Hi all
I know where he is coming from! I am in the same boat, I have been told that so in so inspector supports there TV show and they wouldn’t think of putting anyone else on there list. On a better note at our last board of realtors meeting the boards lawyer advised all the reltors to give a state list of inspectors or at least a few names (although they can say who they have good luck with) I think the Candy, pizza and doughnut thing as well as just being yourself and being in their face and talking to them will eventually pay off when the come to realize your a nice guy and a professional. Hang in there I am. Check out my new website AccHomeInsp.com
Lets look at it this way, Why should they put you on some list?
No one likes change when it is not needed.
You must fill a need before they go shopping.
Go to the top if you want on the list, if your going to ask.
When you work for a subordinate Realtor that is impressed with you, have them get you in the door and to the Top Dog.
I was around when this “List” thing came about in my area. This is the result of a scare tactic from RE Lawyers. This came from the “perspective” of a lawyer (we all know they think differently than the rest of the population).
The approach is flawed.
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The Realtor is there to look out for the “best interest” of their client. Failure to refer or deter a service provider is NOT looking out for the interest of the client.
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No list should exist, period. There is such thing as a phone book and the Internet. The whole issue is about a potential Realtors association with a HI to “Steer” the client and induce a sale (at all cost). This occurs at a very low percentage in most cases.
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Realtors live on Referrals.
They want a Referral from you and everyone else when it comes time to buy/sell. Why should they Not refer you?
It is not that they are not allowed to refer you, it is a recommendation that they don’t. They are Independent Contractors.
Back to the point; how do you get on the proverbial list?
As I said, you must market a need for your service. You must create this need and market it. Why would you pick one Realtor over another if you were listing your house for sale? You must create and fulfill a need. If you don’t do this, you will be on a list that is no better than the phone book!
Why would you select a newbie Agent or car salesman over the seasoned vet? For one, they will work harder for you than anyone else.
The other day my wife called and had me swing by a car dealer to check out a “deal”. It was 28 degrees outside with a 25-30 MPH sustained wind. Within 1 minute of pulling onto the lot, scanning the inventory, there was a knock on my window. I turned to see what looked like the Michelin Man!
They did not have what I wanted in stock. I have received 2 follow-up calls with updated information.
Why would I buy from him? Because when I ask a question he doesnt know, he goes and gets the answer. I not only have him working for me, I have the boss who is watching over his shoulder because he is new, making sure the sale is not blundered.
What would be your answer to; why should I use a new HI?
Mine may be; NACHI!
Though I am new, I have the experience and support of thousands of inspectors to draw upon. Where else can you get a better answer/opinion to a problem?
Spot On!Go to the top if you want on the list, if your going to ask.
I recently ws trying to get inspections with a large office in my area, 2 years actuall off and on. I was sitting at the bar for an after dinneer drink with my wife when she asked me what time my inspection was the next morning. Anyway there was an agent sitting next to me I had never met. She started chatting me up, and next week I was in. Personally dropped off a report at the office, then got to meet the broker. He was really impressed with my report and must have liked me. 4 inspections from him in the last 2 weeks. Right place at the right time. But meeting the boss didn’t hurt.
I would like examples of some of your stuff
My opinion is direct mailing and web presence are the two big ones. I think it’s critical to get first page listing on all the major search engines. The money spent is well worth it. When you market to the buyers directly it’s somewhat of a back door into the office. If your work is good it’ll be passed around and referals will follow. Another thought is to obtain a list of new home sales in your county. Market to those approaching their one-year warranty period. Same principle as above.
I was at our local home and garden show today and talked to one realtor about my company. After exchanging business cards he said, “You know how this works right? You refer me then I will refer you.” WOW! This from one of the biggest real estate offices in my area.
In my opinion Realtor referrals are a slippery slope. If I am working for a realtor and I consistently over inspect homes leading to complicated closings, delays, and buyer wlk offs, how much longer will the realtor use me? Am I not serving the buyer?
A buyer’s inspector is one who reports on everything he/she has been trained to notice by their respective schools. I am not about to gloss over an inspection to suit a realtor even if it means I don’t get business. Make this clear to your future and current clients and they will thank you. I, as an <a href=“http://www.masonbuildinginspections.com”>independent Florida home inspector</a> market myself as u beholden to the big money guys, who sticks up for consumer rights etc. this appears to be very rare in my area, and once this idea catches on, it is the insurance companies who will be begging me for business.
Thomas Mason
Mason Building Inspections
ckirby2… in paragraph 3 of your post#1 you say that you give them a brochure. Post that brochure here. Either scan it or take a PIC of it and post both sides. I can then help you from there.
I was a top producing REALTOR for years and know how a home inspector can get on an agent’s list of home inspectors.
How the heck did this thread from 2008 get started again?
The realtor route is one part of the puzzle - a website and online presence is another, and time and good service is another. The latter requiring the most patience yet having the most value.
The good news is the realtors are loyal to the inspectors that they trust and like. They familiar with them and are comfortable with them. When you break into that, some fly-by-night new inspector (which you are in their eyes for now) can’t drop-off some donuts and take the relationship you worked so hard to get.
You have to make fans out of the people you work with. Not clients - fans. I want people raving about me and others feeling they got ripped off for not hiring me - maybe even vexed at their realtor for not mentioning me.
It is a slow play - one person tells two, two tells four, and so on…if you are the real deal - you’ll get there - if you are not - you won’t. Be the real deal.
Dang…good eye Mr. Witt. I should have caught the date …smh.
Based on all of the advice, a well rounded advertising and marketing strategy is key. I think successful inspection companies market to the public and to agents in various forms.
Here in Texas, almost every real estate firm has some kind of “vendor program”. These vendor programs have a cost, either monthly or yearly. This is in many cases the only way to reach the agents here. While not always effective, it does allow access to the agents to develop relationships and allow the inspector to keep his marketing media in the offices.
Doing outstanding home inspections and catering to the client is very important, especially when the agent is present for the inspection.
Leave behind letters, brochures or flyers is a great marketing tool with little cost. Leaving your marketing materials at each home you inspect is important. The seller is often going to be buying a home and will need an inspection.
A great website is also important. It is used by the public as well as by agents. Look at the advice in this forum for website design elements.
Every market is different and needs to be handled differently. A broad stroke of balanced advertising and marketing is important to any business.
New home inspectors are sometimes under the delusion that “now that I am licensed, the inspections will just happen.” Not true. It is a business. It requires that successful home inspectors become students of business, advertising and marketing. Read everything you can get your hands on about these subjects and, through trial and error, you will find what works best for you. Be patient, be persistent. Success depends on it.
Great tips here: