HomeTeam Inspection Service was recognized as Affiliate Of The Year

HomeTeam Inspection Service of Dade County, FL was recognized last night at the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale's gala as the Affilate of the year.

"This is the second time that we have received this award. We are the only home inspection company to have ever received this award, let alone getting it twice, in the 90 year history of RAGFL," says HomeTeam franchisee Colin Conroy.

Colin was in attendance along with several hundred of the most influential Realtors in SE Florida. Colin received a standing ovation after his brief address and also donated a check for the Realtor Political Action Committee (RPAC).

"The award plaque will be featured at WCR Meetings, displays and exhibitions, Conventions, etc, to reinforce our position as the premiere property inspection business in our area," stated Colin.

Congratulations to Colin Conroy and HomeTeam Inspection Service of Dade County.

Wind Mitigation Services Bolster Business for Home Inspectors

Ancillary services have become a critical part of the home inspection business over the last several years as a way to continue to keep revenue streams steady. In Florida, HomeTeam Inspection Service’s franchisees have recently added wind mitigation to their portfolio of services, opening an opportunity for heightened revenue.

Colin Conroy, HomeTeam franchisee in Pompano Beach, Fla., estimates that 75 percent of the homes his team inspects also include a wind mitigation inspection. Of the remaining 25 percent, he said many will call back to have a wind mitigation inspection performed after their initial inspection.

“It has increased our business substantially,” he said. “The number of inspections we’re doing is about the same as last year, but we have seen a substantial increase in the number of wind storm mitigations we’ve been asked to perform.”

Historically, wind mitigation inspections in Florida have been performed by the state-run home insurance group, which created the service when many insurers pulled out of the state due to heavy losses associated with hurricanes. Licensing for home inspectors became available in March this year, allowing home inspectors in the state to perform wind mitigation reports.

The process involves photographs, use of metal detectors and taking exact measurements — all carried out by an inspector who has credibility with insurers. Conroy estimates his revenue is up 22 percent from last year, and attributes 75 percent of that increase to adding wind mitigation inspections to his service offerings.

But the service isn’t just a way for HomeTeam franchisees to add to their offerings, and their bottom line, but is also something homeowners have a proven need for. Homeowners can have the wind mitigation inspection completed during the time of an initial inspection and now Realtors® in the area are also becoming educated about the process in order to better prepare consumers.

“Typically if you have a home that meets all or most of the standards, you’re looking at the homeowner saving $500 to $1,000 in the premiums they will pay,” Conroy said. “It’s always worth the cost of doing the inspection.”

Although wind mitigation inspections are more typical in Florida right now, many believe it won’t be long until other states follow suit. By getting into the wind mitigation service early in Florida, HomeTeam is now prepared should other states be affected by similar weather patterns and begin to offer incentives to homeowners. This will ensure that franchisees are ready to begin implementing wind mitigation checks in the future if they are needed in other parts of the country.

HomeTeam Inspection Service Adds Wind Storm Mitigation Inspection to Services

By Greg Haskett, VP of Shared Services, HomeTeam Inspection Service

Over the 20 years that HomeTeam Inspection Service has been in business, they have continued to add ancillary services like pest, mold and radon testing in order to provide consumers with a “One Call Does It All” place for inspection services. This philosophy has been key in HomeTeam’s professional reputation in the markets it serves.

Even in the down economy, HomeTeam Inspection Service keeps abreast of the trends and recently has added a service which will keep its franchisees profitable and provide value-added services to the consumer. This year, HomeTeam provided certification to all Florida-based franchisees in Wind Storm Mitigation Inspections.

In 2007, the Florida legislature passed a house bill (#7057) which requires insurance companies to give discounts to home owners who have certain mitigation features included in their home. There is a 9-point checklist which a certified home inspector must fill out in order for the home owner to qualify. Home inspectors are required to be certified in this specialized inspection in order for the home owner to receive the insurance discount, which requires the inspector to fill out a form on the mitigation features of the home and take photos for proof.

There is such a large market for this inspection as a result of the passing of the legislative bill in Florida that HomeTeam Inspection Service has trained all of its Florida-based franchisees on how to perform this inspection and will be rolling it out to other franchisees throughout the system as well as other states adopt similar bills.

“HomeTeam ensures that its franchisees are equipped to professionally handle all issues related to the home inspection industry,” said Greg Haskett, VP of Shared Services. “Not only does our adding services help the consumer, it also puts money into the pockets of our franchisees.”

For more information on franchising with HomeTeam Inspection Service, call Greg Haskett at 800-598-5297 .

Franchisee Profile: Mitch Rothenberg, Franchisee of Tampa, FL

Mitch Rothenberg has owned and operated the HomeTeam Inspection Service brand in Tampa for the past 16 years. In his time as a small business owner, Mitch has conducted over 28,000 home inspections with his team. What he enjoys most about his daily work is the opportunity to conduct each inspection with a team of qualified individuals that specialize in the different aspects of the industry, from termites and foundations to electrical systems and air conditioning.

Changed Ownership: April, 1995
Location: 720 East Fletcher Suite 105
Tampa, FL


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Are you a first time business owner?
No. Prior to opening HomeTeam, I worked as a general contractor and owned a construction business.

How did you learn about the brand?
When I joined the system 16 years ago, there was really no research to be done on the concept. It was a relatively new professional industry and there were only about 40 other franchises across the country. I spoke directly with the founder of HomeTeam and learned about the team approach and why that stood out in the industry. By providing a team to do a home inspection, the time required to complete a project was cut down dramatically and the quality of inspection increased because you had multiple sets of eyes to look over each area of the house.

Why was this brand the right fit for you?
HomeTeam was definitely the right fit because opening a home inspection service was similar to being a general contractor. We look at the whole picture, from air conditioning to termites. HomeTeam provides a professional approach to home inspections and by using a team method we are able to cut our service time in half compared to any of our competitors.

How have you been able to connect with the local community?
We currently sponsor the Women’s Council of Realtors of Florida, which has one of the largest memberships in the country. By creating a relationship with the WCR we are active participants in their meetings and conventions to help make our services known across the state.

What have been some career milestones for you/your business?
Since opening HomeTeam Inspection in 1994, we have conducted over 28,000 home inspections in the Tampa Bay area and created a good reputation for our services. We currently have three teams of made up of four experts that go on each home visit. We pride ourselves on the phenomenal team system that we have developed over the years with HomeTeam and the unmatched quality of our service.