TOPIC: Travel for an Inspection

John,
That's exactly what I do and for the same reasons.  I carry a 24-foot ladder with me so I have to have my truck.  Plus I get alright mileage with the pickup.

Will,
What is your strategy brother?  I'd love to do exactly what you're doing.  I'd say most of us would.  School us!  Nice work with the investors--perfect.

Greg

I just got in to my hotel room in Tracy.  I inspected a 2000'sf house this morning in Laguna Hills, "Southern California".  I flew into Sacramento, "Northern California" rented a car and drove to Tracy.  I'm about 6-7 miles from the two homes I'll be inspecting tomorrow.  They're 3200'sf structures, I charged $475.00 per and had the client cover my airfare.  I covered the rental car and hotel which I paid for with my credit card points.  I'll be back home tomorrow night and will have made $950 in about 24 hours not counting the $375 for the Laguna Hills property this morning.  This particular location is approximately 400 miles north of my residence.  I've made this trip several times last year, its about a 5.5 hour drive or an 1.0 hour flight.  Time I park the car, clear security on both ends, pick up my tools and equipment which I check in a separate bag, get the rental car and arrive at the hotel it still takes about 4.5 to 5.0 hours.

My buisness model for the past 24 years has been to inspect something every day.  My competition won't leave Orange County, San Diego, LA or whatever.  But they're always complaining about lack of revenue from multiple days off each month.  I try to make $400 per day.  You can't do that sitting at the house....

If you're booked every day in your immediate area, Bravo!  If not, the successful inspectors I know, "Hit the Road"....

Shoot, I'll go anywhere in the state of Oklahoma if the pay is right!  I'm averaging about 5 inspections a month right now.  I gotta get my business built up faster than this!  There were over 900 homes sold last month.  And I got 5. 

Shoot, I'll go anywhere in the state of Oklahoma if the pay is right!  I'm averaging about 5 inspections a month right now.  I gotta get my business built up faster than this!  There were over 900 homes sold last month.  And I got 5. 

We'll here's how I started back in 1985 and continued for about 15 years.  You "MUST" call on real estate offices.  Read the newspapers and find out who the most active agents are in your area.  Target them.  I bought four dozen donuts every day for years.  I'd put them in two boxes with two dozen each.  I taped my flyer to the bottom interior, cover interior and cover exterior.  I'd also put a few business cards in as well.  I'd hit two offices every morning.  Stick to the busy offices.  Late in the afternoon, I'd go by Domino Pizza and pick up 3-4 of the medium pizza's when they have the $5-$5-$5 sale.  Same scenario again with the flyers and business cards.  Hit three additional offices.  Now when I was lucky enough to land an inspection, in the old days, we hand delivered copies of the reports to the listing and sales agent offices the next morning.  I'd buy 5 scratcher lottery tickets, I'd put 3 tickets to the buyers agent and 2 tickets to the listing agent.  I still joined the 5 different boards of realtors for Orange and San Diego Counties.  I'd attend board of realtor affiliate meetings, realtor golf tournaments, etc...

Bottom line, when you're starting your inspection business you must go where the buyers are until you have an established clientele.  The internet and website is great, but if you want to survive and grow, you "MUST" target the realtors, they have the buyers.

These jobs which allow me to travel out of area come primarily from past clients and or there referrals.  My website generates about 30-40% of my total revenue and provides both local and out of area clientele. 

BTW, I know Russell Ray in San Diego has been very successful with direct mail campaigns.  That marketing tactic has been a total failure for me personally.  Agents in my opinion are online, on their blackberry and or other tech devices.  I believe the printed material by in large is a dinosaur.  E-Newsletters are an excellent marketing tool and keep your name in front of clients, friends and agents.  John @ homehintsnews has a great product for enewsletters in my opinion.

Good Luck!

I feel the same way about Realtors.  But I have dumped more money their way than anything and haven't gotten one phone call.  So I've started trying to focus on my website for now.  (little cost and seems to work better right now)

I do like your idea about the news paper. It gives me another idea, we have a TV channel shows local houses for sale.  Seems like most of the Realtors that use it are the same ones over and over!  May be a reason for that!

I like your idea about the loto tickets too.  I thought of that just the other day.  I am going to put that on my list of things to do.

I also agree with you on the direct mail.  It is a dinosaur.  I will check out the homehintsnews and see what its all about. 

Right now I have to watch my $$$ so there are some things I cant do.

I tried to look up the homehintsnews and didn't find anything.  Can you get me the website?

I tried to look up the homehintsnews and didn't find anything.  Can you get me the website?

Here ya go...

www.homehintsenews.com/

www.homehintsenews.com/enews/display2.as...130ee275b217&N=16119