In an effort to increase my visibility in my local market I recently began working on a new website. This is all pretty strange stuff for me. I feel comfortable working with my own computer, but learning about search engine optimization and those things that are done to encourage you and your computer to connect to me and mine via a website is all very foreign.

The gentleman that is hosting my new site and dragging me through the steps of creating something worthwhile gives me “homework” each time we speak. My assignment from yesterday’s conversation sounded pretty simple, but proved to be a little more difficult. I was told to list the reasons why a potential client should hire me. I know this must sound like newbie stuff to all of you seasoned sales professionals, but it’s harder than you think.

I’m a realist and a polite realist at that. It’s not good form to brag, but the fact of the matter is that without “bragging” on myself and my Knoxville Home Inspection service no one will have a clue why they should hire me. After looking at several of the home inspection websites around the intarweb it appears that I will have to do some mighty tall bragging to even attempt to compete.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m good at what I do. I feel very confident that every time I deliver a home inspection report, I have provided my client with a thorough and complete view of their property. Actually putting my proficiencies into words is a bit more difficult. If you’ll indulge me I would like to post what I have come up with so far. I would appreciate your input and constructive criticism.

1) Experienced: Over a thousand fee paid home inspections completed. Current member of Home Inspectors of Tennessee and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. I sit on the board of directors for the state organization.

2) Independent: I work for my client, not for their realtor. Home buyers need to have confidence in their home inspector that there aren’t any conflicts of interest. I have great deal of respect for the real estate professionals that refer me to their clients. The agents that I work with know that my legal and ethical obligation is to my client and their interests. I only ask for and accept referrals from real estate professionals that I trust.

3) Thorough: I don’t rush through my inspection process. I take all the time needed to completely and thoroughly inspect the property. Some inspectors “overbook” inspections and have to rush the process to get to the next job. I’m careful about my scheduling so I am sure to have plenty of time to perform a complete inspection.

4) Reports are delivered quickly: While some inspection companies will deliver their report immediately following the inspection, I think that it is important, for the sake of accuracy, that I take time to fully review any inspection notes and photos before issuing a report. I email most of my inspection reports within a few hours. Always within 24 hours.

5) Variety of services offered: Safety 1st Home Inspection offers a full line of inspection services. Home inspection, Mold sampling and inspection, Radon testing, Lead paint testing, etc.

6) Value: While our clients may be able to find a less expensive home inspection, they can’t find a better home inspection for the price. Knoxville and the surrounding area is fortunate to have some fine home inspectors working in the area. There are also some home inspectors that should be selling used cars. It isn’t hard to find a home inspector that will inspect your new home for $199.00. The problem with home inspectors is similar to the problem with plastic surgeons…you usually get exactly what you pay for. Be gentle but please be honest. I trust the professionals on ActiveRain and know that there will be some good input.

No profound observations or witty commentary in this blog post. Just a very simple and heartfelt thank you to the awesome real estate professionals in the Knoxville Home Inspection market who are kind enough to refer their clients to me.

I am nearly booked solid next week. Two inspections per day booked through Wednesday and a smattering of mold and Radon inspections/ testing as well. Historically almost unheard of this time of the year. Keep up the hard work folks. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Like most home inspectors, I love inspecting crawlspaces. I enjoy crawlspaces so much that I save them for the end of my inspection. Like dessert. Not. Actually when a client calls and books and inspection for a home with a finished basement or a slab foundation I secretly do a little dance of joy. I’ve put on a few “happily married man” pounds over the past two and a half years so crawling around in an increasingly tight pair of coveralls, bumping my head on floor joists and dodging the occasional puddle isn’t the most exciting part of my job. The fun part of my job happens every once in a while I make a discovery during a home inspection that may look ugly, but is actually good news for my buying client. In this case a discovery that was missed in the previous two home inspections.

Prior to yesterday’s home inspection in Knoxville, my client warned me that the home was in a flood plain. As I began my walk around the exterior of the property there were large areas of standing water. Thankfully 40 or 50 feet from the house. There were also no drains installed at the bottom of the downspouts. Before I entered the crawlspace I was afraid that I might see a little water. Mainly from the downspouts that were discharging rain water next to the corners of the house.

As I was entering the crawlspace I saw standing water in several places. Far more water than I had anticipated. Crawling on top of the plastic vapor barrier it was obvious that there was a cushion of water under the plastic in several areas. This place was seriously wet! The funny thing is that I didn’t see any obvious areas of moisture intrusion. No large white mineral deposit stains (efflorescence) and no dark wet foundation block. As I continued my inspection I heard the dishwasher draining above me. Running the dishwasher is a required part of a Tennessee home inspection and is a great help in checking for leaks in the plumbing drain lines. In this case it helped me find the REAL reason for all of the water in the crawlspace. There were two separate leaks in a main drain line. As the dishwasher drained, or any other plumbing fixture in the house for that matter, many gallons of water were being dumped into this crawlspace.

The past two home inspections killed the sale of this house because the flooding in the crawlspace was reported to have been from an exterior source. This home inspection was a benefit to the seller and the buyer. The seller can now address the real reason her house isn’t selling and the buyer can have the peace of mind that her new crawlspace will be healthy.

I hate crawlspaces, but I do love my job.

Do you ever suggest to your client not to get a home inspection?

Got a call from a young man a couple of days ago who is buying his first home, a HUD foreclosure in this case, and is concerned about a large crack in the slab foundation. After I booked the inspection I made a courtesy call to let his agent know that I had been hired to perform her buyer’s inspection. This agent sounded pretty frustrated with her client that he would get the home inspected. She explained to me that she told him it was an “as is” sale so there isn’t any point in getting the place inspected.

After inspecting the property I can see why a salesperson wouldn’t want the house inspected. It has all sorts of bumps and bruises. So many that seeing them on a summary page of a home inspection report may just give a buyer enough heartburn to think twice about backing out of their contract. Frankly a professional agent would have steered this client away from this property.

Even though I am asked frequently, I never give my clients advice about value decisions. That is what their professional real estate agent is for. I am a professional home inspector I inspect, I report and I try my best to help my client understand what they are getting into. Another question I’m asked on occasion…”do you know any “good” real estate agents?” Although this client didn't ask, that is a question, I will answer.

Do the home inspectors that you recommend to your buying clients record any specific information about the appliances being sold with the house? If not, you may want to suggest it to them prior to or during the inspection.

I have always taken pictures and recorded make, model and serial number information on any appliances being sold with the property. It has come in handy a couple of times. On more than one occasion, following the inspection, sellers have experienced a bit of cognitive dissidence and decided to keep an appliance or two and replace those present during the inspection with older or less valuable appliances. This is more likely to be an issue when a property is being flipped by and unscrupulous investor or “Flipper” who may have an inventory of older model appliances.

In those cases, the information that I had provided my home buying client was worth far more than the cost of their inspection.

Just a suggestion.