Do we all agree that 2009 has been a challenging year so far for home inspectors? Most home inspectors I have talked to have found that work levels and incomes continue to decline. During a recent ASHI Mid-Atlantic Chapter’s monthly “Candidate Education Hour,” which I moderated, we explored in depth what services some members…
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Insurance companies, adjusters and other real estate professionals need to be aware of the destruction that rodents can cause. Rodents, such as rats and mice, start fires by chewing on electrical wires that cause millions of dollars of structure damage each year.
It has been estimated that rodents cause up to 20% of undetermined fires in…
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Editor’s Note: Appraisers and Home Inspectors are catching the energy-auditing wave- diversifying and adding to their bottom lines. Shining Light on Energy Auditing by David Brauner, Editor As environmental concerns among Americans reach a tipping point- saving our planet, becoming energy independent, saving money on the soaring cost of energy- appraisers, inspectors and others are...…
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Editor’s Note: Matt Krodel shares a simple and cost free trick to increase business by landing your website in the “Maps” area of Google’s search results. Mapping for Success with Google by Matt Krodel, Product Manager at a la mode Whether we’re talking to real estate appraisers, real estate agents, loan originators or home inspectors,...…
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Editor’s Note: This story is reprinted for Working RE Online, Home Inspector’s Edition. To opt-in please email subscription@workingre.com with “Home Inspector’s Online Edition” in the subject. Inspectors-Appraisers: Line Blurring? by David Brauner, Editor In a recent Working RE story, Appraiser: I’m No Home Inspector (WorkingRE.com, Library, Issue 24), appraiser Tony Bamert says he is asked…
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Historically, the relocation industry has been challenged by such environmental issues as UFFI (urea formaldehyde foam insulation), asbestos, radon gas, synthetic stucco, and black mold. Currently, the industry is challenged economically by an oversupply of homes, decreasing home prices, a credit crisis, an unstable stock market, record foreclosures, and a global recession. What is next?…
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Editor’s Note: This following marketing advice works, according to appraisers and home inspectors.
Appraisers
Good advice is to go after clients who really need your services and who are truly depending on your work product. Create a professional image and work product: website, business cards. Pay attention to how you present yourself- create and polish a 30-second…
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Editor’s Note: Though a water heater is relatively inexpensive compared to the price of a house, repairs for the damage caused when one suddenly has a catastrophic failure is likely to be expensive. This is the reason many inspectors want to be able to give their clients some idea of how old the device is…
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As I approach my 10th year in business I am still learning about homes and perfecting my trade. Our clients expect a perfect inspection that will catch 100 percent of the issues. However, few are willing to spend the time or money such an exhaustive inspection would require.
Agents wouldn’t support it because a multi-day inspection…
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Editor’s Note: Home Inspectors no longer have to pay more for the complete coverage they need. A new program from OREP includes E&O and General Liability/Off-Premises Coverage, plus many other ancillary coverages inspectors need like termite, radon, drone, EIFS, commercial and much more! OREP Announces New Home Inspector Insurance Program Complete Coverage: New Lower Rates OREP-…
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