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Why Us You May Ask?

By
Home Inspector with SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties 450.004175

Why Us You May Ask?

     That's a great question and isn't asked very often. Most of the time the very first words we hear when the phone rings and a potential buyer is on the other end is "How much is a home inspection?" Literally 9 out of 10 times, that's all the caller wants to know. They don't know that it's not really  what they want to know, but they don't know what they don't know. What they really want to know is what are you going to tell me that is so valuable and worthwhile and important in making my decision to schedule an inspection with SLS Home Inspections  so I don't feel like I can get a better deal if I call another inspection company. It's really very simple. What's in it for me? 

     I've been a home inspector since 2007. I've seen the mortgage crisis in 2008, the steady recovery in the years after. I've witnessed the craziness of the Covid years and the ensuing red hot buying frenzy. I have also learned a lot along the way about what buyers are looking for when they are making one of the biggest decisions of the biggest decision money-wise in their life. They want peace of mind. They want to know that they will be safe and secure and that the surprises that come in time with any new home purchase will be reduced or non existant. 

     Now I could tell them the usual phrases that some inspection school teachers might recommend they say. Things like "We are very experienced." or "We do a very thorough inspection." or 'We show up on time for your inspection." or "We wear a name tag so you know it's us when we show up." or "We take color pictures of the issues we see." or "We take showers so we don't stink." All great things that an inspection company should do, but are these things really helping you stand out or be exceptional? I strongly submit NO. Honestly, every inspection company should be thorough, show up on time, be clean and professional and better be taking pictures, etc etc etc. What else are you going to do that tells as a buyer that you're the company for me? 

     It comes down to trust. Trust of the client in their agent when they give our name to the buyer. Trust in the agent to us that they know we will be fair and honest in explaining the issues we find. Our business was built over the years on the strength of referrals from real estate agents. Over 80% of our referrals are from Realtors. They tried us once and were so happy with the way that we reported the issues in the house while explaining the issues to their buyer client that the agents knew going forward they could TRUST us with their buyers and not scare the living daylights out of them. Observe and report, that's what we do. No sugar coating. If it's bad it's bad and the report will say so. But if it's not that crazy bad, why would we make it sound worse than it is? We work hard to give the buyer and their agent the same experience each and every time, and to make sure it's an exceptional one that they will then feel comfortable with in their new home purchase and also when referring us to their friends and family and co-workers. 

Decision time. 

Show All Comments Sort:
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Scott,
"How much is your commission" is one of the first questions sellers ask. It's our job to express value, not cost. There are tangible and intangible costs. A good inspection can save far far more than what it costs. Those are the intangibles.

Jul 30, 2023 07:48 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Scott - sometimes people ask certain questions because they have been told this-or-that.  Relationships are built and continue to grow organically.  There are many factors involved in the process.  Nicely presented post.  

Jul 30, 2023 08:04 AM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

You are absolutely right about TRUST, Scott!!! That's the bottom line

Trust of the client in their agent when they give our name to the buyer. Trust in the agent to us that they know we will be fair and honest in explaining the issues we find.

Jul 30, 2023 11:21 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Great information. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your Sunday!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Jul 30, 2023 12:27 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Bill Salvatore - East Valley  We are looking forward to your entry in this month's contest.

Jul 30, 2023 10:15 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Scott- it's interesting that we all want ot know how much something is going to cost us before we find out what we're going to get. 

Jul 30, 2023 01:16 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks for the entry,

Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp. Being exceptional shows who has used, trusted, and appreciated you enough to refer their special clients.

Jul 30, 2023 10:12 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I love the photo! As for the message, yes, trust is key. So is communicating calmly and accurately. Great job!

Jul 31, 2023 05:45 AM
Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp

That's my grandson about 3 years ago. Love that picture too.

Jul 31, 2023 06:01 AM
John Meussner
Catalyst Mortgage - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Thanks for your entry, Scott - love that you focus on providing the facts and realize that inspection time can be a scary moment for home buyers, love your approach.

Jul 31, 2023 10:04 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Retired Central CT Real Estate Broker

It is all about the trust and the ability to explain any issues to a buyer in a manner that doesn't alarm them, or even causes them to try to get out of the contract.

Aug 01, 2023 05:23 AM
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Hi Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp   Thank you for a great explanation.  Every Single Home has issues...has things that are missed by the Seller and Agent doing a "Honey-DO" walkthrough.  Or that is hidden or that they do not have technical knowledge.

Your comment is spot on:  "they could TRUST us with their buyers and not scare the living daylights out of them."     

That is one of the things I do worry about when I have an unknown inspector doing the inspection. 

Thanks for a great blog!

Aug 01, 2023 09:31 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Scott,

Love the photo of your grandson and your post. I'm so glad that Carol Williams featured your post in her Second Chance Saturday Series as I miss it! Trust is so important when an inspector inspects a home. The findings need to be communicated in a non-threating way and put in perspective.

Aug 05, 2023 04:31 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Scott. I want to know what I am going to get before I ask about the price. You can't evaluate the value until you know what you are getting. Only then does the price become an issue. Enjoy your day.

Aug 05, 2023 06:00 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Awe, love that sweet little baby face at the bottom of your post. Made me smile.

Aug 05, 2023 07:04 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

My father shared with me that when buying anything there are 3 important factors:

price, delivery and quality.

He then said one usually can only have 2 of the 3. Which one are you willing to give up?

Aug 07, 2023 02:40 PM
Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp

I used to say that when I was selling lumber years ago. Price, service and quality, pick the 2 you want. I want price and service. Great, we'll send you a load of crap. No, no no, I need good quality and good price. Fine, you'll see it it 3 weeks. Wait, I have a crew ready to pound nails tomorrow. So how about this Mr Builder. We'll give you a great product at a fair price and really good service. Otherwise we won't be in business. Does that work for you? 

Aug 07, 2023 05:51 PM