway unless it is a long drive or something similar. It's common knowledge that it's rude.. but the person asking me if my shoes are clean wouldn't know any better!

Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist

James,

I do not see this as a direct advertising effort, it is a respectful acknowledgement to the seller. Yes, it may result in a seller booking an inspection, which is not necessarily a bad idea.

I sometimes prefer they even know who I am....for the same reason I don't contact past clients about how they like their new house. You are inviting them to voice a complaint when if you had not made yourself so readily available it would have been more trouble than it would have been worth to track you down to complain.

Originally Posted by James Duffin

I sometimes prefer they even know who I am....for the same reason I don't contact past clients about how they like their new house. You are inviting them to voice a complaint when if you had not made yourself so readily available it would have been more trouble than it would have been worth to track you down to complain.

Gotta agree with your thoughts.

Every home inspector that gets a call a few weeks or months down the road from a client has that holding your breath affect for the first few seconds even if there has never been a legitimate complaint.

I do on occasion market past clients. This is usually done (not purposely) some time down the road. I guess if a period of time has elapsed then the likelihood of a complaint has some what diminished.

Asking for a review immediately at the delivery of the report or even at the inspection deminishes the likelihood of someone coming back later with a complaint. Once they verbally, and in writing, give you great praise for such a thorough inspection then it is difficult later for them to be fools looking for a free repair on something later. I know someone who utilizes this and it has cut way back on calls down the road and with such praise the Relators involved in the transaction are more likely to pass future referrals to you.

Originally Posted by Philip

I once had to buy a cow for a freezer not turned back on. There were four GFCI in the garage and they all acted independently of each other, test and reset, except for the one in which the freezer was plugged, the only one I did not fool with made a fool out of me.

I had one of those where you tripped a GFCI circuit and couldn't find the control receptacle. The seller's were semi-professional Yard Salers and their garage was packed full of boxes and stuff ready for the next weekend sale. Unfortunately, there was a freezer somewhere in the garage and the garage was the only place I couldn't look for the control receptacle. I didn't know there was a working freezer in there, I didn't know it was hooked up to a GFCI circuit, and I wasn't able to see anything on the garage walls. The seller, who was leaving the area anyway, wasn't real happy but understood what and why things occurred.

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

You are correct.

I just lost one on the phone a few minutes ago. 6800sqft. in Frisco with a pool, sprinkler, needed a WDI.

Called me to cancel saying she had found someone else that was willing to do it for 350. and could I meet or beat their price.

WTF?

Say, "SURE! For $150, cash, up front, I can show up and tell you the feng shui is great."

HEY ALL

SHOES ON ALL THE TIME. how do you climb a ladder without shoes on--walk an attic-crawl thru a crawl space. wonder what would happen if i hurt my little foot and put a claim in to my insurance company. maybe we need to check with our insurance company on this. read the fine print. plus my feet are flat from age. i don't even go bare foot to the pool.

SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY--LET THEM DUST WHEN WE ARE GONE

cvf

Originally Posted by CHARLIE VAN FLEET

HEY ALL

SHOES ON ALL THE TIME. how do you climb a ladder without shoes on--walk an attic-crawl thru a crawl space. wonder what would happen if i hurt my little foot and put a claim in to my insurance company. maybe we need to check with our insurance company on this. read the fine print. plus my feet are flat from age. i don't even go bare foot to the pool.

SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY--LET THEM DUST WHEN WE ARE GONE

cvf

I bought a case of booties to slip on when I go into an occupied house or any that looks very clean. I always carry extras I can hand out to clients or Realtors if they want them

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

Asking for a review immediately at the delivery of the report or even at the inspection deminishes the likelihood of someone coming back later with a complaint. Once they verbally, and in writing, give you great praise for such a thorough inspection then it is difficult later for them to be fools looking for a free repair on something later. I know someone who utilizes this and it has cut way back on calls down the road and with such praise the Relators involved in the transaction are more likely to pass future referrals to you.

I agree.
Many inspectors use a client satisfaction survey.

We have a particular client satisfaction survey designed with legal counsel, and it hits 7 birds with one stone.

1. It limits your liability. Often a dissatisfied client will describe your services to his/her agent, or worse... to a judge, much differently than the truth. Procuring and maintaining a copy of this survey will bring them back to earth, so to speak. It is a nice document to have to present to a complaining agent and can often end a legal action all by itself. It is the next best thing to a deposition.

2. It alerts you to weaknesses in your service. Often a client is too shy to complain to you in person about your service, or worse... complains only to the agent who referred you. Providing this survey offers your client a way to express his/her dissatisfaction while you are still on the inspection site and can do something about it. Client feedback is necessary to improving your service.

3. It reminds your client that you don't have X-Ray vision. It is important to explain to your client that a home inspection can't reveal every defect that exists, or will ever exist, in their new home. A survey can work in conjunction with your contract/agreement (between you and your client) in that it again reminds them of this fact.

4. It suggests that your client may wish to order ancillary inspections. Some inspectors offer additional inspections such as WDO, radon, water quality and mold... for additional fee of course. This Survey reminds them to ask about other services you might offer.

5. It grants you written permission to discuss the report with others. And even more importantly, you can point to this document when a seller's agent demands a copy of the inspection report by saying: "I'm sorry, my client has given me written orders not to share the results of his/her report with anyone."

6. It lets your client know you care about his/her opinion. Everyone likes being asked.

7. It helps you get you more work. By sending a copy of of the flattering Survey back to the agent who referred you, you remind that agent to refer you again.

And, if you provide your client with a copy of a particular home maintenance book , you drastically reduce your liability.

(i'd love to link to a customer survey we had legal counsel develop for inspectors, but, i'm assuming i'd be criticized for spamming, which ultimately hurts consumers)

My client satisfaction survey is the number of referrals I get from past clients.

I don't ask for feedback from my clients because regardless of what they would tell me, I'm still going to do the same things I always do. You like my style? Great. You don't like my style? Oh well.

Originally Posted by Benjamin Gromicko
Every seller is a buyer.

Here's a letter that I leave behind for the property seller.
It's a great marketing tool.

Attachment 19224
Take it. Use it for your own marketing.
.

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

.
Only if your Marketing English 101 at the Community College.
*quote from above letter.

" Here is a list of some things
you may want check and make sure that they are back as they
were prior to the inspection.
.

I guess every one makes mistakes. Only if you're Marketing English 101....

Originally Posted by Bert de Haan

.

I guess every one makes mistakes. Only if you're Marketing English 101....

.
Whatever.
.

This thread has gone way to far. Time to end it all.

http://www.myit-media.de/the_end.html

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

This thread has gone way to far. Time to end it all.

http://www.myit-media.de/the_end.html

.
Thanks !
* now I need to find The Just Right Basket.
.

lol...

Someone was mentioning HIers using clean boots in the house.

I have a pair of boots that are for indoors only. I have been requested to take them off by sellers. I have to explain that these are my indoors boots and the treads are clean. One lady didn't want to boots making an impression on the carpet. I did not comply as the request was unreasonable. My foot would make an impression anyways. I need the boots on to do my job safely.

But just yesterday I do an inspection. We had gotten a little rain. I used my indoor boots like always. The floors were still wet though. The BA and the buyer tracked water in. What do you bet I get blamed for it?

Leave behind letters. Nah. I don't bother with them. Should I. I don't know. I don't want my client to think I am working the seller for business. Sometimes it is just as important to avoid the appearance of impropriety as it is to avoid actually impropriety itself.

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

.
Thanks !
* now I need to find The Just Right Basket.
.

Nice bike, but with the seat and handle bars jacked that high, I suspect the frame is too small for the rider.

Can't help commenting on it. Its the inspector in me...

Next time someone tells you something like that, tell them your shoes are Scotchgard and see the blank look on their face. They usually say ok, come on in.

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

.
Thanks !
* now I need to find The Just Right Basket.
.

Since Tom started it, I'd also recommend a Mechanical Engineer check out the deflection in that kick stand.

Clearances between those fenders and the tire are questionable also.

rick

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Since Tom started it, I'd also recommend a Mechanical Engineer check out the deflection in that kick stand.

Clearances between those fenders and the tire are questionable also.

rick

.
Dream Killers !
.
* but it's gotta Headlight & Nice Bell.
.

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

I personally hate it when people think that a HI or a service company person does not have the GD sense to make sure his shoes are clean.

When people ask me to take off my shoes, I show them the bottom and assure them I was not raised in some damn barn not to know if my shoes are clean or not. I don't take my shoes off regardless, and if they have a problem with it let them find another inspector.

rick

Boy your on a roll Rick...

Gunnar sometime will get the HI and I will only get the Termite inspection... He has these little blue shoes that when he starts the interior he swaps out for these old ragy looking blue shoes... About 8 years ago I think was the first time I started putting stuff like rocks, leaves, bark chips what ever I could find In Gunnars shoes... Now the funny part is he falls for it every time... L.O.L. Sorry Gunnar but its true... L.O.L.

That would explain why Gunnar once mentioned he pees in your gas tank when your under the house.

Originally Posted by Ron Bibler

Boy your on a roll Rick...

Gunnar sometime will get the HI and I will only get the Termite inspection... He has these little blue shoes that when he starts the interior he swaps out for these old ragy looking blue shoes... About 8 years ago I think was the first time I started putting stuff like rocks, leaves, bark chips what ever I could find In Gunnars shoes... Now the funny part is he falls for it every time... L.O.L. Sorry Gunnar but its true... L.O.L.

That is a pretty tight crawl. Did you have to put the girdle on to squeeze in there. Also once you were in could you actually move around through the entire crawl.

Originally Posted by Ron Bibler

Gunnar sometime will get the HI and I will only get the Termite inspection... He has these little blue shoes that when he starts the interior he swaps out for these old ragy looking blue shoes... About 8 years ago I think was the first time I started putting stuff like rocks, leaves, bark chips what ever I could find In Gunnars shoes... Now the funny part is he falls for it every time... L.O.L. Sorry Gunnar but its true... L.O.L.

Ron's right. But, one time I put this HUGE boulder (well... big rock) in the back of his truck and it apparently bounced around a bit when he came to a stop.

By the way Ron, nice photo. I think I remember when you took it. However, I like the photo that I took of myself when you left your camera on the seat of your truck better.

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

That would explain why Gunnar once mentioned he pees in your gas tank when your under the house.

Rick! Shhh. That was said in confidence.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

That is a pretty tight crawl. Did you have to put the girdle on to squeeze in there. Also once you were in could you actually move around through the entire crawl.

Actually, it was just the entrance that was tight. It opened up to a standard crawl once I got in.

Thanks Ben.

Thanks Ben,
I have been using that letter for some time now and have received some positive feedback from them.

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Do you ask everyone who comes in your home to remove their shoes?

rick

Rick, believe it or not----some people are like that. You visit their home you take your shoes off at the door. Especially if it is raining, snow covered (here in NJ)---but shoveled, etc. It is a common courtesy to the home owner that you respect their home. Especially if you have just walked around the home, been on the roof, in the attic, or other locations where dirt, sand, or something just might wedge itself your shoes. I have had trades come into the house, and without even asking (I wouldn't, by the way), take off their shoes.

At my house, shoes are not allowed to be worn inside. That's our way.
As an inspector, I'd simply assume that type of rule exists.
I've got three little daughters, and I recall them playing, crawling, eating on the floor.
There's no shoe that is clean enough to allow inside under those circumstances.

That's why the Leave-Behind Letter states that we wear shoes that are for indoors only; they've never been worn outside. I don't like slippers or covers over my shoes. I prefer to carry shoes that are worn indoors only.

I don't take off my shoes in a strangers house. It is a safety issue. I care more about my safety than about the sellers beliefs/habits regarding foot ware.

I wear one set of plastic booties/shoe covers while outside. Then I switch to a new pair when I enter the home. I consider it entering a hazardous environment. I don't know what the seller has accidental left on the floor. My shoes are for my protection. The booties are for theirs. If I step out of the kitchen door onto the back deck, I remove my booties, when exiting the house and put them back on when I return to the interior. The same is true if I go into the garage or step out a window on to a roof. I do that at every inspection. Company protocol. That way I can honestly say if ever taken to court that I know the status of my foot ware.

Originally Posted by Benjamin Gromicko

At my house, shoes are not allowed to be worn inside. That's our way.
As an inspector, I'd simply assume that type of rule exists.
I've got three little daughters, and I recall them playing, crawling, eating on the floor.
There's no shoe that is clean enough to allow inside under those circumstances.

That's why the Leave-Behind Letter states that we wear shoes that are for indoors only; they've never been worn outside. I don't like slippers or covers over my shoes. I prefer to carry shoes that are worn indoors only.

You might want to rethink that and hand out booties or something. The ungodly nasty disgusting things people can have going on with their feet I would chance a clean shoe before I chance a dirty foot.

Of course in the cold snowy country or even in the south during rainy season the shoes should come off unless one has some shoe guards.

I have been asked to take my shoes off, booties or not by some particular religion and I would look around them into their home and bow out, leave politely and ask the listing agents to have the folks gone so I can inspect their home for my client or have my client find someone else. The absolute filth in some homes that you can visually see is pretty scary. The filth you cannot see in a clean *looking* home is just as scary.

It's pretty funny saying all of that considering the dumps I have remodeled in the past and breathed in God knows what. I guess I like myself more now a days. I just have this thing about my feet being clean. My home is clean but I will always wear socks in the home.

Have you ever been sitting across the room from someone and smell the stench from their feet. That is funny as well because they usually look like very clean people. I am sure they have folks take their shoes off in their home

Ben,

Upon further review of the letter it seems to say:

I touched a bunch of stuff in your house. Please make sure I put it back right since I'm not sure I did.

If I am the seller, I'm thinking something like, "Thanks for the note. I'll hire an inspector that can mange to put things back and not pawn it off on me."

I would have the letter geared towards telling the people a bit about inspecting and how we thoroughly and impartially inspect the house.

I think that may garner a few more sales leads. Especially, if we remember to leave no trace of our being there without asking them to fix stuff we touch.

Just my 2 cents.

I wear boots when I do inspections and they are way too much trouble to take on and off so I wear boot covers inside the house. I have been surprised how dirty a boot cover can get on the bottom in a house. Usually the bottom gets dirtier than the inside that is against the bottom of my boot. This means the bottom of my boot is cleaner than the floor of the house. I'm saving that bit of information for the time a seller calls about me getting their floors dirty.

Originally Posted by Tom King

...
I would have the letter geared towards telling the people a bit about inspecting and how we thoroughly and impartially inspect the house.
...

Great.
Do it.
That's the whole point of the thread. I'm not telling you what to say. I'm suggesting that inspectors should consider leaving a letter behind for the seller.

Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist

James,

I do not see this as a direct advertising effort, it is a respectful acknowledgement to the seller. Yes, it may result in a seller booking an inspection, which is not necessarily a bad idea.

Right! It's essentially "I know I invaded YOUR space, but I left it as I found it, thank you for your patience"

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Do you ask everyone who comes in your home to remove their shoes?

rick

Rick,

It's very common here in rural southern Alberta to take shoes off at the door. Growing up in Calgary it was the same way. I actually cringed yesterday while watching The Dog Whisperer as I saw a guy, with his shoes on, in the house! In the next scene, when he had his shoes up on the furniture, I had to remind myself it was an American program.

In Holland and Japan, shoes off at the door is certainly the general rule. The floor of the traditional Japanese entrance way (genkan) is a step lower than the main wooden floor. Leave your outdoor shoes on the hard surfaced genkan floor and step up into the supplied house slippers. Taken the slippers off when stepping into a traditional Japanese room that has woven rice mats (tatami). But don't wear the house slippers into the toilet room, they have special slippers for that room. Notice I said toilet room, they do NOT put their toilets in the room in which they bathe. But I digress... as usual.

Ever consider taking a photo of your feet in clean indoor-only shoes.
Then putting that photo on your website.
It would be burned in the brain of all your site visitors.
"Remember that inspector?...He's that one who respectfully wears clean, indoor-only shoes when entering the home."
(marketing tip)

Ben,
Thanks for the letter, I have been using a slightly altered version and have had 5 sellers call me to do their new home inspection..
PS. Down here in South Texas, we don't take off our shoes..

Is anyone providing a list of building permits that were never inspected to the new potential buyer? Recently some of the banks and title insurance agents are providing a list of uncompleted permits to buyers. This could be devistating to a new buyer to discover that new room addition never had a framing inspection or sub permit rough-inspections. The new buyer in many cases assumes the liability when they purchase the home.