As the coronavirus continues to spread across the country and changes the pace of communities, home inspectors should use this time to go the extra mile to help their community of clients and fellow inspectors to stay upbeat.
Here are some helpful tips to consider, whether your business has slowed down and you want to help people get through quarantine, or it’s business as usual and you want to make sure that your community knows that you’re thinking about them during this difficult time. You may choose to incorporate some of these tips while you’re on the job or via your mailing list (email or snail-mail).
1. Keep your clients in mind.
In addition to striving to leave customers satisfied and even impressed with the services and quality of work you provide, home inspectors may also choose to give their clients:
- Gifts from Your Inspector Cards, which are gift cards for deals and discounts for useful everyday purchases, plus discounts for admission to family-friendly attractions;
- a free copy of Now That You’ve Had a Home Inspection for leisurely reading during downtime;
- coloring sheets to keep clients’ children busy while schools are closed. Download these free coloring sheets, or order the Kids Fire Safety Coloring Book; and
- add a little charm to your inspection with these free downloadable Monster-Free Certificates and by ordering Monster-Free Door Hangers.
2. Keep real estate agents in mind.
In addition to the tips and resources listed above, home inspectors may also choose to:
- inform their real estate agent connections of the free, online ARELLO and IDECC-Approved Continuing Education Courses available to them through InterNACHI®; and
- enroll in InterNACHI’s “We’ll Buy Your Home” Guarantee to give your clients and their real estate agents further peace of mind.
3. Improve yourself and your business.
In this trying time, it’s important for home inspectors to take care of themselves as well. Adopt a “mind over matter” approach and use your free time to better your business to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic stronger. So, consider:
- working on Continuing Education or adding a new ancillary service to your business with InterNACHI’s free home inspection training;
- trying out BizVelop, which is a free business development tool for home inspectors that helps companies grow and become more profitable by assessing their current status on several fronts;
- going through these free, online Inspection Defect Flashcards to pass the time and improve your knowledge, especially if you’re self-isolating; and
- getting in touch with InterNACHI’s Member Marketing Department. They can help you get started on new materials, or revamp your existing materials.
4. Check-in with your fellow home inspectors.
In addition to keeping your clients and real estate agent connections at the forefront during this time, home inspectors should also keep their fellow home inspectors in mind. Consider doing the following:
- Join the conversation on InterNACHI’s Inspection Community forum. It’s great for camaraderie, getting advice from veteran inspectors, and staying up to date on the industry at large.
- Become a mentor or find a mentor through InterNACHI’s home inspector mentoring program. This program is also vital for working through local issues that may arise during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Join your local InterNACHI® Member Chapter. Some chapters may be hosting web- and video-based chapter meetings, so it will be encouraging to see fellow members and other industry professionals if you’re in quarantine.
- Keep your mood light with Inspection Riddles and Inspector Cartoons. Start a group chat with your fellow inspectors and co-workers. We can all use a good laugh right now!
Above all, if you’re still performing inspections, make sure you’re implementing safety precautions as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read InterNACHI’s article, How Home Inspectors Can Protect Themselves from Viruses.
After the COVID-19 Pandemic
It’s clear that with schools, retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses temporarily closing across the nation, some of us will be hurting more than others when the pandemic finally passes. Cozy Coats for Kids® can help families in need, especially when their incomes are stretched thin, as they are bound to be during and after this crisis. Cozy Coats for Kids® is driven by the home inspection industry. We receive requests for coats from members of the home inspection industry – primarily members of InterNACHI® and the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association (CCPIA) – to help children in their local communities. Keep us in mind, whether it’s by making a donation, or by identifying a need in your community and coordinating a coat delivery locally. Cozy Coats for Kids® can make a positive impact for the children of families who need it the most.
Learn how to place an order for coats to give to children in your community, or make a donation now.