DAVE'S BLOG

Today what can you get for $500?  A set of 4 tires, a 42″ flat screen TV, maid service for 2 months or a home inspection.  Yes a home inspection for those who are in the market may be the best money you will ever spend, writes Roger Taylor, Business Columnist for the Chronicle Herald.

In an interview with Henry Blumenthal, a vice-president and chief underwriter for TD Insurance, Mr. Blumenthal said, “Everyone knows spring is prime time for the real estate sector. But before you buy, every potential purchaser should take a few basic steps to protect themselves from making a poor investment decision.”

While most would-be homebuyers have enough sense to hire a home inspector to identify construction flaws before the deal is completed, Blumenthal says, there are still a surprising number of people who try to avoid spending an average of $500 on a professional inspection.

Based on what comes back from the inspection, take a few minutes to call your insurance company and find out if there are any issues or potential issues (found in) that inspection because you never know.

If the house has been damaged by water, for example, and if you’re not sure it has been fixed, you may want to opt for special insurance coverage, he says.

Mr. Taylor writes that just because the inspector has identified areas of concern, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be enough to scuttle the deal. The inspection usually tips off the homebuyer to potential issues, and that could lead to a price adjustment. In rare cases, the inspection could identify issues that may result in the homeowner not being able to get insurance because the property has a dramatic flaw.

Well you may be a High Def kind of guy, a weekend warrior or  a tire kicker, but for “Peace of Mind” on one of the biggest investments of your lifetime the $500 you spend on a home inspection might just be the best money you will ever spend!

Advantage Home Inspection. . .  performs the Nation’s Best Home Inspection and provides the Nation’s Only “No Denied Claims Warranty” available in the industry. For the last 18 years, Advantage Inspection has been the deciding factor for the people we serve:  Buyers, Sellers, Real Estate Agents and Home Inspectors.  Advantage Inspection Raleigh serves Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle area.
 

Dave Park 

Advantage Home Inspection Raleigh
“more than just an inspection company!”
www.adrdu.com

If you  missed taking advantage of the first-time buyer tax credit but are still planning the purchase of their first home, you continue to have a wealth of opportunities in today’s home marketplace. Here are a few smart steps that can save first-time buyers thousands of dollars:

1. Double-Double  (Look twice at your credit)
Your credit must be a clean as possible, since you probably will need to get a mortgage to buy a house.  Go ahead now acquire copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover on each report.

2. Short Timers this is not your time!
If you can’t commit to remaining in your new home for at least a 3 to 4 years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. The transaction costs of buying and selling a home may be financed into the home, but  you may end up losing money (the bottom line) if you sell any sooner – even in a rising market.

3. Survey Says “points and rate” – hire a professional mortgage company
When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing- in exchange for a lower interest rate.  Your mortgage professional should help you out here.   If you stay in the house for a long time- say three to five years or more- it’s usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.  Make sure this is all spelled out on a spread sheet.

4. There is not a home “Lemon Law” – Hire a home inspector
A home inspector can let you know if you’re about to buy a “dud” of a house or warn you about potential problems.  At best, you can move into the house confident and with a peace of mind that the home is in great condition.  If the report indicates the worst,  the inspector’s report can let you terminate the deal.  Typically, the home inspection report is used to negotiate the home price to account for necessary repairs that the seller is usually unaware of.

5. Get professional real estate help – Research your agent.
Inside the world wide web, the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings.  Look all you want, but when it’s time to by hire an exclusive buyer agent.  They will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the buy to closing process.

6.  Make it a Win-Win. 
Take this one to heart your purchase should be a win-win for you and the seller.  You do not need the stress that comes from running with the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s.  You do not need to live with the sellers problems.  Yes it may look like a great deal, but it may come with some emotional baggage.  Going to the closing table with a win-win seller makes for a great closing.

7. Double Jeopardy – A contract is a contract!
Buying a home is one of the largest purchases most people will make in their lifetime.  Avoid buyer’s remorse by being completely comfortable before signing on the dotted line.  Take your time.  Be patient as the right home will be there for you.  And when you see it, make the move.

8.  A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned – Buy a Home Warranty  
A home warranty is designed to bring you “Peace of Mind.”  A home warranty is risk management providing coverage on the primary structure, major systems and appliances.  There are a number of firms that offer coverage.  Compare, research and buy.  Make sure you read the fine print and understand the process.  A home warranty can save your budget for pennies a day.

Advantage Inspection Raleigh

. . .  performs the Nation’s Best Home Inspection and provides the Nation’s Only “No Denied Claims Warranty” available in the industry. For the last 18 years, Advantage Inspection has been the deciding factor for the people we serve:  Buyers, Sellers, Real Estate Agents and Home Inspectors.  Advantage Inspection Raleigh serves Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle area.
 

Dave Park 

Advantage Home Inspection Raleigh
“more than just an inspection company!”
www.adrdu.com

Many people read “do-it-yourself” books and think they now know everything about construction, home improvement, and even home inspections. But that’s not really the case. With his firm Advantage Inspection based in Raleigh, Dave Park serves the entire Triangle area of North Carolina, and talks here about why it’s important to hire a professional home inspector to carry out your next home inspection, instead of trying to do it yourself…

Every year the number of home inspections rises. Every year the price of home inspections rises. Every year the “do it yourself” subculture rises. The “do it yourself” subculture is here and is here to stay.  Home improvement stores have commercials that tell you to save money and just do it yourself. And an assortment of television shows pride themselves on showing the average person how to fix it or renovate it or replace it. And at bookstores, shelves are devoted to the weekend warrior.

At first blush, it might appear that these tools of education and instruction are bad for the home inspection business. business. But, do not worry as you need to consider what all this has all provided for the profession:

1. They have raised consumer consciousness about the need to have a home inspection.
2. Sure, people like to be educated, but the DIY culture has made people realize that deep down, they want to hire a professional.
3. It takes a professional with years of experience to inspect a home in two to three  hours. How long would it take an amateur guided by a book?
4. People are more aware now of liability: Who wants it and who has it?
5. Tools. Home inspectors have them, and they know how to use them. Those DIYers do not.
6. Objectivity. Home inspectors have it. Homeowners can’t have it: That’s why they leave it up to us.
7. Nobody to blame but yourself. Saving $400 just cost the do-it-yourselfer $4,000 on something that was missed.

The irony of the do it yourself media, both video and written, is that it carries a disclaimer that warns clients not to get in over their heads. So please just “do it yourself” –  and call in a professional home inspector.

This interview was conducted by Wendy Sloane, writer with Yodle.

Advantage Inspection Raleigh

. . .  performs the Nation’s Best Home Inspection and provides the Nation’s Only “No Denied Claims Warranty” available in the industry. For the last 18 years, Advantage Inspection has been the deciding factor for the people we serve:  Buyers, Sellers, Real Estate Agents and Home Inspectors.  Advantage Inspection Raleigh serves Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle area.
 

Dave Park 

Advantage Home Inspection Raleigh
“more than just an inspection company!”
www.adrdu.com

This is Advantage Home Inspections first ad that was designed right here in Raleigh. 

The campaign for 2010 is “You Have a Choice!”
The slogan is “Experience the Power of a Good Decision.”

The ad ties in today’s complex time with teamwork and
ends with competing on service instead of price.

Advantage Home Inspection Raleigh

. . .  performs the Nation’s Best Home Inspection and provides the Nation’s Only “No Denied Claims Warranty” available in the industry. For the last 18 years, Advantage Inspection has been the deciding factor for the people we serve:  Buyers, Sellers, Real Estate Agents and Home Inspectors.  Advantage Inspection Raleigh serves Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle area.
 

Dave Park 

Advantage Home Inspection Raleigh
“more than just an inspection company!”
www.adrdu.com

How many times can this lunch and dinner standard be turned into something new and special?

Most recipes are quick and easy.  You can take your pick as long as they are crowned with French Fried Onion toppings that are crisp and flavorful.  But what can be learned from this handy dish? 

It is the passion of sharing. 

The wealth of knowledge that is passed on makes all the difference whether that secret Green Bean Caserole reciepe works or not, has your family asking for seconds or the plate is scraped in with the dog food.  It can mean a clean dish with a smile or more leftovers for the frig.

At Advantage Inspection Raleigh we share our passion and knowledge.

Just like the engine of an automobile, you house works as a system of independent parts.  Every part has an impact to the operation of other systems.  A home has well over 15, 000 parts, pieces or stuff in it.  And when all the “stuff” works together, you have a home this is comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient. 

Our job is to report the home’s condition at the time of the inspection and provide education on the operation of the home.  We are not fortune tellers and cannot predict the future, but we can help you from becomming overwhelmed by the home ownership experience by providing the  opportunity to share our passion.

 
Many home inspectors share their passion and expertise at the barber shop.

We share our passion and knowledge with our clients!

Dave Park
Advantage Inspection Raleigh 
www.adrdu.com
davepark@adrdu.com

For more than 17 years our home inspection process has been the deciding factor for the people we serve: Real Estate Agents, Home Inspectors, and Home Owners. Serving Raleigh, Durham, Cary and the Triangle.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Advantage Inspection Raleigh Receives 2009 Best of Raleigh Award

WASHINGTON D.C., May 20, 2009 — For the second consecutive year, Advantage Inspection Raleigh has been selected for the 2009 Best of Raleigh Award in the Real Estate Inspection category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2008 Award recipients qualified as 2009 Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA)

U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Local Business Association
CONTACT: U.S. Local Business Association
Email: PublicRelations@USLocalBusinessAssociation.com
URL: http://www.USLocalBusinessAssociation.com

Advantage Inspection Raleigh
E-mail: davepark@adrdu.com
Website: http://www.adrdu.com

I’ll bet you can’t say it three times real fast!

And I’ll bet you can’t stand pushy salespeople.

How often do people try to sell us something before we have expressed an interest, have a desire, or are in the market for what they have? It seems the standard for many salespeople is to try to sell to anyone and everyone regardless of the interest level.

When someone attempts to sell us something before we have expressed an interest, the initial thought may be, “Why would I buy from you? You haven’t earned the right to sell to me!”

The fact of the matter is that selling, both online and off, is about determining if there is a need before ever attempting to match a buyer with a product or service. It is about providing enough information for the buyer to make the best decision based on their needs. And it is about gaining trust.

The most successful Sales Professionals are those who are a resource before they are a vendor.

Having been in both brick-and-mortar and online sales and marketing for many years, it never ceases to amaze me how many people try to sell without determining the customer’s needs. They don’t seem to realize that the better the match, the more likelihood for return business.

The better the match, the more trust gained.

If you depend on repeat business or referrals, trust is absolutely a factor in your customer’s decision to come back to you when they need your product or service.

Anyone who has been in business for an extended period of time (or plans to be) would be hard pressed to believe otherwise. Whatever you are selling, the buyer’s experience from the initial visit and/or purchase will likely determine whether or not they will ever purchase from you again.

When a customer has a great experience from the beginning the chances of them turning into a repeat buyer is more likely.

It is a proven fact: it is more cost effective to have repeat buyers than it is to constantly seek out new customers. That is not to say you shouldn’t be adding new clients as part of your business model. Building trust with existing clients will add to your conversion rate more consistently.

What is often missed in the equation of sales and marketing is the lifetime value of a customer. Once the initial sale is made they are forgotten. With proper care, a one-time or occasional buyer can turn into a loyal buyer.

And loyalty is based on trust.

We live in a “try before you buy” society. Because of this many buyers use what is referred to as the buying ladder. The buying ladder is very applicable to brick-and-mortar sales.

Before buying a high ticket item, buyers will “test the waters”. This can be done in a number of ways: by test driving a car, taking a tour of a home, asking friends and associates for a recommendation.

When purchasing on the Internet it can be downloading a free information item or buying an inexpensive product from a website to test out the level of service, quality of product, delivery time, quality of information (in the case of an information product), and response time.

It may even depend on the buyer’s “gut feeling.” What are your own buying habits? What process do you go through before making the decision to buy?

When you gain trust, people want to do business with you. And they want to tell others about the experience. Have you heard the expression that if someone has a bad experience they will tell more people about that experience than they do a good one? I can’t say that I necessarily agree with this statement. There are occasions when I have heard people rave about a great experience over and over again.

Buying decisions are made for a number of reasons, but they ultimately depend upon whether or not the buyer trusts the process. And if they trust you.

It is through the process of building trust that we have earned the right to sell, not the right to PUSH!

Maverick Rules! Maverick Rules! Maverick Rules!

Dave Park
The Maverick Builder