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The way to the REALTOR'S heart is through her stomach.....and eyes.

By Barbara S. Duncan

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

May 18, 2009 12:03 AM

strawberry platter

howell home inspection

What more can be said? This home inspector delivered two of these trays and sat them on our table at our office. If he brought them to us, he must have taken them to all of the real estate offices.

He left his card and I'm putting it on this blog. I've used him and like him. How can you not like a home inspector who brings treats!!! I also like for them to bring brochures so that the brochure can be placed in the hands of the buyers so they can make the selection themselves.

My feeling very strongly is that we can not choose the inspector. We need to give the buyers a list and they can call, interview, and choose who they'd like. Brochures, I find, are more powerful than just a card. I hope Charlie brought brochures too because I sure like his methods!!!

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Lizette Fitzpatrick

Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY

Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

I like this yummy pro-active approach. Maybe you could put a few broshures in your listings? Some clients have no idea of the value of inspection.

May 18, 2009 12:12 AM

Laura Gray

RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Barbara - You are very lucky that a home inspector that you actually like is still in business these days. strawberries or not. Keep his card with you at all times and put a brochure in every buyer package as one of your preferred affiliates and keep the treats coming !

May 18, 2009 12:27 AM

Chip Jefferson

Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

YUM! My inspector that I know and trusts gave me a headache last week. I like your inspectors approach much better!

May 18, 2009 12:37 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mrs Barbara,

I deliver fruit and nuts to the bosses clients. Sometimes they boot me back out the door.

Nutsy

May 18, 2009 01:07 AM

Laura Higgins

ERA Advantage Realty - Sebring, FL

Barbara,

I have just one questions is your home inspector licensed in Florida?

May 18, 2009 01:12 AM

Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate

RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - Windsor, ON

Hi Barbara, Good post. Thanks for sharing.

Best - Sash

May 18, 2009 02:02 AM

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I have a buyer right now who ignored my list of home inspector referrals and went online to find his own. God help him. He's headed for disaster. He found a web site with lists of inspectors and customer recommendations. He has no idea whether any of those home inspectors are any good because most individuals get one or two home inspections in their lifetimes and have no clue how to rate an inspector. I know this guy picked some loser because the home is being painted, and when he told the inspector that, the inspector said he can't do a complete home inspection while work is going on.

May 18, 2009 03:42 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Lenn, I must admit that I ate a strawberry or two before I snapped this picture. The agents made short work of the whole thing!

Charlie, it does make one hungry, doesn't it?

Lizette, that is an excellent idea. A list of home inspectors on my web site would be great.

Nutsy, a fruit delivering nuts can cause people to panic. OFF WITH THE FRUIT SUIT!!!!!!

Laura, no fair. We're not gonna share!

Sash, thanks.

Elizabeth, but you are off the hook. He can't blame you if the person doesn't get a deal.

May 18, 2009 05:45 AM

Suesan Jenifer Therriault

JTHIS-Professional Home Inspection Team - Blakeslee, PA

"Inspecting every purchase as if it were my own".

Barbara, I have to admit that I don't give out goodies to my Realtors, but I certainly like his choice of goodies. I may have to think on this for a while ...

May 18, 2009 06:00 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Suesan, these were expensive looking trays, too. I don't know how it would be affordable to take them to each office....if he did.

Erica, how many agents do you have? Thanks for comment.

May 18, 2009 10:01 AM

James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes

Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC

When Looking to Buy or Sell - Make the Right Move

YUM !! If he brought those to my office - I would be 300 pounds.

May 18, 2009 02:23 PM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mrs Barbara,

Did you see the revealing photos of cousin Swindle-berry that my boss has been using as graphics at his blog. I took the photos myself. You can use them too if you want.

Nutsy

May 18, 2009 02:28 PM

Carol Culkin

Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS

Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Barbara - Who was that who once said - "how sweet it is!" ...Why, I think it was Jackie Gleason.

May 18, 2009 03:00 PM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Erica, you're not crowded! Nice sized office, I'd say.

James, that wouldn't happen because there'd be too many hands grabbing the food!

Nutsy, I've been trying to figure out that picture. At first I thought it was some squirrel hugging himself and covering his face. Then.....and then.....I figured out the squirred is mooning me!!!!!! Have you no respect for all of us on this blog site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why did your boss allow this?????

Carol, what a nice comment to go under than disgraceful mooning squirrel above!

May 19, 2009 03:53 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mrs Barbara,

My boss had me shoot the photos for his "rude blog". He wanted a rude raspberry and Swindle-berry has been known for years as a squirrel who moons. The boss is so manipulative. He asks for the photo, I think it is okay to use it, now I am at risk of being cut out of your lucrative estate plan. Sometimes Nutsy cannot win one. I feel like General Custard.

Nutsy

May 19, 2009 12:37 PM

Tony Orefice

NorthGroup Real Estate/www.TonyORealtor.com - Concord, NC

Realtor- Cabarrus County, NC

Barbara,

what's a little mooning among friends?...huh?

I say Nutsy shouldn't have to worry about being taken out of your estate.

What do you say?!

May 21, 2009 02:38 AM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mr Tony,

Thank you so much for the support. It is the least you can do in light of the fact you, at one point, planted a seed of doubt in Godmother Barbara's mind about my intentions. You are now getting back in my good graces. Nutsy is getting a soft spot for you.

Nutsy

May 21, 2009 10:35 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Erica, you're the boss!! A good one, sounds like.

Nutsy, you're making excuses. You know a mooning squirrel is not good for a family blog. I don't believe Mr. Steve would give you that assignment. Now Mr. Charles would, hoping you'd get thrown in detention for awhile. But I've got important things on my mind. I'm working on Mr. Tony O to perhaps take over some of my perilous duties as godmoma. I mean.....you could sure use a godfather. What do you think??????

Tony O., what do you think of being a godfather??

May 21, 2009 12:57 PM

Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mrs Barbara,

I think we ruled Mr Tony out due to his admission that he does not have the assets necessary to be my Godfather.

Nutsy