By partnering with agents like Marcus Auerbach, Ian and Katie Scott are able to build up their business while providing a high level of customer service in North Shore, Wisconsin.
When Ian Scott and Katie Scott, the owners of HomeTeam Inspection Service of North Shore, Wisconsin, were first working to launch their business, they realized just how important it would be to build a strong relationship with other professionals in the Wisconsin real estate space. The relationship Ian built with Keller Williams agent Marcus Auerbach grew out of a few positive inspection experiences and ultimately led to Scott becoming more ingrained in local real estate offices.
“We had done an inspection with Marcus, and he really liked our process,” said Scott. “He saw the difference in how we do things. Because we have that team approach, we complete the inspection in a shorter period of time. With two sets of eyes, the process is a lot faster. We’re also able to book more quickly since inspections take less time. All of that really resonated with Marcus.”
From this point, the relationship branched out, and Scott was able to build a relationship with even more agents in Auerbach’s office.
“He was one of the reasons we were able to get our foot in the door at his office, and over the years, we continue to do more and more inspections together,” added Scott.
Because the real estate space requires such a personal relationship between client and service provider, many agents rely heavily on referrals, meaning they want to provide the best possible experience with each transaction. Having a strong connection with a qualified home inspector can play a crucial role in this aspect of the relationship.
“The home inspection is one of the primary reasons a deal will fall through on a home; that’s why it matters so much that you have a really good inspector,” explained Auerbach. “When I say ‘really good,’ I’m not talking about someone who is going to downplay issues. We just need a very level-headed approach to things. Ian is factual with the buyer without scaring them. He can show them the problem and also highlight some potential solutions; that puts people at ease.”
In a similar vein, Scott explained that one of the positive aspects of his relationship with Auerbach is that the pair respects each other’s professional opinion. Scott is able to be completely honest in a home inspection report without concern that reporting on a given issue could damage the professional relationship.
“We stand by everything that we do, so it’s important that we put everything we see in the report,” said Scott. “That’s one of the things Marcus loves about us. We’re not afraid to put an issue out there. He knows that if there’s something we feel needs to be in the report, it will be included, and we can have a calm conversation with the client about what might be required to resolve the issue or what it could mean for the future of the home.”
“These fine details really matter. After the inspectors pack up and drive away, I’m left to ask the client, ‘What do you think?’” added Auerbach. “I get the feedback from the clients. Communication is heavily nonverbal, and a lot of the cues that Ian presents really impact the clients and how they feel about the house. By being level-headed and not overreacting, he primes them to consider the true facts of the home.”
As the pair look to the future, both remark on the value the other brings to the community. In addition to being highly competent in their roles, they are able to connect with clients and other professionals in the space, spreading a higher-quality home inspection experience to more community members.
