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  1. #1
    Donna Steg's Avatar
    Donna Steg Guest

    Default New to Home Inspections

    I am currently taking the course for Home Inspectors through Professional Home Inspectors Institute PHII. And I am wondering , how is business in this field? Has it slowed down with the economy and home sales? Is there certain areas in the US that are better then others. What do I need to research , so that as soon as I get certified Ill be able to be up and running. I live in the Missouri area currently, and have looked up Home Inspectors in this area and so far haven't found many. Any information would be extremely helpful.

    Thank You,
    Donna

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
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    3,154

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Donna Steg View Post
    I am currently taking the course for Home Inspectors through Professional Home Inspectors Institute PHII. And I am wondering , how is business in this field? Has it slowed down with the economy and home sales? Is there certain areas in the US that are better then others. What do I need to research , so that as soon as I get certified Ill be able to be up and running. I live in the Missouri area currently, and have looked up Home Inspectors in this area and so far haven't found many. Any information would be extremely helpful. Thank You, Donna
    Donna,

    No idea how to help you. Business for me has picked-up in the past few months, but many of the newer inspectors in my area went away. Business for the experienced and established inspectors is good, but probably less so for the newer inspectors.

    If there aren't many inspectors in your area, that might be a good thing for you. My local paper has a weekly listing of closed escrows. When you are marketing, I would hit the new agents. Many offices provide training for new agents. If you can get in and do a presentation on what a home inspection is and what to expect, you will probably get referrals. Show up to open houses and talk to buyers and agents. It will take a long time to get your name out there. Take advantage of being a woman. Get involved in local mothers' and womens' groups. If you market directly to women, you will have an advantage over the male inspectors.

    Department of Redundancy Department
    Supreme Emperor of Hyperbole
    http://www.FullCircleInspect.com/

  3. #3

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Hey Donna-

    All it takes is good marketing, like with anything!

    If you call my office, 1-800-544-8156, Mike Doerr will spend some time with you and give you some resources for your website once you get it going, and tell him you'd like a copy of our DVD- "Sell More Home Inspections". It's completely free and we even pay the postage. We work with over 3400 of the most successful inspectors in the country, most of whom don't pay us any money at all!


  4. #4
    Donna Steg's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar Alquist View Post
    Donna,

    No idea how to help you. Business for me has picked-up in the past few months, but many of the newer inspectors in my area went away. Business for the experienced and established inspectors is good, but probably less so for the newer inspectors.

    If there aren't many inspectors in your area, that might be a good thing for you. My local paper has a weekly listing of closed escrows. When you are marketing, I would hit the new agents. Many offices provide training for new agents. If you can get in and do a presentation on what a home inspection is and what to expect, you will probably get referrals. Show up to open houses and talk to buyers and agents. It will take a long time to get your name out there. Take advantage of being a woman. Get involved in local mothers' and womens' groups. If you market directly to women, you will have an advantage over the male inspectors.

    Thank You very much for your reply. I have been in sales and customer service for many years, I think that will help alot in getting customers.

    Thanks Again,
    Donna Steg


  5. #5
    Donna Steg's Avatar
    Donna Steg Guest

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Nathan Thornberry View Post
    Hey Donna-

    All it takes is good marketing, like with anything!

    If you call my office, 1-800-544-8156, Mike Doerr will spend some time with you and give you some resources for your website once you get it going, and tell him you'd like a copy of our DVD- "Sell More Home Inspections". It's completely free and we even pay the postage. We work with over 3400 of the most successful inspectors in the country, most of whom don't pay us any money at all!
    Thank You, I will look into it.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
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    Osceola, AR
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    311

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Donna Steg View Post
    Thank You, I will look into it.
    What are of Missouri are you in? I service a small area of the Missouri Bootheel and there are only a handful of inspectors anywhere close. Property sales are still pretty slow in the area that I cover, and many real estate agents there tell buyers that there are no inspectors anywhere close and getting an inspection is just too expensive...

    Alton Darty
    ATN Services, LLC
    www.arinspections.com

  7. #7
    Donna Steg's Avatar
    Donna Steg Guest

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Alton Darty View Post
    What are of Missouri are you in? I service a small area of the Missouri Bootheel and there are only a handful of inspectors anywhere close. Property sales are still pretty slow in the area that I cover, and many real estate agents there tell buyers that there are no inspectors anywhere close and getting an inspection is just too expensive...
    I live NW of the St. Louis area. And from doing research I have not found many that do home inspections around here either. But , after talking to several people that I know in the realty business , they said that its picking up a little. Possibly, Ill be able to start here with them, get referral's and go from there.
    Thank You for the information, every little bit helps.

    Donna Steg


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
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    Missouri
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    2

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    I too am a Missouri home inspector, took a course from AHIT 2 years ago and still trying to get off the ground. Best of luck to ya.
    My company is Prominence Home Insp.
    Maybe we can help eachother out and learn from eachother.


  9. #9
    Donna Steg's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Kenneth hoff View Post
    I too am a Missouri home inspector, took a course from AHIT 2 years ago and still trying to get off the ground. Best of luck to ya.
    My company is Prominence Home Insp.
    Maybe we can help eachother out and learn from eachother.
    Thank You for the reply, I am looking forward to this. I do believe that my years in the sales field will help me alot as in the marketing aspect of home inspections. If there is anyway to help each other , I would be more then happy too. I should be getting up and going here soon. What part of Missouri are you working?

    Thanks Again,


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
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    Missouri
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    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Donna Steg View Post
    Thank You for the reply, I am looking forward to this. I do believe that my years in the sales field will help me alot as in the marketing aspect of home inspections. If there is anyway to help each other , I would be more then happy too. I should be getting up and going here soon. What part of Missouri are you working?

    Thanks Again,
    If u want to talk u can call me anytime at 816-612-0001.
    I am in the Kansas city, mo vicinity. Hope to hear from ya.

    Kenneth Hoff
    Prominence Home Inspections
    816-612-0001


  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Durant, OK
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    117

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Donna Steg View Post
    Thank You for the reply, I am looking forward to this. I do believe that my years in the sales field will help me alot as in the marketing aspect of home inspections. If there is anyway to help each other , I would be more then happy too. I should be getting up and going here soon. What part of Missouri are you working?

    Thanks Again,
    Quote Originally Posted by Kenneth hoff View Post
    I too am a Missouri home inspector, took a course from AHIT 2 years ago and still trying to get off the ground. Best of luck to ya.
    My company is Prominence Home Insp.
    Maybe we can help eachother out and learn from eachother.

    Donna and Kenneth, I didn't notice a website on either of your profiles. This is the first place I would start in beginning my own Home Inspection Business, or if you are trying to get one to take off. This is the age of the Super Highway, the Internet. You will find that the largest majority of your leads will come from your website, not from Realtor referrals, although they are certainly welcome. Grab onto any advertising that will increase your exposure on Google and Bing search engines using the web. Lots of luck to you

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
    Jubilee Home Inspections

  12. #12

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Dub Smith View Post
    Donna and Kenneth, I didn't notice a website on either of your profiles. This is the first place I would start in beginning my own Home Inspection Business, or if you are trying to get one to take off. This is the age of the Super Highway, the Internet. You will find that the largest majority of your leads will come from your website, not from Realtor referrals, although they are certainly welcome. Grab onto any advertising that will increase your exposure on Google and Bing search engines using the web. Lots of luck to you

    Having been the marketing manager for a multi-inspector firm performing more than 7,000 appointments per year, I can tell you that this is a formula for mediocrity. That's not to say mediocrity is bad, it may even be what makes you happy, but the inconvenient fact is that most all inspections ordered throughout the U.S. and Canada (over 80%) are ordered by a buyer of a home from a home inspection company that was the first one out of their real estate agent's mouth. You won't find a multi-inspector firm surviving in all of the U.S. that doesn't market heavily in real estate offices.

    That being said, the advice isn't bad advice all in all, you need to have a good web presence because 20 years ago it was over 90% of inspections being referred by the agents- so it is trending downward but not as much as some would like to think.

    Be careful about the advice you get from other inspectors and take it with a grain of salt. There are some inspectors out there that have mastered the internet as a lead source, but few that are posting decent numbers.

    It's just a fact, and like a said, an inconvenient one.... haters in denial pile on begins now!


  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2010
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    Durant, OK
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    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Nathan Thornberry View Post
    Having been the marketing manager for a multi-inspector firm performing more than 7,000 appointments per year, I can tell you that this is a formula for mediocrity!
    Nathan, I appreciate your years of experience and your seasoned advice to all of us. I don't think Mediocrity is anyone's goal ( I'm sure you were being cynical here). I do agree that your should market yourself to Realtors as well as Mortgage Bankers and any other avenue that is available, however, in marketing to Realtors, we need to ensure that we are maintaining our creed that our Inspections are unbiased and we are obligated only to the buyers (as Realtors commissions are dependent on a clean inspection that does not hinder the sale). All I am saying is, don't put all your eggs in one basket! If you do your job well, are fair and consistent, and report everything that you see, and don't compromise, then you will have an admirable reputation. Maintain your independence.

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
    Jubilee Home Inspections

  14. #14

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Well said. You can imagine the types of responses I get at times on message boards...but I'll keep fighting the good fight because successful inspectors make for a healthy industry!


  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Durant, OK
    Posts
    117

    Thumbs up Re: New to Home Inspections

    Agreed!

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
    Jubilee Home Inspections

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Denver
    Posts
    998

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Donna, we gals have to stick together. Email me and I'll give you free access to all of these inspector success and marketing programs.

    No charge at all.

    fastreply@nachi.org

    Lisa Endza
    Director of Communication
    InterNACHI

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Durant, OK
    Posts
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    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Appreciate you Lisa!

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
    Jubilee Home Inspections

  18. #18
    Donna Steg's Avatar
    Donna Steg Guest

    Default Re: New to Home Inspections

    Quote Originally Posted by Lisa Endza View Post
    Donna, we gals have to stick together. Email me and I'll give you free access to all of these inspector success and marketing programs.

    No charge at all.

    fastreply@nachi.org
    Thank You, I will definately look into that .


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