Hi Tired- I am a retired Home Inspector of 20 years. If you think you want to get into the inspection biz, I would suggest to complete a certified home inspection school,(check with ASHI what they recommend for shcools), after school try to get employeed with a multi inspection firm. You won't make as much money, but you will gain a great deal of experience, which you must have to make it on your own.
Bair.

Nice post!!

Being an inspector seems like it would be a ton of sales work... just of a slightly different kind. You would need to constantly be selling yourself since the amount earned would be so much less. It's a quantity business, rather than a quality one.

Tired

I believe that everyone gets tired at some point in time and in real estate it may be more often then in some other profession.

These tired spells come and go as it is all part of the business and soon disappears if you list a nice property at fair market value, that you believe will sell.

Generally, you get tired when no matter how hard you try the results do not meet your expectations and you become disappointed, and just another of the things that all of us go through.

You might consider taking a break and just go out and socialize, enjoying yourself, meeting people face to face in a non-real estate environment and sooner or later someone will ask you what you do for a living.

Now, don’t jump down their throat with real estate, but you could perhaps respond by saying “that you keep people from making mistakes when it comes to real estate” and this will probably prompt them to ask you to explain, affording you the opportunity briefly explain the mistakes that some buyers and/or sellers might make.

You might then follow up by asking them if their previous agent had explained all that to them, and they will probable respond that their previous agent hadn’t.

You then you might say “well, (First name) if you ever plan on doing anything regarding real estate call me so that I can guide you on the right path”.

And try to come across as a new found friend as opposed to a real estate agent, while giving them your card.

(Been there, done that - "Making friends and influencing people" - it's a people business)

Important Notice: This information is provided as basic educational information by the author and is not a substitute for the advice of an expert and/or the advice of a lawyer. There is NO representation as to legality, accuracy, correctness of the herein information and the reader is strongly urged to consult a lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction to ensure accuracy before acting on this information .

I deal with 20 or 22 Inspectors and almost half of them have visited me within the past 6 months to drop off New Brochures and Business Cards, and to ask me to make sure they are not forgotten the next time I am directing a Buyer out to get an Inspection.

Of course, I just tell them that I give everyone a list of all the reputable Inspectors in the area, along with their contact information. (I remove all of the 800 numbers so that everyone is on an even playing field.)

But I am reminded that their business volume rises and falls with our activity of marketing and (hopefully) selling homes. There aren't many people who simply wake up one morning and say, "Man, this sure would be a good day to buy me a Building Inspection" !

You have no way of controlling the dynamics of your own market . . . . and I would imagine that if R.E. Sales sneeze, then Building Inspectors catch Cold.

Even Attorneys who do Title Searches and conduct Closings are hurting. Unless they're also handling Foreclosures or Bankruptcies, they're hurting too, and calling me periodically "just to see how business is going". I have to say . . . . "Surely you read the Newspapers ?"

So I'd be careful in thinking that by being a Building Inspector, you'd be more in control of your own destiny. I don't think it would matter much how hard you were willing to work, or how much you were willing to market yourself . . . . if the demand for Building Inspections is DOWN, then you will feel the repercussions.

A ton of sales work? Yes, in the beginning - just as with any business start-up. Constant selling? No, not if you're providing quality service.

I spend very little on marketing these days, as the bulk of my work comes by way of referrals from agents and past clients.

home inspection business is very competitive also. instead of working the public you have to work agents. both are all about connecting with people and hard work

Great input from everyone.

I hear one constant here and I know it is true LEAD GENERATION...
Lead Gen. is King now matter what your business is. Without enough leads you will not make it.

Also Tired said the financial out put was very demanding, Have you looked in to joining a team? If you join a good team the team will provide you with leads, training and cover the expenses to help you succeed. Also understanding how to properly budget your business is always a key element and if you don't run with some sort of red light green light system every business you start will fail.

Good luck in all that you do and always feel free to tap in for help with anything you need.