25 January The Top Qualities REALTORS Look for in Inspectors January 25, 2022 By sma Business Tips, Inspection Tips, Marketing business growth, client satisfaction, inspection industry, small business, time management 0 THE TOP QUALITIES REALTORS LOOK FOR IN INSPECTORS January 25, 2022 | Business Tips, Inspection Tips, Marketing | client satisfaction, inspection industry, business growth, small business, time management By Kimberly Stevens, NPI, Inc.'s Marketing Coach As an inspector, you might already have an idea of the perfect client you want to work with. And when you get the chance to work with someone that fits it, it makes your job that much easier. The same holds true for your clients. Real estate agents have an idea of the inspector that they want to work with, and they always want to try and find the closest match. Good Communication You most likely prefer a client who is responsive, so it’s only natural that agents want the same thing from you. Agents handle multiple transactions each month and need to move quickly between each one. If the inspector they’re working with is hard to reach, it can delay the buying or selling process and result in a lost sale. While you can’t be available 24/7 running your business, do your best to promptly reply to agents. Set up your voicemail or consider a call center so that agents can leave you a message when you can’t answer the phone. If you plan on leaving town for a vacation, let them know ahead of time and set up your out of office reply. Positive with Clients Buying a home is an intimidating process for new homeowners. It’s a major investment and the smallest issues can send a buyer looking somewhere else. That’s why agents look for an inspector that isn’t going to chase away a potential sale. As an inspector, you need to find the balance between sugar coating defects you find and being overly negative. Agents appreciate an inspector that both informs a buyer about the home while staying neutral with their own emotions. Certified and Insured Being fully certified as an inspector is one of the top attributes most agents look for. They’ll have peace of mind in knowing that they’re covered in case something goes wrong. If you’re licensed for additional services, that can make you more marketable to agents. Offering certain warranties will further show that you care about the people you serve. It proves that you’re an industry expert and they’ll be more likely to do business with you. Clear Report Writing Along with frequent communication, clearly speaking with your clients is a key quality. That includes writing a report that’s easy to understand. While you want your report to be technically sound, it helps to break it down since not everyone will know what’s outlined in it. Checking for smaller things like punctuation, spelling, and overall that your writing is organized and legible will limit confusion. (If you’re having trouble cutting down your report writing time, check out these tips from NPI’s Jon McCreath!) Gives Back A give and take relationship with your clients is always a great recipe for success. With agents, showing that you appreciate them and are willing to add value to their business goes a long way. One way you can do this is by offering continuing education or CE courses. You’ll be helping your agents get the qualifications they need, while further showing you’re a professional in the field. You can also give back by surprising your agents with gifts like free merchandise or a discount on your services. Just showing your appreciation in a unique way will strengthen your partnership! Interested in starting your own NPI franchise? Contact us today. National Property Inspections has the tools to help you succeed in the property inspection business. Give us a call today at 402-333-9807 to learn more! About the Author Kimberly Stevens, Marketing Coach The baby of eight children, Kimberly learned quickly to master the art of communication in order to be heard. She has been with NPI for more than 15 years and is passionate about getting to know our franchisees. Kimberly is a certified marketing and business coach, trainer and speaker, leading training seminars, one-to-one coaching and more. She's a high-energy, fiery red head and an eternal optimist. Her greatest joy is celebrating our franchisees’ victories! Comments are closed.