We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jim Patrick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jim, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.
I have often met realtors that use HomeTeam for the first time and express how impressed they are with the client care and service we provided. They like that we are quick in all aspects of the inspection process but they are most impressed that we take care of the client and understand the importance of the inspection has on the buying/selling process.
Jim, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a retired firefighter and fire inspector. I grew up in San Diego and had the privilege to serve the community for over 20 years. While home inspections are less on the life safety side as a fire inspector, I still bring the attention to detail that is welcomed by agents and clients alike. After listening to the agents and their needs, I try and bring a “one stop” shop service. In addition to home inspection, we provide environmental testing (mold, asbestos, lead, etc.), mainline sewer scope, pest/termite inspection, pool and other ancillary services. This allows the agent to move through the inspection process quicker because the process is centralized under one umbrella instead of a number of different contractor working independently. I am proud of the fact that we have multiple return agents. This shows me that the service and communication is top notch. This also continues to motivate us to always strive to do our best and provide a solid service that keeps clients returning. We truly live by the HomeTeam branding, that is to be “Fast”, “Trusted”, and “Accurate”.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The two “pivots” that come mind both have to do with my business but, as any entrepreneur would telling you, the business is connected to your personal life also. The first was when I was forced to retire as a firefighter due to a on duty work injury. During that time I was faced with the, ‘now what”, scenario that most people fear. Little did I know at the time this would be the catalyst that helped me to discover HomeTeam inspection service. The more I became familiar with HomeTeam the more I realized that what I had been doing with my past experiences from the fire service are absolutely applicable to this endeavor. The moral and service oriented mentality that runs through the core of HomeTeam also aligned with me and the core of who I am. The second pivot was actually opening in the middle of a pandemic. When other businesses are closing, I am opening my own business. This shows me and others how committed to success I am and know that I have something that stands head and shoulders above all others. I realized that I was tapping into the core of who I am and my gifting… to serve the community that I live in and love.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
As a previous firefighter, the badge and uniform sent a very clear message to the public that the one wearing is always a public servant and someone that is there to help. Well as a home inspector I realized that my new uniform did not give off the same type of message. You see, home inspectors and the industry as a whole have a bad rep by no fault of their own. Amongst other concerns, home inspectors have a reputation for be unprofessional and “deal breaking” actions that are frowned upon by realtors. I realized this going into the industry but didn’t realize it as to the deepth. This made me understand that the agent is truly in need of a partner in their business that can be trusted. This starts with a friendly communication that is factual without injecting opinion into what is already is a stressful process. We have various other ways of building trust but this is at the core of how we do it. I came to the realization what others have used and is time tested, the golden rule. Treating others as one would like to be treated…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hometeam.com/central-san-diego-county/
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