Denny West

I recently Encountered For the Second Time a Client canceling a home inspection because he noticed on my Brochures that I have John 3:16 On the back . His reason was that I was mixing Politics and religion . I clearly stated No Politics . Just self employed and expressing My beliefs and my Rights . I don't Know about You but I find That kinda strange when further investigation revealed that this man was a Christian too. That man says that I would probably do more business with out it . I have to disagree . I grew up with Non Christian Beliefs and my life was a mess . and at 54 years of age and being a Christian for more than 10 years . I have seen a big difference in my life and My business . I have yet a complaint from any of my clients . and I have witnessed to those when I feel the right question has been asked . or they ask me where I go to church . I been told by many that picked up my Brochure that being a Christian is why they Hired me . Im A very firm believer in the power Of my lord Jesus and the effect that he has on my life . I wouldn't be alive to day if it weren't for him. My Favorite song is Amazing Grace . and today I still believe and tomorrow I will still believe and still have on My Brochures John 3: 16 . just wanted to share that with you and say only this . when the world and the people can dictate what we can say and not say . then Its time for a revival . Business is good . and I owe it all to God . I give him the glory . God Bless have a great day . Denny the home inspector Who believes in a God who loves us all.

Being in the home inspection Business we often times try differant strattageis to get the business we want and need . Several years back I implemented the move in certified program in my inspections . bought yard signs . and to this day have only planted two signs. Nachi ( National Assoc Of Certifed Home inspectors .) has set me an email stating to pick up more business do the move in certified . Its a tough market just trying to sell homes. Alot today are foreclosed or reposessed . Trying to promote the move in certified with sellers has been a reall challange . Many agents say its a great Idea . but wont push them or incourage their clients to do so . Many sellers dont think they need them and dont want to pay the extra money to have them done . so I have accepted the idea that some things in this area just dont work as well as they do in other areas . What I Have done is up grade my reporting software and the way I report . I now give my clients the report the same day on C/D along with a hard bound binder . loaded with maitenance tips and up grade suggestions . With the economy its been tough for many home inspectors some have fallin out and closed up shop, many have taken on partime jobs to make end s meet . I know I have I do Insurance evaluations . For several on line companies . I make ann extra 400.00 to 1200. 00 per month . To makew in todays times you just have to hang in there and dont give up on your dreams or desires . Find something to do extra while the economy is down . dont give up the ship. cuase when the market comes back . and people are returning to work . home again will go back on the market prices will go up . an we will be back to work doing what we do best serving our clients with the best in realestate inspections and services . So th equestion is this Is the move in certified really worth it ? My answer is yes . it helps put the sellers home at a higher level and give sthe seller the chance to make the repairs and get the most out the sale . when a home is near flawless its worth a whole lot more even in a bad economy ... God Bless To every one And all Home Inspectors and real estate agents around the world . God be with you .

That is one of the questions . I get all the time from clients after I inspect the home they are buying Or Planning to buy . As a home inspector its hard to stay away from answering . we have a code of ethics that we have to abide by . and one of them is that we dont give estimates and we dont do the repairs . Often times even after explaining those things in the report and during the inspection a client often times calls me back say the agent wants to know how much that willcost to upgrade or repair this or that ,... I have always made a point thati would only do what I know . Inspections ...... Its hard to beleive that even after the summary letter is recieved they seem to miss the part that says . All estimates and repairs are to be made by a lisc professional in that line of work. they still call and ask that question. Its not good for me to say well that will be 3,000.00 and they get an estimate at 4,500.00 . Its part of being safe and only providing your clients with the information they need . Giving estimates when you dont really know how to can cost you and ruin your reputation. not to mention your business . I know there are many inspectors out there that have their own construction company and or have come from that line of work and are trained to know what those cost are . In our Standard of practice and code of ethics ( NACHI) we are not to offer garentees or warrenties , offer or preform engineering services , Offer or preform any trade or professional services other than Inspection Services . That means estimates and repairs . I leave that to the pros . for instance you wouldnt want me to sell a home cause i dont know where to start . # 2 If im a plumber . and not a carpenter you wouldnt ask me to build a house . so as agents and Home inspectors it is our duty to inform our clients on how to get the estimates they need and who can do that for them . Just something to write about . not complaining . So my comment and my thought for the day If you cant walk and chew gum at the same time . set down some where stick a piece in your mouth and chew while youre watching the sun set or remembering a good time . Thats what I do . cuase I have two left feet /. LOL Have agreat day and God Bless until next time . may you have much success . reach out and hug some one today. D L West

Wow I was imppressed (More like excited ) when a fellow home inspector and (a great friend) sent me an email saying look at you to the active rain site . it feels good to be a part of active rain . I have been off line for a while and, its been awhile since my last post . (Sold As is ). so Ill fill you in on whats been happining . My wifes father has had another stroke . her and I were going back in fourth every weekend for awhile . To Peru Indianna . . until one week we waited until she took a vaction to go up on a monday instead of a Friday . We found him lieing on his bed room floor he had fallin on that following friday night , and coulndnt get up . We got there just in time he was rushed to the hospital and is now recovering in a nursing home . He cant walk and has no strength to move him self around , he's stubborn and angry at us for putting him in nursing home . We feel we have no choice , hes a milatary veteran Army & Air force , so he staying at the nursing home at the air force base near his home . He's to weak to be transported here to ohio ( plus allot of other issues ) his home , leagal things . Its been hard on both My wife and I . I know That when its my time to go I want the lord to take me in my sleep so that I wont put my family through this . I have lost a father and both grandparents ( as well as two Brothers ) and have watched them slowly disapear from our lives in pain and suffering . Watching family getting Ill and then putting them in a home makes you feel guilty . But I know deep inside its the best thing . This year has been tough in a lot of areas business up and down taking on differant types of work to make ends meet . But Im hanging in there ,. I love doing home inspections Its my dream job and my life . I will still be doing this as long as God allows me to live . ( And the Phone keeps Ringing. ) Life allways give us challanges . its what we do with them that matters most . moving forward keeps us from falling into dispare . Living Our Dreams keeps us happy . Also for me its having aloving and caring Wife that I have . She's been the wind beneath my wings and the reason for me becoming a home inspector . she knew I had a dream and didnt tell me no, she said lets do it together . and thats what we do we are a team. My prayer is that we live and love long and that we meet more friends and share the love Of God with them as we journey through life together . God Bless you every one and thanks Active Rain for the Feature this week .it has lifted me up . God Bless From Top To Bottom Inspection Services and to all at active Rain may we all have a good year and many more to come.

2008 has been a slow year for a lot of us . The housing industry has taken a hard hit in many states .and yet it apopears to be not even close to being over . The Auto Industery is taking a big drop and many people through out the USA are being laid off, Or let go because of factories and manufacturers are closing up shop.Many realestate Agents And home Inspectors are feeling the pinch form the market . Some are finding differant jobs some are quitting all together. With the new president Elect Obama We pray that he can and will be the one to start saving our country. from a full blown receccsion. The Question is will 2009 be better or will we see a bigger decline before we see arise in the market.? As A home inspector I have felt the pinch to the point of almost closing up shop. but instead have decided to riode this out . I Pray that the stock market will grow ,and that the auto makers find a solution .and that the econmey will repair it self and that we all can have a better year for 2009. may God bless each and every one of us , and may his love for our country be ever so present this coming year . Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all . Denny West owner and operator Of Top To Bottom Home & Property Inspections From Bowling Green ,Ohio