Spectora Spotlight with Kevin Wagstaff

Yon and Brian grew up less than a mile apart. They played on the same sports teams as kids. Now, although they live across the country, they're both home inspectors. And they learn from each other every day. In this episode, we get into: - Growing a YouTube channel and why client education is so important - Building home maintenance plans for clients post-inspection - The difference between inspecting new builds and historic homes - Different communication styles - Why having industry friends/mentors is key to growth You can find Yon and Brian's YouTube channel, Home Inspections Matter, at https://www.youtube.com/@UC3biUdnJzw1sMbWtPNfgSaA. You can find Yon at https://homegrowninspectionsc.com/ and Brian at https://workflowhome.com/.

Thomas is BACK by popular demand. In the episode, we get into: - Why collaboration is the key to leveling up the industry - Raising your prices and adding/communicating value - Taking ownership of issues clients run into vs learning when to say no this just isn't our problem/fault - Navigating contractor relationships, insurance woes, and how to give recommendations without being the upgrade police  - Home health inspections and getting in the door with homeowners who aren't actively buying or selling  

Matt is a beacon of wisdom in this industry. This episode is a must-listen for any inspector thinking about becoming a business owner...or thinking about selling, for that matter. We get into: - How Matt went from company employee to company owner - Commitment and consistency over hustle culture - The future of mergers & acquisitions in the inspection industry - Why you need to KYN (Know Your Numbers) - How he spent his life savings on his company in a down market...and why that was actually a great thing. If you want to get in touch with Matt, you can find him at @acehomeny on Facebook or at https://acehomeny.com/.  

We're lucky to have not only an incredibly successful real estate broker, but a CEO, best-selling author, coach & keynote speaker on Spectora Spotlight. Leigh Brown is a straight shooter and an advocate for serving customers and improving the real estate industry in any way we can. Leigh and Kevin have a free flowing conversation around the NAR lawsuit and settlement and what it could mean for Realtors, home inspectors and homebuyers. You can find Leigh at her website and the socials! https://www.leighbrown.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC11stDD0nfFUYfhPB-E1nLg https://www.facebook.com/LeighBrownSpeaker/ https://www.instagram.com/leighthomasbrown/    Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0  Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0  Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0  Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90  Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.  Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email Kevin@Spectora.com  Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying - https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

If you don't know Bill, you should. He and his team are some of the kindest, hard-working folks you'll come across. We've been fortunate enough to know them since the beginning of Spectora. Bill & team discuss: - Starting a sole proprietorship with a spouse - The importance of starting with two - Values and excellence - Quality software - Growing your vision as you grow - Hiring & team inspecting - Looking for your "off ramp"   Want to connect with Bill? You can email him at Bill@PreciseInspecting.com or hit their website https://www.PreciseInspecting.com    Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0  Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0  Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0  Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90  Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.  Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email Kevin@Spectora.com  Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying - https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

Jeremy Smith talks to Kevin about his unique co-op model of growing regionally, and possibly nationally. They also get into his unique backstory, how he extends value beyond the home inspection, and why this industry is perfect for lifestyle and balancing with family life. Get in touch with Jeremy! jeremy@apexpropertyinspection.com http://www.apexpropertyinspection.com/laramie    Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0  Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0  Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0  Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90  Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.  Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email Kevin@Spectora.com  Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying - https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

Chuck is an absolute pleasure to talk to, and a wealth of knowledge in this industry. We get into specifics of bringing services in-house, being a consultant for life, how to handle downturns and agent relationships. Connect with Chuck at his email and website: info@realsvs.com http://www.realinspectionservices.com    Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0  Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0  Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0  Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90  Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.  Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email Kevin@Spectora.com  Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying - https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

Michael Craycraft of Greenworks has a pretty unique vantage point, basically running one of the largest home inspection companies in the country. Michael and Kevin chat about: His journey at Greenworks Growing within an org vs. being your own boss His views on the industry Hiring and training inspectors How he thinks about operations vs. strategic thinking Want to learn more about Greenworks? Find them at their website - https://greenworksinspections.com/ Or you can message Michael on Instagram - @michaelcraycraftgreenworks  Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0  Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0  Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0  Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90  Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.  Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email Kevin@Spectora.com  Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying - https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

Dylan and Kevin get into Dylan's backstory and many other topics: Marketing Differentiation What hasn't worked How HomeAdvisor/ANGI actually worked for him Leveraging tech for efficiency Iterative approach Email Dylan or hit him up at his website: dmorgan@propertydocinspections.com https://www.propertydocinspections.com    Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0  Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0  Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0  Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90  Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.  Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email Kevin@Spectora.com  Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying - https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

This one had something for every inspector stage! Kevin and Mike get into: Going from full-time to part-time and still growing Background as a firefighter and cop Agent acquisition story Weird market dynamics in New York Partnering with moving companies to help clients Using Actions for more upsells Productizing annual maintenance inspections Google Guarantee is pretty great actually Battling imposter syndrome You can get in touch with Mike here: casinohomeinspections@gmail.com https://www.casinohomeinspections.com/  

Bailey McHugh of SWELL Home Inspections gets nearly 90% of her referrals from Instagram. In this Spectora Spotlight interview, Bailey and Kevin break down how. They also dive into: What to say when you slide into those DMs How to get your posts in front of hundreds of agents Overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there Why automation and consistency are game changers Bailey's journey from being a flight attendant to becoming a home inspector The importance of superb client communication And so much more. You can find Bailey on Instagram @swell_homeinspections or on her website, swellhomeinspectionsnc.com  

Do you offer a home energy assessment as part of your inspection? Shannon Bloemker makes a great case for why you should.   Shannon is the founder and CEO of Energy Raven, a home energy assessment that helps homebuyers see how the home uses energy and where they can save. She and Kevin get into: Home energy assessments New tax rebates and why they matter How little a home inspection costs relative to the rest of the real estate transaction (and how to get that number up!) Whether or not the home inspection should be required The home inspection as education You can find Energy Raven at https://energyraven.com/  

David Van Vurst has a pretty cool story to get here. He shares his story of owning a Skyzone up until Covid and how he met his first set of agents with creativity! They also get into: Using QR codes Realities of year 1 income as a home inspector Helping seniors Using strategies agents can RELATE to Social media usage You can connect with David through his website - https://www.phoenixresolutions.com/ or on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspector_van/  

Shante is a Spectora OG. Not only because she's known us since the beginning, it's because she is one of the most kind, fun, intelligent people you'll find in this industry. And she's just getting started. Kevin and Shante cover so much: How she got involved in the business COVID growth story Balancing being a mom and working Hiring a VA Social media Hiring a growth coordinator Downsizing Being a boss vs. a leader Spouse dynamics Want to get in touch with Shante to network? You can email her - shante@lamberthomeinspections.com Or hit her up from the website - https://www.lamberthomeinspections.com/

Ryan is leading the youth movement in home inspections! You can tell from his refreshing approach to meeting agents, to recommending contractors - he's the future of this business. Kevin and Ryan get into:   His story from college to home inspections Homeowner education is 100% the future User experience for homebuyers Recommending contractors Sliding into those DMs Wish list items for Spectora Hit Ryan up at his website! https://www.hellohomeinspections.com/our-team  

Randy is a Spectora OG. Customer #7 we believe! Kevin finally gets him on the pod to chat about: - Working with a spouse - IEB & the important of vision - Management styles - NAR Suit and what you can do - How to handle price shoppers You can find Randy at his website - https://www.lamberthomeinspections.com/ or on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LambertHomeInspections/ or on Instagram where they crush it, @lamberthomeinspection  

Michael and Kevin have a great conversation looking back at COVID and Michael's come up story, how he's approaching the current environment, using Spectora to finish reports on-site, AI and more! You can reach Michael at his beautiful website - https://www.nplhomeinspections.com/ or at michael@nplhomeinspections.com  

After talking in Vegas at the ASHI conference, Jameson and Kevin finally made the podcast happen! They get into the value of associations, conferences and business ownership.  

Episode #121 - We say one of Spectora's most important values is communication? Well we're getting back to more of it! Mike and Kevin give an update on Spectora's MVVC, as well as what we're thinking about and focused on as a company as we head into 2024. Have an opinion on the events Mike referenced at the end of the clip? Let us know if you'd attend in the comments!

Brandon Lunsford from LunsPro Home Inspections (out of Alpharetta, Georgia) will admit he's more comfortable being behind the scenes building empires. That's why we want to hear from him! Brandon humbly shares his backstory and some of what has helped him start, build, grow and scale home inspection and pest control businesses. We also talk about the love of entrepreneurship, building company culture and how to grow in other geographic areas. You can learn more about LunsPro at their website - https://lunsprogeorgia.com/  

Lance Coffman is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to commercial inspections. In a slower market, everyone wants to do more of 2 things - Commercial and New Builds. He gives us his experience and perspective on how to do commercial well and how to supplement your home inspection business with commercial inspections. You can find Lance at this websites: https://www.focusbuildinginspections.com/ https://www.foreverhomeinspection.com/  

Why Nic got into home inspections Difficulties starting with well established companies in the area Story of his 1st inspection Dealing with a market that's used to paying very little for an inspection Recommending Contractors WETT Inspections Why Nic is trying to get into the market of people who haven't moved in 20 years - they REALLY need an inspection! Some wins he had making connections with agents How he's marketing in his area that no one else doing   Connect with Nic at his website - https://www.nextadventurehomeinspections.ca/  

Jake Edenfield from Profound Home Inspections in Wichita, KS not only has an inspirational backstory, he's an open book when it comes to dropping knowledge. And he brings the heat this episode. Jake tells Kevin some of what has gotten him over 700 inspections in just 2 years. They also get into: When to quit and go full-time Using video messages Hand written notes How to build trust Cookies with logos

They say "Don't bet the farm on it". Well, Lauren and Clay did. We have an incredible episode with Lauren & Clay Hughes from Lighted Way Home Inspections (https://www.lightedwayhomeinspections.com). Their story is one you can't help but cheer for with the adversity and startup story they tell. They are some of the most sweet, genuine people you'll ever meet and they share so many great lessons and best practices.   - How important spouse support is - What literally selling the farm means - Non-sales, sales - Selfless belief when networking - Rural dynamics - How to Google nearby towns - Serendipity - Adding value - How long connections take to turn into money - Social media game   You can connect with Lauren and Clay through their website - https://www.lightedwayhomeinspections.com/ or on IG where they rock it: https://www.instagram.com/lightedwayhomeinspections/  

Kevin has the pleasure of interviewing competitors in the same market - Chad Hammond and Matt Muehler. Hear how they view competing in their local market vs. having a friend that is invested in your success. Truly a refreshing take on "other inspectors".   1:33 - Backstory 7:30 - Where the mentality comes from 11:10 - It's a lonely industry 15:00 - Who's pushing you to holistically improve? 18:14 - One of the biggest hurdles inspectors face 20:10 - How to be better than the next guy 20:19 - How competition elevates others 31:07 - Raising the bar on pricing & services 34:25 - Adding more value to the home inspection 44:15 - How they're viewing the "other" inspectors 48:43 - Starting in a smaller market with established inspectors 50:45 - The Lord's Drapes! Be who you are. 56:33 - Books & Podcasts   Want to connect with these fine gents? Hit em up at their websites and emails: http://www.topdownhomeinspect.com chad@topdownhomeinspect.com https://www.onpointhomeinspectionsoca.com matt@onpointhomeinspectionsoca.com  

David is back to chat with Kevin about: How he started making videos 2022 wrap up Agent retention How to get your first couple inspections ANSWERING THE PHONE Many other little nuggets for new and experienced inspectors!

Kevin has a candid chat with Joe Denneler and Ben Garrison of Elite MGA insurance. They are a provider of E&O insurance and have seen everything under the sun when it comes to home inspection reports, claims and how home inspectors respond to them. Listen in as they get into: - COVID and post-COVID trends when it comes to claims against inspectors - Why they're seeing less claims now - What inspectors can do to reduce claims to nearly zero - How empathy plays a part in getting sued - Why inspectors need to learn how to write - What to look out for when recommending contractors You can learn more at their website - https://www.elitemga.com/ Show them you're a Spectora user and get a discount (not an endorsement or affiliate deal, but because of the report format and how it limits liability).  

If there was a home inspection Hall of Fame, Wally would be in it. Wally has so much wisdom, an hour wasn't enough! Wally shares his perspective on: The history of the industry and why 1976 is important Evolution of the industry His acquisition and mistakes Ego vs. economics Co-op-itition Why 2+2=5! The 3 ways you're paid in a PE deal  

Calling all introverts! James tells us how he overcame being an introvert and used it to his advantage to grow his business. Kevin and James also get into: - How to get invited to housewarming parties - What next level service means to James - Finding your passion - Surrounding yourself with positive energy   You can find James at his website: https://www.upclosehomeinspections.net/  

We got something for everyone on Howard's 2nd pod appearance, episode #110. Kevin and Howard get into:   How to setup an expo for agents Networking with other Spectora inspectors Pre-drywall packages Add-ons Home service businesses How to raise your prices with confidence Using Chat GPT Here is a link to Howard's IG so you can see the expo set up - https://www.instagram.com/homeshapeinspections/ Hit him on IG or his website - https://www.homeshapeinspections.com/  

Episode #109 - You can't not like Cory. Contagious energy and vision for where he's going! Kevin and Cory cover: How he comes up with content What he does for networking and marketing Social media strategy Vision casting How to increase revenue with contractor networks You can find Cory at his website or email: cory@mississippispremierinspections.com https://www.mississippipremierinspections.com/  

Call centers have their place in our industry, it's clear. The reality is there are few that are high quality and not corporate owned! We give Sterling from ICC a chance to talk about his story, his company, who call centers ARE NOT for and trends he's seeing in the market.   [Link to live webinar on May 18th @ 9am - https://calendly.com/kevin-spectora/social-media-agents]

Dave always brings the calm wisdom. Don't let him fool you, he puts in the work and he is constantly learning and evolving. This is another banger of an episode! We get into: - How he handled COVID - How we went to the cloud - Going from 4 to 17 people on this team - How to stay out of "the box" - Amazing story of how to say no to agents - How can you help Realtors win? - Home inspection prices going DOWN, BUT your revenue per inspection can go way UP - Other businesses you absolutely need to be thinking about setting up

Do you look at your numbers as a % of revenue? Do you know the value of your relationships? What are you margins? What's your ROI on marketing and sales activities? These are all areas home inspectors are traditionally weak in. That's why Erin is a blessing for our industry. Kevin and Erin have a fun conversation around ways home inspectors can be more NUMBERS driven and make smarter decisions around scaling their business.  

Episode #105 - This was a fun conversation with Scott because he not only was one of Spectora's first clients, he has grown a multi-inspector company, and now started his own SaaS business, Hoopla CRM. They also chat about: - Traveling while running your inspection company - Recommending contractors as a source of revenue - Chat GPT - VAs - Client Portal upsells in Spectora (PS. It's free money) Link to Hoopla CRM - https://www.hooplacrm.com/ Link to the IEB event Kevin mentions in the intro - Get more info here Promo code: IEBSOCIAL23  

It's no surprise by now - the home inspection industry has had major shifts in the past 5 years. Even more change has happened in the last 2 years. What does this all mean? What does this mean for your business? Your software partners? Your clients? Mike & Kevin break down the consolidation that's happening, implications, and how Spectora is continuing it's mission of serving inspectors and their clients with transparency.

This interview was a joy. Mostly because of who Floyd and Sandra are. They care, they share and they do things the right way. They talk with Kevin about: - What it's like running a multi-inspector company and teaching at ICA - Lessons learned from teaching thousands of students - Ego is the enemy - Starting a business in a recession - Common careers prior to home inspection - Owning your mistakes - Hiring tips for multis Want to get in touch? You can connect with Floyd & Sandra at: Instagram- @Lolas1350  Facebook- Floyd Gibbs, Sandra Wheless Gibbs and/or Quality Home Inspections  

Thomas got started in 2020 and talks to Kevin about many aspects besides the actual home inspection. They touch on dealing with adversity, recessions, personality management and extreme ownership.  

Eric Coates is a long-time successful home inspection company AND an instructor with ICA. He keeps it simple and practical, and that's refreshing. They get into new inspector pitfalls and tips, field training and more. Here are links to the Spectora features referenced in the intro:   ✅ Most used defect sorting - https://support.spectora.com/en/articles/6666155-sort-defect-comments-by-most-used   ✅ Zillow link - https://share.getcloudapp.com/YEuDn0yv    ✅ Quote feature - https://support.spectora.com/en/articles/6906773-how-to-send-a-quote-on-spectora   ✅ Draft inspection feature - https://support.spectora.com/en/articles/6654099-how-to-resume-incomplete-bookings  

David Scruggs went into the home inspection business with supreme confidence. He shares his success journey and secrets on how he had a successful first year in the business.

Episode 100!!!  The Spectora family thanks you for supporting the podcast & Spectora. We hope you'll share the pod with your home inspector community and anyone you think would benefit from hearing inspector stories. Here's to many more episodes! Amanda & Kevin get into training, women in business, interest rates, her Ford 150 Lightning, Flir c5 & she takes a live call from a Realtor!  

Gabe is on the young side of home inspectors...but don't let that fool you. He's using it to his advantage. This was a great interview where Kevin and Gabe talk about: Going out on your own after working for a company Being a good employee Advantages of being Gen Z Home inspections are a good living if you do it right Crazy story about a bear and a $7M house  

This episode was a treat with Bryan. He is off to a monster start in the business and his mindset drives his success. We talk about: - Some amazing mindset books to read - How to talk to agents at open houses - Being vulnerable - Using Instagram to win - Other types of inspections - Branding 101  

Howard wins the best mic contest. He also is a refreshing first year, veteran inspector that exceeded all traditional expectations through dedication, practicality and creativity! He and Kevin get into so much including: Being a millennial in the business Why veterans do so well in home inspections Outsourcing Dedication >>> Motivation AI writing tools Content, content, content Using a VA  

Eric Harmon is easy to root for. A practical guy that tracks his numbers and goes with what works. Simple right? He drops lots of juicy nuggets in this one: - His origin story - How he got inspection #1 - Using IG to get 34% of his agents - Using local contractors as a differentiator - Making thousands more a month from 1 upsell email  

Blaine Wallace keeps it fun and creative. He brings the knowledge on how he used Instagram to his benefit (still does) and how breakfast meetings helped him scale up. We get into more amazing topics for new inspectors: How and why he doesn't like going to offices How he gets all online bookings and no phone calls Mentorship How to explain defects smoothly

JT is always a treat. He's one of those guys that seems like he's got it all figured out. This time we get into:   His acceptance into the Enterprise level of IEB Using Spectora Advanced for both of his companies Self-improvement KYN (Know Your Numbers!) Training & personality assessments How he's thinking about growth, digital vs. Realtors If you want to see JT's impressive companies, you can find them below: Central Florida Building Inspectors: www.cfbinspect.com Elite Mold Services: www.moldinspect.org

Trish is practical and effective. She got agent lists, created content, did "fireside chats" and got Google Reviews! And she's building an amazing business up in Canada. Listen in and Kevin and Trish talk about her first inspection, getting a big ole list of agents, creating content, training and more!   You can connect with Trish at her website - https://www.wiseonhomeinspections.com/ or wiseonhomeinspections@gmail.com

In this month's Spectora Spotlight, we got the Inspect Canada team to talk about their journey in the Canadian home inspection market, creating content to grow and how to wow client's with true home consultant services. You can connect with Dave and his team at their website - https://inspect.ca/  

On today's episode we have special guests Mike Wagstaff and Liz Devine. You know Mike (co-founder and CEO) but Liz is a talented Product Manager at Spectora that's running our partnerships program. We have always been all about looking forward and finding ways to elevate our industry. This is one of the ways our industry is transforming in real time.  They talk about: The state of the industry and how it relates to clients, data, leads and monetization for inspectors Spectora's stance on ethical ways home inspectors can and should benefit The needs of the modern homebuyer How our industry will evolve in the coming years and how you can be ahead of the curve What do you think about the future? How can we position and protect home inspectors by participating in this sea change? Shoot Liz an email with what you think at Liz@Spectora.com or write into our chat, we'd love to hear your thoughts.

The Spectora team always enjoys being a sponsor at the IEB Unite conference. What the team enjoys the most is sitting in on the sessions and soaking up the knowledge of the biggest and best in the industry. Kevin gives you his 5 key takeaways from his notes on the conference.