Originally Posted By: Derek Mallard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I am completing a home inspection course and will begin doing inspections in the next few months. I have spoken with a couple of banker friends and real estate agents about doing inspections for them, I got a very good response. There are no inspectors in my home town at this time as per the agents I have spoken with. I have a couple of questions. Before the questions I have worked various construction jobs and have worked around many real estate transactions for a number of years. Any tips in beginning such as marketing, charges, contracts, etc. would be appreciated. Now my main question, is it legal and ethical to come up with a point system for referrals. Like when a real estate agent refers someone to me for a inspection they would get maybe 5 points then when they gained enough points they could get a gift like a TV, Vacation, etc. is the legal and ethical? I feel with some type of referral system like this it could generate quite a few referrals. I know in the mortage business this is not legal giving agents gifts for referrals, I just don’t know if this stands true in inspection business. Again any guidance from people in the business would be a great help. Thanks Derek Mallard
Originally Posted By: mgault This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Derek Mallard wrote:
Now my main question, is it legal and ethical to come up with a point system for referrals. Like when a real estate agent refers someone to me for a inspection they would get maybe 5 points then when they gained enough points they could get a gift like a TV, Vacation, etc. is the legal and ethical?
No Sir, not from me.
I will say Thanks, offer cold sodas from the cooler in my truck, and give more business cards... but that's about the extent of my "gifts".
The NACHI Inspector will have no undisclosed conflict of interest with the client, nor will the NACHI Inspector accept or offer any undisclosed commissions, rebates, profits, or other benefit.
Hope this helps.
-- "I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei
Originally Posted By: Derek Mallard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks for the post with the code of ethics. I am new to this site. I visited it a few times a year or so ago but I just found the message board today. Thanks.
Originally Posted By: Derek Mallard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Mr.Crofutt,
Apparently these people you posted do not do any inspections. I have spoken with 6 of 10 realtors in my hometown in the past few days and they all stated there was a need for inspector, that there were none located in Waycross, Ga. I don't know if these people work other areas or what, but according to realtors there is no one, and when I tried inspections services in my phone book I was told they got out of the business. So I don't know what your point is posting listing if you don't know the area. I have been in business for many years and have researched the area. This business will be alot eaiser to open and run than my current business. All but 2 that you posted were in other towns. Either there is so much business they do not have to market to all the agents or they do not do any business.
All of the people that are no longer in biz were removed a while back, or is it still a work in progress.?.
Here are your search results:
This list is sorted by the distance from the location for which you searched. You can Search Again here.
Serving Waycross, GA (31503) and surrounding areas
Originally Posted By: Derek Mallard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Todd,
I understand what your saying. But the ones that came up for you are further than the ones that were posted before. The closest one to me on your list is 70 miles and the furthest is appx 275 miles. I have truly researched this for appx. 2 years now. My current business cost me appx. $45,000.00 per month just to keep the doors open and I have 15 employees. I need to slow down some. I have family in the real estate business in other towns, they are the ones that turned me onto home inspection. Being a business person in my area I know quite a few of the agents on a personal basis, and a number of the Brokers. I have been told stories about inspectors or so called inspectors that do a terrible job, I guess that is why they are not in business still. As per 2 brokers the last so called inspector they used had no formal training, and had got into the business because he worked with a contractor for a few months as his on-site inspector. He did a few inspections for these 2 brokers and did a terrible job. Since then they haven't even referred any inspectors. When inspections have been done one of the Brokers said the guy came from about 100 miles away. So I feel I am in a good position.
Originally Posted By: tallen This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Derek Mallard wrote:
Todd,
zip code is 31503
I still get the same three, with one being an exact match.
I would call them and see if they are still at it, and if not, try to get someone to remove them from the search results. That way when someone searches findaninspector or any of the NACHI search sites you will be the only one that shows up. 
Well, after you become a member.
-- I have put the past behind me,
where , however, it now sits, making rude remarks.
Originally Posted By: ecrofutt This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Derek,
I respond much better to Erby, but thank you for the formality.
The point was only that other people claim to be doing inspections in Waycross and it would be wise for you to check them out yourself as well as listening to the realtors.
If I can find those listings, so can others and they'll be calling them. It's always good to know your competition and do it better than them.
You can do the best inspections in the world, prepare wonderful reports, and be great with your customers, but if the phone don't ring, you don't work.
Keep your ethics clean, get a good understanding of Section 8 of RESPA, (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) and giver er hell.
Sounds like you've researched pretty good. Good luck. Its tough, but you can make it if you want it bad enough.
Originally Posted By: jhugenroth This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Derek,
Good luck and welcome to the club! I have found the best marketing to be the free kind. Personal contact is THE BEST and fastest way to get going. Join your local Realtor board as an affiliate, that way you get access to all the Realtor's info, names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. One of the best kick starts to my business was getting a flyer into the local association's newsletter, which went out to 2800 members. It cost me 110 dollars.
When I deliver reports, I try to talk to at least one other agent in the office. I will bypass the front desk and go into the "pit", and ask a Realtor I haven't met yet if they could hand my report to "_____", and I will get a call from a lot of them.
Originally Posted By: Jay Moge This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I’ve been in buisiness all of 2 months in Derry N.H. (where HIs’ don’t need a cert., or liscenc.) home inspections are not manditory either.only about 70% right now. I’ve been to several agents and door to door (leaving cards) and no calls yet. what am Idoing wrong.
