How does a Home Inspector get his foot in the door w/ realtors?

I'm sorry I don't have time to read the previous 72 comments right now, so I hope this isn't a duplication.  I choose professionals like home inspectors, lenders, etc., through a successful co-op - one in which the other agent's favorite professionals impressed me.  The next time my "regular" is not available, that's when I'll try the alternative.  In other words, you gotta get out there doing some business, and hopefully the co-op agents will become your potential customers (not to mention the initial agent becoming a repeat customer).

Jeff - Go where real estate professionals are.  The home inspectors in our area who seem to consistently get much of our business, actually visit real estate offices, strike up converations, leave promotional material behind, etc.  Once an actual inspection is scheduled, make certain you are on time, and perform professionally.  The rest takes time.

It's hard to break in when everyone has a pre-established list of preferred people--- just keep hanging in.

Jeff.. Ask to speak at a Association Lunchon and Company Sales meetings... I have seen some inspectors use signs in the yards too.

Jeff, it's all about cultivating long-term business relationships.  Just keep going to all the Realtor events and being seen in a positive light.

Join my NEW group for professionals who work from their home office at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Regina P. Brown
Allison James Estates & Homes
www.ReginaBrown.AllisonJamesInc.com

Well you've certainly got a lot of feedback on this one - I agree - Offering something like taking new agents on a real inspection or an inspection on a seller's house - that you do at no cost to the seller gets a lot of bang for the buck - you make the listing broker happy and you form new alliances with the new agents... GOOD LUCK ...

I agree with all of the above. Especially education and having them be on an inspection..maybe even pass around sample reports. That is important to me. What is my client going to get in his hands and can he read it. I have a preferred Home Inspector and wouldn't use anybody else. I think of my home inpsector like I do my hairdresser.

Jeff,

Being a member of Active Rain helps.  2 of our preferred inspectors we found through the Active Rain network.  Keep blogging and posting.

The other suggestion is to ask to make a presentation at a local real estate office weekly meeting.  Use the presentation as an education experience for the agents.  Make sure to tell your story and why you can do a good job for the agents customers.

Good luck!

Steve

I'm going to suggest cultivating your SOI more = the people that know you and know you do home inspections.

Being on a realtor recommended list is terrific - BUT - a LOT of home buyers do not use ANY of the inspectors recommended by their agents.  I have had only one buyer use a home inspector I recommended.  The others asked for recommendations - I usually give four or five names - and then they come up with some guy I never heard of from out of the area.  They didn't want someone who they perceived was in cahoots with an agent.

This happens a lot -one of my co workers said she stopped recommending her favorite inspector in hopes that the buyers would use them since they weren't on the list.  LOL

So my advice to you is to make sure your SOI really knows what you do and see if they will help you by recommending you to their friends who are buying a home.

Check out Tim Davis' blog

http://activerain.com/timdavis

He has a tip about making a cheat sheet for realtors. Things to look for in a home that would keep it from passing FHA inspection.

Offer it to a realtor, maybe even get in front of them during their monthly meetings to discuss.

My suggestion is to gather testimonials from the agents that are happy using your services, then go into the offices "face to face" with a resume and those letters and talk to each agent.  Service providers need to realize that by the time we are needing your services we have already invested months with the buyers, showing them property, writing and negotiating the contract, etc.  We then put our name on the service providers we recommend.  It is not worth one bad recommendation to have months of work blow up in my face, or an after the fact problem with an inspection that requires months of work after close of escrow to keep me from needing my E&O Insurance.  If you are good at what you do agents will use you again and again for the reasons mentioned above. 

wow, lot's of great comments here! 

A few months ago I got a call from an inspector I'd never met.  A few things about it were annoying: Call was from secretary, not inspector, didn't ask me if they had reached me at a good time, I'd never met them before, and when I asked them to email me a sample report, it sounded like it was a hassle...and I don't think I ever did get that email!

Face to face contact and consistant follow up should help get business.  Also, have a sample report to give or email to agents who are interested, but haven't used you yet.  And ask the agents that have used you to refer you to another agent.  Ask a broker if you can bring donuts to an office meeting and hand out a few business cards.  While you're there, make some contacts, ask for cards, and follow up with a personal call or email within a few days and then every once in a while.

there's my 2 cents, I hope it helps.

Just go to every realtor event in the price point that you want to be in....and do it over and over and over.  I would have a plan to go to 4 a month....every month....until your database is where it needs to be and then slowly back off...

Hi Jeff, It can be tough to start a biz. Are you an affiliate at the Board?  Affiliate members get more trust & respect. This has probably been said B4, but get an 'in' to the larger & medium offices. Make the rounds. Let people get to know you. My Ann Arbor, MI office is quite large. There are daily educational offerings. Become the offices' inspector. Volunteer to do the new agent training on inspections. The more experienced agents will start to notice you & this will put you in the path of business!!! Try it. It will work. 

Wow Jeff!

When I logged on and read your question, I wanted to jump in and help immediately.  But, then I saw there were 89 comments already.  Don't you just love Active Rain?  So much good information and helpful people with just a click of a button!  Here's to your success in the new year!