It might look like a simple electronic device, but an IR camera is an expensive tool that might just be worth it. How familiar are you with infrared technology? If you’re a new inspector, it might be completely foreign. But it’s time to break down any barriers and get with the program. Inspectors have used…
DetailsMisquoted fees cause hard feelings all the way around, so stop it in its tracks. You rely heavily on real estate agents handing out your business cards and sending customers your way. And you’re eternally grateful for the business that it generates. But all of it can go pear-shaped when the agent quotes a fee…
DetailsScandalous news usually ranks higher than anything else, so it shouldn’t surprise any home inspector when a rotten one makes the whole industry look bad. Social media spreads disparaging news like wildfire and before you know it, your business might suffer. Good thing you’re not defenseless in the battle between bad press and good home…
DetailsRecent clarifications in the FHA underwriting process have inadvertently created confusion in another area. Are appraisers and inspectors really all that different? Now it’s harder to tell. Appraisers for FHA are required to assess the value of homes, and part of the assessment is an inspection that hits the high points. But real estate agents,…
DetailsWhat’s the last thing that a homeowner might feel like doing after learning that his house is in foreclosure? Being gracious, that’s what. It’s an unfortunate reality. For some homeowners, a foreclosure or short sale brings about heightened emotions, plenty of anger, and perhaps a bit of revenge for good measure. In the home inspection…
DetailsJeffrey Brookfield is the Business Development Consultant with AmeriSpec of Canada. In this role he provides leadership, guidance, coaching and develops programs for the network of AmeriSpec offices across Canada. We recently checked in with him about the importance of continued training for home inspectors. Here’s what he had to say: How important is the…
DetailsYou’re a responsible home inspector, or you’re training to be one. But what about the guy down the street? If you live in a state that doesn’t require licensing, customers might never know what they’ll get. That’s why areas without licensing requirements are pushing to make it a reality. Some areas have reported significant problems,…
DetailsThere’s a longstanding belief among some home inspectors that it’s bad form or even unacceptable to recommend a contractor who can make repairs. Some locales might have regulations regarding referrals, but many home inspectors think it’s an important part of the job. Your customers probably aren’t well-versed in home systems. After receiving a report that…
DetailsNew home inspectors tend to have the same question about getting their fledgling inspection business up and running: what kind of reporting software is recommended, and where to find it. That’s the topic of this month’s ICA School podcast, hosted by course author and instructor, Steve Preins. Keep reading to the end, because Steve has…
DetailsWhen two or more people are vying for the same home, what’s the last thing that any party wants to do? That’s right, no one wants to fall behind in the bidding process and risk losing the house. An ordinary sale can turn into an outright tug-of-war where the winner takes all. Unfortunately, buyers sometimes…
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