TOPIC: Marketing Ideas

I will post a picture for you Marcel.

This is what I mean.

This past week I did an inspection for a guy for whom I did one 15 years ago.  He brought his binder to the inspection!  His first words, after telling me how great I look of course, were, "Did you bring me another binder and will you give me another great report?"  That was what he remembered about the other inspection.  It was why he called me back, aside from the thorough inspection.

We compared the old binder to new, the old report to new - it was very interesting to see the changes and upgrades!

I hope the photo comes through clearly...

I ALWAYS give a printed report and they sign the agreement at the time they get the report.  That way nobody can say they never got it, never saw it, didn't know what was in it, etc.  

I go over it with them before we all leave the property.  I explain the agreement before we all leave the property.  That way nobody can say they did not know what they were receiving or signing.  I saw where an inspector got sued recently because some (liberal, anti-the-business-guy) "judge" determined that the inspector rushed the clients and they did not know what they were signing.  That was the client's position in court.  Ridiculous!  They are adults and they signed it.  But in my case, they KNOW what they are signing.  Witnessed by the agent...  This is all very low key.  It is to secure my hiney as well as inform them.

They can have it all electronically as well, and I have a record that it was "sent."  But they does not prove that they received it.  Communication, to be communication, requires a back and forth.

I get my binders at Costco, 6 for $9.  They work out well.  There are plastic jackets where I add the front page, rear page and edge material so they have their own book.  I think the final product is crucial to return business.  And having something solid in hand makes everyone feel better.

I'm an old guy - that's just my opinion!  Electronics can fail.  My hard copy cannot!

Jay do you print on site reports? I have not printed one on site yet I do have a HP printer that is bluetooth , I will try it one of these days when someone wants a printed report.
Nice binder, Jay what do you do when they don't want a printed report?

I almost always print it on site, Louie.  On the rare occasions that they want it electronically, because of time constraints or the fact that they are not present, I require a written return that they got the emailed PDF, which I print off and staple to MY hard copy of their report.  The agent, in those cases, gets a hard copy on site.  When their email that they got it comes, part of what I print is my return message that I am glad they got it and to enjoy it.  And to call me with any questions.  All that gets printed and filed with their report in my files.

As to my binder, it contains "my" book (in collaboration with others), 405 pages, into which cross references the report.  Each reported item goes right to the page in the book that discusses it.  It contains over 1000 pictures and diagrams, and is very comprehensive and explanatory.

This is what I mean.

This past week I did an inspection for a guy for whom I did one 15 years ago.  He brought his binder to the inspection!  His first words, after telling me how great I look of course, were, "Did you bring me another binder and will you give me another great report?"  That was what he remembered about the other inspection.  It was why he called me back, aside from the thorough inspection.

We compared the old binder to new, the old report to new - it was very interesting to see the changes and upgrades!

I hope the photo comes through clearly...

That's pretty cool Jay, looks good.

Jay, that sounds like a nice way to present the report sounds like you have all bases covered. Over here what is the norm with me is they say e mail it to me and a copy to my agent. Everyone is in a hurry around here no one stops long enough to how would you say it "smell the roses". Around here Most not all they want to know how much for the inspection, how long will it take, and did you find anything wrong with the property. I have also noticed about a 1/3 of the prospective clients that find my listing on Google or Yahoo, never go to my website they see the listing on the Local Business results and get my phone number from there.