From Furlough to Big Steps in 2021

From Furlough to Big Steps in 2021

Member since 2019 · 1 post · 2 votes

Hello, BiggerPockets,

My name is Devin Cutler, and I live south of Seattle in Des Moines, WA. My wife and I have been House Hacking since 2019, and in 2020 we had planned on purchasing another House Hack. Due to Covid, I was Furloughed from my job as a Security Manager for a Major Hotel Corporation. Thankfully the rooms I have rented have been paying the mortgage. So we have not been hurting as badly as some others. So, at the beginning of Covid, I worked on the sweet sweat equity, improving the house where I could, like painting the exterior, recaulking windows, and looking for air leaks. Just generally finding things to keep me busy. But as my Furlough was extended time and time again, I began to think, what's going to be my back up plan. Hence, I enrolled in a trade school for Home Inspecting in August.

I am looking to meet help out where I can so I can meet Real Estate Brokers, Property Investors, and of course, Clients! Any advice to help get my business rolling? My goal in life is to leverage my company to become a full-time property investor who is independently wealthy.

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Michael HaasBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Sammamish, 🌧️ Seattle Investor-Agent | 🤑 Helped 400+ Clients Invest in Real Estate | 🏘️ Owns 23 WA Rentals & Airbnbs | 🏗️ Built 5 DADU's | 📈 You Can Do It Too · Member since 2016 · 725 posts · 3k+ votes
5y

@Brie Groves hit the nail on the head- I’d estimate 90% of buyers and sellers ask their agent to book the home inspection, and most agents like to use the same 1-3 home inspectors.

Even if it was legal, no decent agent cares about a $50 referal fee. We care about you providing our  client with excellent service, which in turn makes us look good for recommending you. 

HouseHack Seattle | Michael Haas & Team572 Reviews
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  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    5y

    @Devin Cutler congratulations on your new career. My advice is network with local realtors. I would offer them a referral bonus for every inspection you get. For example, something like $50 per inspection. Alternately tell the agent they can just give the discount directly to their client. Other than that, be price competitive since you are new and have no reputation yet. 

    On a personal note, I have had horrible experiences with new home inspectors. My advice is be thorough. Run water down every drain, check every window, etc. Inspectors cut corners to save money and it just makes them look bad.

  • Realtor · Bellevue, WA · Member since 2019 · 882 posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    @Devin Cutler, you are right, 2020 was not easy on a lot of people. Hopefully, 2021 will be better. You kind of did what you can while being on furlough in 2020. In 2021, I would recommend you to connect more with investors and agents. Big parts of real estate and businesses are based on networking and connections.

    Wish you the best!

  • Realtor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2020 · 36 posts · 19 votes
    5y

    Hi Devin,

    @Devin Cutler Congrats on your new endeavor! The best way to get the word out is to connect with all of your friends and family and get the word out that your an inspector now. That way if they know of anyone that's plan to buy or sell they can refer them to you. You can also look up agents in the areas you want to focus on and send emails, but I don't recommend offering them any kind of incentive to use you - it's considered unethical and we can't accept it, but you can offer the buyers/seller discounts if you choose to. As a Realtor, we usually have a couple of go-to inspectors and the ones I like to use are thorough but don't take too long, are honest but can explain things in a way that doesn't scare a buyer unnecessarily and can be available on short notice. Hope that's helpful - good luck!

  • Michael HaasBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Sammamish, 🌧️ Seattle Investor-Agent | 🤑 Helped 400+ Clients Invest in Real Estate | 🏘️ Owns 23 WA Rentals & Airbnbs | 🏗️ Built 5 DADU's | 📈 You Can Do It Too · Member since 2016 · 725 posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    @Brie Groves hit the nail on the head- I’d estimate 90% of buyers and sellers ask their agent to book the home inspection, and most agents like to use the same 1-3 home inspectors.

    Even if it was legal, no decent agent cares about a $50 referal fee. We care about you providing our  client with excellent service, which in turn makes us look good for recommending you. 

    HouseHack Seattle | Michael Haas & Team572 Reviews
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