TOPIC: who is up first

I live in Barrie Ontario Canada and I would like to known from the people in the states if you have the same rules as Canada for the realty agents? Here they need to show three referrals of home inspectors and lawyers.I know that some over step this rule but others would keep to the rule. I say rule but I believe it is the law. Here there is no one to see if this is happening. So to do business is very hard because my odds are best out of three.

Don

Hi Don,

Some states might require this of the agents but I know there is no federal law. There's no such law in California at all where I am, they can refer whomever they want. I didn't think there was an actual law about that in Canada, can you find this somewhere? Make sure to give your agent a good copy of a sample report that they can show to their clients to help them with their decision. You might even want to post it here for the guys to review. Make it look sharp, include photos, good comments, etc.

Don - in Virginia there is no such rule or law.  There are realty firms which advise their agents to offer three inspectors for the clients to call.  They do this to avoid any liability if the inspector screws up.  Their position is - I gave them three to choose from and they unfortunately chose THAT guy...  A number of agents who like me give their clients three brochures and they put mine on top - that way the clients call me first and it appears random.  Sometimes they say they like me the best, but the clients should call everyone and interview them.  However, if they "interview" me I will get the job... 

If clients call you, be presumptive and assume you have the job and act that way.  Start asking questions like, "Would you prefer a morning or afternoon inspection?" or "I am very busy.  I hope I can schedule you when you want the inspection done.  What date do you have in mind?"  You can also slight the other inspectors by saying something like, "I recommend that you call at least three inspectors to determine which has the right stuff.  However, be careful - you simply HAVE to find someone with experience.  If the inspector you call can do the job the very next morning, well, there must be a reason he is not busy.  Please try to call me back soon.  It's Monday morning and my week books up fast.  I guess there's a reason for that..."  The other inspector might have 75 inspections lined up this week and had a surprise cancellation the next morning he was able to slip them into.  They don't need to know that, only that you are busy and they need to call you back right away.  Little things like that help a lot.  Remember, sell the sizzle and not the steak.

I had a previous post about marketing.  It may or may not help, but you can find it and see if it does.  For now, you need to find a way to develop clients who are loyal to you and to how you do inspections.  Be different in some way - a slight edge can go a long way.

Mucha suerte amigo, eh?

Don, it is not necessarly a bylaw with OREA or CREA, it is a CYA thing with agents, this way they can't be held responsible if the HI screws up because he offered 3 choices, would be the dsame if he handed the phone book, Which I would like as I am first LOL
but when push comes to shove , the clients will ask which they know aor have heard about and then they just point to a brochure.

Basically hpow it goes in a nut shell, get good, advertise lots, get your name out and DO NOT do a soft report ever, walk from the inspection, call a buddy to take it over and make up the difference in cash for the new fella, but never do a sdt one,
do it once and your the fluffy one, and they will always expect it, then write a tough one and your cursified .