We recently connected with Theodore Wilson and have shared our conversation below.

Theodore, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

After graduating with a degree in Anthropology, my career direction was steering me towards being an archaeology surveyor for land development. In California before any development to new land is engaged, multiple assessments are needed. My job would entail me driving to a location, collect data, take photos and provide a detailed report based on my findings. I would report on what has happened here in the past, what are the current conditions and what impacts could happen in the future if the project were to move forward. I found the job market to be very competitive and would have to begin my career at the bottom of the ladder, or in this case a bottom of a ditch. The entry level position required digging soil in remote areas and likely in heat stricken areas. The prospects were discouraging. While networking with friends and expressing my frustrations, I kept hearing about their success in the real estate industry. There are many players involved in a real estate transaction, Realtors, lenders, escrow, appraisers and home inspectors just to name a few. The more I researched these entities the more I was drawn to home inspecting. In fact, it paralleled with the framework of what I would be asked to do as an archaeology surveyor! To put it simply, a home inspector uses his education and knowledge base to drive to a location, collect data, take photos and produce a report based on his/her findings. A light went off in my head. If I could get educated on all the major systems and components of a home and how to identify defects with these systems, I could utilize my comprehension and reporting skills to form the foundation to become a home inspector. It was like being a real estate archaeologist!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started my home inspection business in 2003 and I love what I do. I provide my clients with with an unbiased report on the current condition of a home they are are interested in buying. My report empowers them to make an informed decision on what could be the biggest purchase of their life. I spend a minimum of 3 hours at my inspection. I look at all the major systems and components of a home. From the roof to the foundation, electrical, plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling and any appliances selling with the home. I spend as long as it takes to ensure any and all defects have been identified. I am proud of the nickname “Thorough Theo” that has been given to me by multiple clients and agents. My certification through California Real Estate Inspection Association ensures that I am staying up to date on industry changes, factory recalls and safety hazards introduced to the community. At the conclusion of my inspection, I take the time to provide a verbal summary of any significant findings with my clients and their agent. I convey my information in a very easy to understand manner and make sure to answer every question they may have. By the end of the day, the client and agent receive the completed inspection report full of pictures and easy to read details about the home.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Availability: I work 7 days a week and even holidays.
Communication: My non-alarmist delivery of information during the summary and my detailed and easy to read report

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word of mouth from previous clients as well as 5 star reviews

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sunsetpropertyinspection.com
• Instagram: sunset_property_inspection
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sunsetpropertyinspection
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunset-property-inspection-lemon-grove