No matter how many articles and blog posts are written about the importance of a buyer’s home inspection, too many people still opt out. Sometimes, they regret it. In hot markets, competition for real estate is so high that an inspection can seem like a surefire way to lose out to another bidder. And sometimes, the buyer simply doesn’t want to spend the additional money.
As a certified home inspector, you have the power to educate the public. It’s not just a marketing tool for your business. It’s an opportunity to help buyers, sellers, and agents who might be on the fence understand the real benefits of getting an inspection and the risks of skipping it.
Here are a few ways that you can help make a difference.
Build an Informative Website
It’s difficult for any business to keep up with the competition without a website. It’s not just a way to help customers find you and set up an appointment. It’s also a dedicated platform for educating the buying public, or at least it can be. Website Builder Expert says you don’t even need a designer as long as the site looks good.
If you’re not the blogging type, website landing pages can serve as educational tools for site visitors. With an intriguing call to action, you could drive visitors to download an ebook that you’ve written, watch a video or check out an infographic.
Get Active on Social Media
Social media has grown far beyond a meeting spot for socializing with friends. With so many marketing tools, you can use it to promote your business and educate your followers about the importance of a home inspection.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Weekly ‘home inspection nightmares’ pictures of hair-raising defects
- Stories about buyers who got an inspection
- Stories about buyers who didn’t
- Tips and hints about common defects and the average cost to repair or replace
Write for a Local Newspaper
Newspapers are still around. Some local papers are digital-only now and some only have a weekly print edition, but they could give you a platform to talk about home inspections.
If you can’t find a spot as a regular columnist, think about writing as a guest columnist. You might also contact reporters about giving an interview on emerging or seasonal home inspection issues that home buyers and homeowners should know about.
A few lunch-and-learns might give you the confidence to become a speaker at the next association meeting.
Meet Regularly With Real Estate Agents
Lunch-and-learn events with real estate agents are the bread and butter of home inspection referrals. If you pop in to drop off business cards and head back out the door, you’re missing an important opportunity to educate agents about your business and about home defects that affect their clients.
Just because agents deal in real estate doesn’t mean they know the ins and outs of defects. Think of them sort of like vehicle dealers. A person who sells you a car doesn’t necessarily know how it was built or how to diagnose mechanical defects. With a lunch-and-learn, you can arm them with more knowledge, which benefits them and their customers.
The importance of a home inspection can’t be overstated. In some instances, the buyer might not regret opting out. But even a new-construction home can have defects that make it a poor investment. Knowledge helps buyers make better choices. Education about the home inspection industry helps them understand how important that knowledge really is.
A great home inspection needs a great inspection report, and that’s what Report Form Pro offers. If you’re ready to upgrade to something better, download the home inspection app for Android or get it for your iPhone or iPad at the App Store.