After pursuing real estate as a second career, Parker says a relationship with her local HomeTeam Inspection Service has supported her growth and relationship with buyers of all types.
HomeTeam Inspection Service, the home inspection concept that leverages a team model to provide more efficient service, encourages its local owners to partner with real estate agents in the area. With these relationships, the owners can become true HomeTeam Heroes, supporting agents and their clients alike. Dana Parker, a Tampa Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices real estate agent, has forged a connection with Jeff and Margo Ackerman, the owners of HomeTeam Inspection Service of Tampa Bay.
“The Ackermans have been tremendous supporters of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices of Florida,” Parker said. “There are 23 offices in the brokerage, but I’m in south Tampa. HomeTeam is a Berkshire Hathaway approved provider, so they come and do presentations at our office and host events on our behalf. Jeff and Margo specifically have a great reputation.”
Because Parker pursued real estate after 37 years in corporate America, she was newer to the market and had no pre-established relationships with home inspectors when she broke into the industry in Tampa. After testing out a few options, she says HomeTeam became a clear favorite.
In addition to consistent presence in the Berkshire Hathaway offices, Parker says the Ackermans stand out because of their efficiency, organization and overall approach. When working with clients who will soon need an inspection, Parker will offer up a few names and an overview of the approach. Many clients independently choose HomeTeam.
“To be frank, HomeTeam isn’t the cheapest option in the area. So I give my buyers a choice, but I also tell them about the efficiency and speed they’ll get if they choose HomeTeam,” she said. “There’s another company I work with that charges less, but you’ll be there for three hours waiting for the inspection to be completed.”
How HomeTeam Caters to Agents and Their Clients
The Ackermans describe multiple ways in which they work to partner in a productive way with the agents they work with.
“We have three goals: a good inspection, the client walking out still interested in the house and making sure the agent understands the inspection report,” Margo explained. “That approach seems to resonate with people, and we make sure that each of our agents understands the value of this.”
“At the end of the inspection, we give a verbal report and they can ask questions,” Jeff added. “We do everything in a relaxed, conversational tone because that’s the feel we want during the inspection. We don’t want anyone panicking. The report is given with the idea that everything we find can be repaired or replaced. We do our best to not be the reason someone backs out of a purchase.”
Parker echoed the ease of the inspection process, explaining that the reports are concise and easy to understand. If anyone involved has additional questions, she is confident in reaching back out to HomeTeam for additional information. If there are no questions but the agents did find an issue in the home, the written report is formatted in a straightforward manner and is easy to forward to the listing agent should the buyer request any adjustments.
In addition to the on-site process that allows agents to use a tablet to build the report as they inspect, the team model creates additional efficiency, meaning agents can typically be available for inspections with a quick turnaround.
“We answer the phone from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., including the weekends,” Jeff said. “The agents know that we’re available. If they’re working, we’re working. We will also hold a spot on our calendars if we know an agent is putting in a contract offer and want a shortened inspection period. If they get that contract and are ready to roll, we are too.”
Keeping Up With the Times
Keeping current allows the Ackermans to maintain their relationship with local agents and support them as they support their own clients.
“Jeff is on Facebook and posts updates on the industry or facts we need to know,” Parker said. “Margo is in our office continuously. They’re very good at relationship building and communication.”
While keeping agents in the loop with home-inspection-related information, Jeff is also keeping tabs on the larger real estate world.
“We read everything we see in the news feed to see what everyone is saying, but the problem is that everyone is saying something different. As far as our own market, we talk to our agents and ask them how things are going,” he said. “That’s the best way: see what the agents are saying.”
“A lot of my trust in this partnership comes from consistency. They’ve been consistent with all of my clients, whether it’s been a first-time or experienced buyer,” Parker explained. “I recently had an experience where Jeff referred me to another local franchisee in a different part of Florida, and I got the same consistency in Sarasota that I get in Tampa. Same uniforms, same car wraps, same process. It was seamless. As far as dependability, accuracy and efficiency, there’s no reason for me to go anywhere else.”
