TOPIC: Home Inspections in August

Is it just me, or does everyone's home inspection business "fall off" in August? June and July I was performing 3-4 per week. I have done 2 so far in August. My google ranking has fallen a little, but I have to believe the trend is related to the market. I am continuing to add blogs and pics to my website to try and optimize SEO, to get my rankings higher- maybe someone has some advice?  ???

The sales cycle for housing is spring to fall.  People generally want to move during the school summer break so the kids can start in the new school.  Others move due to job change, etc. so there are sales all year long. 

Holidays, the first and last week of school, etc are always slow weeks before and after the event.  People are either getting ready for or recouperating from the event.  Then there are the weirdos like me.  I bought my last two houses during November.  Closed the week of Christmas.

Those are kind of my thoughts, too, Bruce. But then there are people who don't have school aged kids that would buy a house any time. Last year I think I was fairly busy even in December thru February, which surprised me. I suppose this "down time" is when I should work on different marketing strategies, or give in to the wife's Honey-Doo lists! I told her that if she tells me to fix something- I will fix it-she doesn't have to remind me every 6 months!!  ;D ;D

June was real busy.  July I didn't have time to look up.  August has slowed up to 3-4 a week but the type of house has changed.  I haven't had a home under 3200 sq ft this month and a number over 4000 sq ft.  Less inspections but a lot more money.  I was tired of making small adjustments to my prices so I made a bigger jump.  Minimum price went up $40 and the larger homes went up $80 or more.  And older homes have gone up a LOT more.  It hasn't slowed business down at all.  There seems to be fewer "price shoppers".  Most are booking after a good sales pitch.

My first boss taught me one thing that has stuck with me for the last 44 years.  "IF YOU DON'T ASK, YOU WON'T GET."

My second boss taught me something as well.  "IF YOU KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU'LL KEEP GETTING WHAT YOUR GETTING."
If you quote low prices, you will only get low prices.

ASK FOR THE BOOKING.

Work hard and stay safe.  Remember to hydrate.  You don't want to get light headed on a roof or attic.

Yeah, that's good advice Stephen. I never drop my prices, either. If someone wants a cheap inspection, I'm just not their guy. My concern was I'm not losing inspections because of price-my phone is simply not ringing. I believe I need to try some more/different marketing strategies to reach the clients out there. I did find out, like you did, the smaller houses shouldn't necessarily be cheaper-it's the OLDER ones that take the most time because of the amount of defects. I did a 3600 sq ft 6 yr old house in a little over 2 hours, then a 1150 sq ft house that took 3 1/2 hours! So I'm gauging my price on SQ FT as well as age nowadays. My late father also used to give me the same advice about "keep doing what you're doing". He also used to preach "if you don't have time to do it right, just when in the h%** are you going to find the time to do it over again?" It all makes sense. Good luck, let's keep fighting the good fight!!