Category: Franchise

5 Reasons NPI Stands Out Among Other Franchise Opportunities

May 2, 2018

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator National Property Inspections strives to stand out from other home service-based franchise opportunities by continuously offering a lucrative business model with competitive startup costs. Here are some of the key traits that set us apart from the pack: 1. National Property Inspections is built on honesty, integrity and professionalism.At National Property Inspections, we pride ourselves on upholding high standards of professional excellence. We always conduct our business with our motto of “Honesty, Integrity and Professionalism” at front of mind. In fact, our business ethics score us the highest marks in franchisee surveys again and again. These values trickle down through our franchisees and attract some of the country’s most successful realtors as well as thousands of satisfied clients. 2. We’ve been in the business a long time—we can help you achieve marketing success.Founded in 1987, National Property Inspections is the first property inspection franchisor in North America. We know the inspection industry inside and out, and we know the real estate business. Each NPI staff member is uniquely qualified to help you put your best foot forward, from our certified Marketing Coach, Kimberly, to our Marketing Director, Bill. 3. Our franchisees and their

Global Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Greg Mathias

March 26, 2018

Global Property Inspections’ Franchisee Spotlight recognizes our most innovative and successful GPI and NPI franchises. By sharing their stories, helpful tips and lessons learned, every franchisee can learn what it takes to grow their business. For our March spotlight, we’re proud to feature Greg Mathias of Lloydminster, AB. Greg bought his GPI franchise in 2009. He was the first inspector to be named a CCHI (Canadian Certified Home Inspector). In just three short years as a GPI franchisee, Greg earned the title as our GPI top producer for 2013. What was appealing to you about the inspection industry?Greg Mathias: I’m a people person. I really liked the idea that I would be helping someone make the biggest decision of their lives. What skills from your previous job have helped you grow an inspection franchise?GM: I have always been in the construction industry working on full home, commercial buildings and renovations. I use the skills I’ve amassed over 31 years in the trade to market my inspection services. Clients like to know that you have the skills and the expertise to do the job. Why did you decide on GPI?GM: I looked at many franchises before deciding on GPI. The reason

6 Ways to Know It’s Time to Go into Business for Yourself

March 2, 2018

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator Do you have a feeling you might be cut out for small business ownership? If any of these points describe you, you may be on to something. Here are six ways to know it’s time to go into business for yourself as a National Property Inspections franchise owner. You want to make money.This one is a no-brainer. If you feel as though you’ve maxed out your earning potential according to your current industry’s standards, the best way to make more money may be to go into business for yourself. When you’re your own boss, how much you make is only limited by your own level of dedication. The more time and energy you devote to your business, the more money you can potentially make. You aren’t fulfilled.It’s normal to get into a work rut every once in a while. The daily grind can be tough and we’re only human! But if you’re consistently feeling as though there’s something missing in your professional life, it could be time to make a change. According to a recent Gallup study on the American work place, up to 51 percent of the 100 million full-time employees surveyed

National Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Doug and Margaret Versaw

February 20, 2018

National Property Inspections’ Franchisee Spotlight recognizes our most innovative and successful NPI franchises. By sharing their stories, helpful tips and lessons learned, every franchisee can learn what it takes to grow their business. For our February installment, we’re proud to feature Doug Versaw and Margaret Herrera of Golden, CO. Doug and Margaret started with NPI in February 2012. Doug previously worked as a critical situation manager in the high tech industry before joining the NPI family, while Margaret worked as a marketing professional. Since 2012, National Property Inspections, Inc. has awarded them the Pacesetter Award (2013), the Pinnacle Award (2014-2016) and the President’s Club Award (2017). We asked Doug and Margaret to share their insights on joining NPI and growing their franchise. What was appealing to you about the inspection industry?Doug & Margaret: Doug’s always been interested in homes and structures in general. During his time working in the high tech industry, he kept his sanity by providing remodels and basement build-out services on the side. In New Mexico, we lived in a new development that built custom homes. We befriended one of the builders and in the evenings, Doug would check out home mid-build to learn about the construction

National Property Inspections Franchisee Spotlight: Stephen Fotiades

January 29, 2018

National Property Inspections’ Franchisee Spotlight recognizes our most innovative and successful NPI franchises. By sharing their stories, helpful tips and lessons learned, every franchisee can learn what it takes to grow their business. For our first installment, we’re proud to feature Stephen Fotiades of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Stephen Fotiades first started with NPI in 2015 after purchasing an existing franchise. Stephen previously worked as a commercial real estate agent and business owner before joining the NPI family. He runs his franchise with his wife, Taylor, and also has two children, Hayden (age 4) and Callan (age 16 months) with another on the way this year. We asked Stephen to share his insights on joining National Property Inspections and growing his franchise. What was appealing to you about the inspection industry?Stephen Fotiades: Without knowing a whole lot about the inspection industry, the first two aspects that I found appealing were that I didn’t have to spend all day in an office, and I was able to constantly interact with and meet new people. I have always had an outgoing personality and enjoy being around people so making sure that I was not confined to an office all day was an absolute necessity

Why Investing in a Franchise Is Better Than Going It Alone

January 18, 2018

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator Going into business for yourself might be the biggest leap you ever take. That’s why it’s important to have a safety net. And that’s where investing in a franchise can help put you on the path to success. Here are the top five reasons that a National Property Inspections franchise is the key to meeting your small business goals. 1. You invest in us and we invest right back in you.At NPI, we strive to make your commitment worthwhile by continuing to invest in your success. Whether that’s updating our proprietary software or creating marketing materials based on the latest trends, we take innovation seriously and want you to feel as though there’s always something new in it for you. Unlike going into business independently, at NPI, you have a team dedicated to your professional growth. We’re industry experts with years of experience in home and commercial property inspection, digital marketing and more, so you don’t have to guess the right direction to go with your business. By following our tried and true business strategy, you can dedicate more time to honing your inspection skills and networking with real estate agents. 2. You

5 Reasons Military Veterans Make the Best NPI Franchise Owners

November 3, 2017

By Sammi Marcellus, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator As a veteran, you automatically possess the necessary strengths to become a thriving property inspection business owner. Many veterans return to civilian life with a strong desire to be their own boss, as you often have far greater leadership experience than your peers. However, finding an industry that requires a relevant skillset to that of military experience can be a challenge. The world of franchise ownership in the property inspection business is a smart and lucrative route of vets re-entering the workforce. Here’s how each of these military skills can spell big success (as your own boss!) with NPI: 1. Detail-OrientedIn the military world, attention to detail and accuracy is critical when it comes to things like operating artillery and firearms. You know that haphazard work just won’t cut it, no matter how big or small the job. One of the most important characteristics a property inspector must have is a meticulous mindset, and your ability to extensively analyze your surrounding perfectly translates to inspection. Whether you’re inspecting an attic for mold or putting together a list of your best references for future clients, you won’t miss a beat. 2. Team LeaderStarting at

How Time Management Can Unlock Your Hidden Potential

January 31, 2023

By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.’s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator Small business owners have a lot on their plate. As a home inspector, for example, owners are frequently one part inspector, one part marketer, one part continuing education instructor, and one part bookkeeper (just to name a few responsibilities). Naturally, it can be easy to feel spread thin at times, with different tasks and projects constantly vying for attention. To survive, small business owners need to learn how to become organized and manage their time well – it’s as simple as that. Still, building your time management capability is a constant process. Reconsider these strategies to improve how you run your business and raise the ceiling of your potential. Why Should You Improve Your Time Management?For some people, the benefits of improved time management are obvious. They might struggle to meet deadlines and frequently double-book their meetings. Still others might feel that they have a system they like in place – they just have too much to do! However advanced your time management skills might be, there is always room for improvement and evaluation. Through a frequent time management “self audit” you have the opportunity to improve your productivity at

Why Veterans Make Amazing Entrepreneurs

January 24, 2023

By Sammi Marcellus, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator Veterans returning home from duty have a lot of opportunities open for them, but it can understandably be difficult to find one’s place after such a big change. As entrepreneurs and business owners, veterans have a long history of success. From Phil Knight at Nike to Gordon Logan at Sport Clips, veterans clearly have the capability to reach remarkable heights in their own business ventures, but it can be difficult to figure out how to start. At National Property Inspections, we have seen first-hand how veterans excel in the field of home inspections. Many of our top producers are veterans, and we love working with new franchisees who have gained the fundamental skills that military training instills. Here are a few reasons why veterans make amazing entrepreneurs and home inspectors. Veterans Are Versatile Whether through serving in a unit or through the foundational training that all military professionals receive, we have seen that veterans possess an amazing level of versatility. As an inspector and a small business owner, our franchisees learn not only the technical skills to inspect a property, but how to market themselves, manage their finances, and even lead a team

Upgrading Your Social Media Marketing With Videos

January 17, 2023

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior Communications Strategist As small business owners, the importance of a strong social media presence cannot be overstated. Now more than ever, videos are dominating the social media marketing space. The types of videos consumers prefer follow a few trends, but their importance has steadily grown. According to social media marketing experts at Wyzowl, 92% of marketers consider video the most important part of their marketing strategy. If videos aren’t currently part of your social media marketing plan, now may be the time to consider incorporating this powerful engagement tool. Why Videos Are So Successful On Social Media There are many reasons why videos have become a priority to marketers, but the main reason is how much engagement videos draw in comparison to graphics, articles, or other types of social media content. With that increased engagement, your posts will see a dramatic growth in their marketing reach as platforms push your posts out to a larger audience. Engagement occurs any time a post receives a like, is shared, or receives a comment. According to Twitter, tweets that include videos attract 10 times the engagement of tweets without them. These findings are unsurprising, as strongly constructed

Email Etiquette: How to Present Your Business Through Email

January 10, 2023

By Stepha Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior Communications Strategist Running a successful small business is all about relationships. In the past, relationships could thrive solely over dinner and phone calls, but the way that professionals communicate is rapidly evolving. Today, business owners must learn how to communicate over email in order to grow and maintain relationships, but sometimes the way to do that isn’t clear. Let’s review some of the latest standards of email etiquette, including how to conduct oneself to reinforce professionalism. Dress Yourself Well In person, it is important to maintain a professional appearance. In some industries that could mean a suit and tie, whereas in others that might mean wearing a well-groomed uniform. In the same way, business owners need to have a good email appearance that conveys that same sense of professionalism. Especially when emailing a prospective client or an unfamiliar potential partner for the first time, the email address is the first impression. Use an address that contains your business name, and ideally one that does not use public-use domains. For example, every National Property Inspections franchisee receives their own npiinspect.com email. An email that conveys a direct association with a business rather than something too

Developing An Inspection Process That Works For You

January 3, 2023

By Jon McCreath, NPI, Inc.’s Technical Supervisor & Training Administrator Every successful entrepreneur finds a process that works for them. Certainly they take note of the proven strategies that work in their industry, and they adjust their approach when they come across new ideas. For someone just starting out in their industry, this also means plenty of trial and error. While you develop your own routine for running your business, one of the best habits you can work to gain is becoming organized. There is a wealth of information out there for how to do this as a small business owner, or even as a person in general. For example, keeping a to-do list, removing unnecessary clutter in your workplace, and keeping a strict schedule all work wonders to increase a sense of accomplishment throughout your day. However, anyone who has worked in the property inspection industry knows that there is a lot to juggle as a home inspector. As we discuss some recommended processes that have proven to work in the inspection industry, remember this disclaimer: Do not be afraid to tweak these strategies to fit your own style! The main takeaway should be to find your routine and

How To Respond To A Frustrated Client

December 27, 2022

By Zach Vesper, NPI, Inc.’s Senior SEO and Marketing Strategist Everyone has been there. Something did not go as planned, and the irritation in your client’s voice is obvious. Maybe you even made an honest mistake at some point in the process. Obviously, nobody is perfect. At some point in your career, you’ll miss a callout, or you’ll simply have to work with someone who behaves unreasonably. Conflict is a natural part of running a business. Though there are plenty of strategies that you could employ to avoid it in the first place, sometimes friction is unavoidable. You’ve found yourself there, and the question is, what do you do now? According to the White House Office of Consumer Affairs, the average disgruntled client shares their experience with 9 to 15 other people, and 13% of dissatisfied people tell more than 20. Addressing frustration is one of the most important things a small business owner needs to learn. Let’s review a few go-to tips to de-escalate frustrated clients, whether in-person or online. Remember To Keep Calm Whenever you encounter a client whose experience did not line up with their expectations, it is important to stay calm. Tensions can easily rise over

The Signs That Say You’re Ready To Be An Entrepreneur

December 20, 2022

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator With every new year, an extraordinary opportunity presents itself. It’s a time to celebrate family and friends, to celebrate successes, and to remember the struggles you have overcome. But it’s also a time to reflect and reevaluate. Is what you are doing fulfilling? Is it what you imagined yourself doing five years ago? There are many reasons why people decide to make a change in their career goals, whether it is dissatisfaction with falling into the status quo or a desire to build something that they can pass on to their family. Big opportunities could be on the horizon! Here are a few signs that 2023 is the year to start your own business. You Want To Take Control A standard position as an employee has its own perks. Safety and consistency are big motivating factors to anyone looking for a new job, and without being “the boss,” there are stressors that employees completely avoid. With that being said, the investment of time and experience that you have built up might not get utilized to its full extent in a standard 9-to-5 position. Entrepreneurs have the freedom to devote their time and energy

How To Finance Your New Inspection Franchise

December 13, 2022

By Celeste Black-Harr, NPI, Inc.’s Recruitment Coordinator Starting a new business is such an exciting and fulfilling venture, but for many people a lack of confidence in their funding strategy can hold them back from achieving their goals. As with all franchises, an inspection franchise requires a level of initial investment to get started, but you don’t need to wait for a wealthy relative’s inheritance. Depending on your background, there are plenty of worthwhile opportunities that you can consider in order to finance your new business and hit the ground running. Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. This article is intended to cover general circumstances and is not directed to any specific individual. I am not a registered financial advisor. To know what options are best for your particular scenario, seek out a financial advice professional. With that in mind, let’s discuss some financing opportunities for your new inspection franchise. Secured Or Unsecured LoansOne common route that people looking to franchise end up discussing is the standard Secured or Unsecured Loan route. An easy way to separate these two categories of loans is to

How To Invest In Marketing When Things Get Slow

December 6, 2022

By Sydney Bailey, NPI, Inc.’s Director of Marketing Across industries, entrepreneurs will find times in their business when things seem to be going great. There is no shortage in clients or work, and operating their business dominates their attention to the point where marketing can fall down on their list of priorities. This becomes an issue when business, inevitably, slows down. That constant train of phone calls and appointments begins to clear up, and as an ambitious business person, you don’t want to lose out on that hard-earned momentum. So, what do you do? Especially in seasonal industries that are particularly influenced by the ever-changing real estate market, slowing business marks a perfect time to invest your time (and money) in marketing. Make Networking a Priority The best thing you can do when things get slow is get out and meet new people! With each new introduction, you’ll meet a new potential client. With each office you visit, you could start a new long-standing relationship. If you haven’t already, join your local BNI group or any local hotspot for REALTORS® and industry specialists for potential referrals. In short, look for any opportunity to build your business’s contact list. Get connected

Flat vs. Tall: What’s The Best Organizational Structure For Your Small Business?

November 29, 2022

By Michael Trimble, NPI, Inc.’s Content Marketing Coordinator As your small business grows into a not-so-small business, you will have to make new decisions as a business owner. You have hired great people who are helping your business reach new heights, but as your team expands, so do your responsibilities as owner, manager, HR representative, you name it! Before drowning in your expanded duties, consider how you can organize your business to run as effectively as possible. In the business world, the two most popular forms of organizational structures are the Flat structure and the Tall structure. Both have their strengths and their weaknesses, and determining which style is best for you can depend on a number of factors. From your personality and leadership style, to your industry and company size, here we will break down the differences to help you determine what structure is best for you! FlatFlat organization structures might also be called a “Short” organization structure. This style consists of employees all working at (more or less) an equivalent level in regards to decision-making, idea-sharing, and total investment in the company, all reporting to the owner. You could imagine this sort of structure as two-tiered, with the