August 7, 2025 • 45 mins
If you're a brand new home inspector and looking to break out in the industry, you're not alone! In fact, we get comments from new inspectors all the time asking for tips whether it's about the job on-site or about growing a business. So, if that's you, then you'll love our guest Ashleigh Flores from Horizon City, Texas. Because she's in her sixth month of doing just that! We get into the ins and outs of starting a career in home inspection, the importance of consistency, and the tools of the trade. Ashleigh shares her journey, offering insights and advice for new inspectors. And if she can do it... so can you!
ALSO... WE'VE GOT SOMETHING REALLY COOL HAPPENING THIS MONTH ON OUR INSTAGRAM! Go follow @theridealongshow on Instagram so you can be part of it :)
The Links:
Register for Inspection Fuel (September 8-10 in New Orleans) here: https://www.inspectionfuel.com/register
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Matt, the technical difficulties that we have endured just to record this episode, it'sbeen, I think it's been worth it.
You ready to do it though?
I'm ready to do it.
It's been a nice 24 hour wait.
Let's get it on.
been your fault, but here we go.
(00:23):
not taking all the blame for this.
Just so that you know, I'm not taking all the blame for this.
First of all, I blame you and I blame Eric for this whole Mac situation.
That is the first thing.
And we'll get into the rest later.
This might be a whole podcast worth of arguing that we have to do about this, but.
like Apple versus Windows stuff.
Yeah.
Hey, sound off at the comments.
If you're an iPhone or an Android home inspector, there you go.
(00:44):
Hey, that could actually be a good segue for, for new home inspectors.
What phone do I use?
Well, it all depends on what inspection software you want to use.
And here to talk about new inspector stuff today, Matt, we got a good guest on show.
Yes, we do.
We have Ashley Flores from Horizon, Texas.
that Horizon City?
that what it is?
(01:04):
Basically El Paso, correct?
Yeah.
Very cool.
Now I'm excited to talk with you about how you got started in the industry and ah whetheror not you can see the horizon in Horizon City or if it's just a myth.
ah But we're glad to have you on Ashley.
Thank you so much for having me.
I'm super excited.
(01:26):
definitely us too.
And we are going to kick things off with our usual drink of the day.
But here's the thing guys, we've had a little bit of pushback.
I guess there's some tea totalers, no offense.
If there are people out there that don't drink it, this segment doesn't interest you.
I'm going to try and start doing the thing in the show notes and descriptions where youcan kind of like click forward to the segment that you definitely want to hear.
(01:47):
But the drink of the day is just our little way of plugging our sponsor Inspection Fuelthat's going to be coming up.
When is it Matt?
That is September 8 through the 10th in New Orleans.
New Orleans.
New Orleans?
That's right.
Yeah, but we're looking forward to it.
That's going to be a lot of fun.
So sign up at inspectionfuel.com slash register and Ashley because you're a guest on theshow, you're going to get a free free ticket to go.
(02:15):
Awesome, thank you.
I can't wait!
definitely.
So the way we do this drink of the day, we grab a little something to sit on.
You know, my mom's calling.
Should I answer that?
I forgot to turn my ringer off.
I?
You think I should?
I should probably call her back.
I'll call her back.
I'll call her
her back.
We could have her as a guest on the show.
Matt's mom, welcome to the show.
(02:37):
anyway, Matt, since your mom called, what would you tell your mom that you're drinkingright now?
And was she the one who gave you your drinking problems?
No, I'm kidding.
That's another podcast.
she would I would tell her I'm honest about my beverages with my family.
(02:57):
I am but today if you're asking me what I'm drinking, I'd be happy to tell you I am.
Yeah, I've been out of town for a bit.
So I'm back right and so I'm back with a local drink here.
This is made in Galveston.
This is Galveston.
I think it's Galveston Brewing Company.
Tiki Wheat something I usually drink only when I'm in Galveston, but I found it herelocally and Cheers Tiki Wheat.
(03:18):
Here's the take you eat Ashley.
What are you sipping on for your inaugural drink of the day, ma'am?
So I just have some moscato and then I throw like fruit or whatever I have like in there.
It's perfect for summer.
I love it.
like a white sangria, almost.
Pretty much, just a little bubbly, little sweet thing going on.
(03:38):
Very cool, I dig it.
And I am sipping on little Cooper family, some Texas whiskey that was given to me by theone and only Matt Braiding.
This is supposed to do that.
Cheers to you, guys.
Cheers.
All right, so this is going to be an episode.
too painful for whoever, you know, if they didn't have the ability to skip ahead.
(04:03):
Should we go on for another minute or so about it?
Just know, I think we should jump right into it.
So Ashley, we're excited to have you on.
Cause one of the things that we get asked often, um, is a four about new home inspectors.
Where should they start?
Um, how did they start to build a social media profile?
What tools do they get in the tool bag?
What training should they do?
(04:23):
What organizations and coaching groups should they join?
And you have gone through the wringer on all of these things.
So,
not only is it awesome to highlight a woman in the industry, but also one that's kind ofuh been through a lot of the paces that new inspectors are gonna be looking to go through
as well.
Thank you, yeah, I've been through it all.
think I've been in every group and every coaching program.
(04:46):
So I've definitely tried it all and keep learning more and more.
uh
brought you to the industry and what did you kind of do before and ah how long have youbeen in business?
Well, before I was staying with mom and I wanted to get back into doing something, but Ididn't know what.
So I was just looking around and came across this and I was like, okay, I'm pretty good atlearning systems and I'm very detail oriented.
(05:13):
And I just kind of stuck with it, looked into it I was like, I can do this.
So I signed up for school, went to school, got all my licensing done and that was it.
did you, where did you get your training for licensing?
ATI?
Nice, good stuff.
I've heard really good things about them.
I didn't mind through InterNACHI, but what was your experience with ATI?
(05:36):
It was really good.
And I did a couple years ago and I was like during more than a couple years ago, likeduring COVID time.
So a lot of it is online and a little
have a local facility like you could take in-person classes if it was open?
Oh, awesome.
(05:58):
I know there's Florida, there's Texas, and they have one specific for each state because,you know, Texas is hard.
uh they break it down.
I think your class is basically for your state and you learn that way.
And it was very informative.
They take you through everything and give you all the things to study and just learn fromthe ground up.
(06:24):
Now that's fantastic.
But what made you, what drew you to home inspections in general?
mean, were you familiar with it prior to that?
Did you have any exposure to it or what was, what's kind of your story there?
I didn't really have any prior experience with it at all.
just kinda winged it, really.
I was like okay I can totally do this.
(06:46):
I do this.
as you get licensed and everything as a new inspector out there in the El Paso area, likehow did you go about trying to get business?
Was that what the training came in?
Did they help you with that?
Did I help you with that?
How were you able to get to acquire business?
Customer acquisition is very difficult for new inspectors that have their own business.
(07:09):
That is probably one of the biggest hurdles.
I think that's probably the reason why we have a lot of fallout.
We got a lot of license numbers.
Mm-hmm.
lot less inspectors than that.
So how did you go about getting business?
So from schooling I went to, I did a little on my own, little try on air.
It is very hard.
It is very hard to stay motivated to keep going, especially when you're in a competitivemarket and there's a lot of inspectors around.
(07:36):
And our city is not huge, so people use who they use.
um Then I joined IEB and they really filled in a lot of gaps.
um So the gaps from
school to actually starting your business, I'd be helped immensely.
Giving you a little tips, big tips, yes.
(07:58):
And they have, so they have like a full course, but then they have like all the livethings.
I was like more of a lurker in the live ones because I'm just gonna like shine as new, butso informative and it's so helpful.
So helpful.
assuming Mark walked you through the, if he was doing the class, his whole process ofsetting up your five, three, one year plan for your business, as far as coming up with
(08:26):
your business purpose and your vision statement and mission and all of that.
How did that process play out for you?
And what's kind of like the why behind your business?
It really helps you, especially when you've been doing it a while, remember what you'redoing it for and get your focus clear on how you want to grow, how you want to build and
(08:49):
why.
know, like some people just want to home inspector, be a solo inspector and continue doingthat.
Other people want to grow and build.
So it's a good way to figure out what your goals are and where you want to go from there.
And they have multiple courses on that.
(09:09):
So when did you get licensed and how long have you been active inspecting?
I think got licensed in 2023.
I've really been active, probably like the last six months, really active.
What's your workload look like?
I just...
(09:30):
Okay, that's good.
That's really good.
Yeah, for six months in that's really good.
It's been steadily growing.
Steadily growing.
So as long as I'm growing, I'm good.
So out there in that area, em I mean, I don't know what there is in terms of newdevelopment.
Because like you said, it's a small area.
I know that there's some military bases out there.
(09:51):
em Is there any business to be had on the military base?
I I have heard those are some nightmare of homes.
They're not in great shape.
I don't know.
mean, obviously, the military is probably not hiring anybody to go look at them.
But I wonder if the people occupying them have the ability to bring in a private inspectorto take a look at them and see what kind of shape they're in.
Because I've heard they can be pretty rough.
(10:12):
Well we don't, yeah we have
exactly what goes on in military housing but with the military being here there is a lotof people buying and so it's constantly there's constantly people in and out which is good
a lot of new construction a lot very much
(10:36):
it's almost like El Paso is just kind of expanding outwards towards where you are.
Basically,
So and Horizon sits where from El Paso?
Right outside, mean, it's, yes, maybe there's not, yeah, there's no, there's north, whichis New Mexico, but yeah, it's just, we're far, a little far out east and things are just
(11:03):
expanding that way.
Now, are you super locked in on kind of just building your book of business locally whereyou are, or do you branch into El Paso?
Do you go up into New Mexico?
ah Like how wide of a net did you decide to cast when you were starting out?
First starting out, I'm focused on opal cell.
And then once I grow, once I get a little more steady, we can see where we'll go fromthere.
(11:27):
I definitely want to, but I need to focus on one area right now.
And once I get that down.
think that's a really good strategy, but that's also very interesting because like youlive in a border town.
Like I am licensed in Texas, right?
There's no reason for me to get licensed anywhere else.
I imagine New Mexico also requires licensing and so you'd have to get licensed in aseparate state and be dual licensed to be able to do both of them.
(11:53):
But I mean, that's the interesting part about being in a border town.
The other interesting part is I'm certain that there are other state regulations and codesthat have, you know,
That differ from one state to another that would be very interesting, but I imagine likethe the land is it's it's still desert So I mean the the type of construction out there is
(12:15):
pretty much the same.
It's all slab on grade and stuff, right?
Yeah
No, that's awesome.
Yeah.
The, gotta say like, and this isn't to be too much of a callback to, previous, uh, ridealong episodes, but the worst driving that I have ever experienced in my life, as far as
weather goes.
And listen, I grew up in Connecticut and lived 20 years in Virginia.
(12:39):
have dealt with winters.
I have driven in all kinds of snow.
I have never driven in snow as bad as in West Texas.
I
I went from, I guess over near Carlsbad, New Mexico and drove through El Paso.
But those unplowed Texas roads, when you have three to four inches of snow on it, I waswhite knuckling it like I have never experienced in the Northeast.
(13:04):
It was so bad.
But, uh,
it'll melt before you, you know, you'll still be worrying about it and then it'll bemelted.
Right, then it's just God, yeah.
No one's going anywhere if there's snow.
uh
I mean, it's okay.
But have you experienced inspecting like in like Texas winter yet?
Or what's that like?
not winter and for the most part we don't really get snow we'll get flurries but we don'treally get snow like that if we didn't like everything's cancelled it's no no one's going
(13:35):
out no one's doing anything um more we have like flash floods so it be the just rainrandom
We had that yesterday but other than that it's just hot and dry, windy.
No, it's the desert, yeah.
Well, I love that it waited to snow until I was driving.
For this series, I was getting ready to film.
(13:57):
was driving to Phoenix and yeah, it dumped just buckets of snow.
Woke up with three inches on my RV that I had to drive.
It was so bad.
But...
because it does not snow here.
So, okay, what are some things that you do run into like trouble or not trouble wise, butwhat are some of the most major deficiencies that you're finding on the homes that you're
(14:18):
inspecting in that neck of the woods?
a lot of exterior things like this morning because we had rain yesterday.
uh Now it dries up pretty fast so there's not really puddles but it's still there so theexterior wall I pushed on it and just like shhh at the bottom.
All without puddles.
(14:40):
Yes, everything pretty much
imagine that like with it being like dry for a long time, like long periods and we don't,it's not really a wet climate.
And so like here, whenever they put stucco in, which I don't think they should use here,but whenever they do put stucco out here in the Houston area, I mean, if it's done right,
(15:00):
then it can be okay.
But I mean, if it's not, and it usually isn't, um it can be very problematic.
But out there where it's a very dry climate, I can see like them putting it up.
and very haphazardly putting it up because they don't really have to worry about themoisture, like not humidity.
They don't have to worry about rain because this is not really a big thing.
So then when it does happen, we probably have like stucco and contact with the ground andall kinds of weird stuff.
(15:26):
I can see that being the case because they just don't think they have to worry about ituntil they have to worry.
Right and then a lot of it is sand here so the grade moves a lot and then you have watersitting next to the wall and it's not good.
Very, very interesting.
definitely not.
Now, starting out as a new inspector, what are some of the biggest things in your firstsix months that you've learned and what would be like, let's say your top five tips to
(15:53):
other inspectors that are just starting out and trying to get their legs under them?
I would say first you want to like make sure you get your processes down.
uh It seems simple but when you're in it, I think it can be very overwhelming when you'renew.
You know, your first couple inspections you're like, oh god, okay, I gotta, you know, youknow what to do but then you have to execute it.
(16:17):
So it's about getting that down and getting into routine.
And for me, what kind of throws me off sometimes is when...
the client is there too.
So they're asking questions and then you have to focus on remembering because it's notingrained in you yet.
You have to remember your process while answering questions and entertaining and keepingeveryone happy.
(16:42):
um That for me has been a little rough.
then like staying motivated.
Motivated is hard, I think, for being in your market and having ups and downs.
Some weeks you have a lot and you're like, yes, this is it.
This is great and everything's up.
And then you're like, oh, I only got three or four inspections this week.
(17:05):
Okay.
So just keeping momentum and staying positive and keep trying everything.
Yeah, it can really be feast or famine, especially in the beginning in terms of howbusiness comes in.
I like that you talk about like with the client being there, like, of course, me and Bradhave differing opinions on that, but I won't go down that road because I do think like,
(17:25):
especially in the beginning, like you said, I mean, look, even whenever I was startingout, like I might know the answer, but it's not just like right here where I can pull it
out right away.
Sometimes I have to think about it.
Sometimes I might want to look through a book, but you know what?
Like
I don't like the whole term fake it till you make it.
But I mean, like it, and I think what we really have to understand, especially wheneverwe're new inspectors and any anybody out there actually even seasoned inspectors, I was
(17:51):
talking about this today.
We don't know everything.
And I think we need to as long as we know that we don't know everything.
If we can present what we do know and what we and even what we don't know in a realassertive way.
And that's still difficult as a new inspector because like you want to
You exude confidence.
People are putting their confidence in you like you want to uh deliver that and and sosomehow you have to deliver that even when you're not exactly 100 % sure of yourself.
(18:21):
uh It's challenging and but that's you know if you can get that down, you will grow.
Yeah, I think it is a balance and you want to do the best and you want to Know everythingand I'm not I'm not afraid to be like I want to look that up for you Like I want to are
that I'm giving you the proper information.
(18:42):
I think it might be this
But I'm gonna double check it for you and let you know.
I think that's most important.
ah
a lot.
Whenever I was new, would tell them, hey, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but Iwant to be certain before I tell you.
So just let me look it up.
I'll back to you.
Ashley, I want to come back to your statement about staying motivated because Mark Hummelhad a great quote.
(19:09):
He's the head of IEB.
ah He said, basically, the most successful people are not the ones that are the mostexcited always about what they're doing.
It's the ones that are the most persistent, the ones that stick it out when it getsboring, right?
Or when it gets challenging or when you feel like giving up.
So what are things that you do to stay motivated and to keep plugging along as you workthrough your first year?
(19:32):
I just keep going on days when I don't want to do it.
I do it anyway.
I mean like I don't have I just do it.
My last video didn't do good.
Okay.
Well, let's make another one.
Well, I'm getting a lot of calls.
So I'm probably hiring Google this week.
Awesome.
The next week not so much.
Okay, well, let's try and get some reviews.
(19:54):
Let's try to figure it out.
Just to constantly keep going constantly.
different ways to improve, reach out to different realtors, whatever you have to do.
I'll do whatever I'm here to grow and be here.
No, definitely.
(20:14):
roots stuff right there.
Like if you get tired, just keep going.
There's no other way.
If you stop, if you stop then you're losing.
And that's, you're right.
No, and I've noticed that that your social media game is uh you're really doing a greatjob plugging away with that too.
So tell everybody first of all, where they can find you on social media.
(20:36):
uh Anywhere Facebook IG tick tock I'm on closer actions
Add closer look inspections.
All right, fantastic.
Yeah.
Well guys, go give her a follow seriously because she's working her butt off.
It's fantastic.
It's been great seeing you rise up that way.
Truly.
Now I want to ask about some of the goal setting that you've done this year as you've beenkind of planning and building your processes and your system for your company.
(21:04):
ah How did you go about the KPI process and what does that look like for you?
What are some goals that you have closing out the second half of the year?
My goals are to be more consistent with everything.
I want to have a better set schedule and...
you know, make more connections and just be a little more steady for right now.
(21:27):
That's my goal right now.
Yeah, yeah.
What did you say?
KPI?
Yeah, key performance indicators.
like, you never never like, okay, like, do you you don't have so for those of you that
I just plow through everything.
Okay.
I just plow right through everything that is.
(21:50):
That's the best way I can describe what I do.
I don't have acronyms for what I do.
It's plow through everything.
so for those watching, if you don't have KPIs, those are key performance indicators.
Those can be goals, numerical, tangible goals that you set that are kind of benchmarksthat you want to achieve in a certain period.
Right?
Say, so when I started out, uh I wanted to make six figures.
(22:13):
I knew that my base, my base fee was going to be such and such an amount that meant that Ihad to take the total that I wanted to earn.
before taxes and then divide that by the average fee, the average inspection fee, whichwould give me the number of inspections that I needed to do.
And I could break that down by quarter, I could break that down by month, and then thatwould kind of give me an idea as to what kind of numbers I need to be putting up or
(22:39):
growing toward and progressing toward, ah which would kind of give me an indication of howI was doing, right?
And of course it all comes down to bottom line, but.
It's something to think about in terms of if you really want to lock in on knowing yournumbers.
But I mean, Matt, is there a system that you put in place for kind of reviewing thingslike that as you've been growing at edge?
plow through everything.
No, mean, no, I mean, like, it's interesting to me to hear you say that.
(23:03):
I mean, like, because to think of like, what potential I could unlock, you know, by havingsome KPIs, you know, like, I don't know.
No, I mean, not really.
I mean, don't get me wrong.
Like there have been times where I have set goals for myself more like on a much smallerscale.
Maybe it's a uh number that I wanted to get to in terms of revenue for a month or
(23:24):
or a number of inspections.
m But I mean, like I just know, I mean, for the longest time I was a single man operation.
I didn't really know where the sky was.
OK, I didn't know where the limit was.
And so I just kept going.
And, you know, once I started getting booked, I would raise my rates and then I would justkeep going and keep going and just literally plow through everything until all of sudden I
(23:48):
found somebody that said, hey, I want to come work for you.
And I was like, hey, I want you to come work for me.
Let me figure that out, too.
And then.
next thing and now I got another guy, you know?
And so like, I mean, I don't want to say I don't have a plan, but I don't really have aplan.
Yeah, you just been going for it, man.
Yeah, I feel like but here's the funny thing, right?
Like you have people that can sit here and nerd out about having a perfect business plan.
(24:10):
And, you know, having like having it all down on paper, but there's no there's no drive toexecute and to follow through, right?
Because I want you like I feel like it's good to put both together if you can.
But the people that end up being the most successful are the ones that just keep freakinggoing like you guys have been talking
I mean, maybe, right?
But I think like the natural order of business, like as I grow, if I get like anotherinspector or something is to get somebody in my organization that has some KPIs, right?
(24:36):
And they start figuring out how to adjust things to work towards those goals.
So that way I can keep plowing through everything and they can just kind of keep me in therut, you know, in the little plow, whatever you call that, you know, they keep me, they
keep me in line.
not everybody's going to have your work ethic, right?
They might be a good inspector, but they might not be willing to like, as I've run intothis, there's inspectors that just don't want to market, right?
(25:01):
They want a company.
They want to join a franchise that's going to do all of it for them, but they don't wantto actually, all they want to do is show up on the job site and do the job, but they don't
necessarily know how to go get the job.
You know how to do both.
So it's like, you know, I feel like in, in
you know, making a case for KPIs and really tracking and knowing your numbers that canreally make even more sense when you're having to focus on how well is this particular
(25:26):
employee performing, right?
Cause then you're kind of giving him benchmarks, especially if it's not somebody that'snaturally motivated, but yeah.
can see that.
I can see that.
never thought about it in those terms, but I mean, it can be a motivator.
I can see
a lot of variables when you're starting out too.
(25:48):
So sticking to an exact plan sounds good.
But in the beginning when things are up and down and all over the place, it can be alittle discouraging to be like, well I wanted to be here and how do I get here?
So I think it can be a little discouraging when you're starting out.
(26:10):
Alright.
100 % too, especially for the single person operation.
um You need to be able to go with the flow.
Like I say, it's feast or famine.
And so if you get 10 inspections in a week, you can't think that every week is going to belike that.
um And you have to figure out ways to pivot and ways to work with what you've got.
(26:30):
And I think you really have to uh adapt a lot.
Sometimes that adaptation might be doing inspections that you aren't thrilled about doing.
maybe a location that you're not thrilled about going to, or maybe a type of home thatyou're like, I don't know.
I really don't like doing that.
These days I'm busy enough that I can say, nah, that's not the area I service or, or, youknow, I don't want to, I don't do that type of house or something like that.
(26:53):
I could say those things, but as when I, when I was newer, it wasn't the case at all.
Yeah.
kind of setting a benchmark, right Ashley, where it's like this year's kind of going tokind of be like, okay, we've got our systems in place.
We've got a baseline uh for operation for one year.
How do we beat that next year?
You know, so it's, I feel like it's a, it's good to give yourself grace on that one too,in a sense.
(27:16):
So.
I think a year is a good timeline to really a year even you know look at things howthey've grown what's worked what hasn't worked Go from there
No, that's fantastic.
ah Now year two is a fun one.
ah It's where you kind of like can sit down at the end of the year, evaluate, but then youstart to see trends.
(27:39):
And I feel like trends are very area specific sometimes.
ah there's ebbs and flows in the real estate market, spring market, and most places thathave a winter is always going to be heavier than, you know, end of summer when, you know,
back to school starts and then dead of winter.
But then there's other places like Florida where it's just fairly kind of consistent andthings almost reverse when we've got snowbirds down here.
(28:04):
kind of learning when the money comes in, when the money doesn't come in, how to adjustfor when to save, when to tighten the belt, things like that.
I feel like year two is kind of a great uh place to be figuring out some of that.
ah
Let's talk tools though, if we can pivot to that.
Some people will look to join a franchise because franchises will kind of pay the way forthe inspector to get in the door as far as providing them with tools starting out.
(28:35):
But what were some things that you were kind of looking to add to your kit?
And what have you gradually been building up tool wise over the past year as far as thingsthat you're using in the job site?
I have all the basic tools and I love my camera so right now...
No, you're gonna make fun of me.
(28:56):
uh
not.
No I'm not.
I just want to know.
no wrong answer.
No, I have the the FLIR.
FLIR?
I don't, I don't know.
I don't know what joint it is.
Well, now I am gonna make fun of you.
Keep her sane.
It's got a letter and a number on top of it.
I'm curious.
it look like a cell phone or is it like one that you hold like a...
(29:19):
uh
it's a handheld.
It's I'll get there.
(29:40):
I'll get there.
uh
I mean the fact that you're are carrying look any inspector out there is not carryingthermal camera.
I think it's crazy.
um There is just way too much to be seen that that you know, we can we can bring to ourclients attention.
So I mean the use the fact that you are using thermal in your reports is enough for me andhonestly, I would rather somebody use one of the ones that attaches to your phone than use
(30:04):
nothing at all.
So no, you're doing great.
I was just curious because I like that stuff but go ahead.
Other than that have just their basic tools, moisture meters, gas detectors, bladders, youknow, like don't really have anything fancy starting out super.
I'm not, like trying not to ask you which ones you have of all of those things right now.
(30:26):
I'm pushing it down, pushing it down.
Phoenix, yeah, Phoenix is bomb.
Well, yeah, what flashlight do you carry?
I think it's a Phoenix.
Dude, I freaking love it.
Honestly, there's nothing more exciting to me than when like the newest Phoenix flashlightcomes out.
It's like this is like 5 million lumens and I have to put my sunglasses on in the atticbecause it's too bright on the highest setting, you know, like that's how you know it's a
(30:54):
dang good flashlight.
And I don't ever pay attention to the new ones because I found what I need and what Ilike.
And that's it.
It's the E35R, think, is the one that I really do.
I have one sitting around here.
My gear is still in my truck because I literally just came home from work.
But I swear I have one sitting around here somewhere.
Maybe not.
(31:14):
Probably over by that speaker that was screwing up the audio for a day and half.
I got?
I'm going to show you that speaker up close and personal next time I see you.
It's perfect man.
my gosh, so that's no it sounds great actually I mean it sounds like you've got your kitpretty well built out but are you are you thinking about adding ancillaries in terms of?
(31:34):
ah right on or sewer scoping even a thing that's done over and You're not gonna what?
I haven't I haven't added that on yet.
We'll see maybe next year.
I know it is a thing here
But also that's one things IEB taught me.
was like focus on basics first.
(31:57):
Get down because if you focus, if you're trying to get your regular services down and thenyou have all these other products, your mind is going to be to everywhere.
Especially when you sell to people.
So.
think that's a good, cause I mean like you're learning about everything, you know, whenyou tackle something new, like wait until you, you're not learning so much anymore.
(32:22):
I mean, we're always learning.
Like I don't want to act like we're not, but, you know, uh a bit of the job gets routine,you know, once you've done several hundred inspections and you're like, okay, this is,
know, I've seen most of the things that I'm going to see in my area.
uh And so, you know, let me think about tackling on some type of,
you know, add on service or something, learning something new, think, but just giveyourself space to do that.
(32:46):
Now I want to pivot back a little bit because we were talking about, you know, what likegear you use in terms of like phone or tablet or, you know, Android, Apple, whatever.
So what are you using to, to, to write your reports on?
it and I don't like it.
Oh man.
(33:07):
feel like it's too clunky.
Is it just too big to carry around or?
It's it's good.
It's too big.
I'm not a fan
Man, I mean, I would.
That's the equivalent.
Like what I'm carrying around.
Like would be like the equivalent of like a fax machine, you know, like I mean, I mean,it's just it's a it's a surface pro.
(33:32):
I don't have that here with me either.
It's in my truck.
But but I mean, like, you know, it's bigger than an iPad um and it's really wild.
But I think did you start out doing it on your phone?
Yes.
Yeah, no, I people do that.
I am like the opposite of you in terms of like, I can't imagine walking around with such asmall device and doing it.
(33:53):
But that's that's because I have been working on a large when I first started, I wasliterally just using a digital camera, taking pictures, making notes and putting that
stuff into a war later is terrible.
Then I switched and started carrying around a bigger device and and I kind of building thereport on site.
using the camera that was on the device anyway, and that's just how I've done it eversince and the convenience I felt like I had with that.
(34:19):
I don't even know if doing it on your phone was an option then.
I mean, it probably was, but it wasn't very popular and it's never been with the softwarethat I use.
So I've never really had that as an option, but I have demoed other stuff.
I just can't imagine walking around with such a small device.
Also, I'm admittedly, I have my phone in my hand all day, so I don't think.
(34:40):
going to say that's funny for somebody that like has such a huge following from using hisphone.
Yeah, yeah, but I don't want to work on it.
I mean, not that kind of work anyway.
Not it's just it doesn't it doesn't compute.
Yeah.
Ashley, let's talk processes as well.
So uh when you were learning about the method of going through the home, what did youadapt?
(35:03):
What did you take?
Who have you kind of learned from and what is your, what does your workflow look like nowduring the inspection?
I just basically do what they taught us.
do here like first turn all systems on and then go inside room to room clockwise orcounterclockwise whatever you want to do.
(35:24):
Top to bottom.
uh That's what do to just keep it steady so you know you're hitting every room every everypiece.
Yeah, I mean, I think I've talked about my process too.
Like, uh I think that there are some things I feel like you need to do and it could begeographically like that could change.
(35:46):
But like as far as like here and what I do, I feel like as long as you have a process, Ithink that's the most important thing.
I mean, mine's out there.
People can watch it and see what order I do things in.
But the most important thing.
thing I think about inspecting is having a process.
If we just follow the same thing every single time, then that is going to position us tomiss a lot less.
(36:12):
I'm not going to say not miss anything because none of us are superhuman, right?
But it's going to just if we do the same thing every time, we are going to be catching ornot missing many things.
I
Now, definitely.
Now, the other thing we got to talk about too, because we've talked about this uh atInterNACHI conference, one of our best performing episodes.
(36:36):
We were talking about inspection vehicles.
And so we got to know, what do you drive?
What are you driving from the job site from one place to the next?
And there's no wrong answer here.
ah I have a piano problem.
There you go.
No, that's awesome.
Which, which.
I couldn't tell which direction that was going to go.
fix so can get ladders, can get all my tools, it all works.
(37:02):
Yep, we've talked to people that drive Chevy Sonics, that drive Ford Focus STs, trucks, ahMini Coopers.
So what made you pick that?
Did you already have it before starting or you got that specifically for the job?
So it's just what I had to work with.
So I'm working with it and it works.
Yeah.
(37:22):
I mean, I admittedly have, you know, considered it like after seeing inspectors to goaround with the hatchback.
I I'm, I am a Texas boy.
Okay.
And like we drive trucks out here.
I mean, it just, yeah, I know, I know.
But, um, and, but I mean, like I was a truck driver well before this came in, you know,like I drove trucks before I became an inspector.
(37:46):
That's just how it's kind of always been.
And so it was just, I didn't change it.
It's what I had, guess so, I guess it's what I had.
But I do see the benefit in it, especially like gas mileage and things.
I see the benefit in it.
And admittedly, I will tell you this.
Werner, everyone know the ladder company Werner?
(38:08):
They were awesome enough to send me a telescoping ladder not too long ago.
12 and a half foot, brand new uh thing for them.
It's...
uh
Literally 30 pounds, which I don't know.
Do you use a telescoping?
Either one of you use a telescoping ladder?
um I was using one before it was a 12 and a half foot as well.
It was 20 pounds and that 10 pounds.
I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but it makes a big difference whenever you're carryingthe thing around with the heat or oftentimes like I'm carrying it up a ladder to get up on
(38:35):
top of a roof.
But um I will say that I have been going and I've been carrying a little giant laddersince I started inspecting.
And it's in the back of my truck.
But that tailgate has been up and I've been going to the back seat to grab my Wernertelescoping ladder.
I really do like it.
It feels and it's much more stable than the other one that I had and and it operates awhole lot better.
(38:59):
And so I will say that like.
I have had less of a need for a truck lately because I keep going for that ladder if Ican.
It's gotta be.
It's gotta be, you know, a situation where my little giant obviously goes like 22 feet.
.
half.
So I mean, like if it'll reach it, I'm going to grabbing that thing.
(39:20):
It's a lot easier to carry around.
extended climb, man.
Which one are
but if I might check out that wonder if it's lighter because it does heavy so
don't know.
I don't know which one you're carrying, but I mean, check the check the weight on yours.
What's that?
Which one?
of professional ones that everyone was like get this one.
I'm like okay, so
(39:41):
I've got a, the one I had before and I still have it is a, it's a Amazon special.
It's made by some company called Yvonne or something.
It was fine.
It's been working for years.
There's nothing actually wrong with it at all.
But I will say that the Werner just feels a lot sturdier and I feel better on it, whichI'm surprised by because I've never liked telescoping ladders for that reason.
(40:03):
But this thing actually feels like a good ladder.
But I mean, you know, it's heavy in comparison, but that's the only I mean, if you call ita downfall, I mean, it's heavy, but it's probably heavier duty as well.
why I like my extended climb.
It's not overly heavy, but it still feels extremely secure when I'm on it.
uh True story.
So I had the 12 and a half foot extended climb originally in a previous married life.
(40:28):
And my wife at the time, I went to Sherwin Williams, saw this and bought it.
She looks at our bank statement and goes, so what did you buy at Sherwin Williams?
And she's like, this was like 250 bucks.
I said, it was this ladder.
Cause I had a Werner folding ladder and I was like, you know, I let my brother borrow itand I had this home inspection.
So I just, you know, decided to pick up this new telescoping ladder.
(40:51):
She goes, take it back.
We don't need it.
And so then a few days later, she goes, excuse me, babe, what's this other charge fromSherwood Williams?
And I was like, well, I did exactly what I told you I would do.
I took the ladder back and then I got the bigger one.
(41:15):
And then that wasn't why we got divorced but you know Yeah, right, right there might havebeen might have been how the fight started though
So if Werner is listening, these two fine home inspectors here would love to try out yourtelescoping ladder, by the way.
I think it's awesome.
I think that would be a fantastic video that we should do is comparing differenttelescoping ladders.
(41:38):
That'd be pretty cool.
uh
them right now.
One of them I got is garbage and one of is awesome.
Oh my gosh, I love it.
All right, Ashley, what is the for other inspectors that are trying to close out the yearstrong?
What's your biggest piece of advice to them?
(42:16):
plow through.
plow through.
Oh man, that's perfect.
mean, it really is that though.
I mean, I don't think you can put it any other way.
This is a tough business to gain traction in for the first couple of years as a singleinspector operation.
(42:39):
If you're not working for a firm that can provide you with business, it is just tough toget people to want to call you.
You don't have a portfolio of work to show them.
You don't have reviews to show them or a lot of them or whatever it is.
um
It even feels better whenever like you when silly little goals like once you've done like200 inspections, like you can tell people like in all honesty, like I've done hundreds of
(43:07):
inspections and that sounds good.
You know, I mean it was it was just under 200 inspections yesterday, but it doesn'tmatter.
You know, you can see even hundreds of inspections like little goals like that.
I feel like really get you where you need to be to just kind of keep plowing through likesetting little goals like that.
um Is that
(43:27):
Is that the TPI's or whatever?
Is that TPI?
I don't even remember what it stands for.
That's it.
toilet paper indicator.
Key performance indicator.
That's it.
Yep.
That's it.
You got it.
I love it.
Well, seriously, Ashley, this has been fantastic.
We've loved having you on the show.
(43:48):
Seriously looking forward hopefully to seeing you at inspection fuel if you can make it befantastic to see you there truly.
before we close things out, there is something I'd like to say, because we got somefeedback.
We did get some feedback.
There have been a lot of people come in on the comments on the last episode, which wasgreat.
It was the one where we talked to John Bolden about pecs, disclaimers, and all that stuff.
(44:09):
And I'm not going to go into too much of any of that.
We already did an episode on that, right?
But somebody did reach out to me.
They sent me an email, and we had a quick phone conversation about it.
And so his name is Mickey.
Thanks, Mickey, for reaching out.
I really appreciate the support.
It just lets us know people are paying attention.
It doesn't matter whether you agree or you disagree.
We like to hear it all.
(44:29):
That's what we're here for.
Not everyone's going to agree.
If we all agree, it's going boring show.
No, truly.
And I love that he commented and actually freaking reached out to you.
That was awesome.
We've got a way that you guys can reach out to us.
You can actually go we've got a website now for the for the show.
It's called the ride along dot show.
And if you go there, you can leave a voicemail.
(44:50):
And so you can actually talk to us directly.
If you've got thoughts, we want to hear them.
And especially for new inspectors or people that are fresh out of kind of like
man, I remember that first year of inspecting and how tough it was.
ah If you, if anything that Ashley's been talking about today resonates with you, drop aline in the comments, leave us a voicemail, give your best advice for home inspectors
(45:11):
starting out what they need processes to put in place, things they need to be aware of.
We'd love to hear all of it because we've all been there.
And if there's anything that we want to be on the show, it's helpful to everybody.
So
right and sign up for the newsletter.
Sign up for the newsletter as well.
It's gonna be in the show notes down below.
truly.
Ashley, thank you so much again for being here.
This has been fantastic.
(45:31):
We appreciate you big time.
Definitely.
Where can everybody follow you again?
closer look inspections.
Go look her up guys.
Thanks so much.
We'll see you right here next time on, the ride along.
See you then.
Matt, the technical difficulties that we have endured just to record this episode, it'sbeen, I think it's been worth it.
You ready to do it though?
I'm ready to do it.
It's been a nice 24 hour wait.
Let's get it on.
been your fault, but here we go.
(00:23):
not taking all the blame for this.
Just so that you know, I'm not taking all the blame for this.
First of all, I blame you and I blame Eric for this whole Mac situation.
That is the first thing.
And we'll get into the rest later.
This might be a whole podcast worth of arguing that we have to do about this, but.
like Apple versus Windows stuff.
Yeah.
Hey, sound off at the comments.
If you're an iPhone or an Android home inspector, there you go.
(00:44):
Hey, that could actually be a good segue for, for new home inspectors.
What phone do I use?
Well, it all depends on what inspection software you want to use.
And here to talk about new inspector stuff today, Matt, we got a good guest on show.
Yes, we do.
We have Ashley Flores from Horizon, Texas.
that Horizon City?
that what it is?
(01:04):
Basically El Paso, correct?
Yeah.
Very cool.
Now I'm excited to talk with you about how you got started in the industry and ah whetheror not you can see the horizon in Horizon City or if it's just a myth.
ah But we're glad to have you on Ashley.
Thank you so much for having me.
I'm super excited.
(01:26):
definitely us too.
And we are going to kick things off with our usual drink of the day.
But here's the thing guys, we've had a little bit of pushback.
I guess there's some tea totalers, no offense.
If there are people out there that don't drink it, this segment doesn't interest you.
I'm going to try and start doing the thing in the show notes and descriptions where youcan kind of like click forward to the segment that you definitely want to hear.
(01:47):
But the drink of the day is just our little way of plugging our sponsor Inspection Fuelthat's going to be coming up.
When is it Matt?
That is September 8 through the 10th in New Orleans.
New Orleans.
New Orleans?
That's right.
Yeah, but we're looking forward to it.
That's going to be a lot of fun.
So sign up at inspectionfuel.com slash register and Ashley because you're a guest on theshow, you're going to get a free free ticket to go.
(02:15):
Awesome, thank you.
I can't wait!
definitely.
So the way we do this drink of the day, we grab a little something to sit on.
You know, my mom's calling.
Should I answer that?
I forgot to turn my ringer off.
I?
You think I should?
I should probably call her back.
I'll call her back.
I'll call her
her back.
We could have her as a guest on the show.
Matt's mom, welcome to the show.
(02:37):
anyway, Matt, since your mom called, what would you tell your mom that you're drinkingright now?
And was she the one who gave you your drinking problems?
No, I'm kidding.
That's another podcast.
she would I would tell her I'm honest about my beverages with my family.
(02:57):
I am but today if you're asking me what I'm drinking, I'd be happy to tell you I am.
Yeah, I've been out of town for a bit.
So I'm back right and so I'm back with a local drink here.
This is made in Galveston.
This is Galveston.
I think it's Galveston Brewing Company.
Tiki Wheat something I usually drink only when I'm in Galveston, but I found it herelocally and Cheers Tiki Wheat.
(03:18):
Here's the take you eat Ashley.
What are you sipping on for your inaugural drink of the day, ma'am?
So I just have some moscato and then I throw like fruit or whatever I have like in there.
It's perfect for summer.
I love it.
like a white sangria, almost.
Pretty much, just a little bubbly, little sweet thing going on.
(03:38):
Very cool, I dig it.
And I am sipping on little Cooper family, some Texas whiskey that was given to me by theone and only Matt Braiding.
This is supposed to do that.
Cheers to you, guys.
Cheers.
All right, so this is going to be an episode.
too painful for whoever, you know, if they didn't have the ability to skip ahead.
(04:03):
Should we go on for another minute or so about it?
Just know, I think we should jump right into it.
So Ashley, we're excited to have you on.
Cause one of the things that we get asked often, um, is a four about new home inspectors.
Where should they start?
Um, how did they start to build a social media profile?
What tools do they get in the tool bag?
What training should they do?
(04:23):
What organizations and coaching groups should they join?
And you have gone through the wringer on all of these things.
So,
not only is it awesome to highlight a woman in the industry, but also one that's kind ofuh been through a lot of the paces that new inspectors are gonna be looking to go through
as well.
Thank you, yeah, I've been through it all.
think I've been in every group and every coaching program.
(04:46):
So I've definitely tried it all and keep learning more and more.
uh
brought you to the industry and what did you kind of do before and ah how long have youbeen in business?
Well, before I was staying with mom and I wanted to get back into doing something, but Ididn't know what.
So I was just looking around and came across this and I was like, okay, I'm pretty good atlearning systems and I'm very detail oriented.
(05:13):
And I just kind of stuck with it, looked into it I was like, I can do this.
So I signed up for school, went to school, got all my licensing done and that was it.
did you, where did you get your training for licensing?
ATI?
Nice, good stuff.
I've heard really good things about them.
I didn't mind through InterNACHI, but what was your experience with ATI?
(05:36):
It was really good.
And I did a couple years ago and I was like during more than a couple years ago, likeduring COVID time.
So a lot of it is online and a little
have a local facility like you could take in-person classes if it was open?
Oh, awesome.
(05:58):
I know there's Florida, there's Texas, and they have one specific for each state because,you know, Texas is hard.
uh they break it down.
I think your class is basically for your state and you learn that way.
And it was very informative.
They take you through everything and give you all the things to study and just learn fromthe ground up.
(06:24):
Now that's fantastic.
But what made you, what drew you to home inspections in general?
mean, were you familiar with it prior to that?
Did you have any exposure to it or what was, what's kind of your story there?
I didn't really have any prior experience with it at all.
just kinda winged it, really.
I was like okay I can totally do this.
(06:46):
I do this.
as you get licensed and everything as a new inspector out there in the El Paso area, likehow did you go about trying to get business?
Was that what the training came in?
Did they help you with that?
Did I help you with that?
How were you able to get to acquire business?
Customer acquisition is very difficult for new inspectors that have their own business.
(07:09):
That is probably one of the biggest hurdles.
I think that's probably the reason why we have a lot of fallout.
We got a lot of license numbers.
Mm-hmm.
lot less inspectors than that.
So how did you go about getting business?
So from schooling I went to, I did a little on my own, little try on air.
It is very hard.
It is very hard to stay motivated to keep going, especially when you're in a competitivemarket and there's a lot of inspectors around.
(07:36):
And our city is not huge, so people use who they use.
um Then I joined IEB and they really filled in a lot of gaps.
um So the gaps from
school to actually starting your business, I'd be helped immensely.
Giving you a little tips, big tips, yes.
(07:58):
And they have, so they have like a full course, but then they have like all the livethings.
I was like more of a lurker in the live ones because I'm just gonna like shine as new, butso informative and it's so helpful.
So helpful.
assuming Mark walked you through the, if he was doing the class, his whole process ofsetting up your five, three, one year plan for your business, as far as coming up with
(08:26):
your business purpose and your vision statement and mission and all of that.
How did that process play out for you?
And what's kind of like the why behind your business?
It really helps you, especially when you've been doing it a while, remember what you'redoing it for and get your focus clear on how you want to grow, how you want to build and
(08:49):
why.
know, like some people just want to home inspector, be a solo inspector and continue doingthat.
Other people want to grow and build.
So it's a good way to figure out what your goals are and where you want to go from there.
And they have multiple courses on that.
(09:09):
So when did you get licensed and how long have you been active inspecting?
I think got licensed in 2023.
I've really been active, probably like the last six months, really active.
What's your workload look like?
I just...
(09:30):
Okay, that's good.
That's really good.
Yeah, for six months in that's really good.
It's been steadily growing.
Steadily growing.
So as long as I'm growing, I'm good.
So out there in that area, em I mean, I don't know what there is in terms of newdevelopment.
Because like you said, it's a small area.
I know that there's some military bases out there.
(09:51):
em Is there any business to be had on the military base?
I I have heard those are some nightmare of homes.
They're not in great shape.
I don't know.
mean, obviously, the military is probably not hiring anybody to go look at them.
But I wonder if the people occupying them have the ability to bring in a private inspectorto take a look at them and see what kind of shape they're in.
Because I've heard they can be pretty rough.
(10:12):
Well we don't, yeah we have
exactly what goes on in military housing but with the military being here there is a lotof people buying and so it's constantly there's constantly people in and out which is good
a lot of new construction a lot very much
(10:36):
it's almost like El Paso is just kind of expanding outwards towards where you are.
Basically,
So and Horizon sits where from El Paso?
Right outside, mean, it's, yes, maybe there's not, yeah, there's no, there's north, whichis New Mexico, but yeah, it's just, we're far, a little far out east and things are just
(11:03):
expanding that way.
Now, are you super locked in on kind of just building your book of business locally whereyou are, or do you branch into El Paso?
Do you go up into New Mexico?
ah Like how wide of a net did you decide to cast when you were starting out?
First starting out, I'm focused on opal cell.
And then once I grow, once I get a little more steady, we can see where we'll go fromthere.
(11:27):
I definitely want to, but I need to focus on one area right now.
And once I get that down.
think that's a really good strategy, but that's also very interesting because like youlive in a border town.
Like I am licensed in Texas, right?
There's no reason for me to get licensed anywhere else.
I imagine New Mexico also requires licensing and so you'd have to get licensed in aseparate state and be dual licensed to be able to do both of them.
(11:53):
But I mean, that's the interesting part about being in a border town.
The other interesting part is I'm certain that there are other state regulations and codesthat have, you know,
That differ from one state to another that would be very interesting, but I imagine likethe the land is it's it's still desert So I mean the the type of construction out there is
(12:15):
pretty much the same.
It's all slab on grade and stuff, right?
Yeah
No, that's awesome.
Yeah.
The, gotta say like, and this isn't to be too much of a callback to, previous, uh, ridealong episodes, but the worst driving that I have ever experienced in my life, as far as
weather goes.
And listen, I grew up in Connecticut and lived 20 years in Virginia.
(12:39):
have dealt with winters.
I have driven in all kinds of snow.
I have never driven in snow as bad as in West Texas.
I
I went from, I guess over near Carlsbad, New Mexico and drove through El Paso.
But those unplowed Texas roads, when you have three to four inches of snow on it, I waswhite knuckling it like I have never experienced in the Northeast.
(13:04):
It was so bad.
But, uh,
it'll melt before you, you know, you'll still be worrying about it and then it'll bemelted.
Right, then it's just God, yeah.
No one's going anywhere if there's snow.
uh
I mean, it's okay.
But have you experienced inspecting like in like Texas winter yet?
Or what's that like?
not winter and for the most part we don't really get snow we'll get flurries but we don'treally get snow like that if we didn't like everything's cancelled it's no no one's going
(13:35):
out no one's doing anything um more we have like flash floods so it be the just rainrandom
We had that yesterday but other than that it's just hot and dry, windy.
No, it's the desert, yeah.
Well, I love that it waited to snow until I was driving.
For this series, I was getting ready to film.
(13:57):
was driving to Phoenix and yeah, it dumped just buckets of snow.
Woke up with three inches on my RV that I had to drive.
It was so bad.
But...
because it does not snow here.
So, okay, what are some things that you do run into like trouble or not trouble wise, butwhat are some of the most major deficiencies that you're finding on the homes that you're
(14:18):
inspecting in that neck of the woods?
a lot of exterior things like this morning because we had rain yesterday.
uh Now it dries up pretty fast so there's not really puddles but it's still there so theexterior wall I pushed on it and just like shhh at the bottom.
All without puddles.
(14:40):
Yes, everything pretty much
imagine that like with it being like dry for a long time, like long periods and we don't,it's not really a wet climate.
And so like here, whenever they put stucco in, which I don't think they should use here,but whenever they do put stucco out here in the Houston area, I mean, if it's done right,
(15:00):
then it can be okay.
But I mean, if it's not, and it usually isn't, um it can be very problematic.
But out there where it's a very dry climate, I can see like them putting it up.
and very haphazardly putting it up because they don't really have to worry about themoisture, like not humidity.
They don't have to worry about rain because this is not really a big thing.
So then when it does happen, we probably have like stucco and contact with the ground andall kinds of weird stuff.
(15:26):
I can see that being the case because they just don't think they have to worry about ituntil they have to worry.
Right and then a lot of it is sand here so the grade moves a lot and then you have watersitting next to the wall and it's not good.
Very, very interesting.
definitely not.
Now, starting out as a new inspector, what are some of the biggest things in your firstsix months that you've learned and what would be like, let's say your top five tips to
(15:53):
other inspectors that are just starting out and trying to get their legs under them?
I would say first you want to like make sure you get your processes down.
uh It seems simple but when you're in it, I think it can be very overwhelming when you'renew.
You know, your first couple inspections you're like, oh god, okay, I gotta, you know, youknow what to do but then you have to execute it.
(16:17):
So it's about getting that down and getting into routine.
And for me, what kind of throws me off sometimes is when...
the client is there too.
So they're asking questions and then you have to focus on remembering because it's notingrained in you yet.
You have to remember your process while answering questions and entertaining and keepingeveryone happy.
(16:42):
um That for me has been a little rough.
then like staying motivated.
Motivated is hard, I think, for being in your market and having ups and downs.
Some weeks you have a lot and you're like, yes, this is it.
This is great and everything's up.
And then you're like, oh, I only got three or four inspections this week.
(17:05):
Okay.
So just keeping momentum and staying positive and keep trying everything.
Yeah, it can really be feast or famine, especially in the beginning in terms of howbusiness comes in.
I like that you talk about like with the client being there, like, of course, me and Bradhave differing opinions on that, but I won't go down that road because I do think like,
(17:25):
especially in the beginning, like you said, I mean, look, even whenever I was startingout, like I might know the answer, but it's not just like right here where I can pull it
out right away.
Sometimes I have to think about it.
Sometimes I might want to look through a book, but you know what?
Like
I don't like the whole term fake it till you make it.
But I mean, like it, and I think what we really have to understand, especially wheneverwe're new inspectors and any anybody out there actually even seasoned inspectors, I was
(17:51):
talking about this today.
We don't know everything.
And I think we need to as long as we know that we don't know everything.
If we can present what we do know and what we and even what we don't know in a realassertive way.
And that's still difficult as a new inspector because like you want to
You exude confidence.
People are putting their confidence in you like you want to uh deliver that and and sosomehow you have to deliver that even when you're not exactly 100 % sure of yourself.
(18:21):
uh It's challenging and but that's you know if you can get that down, you will grow.
Yeah, I think it is a balance and you want to do the best and you want to Know everythingand I'm not I'm not afraid to be like I want to look that up for you Like I want to are
that I'm giving you the proper information.
(18:42):
I think it might be this
But I'm gonna double check it for you and let you know.
I think that's most important.
ah
a lot.
Whenever I was new, would tell them, hey, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but Iwant to be certain before I tell you.
So just let me look it up.
I'll back to you.
Ashley, I want to come back to your statement about staying motivated because Mark Hummelhad a great quote.
(19:09):
He's the head of IEB.
ah He said, basically, the most successful people are not the ones that are the mostexcited always about what they're doing.
It's the ones that are the most persistent, the ones that stick it out when it getsboring, right?
Or when it gets challenging or when you feel like giving up.
So what are things that you do to stay motivated and to keep plugging along as you workthrough your first year?
(19:32):
I just keep going on days when I don't want to do it.
I do it anyway.
I mean like I don't have I just do it.
My last video didn't do good.
Okay.
Well, let's make another one.
Well, I'm getting a lot of calls.
So I'm probably hiring Google this week.
Awesome.
The next week not so much.
Okay, well, let's try and get some reviews.
(19:54):
Let's try to figure it out.
Just to constantly keep going constantly.
different ways to improve, reach out to different realtors, whatever you have to do.
I'll do whatever I'm here to grow and be here.
No, definitely.
(20:14):
roots stuff right there.
Like if you get tired, just keep going.
There's no other way.
If you stop, if you stop then you're losing.
And that's, you're right.
No, and I've noticed that that your social media game is uh you're really doing a greatjob plugging away with that too.
So tell everybody first of all, where they can find you on social media.
(20:36):
uh Anywhere Facebook IG tick tock I'm on closer actions
Add closer look inspections.
All right, fantastic.
Yeah.
Well guys, go give her a follow seriously because she's working her butt off.
It's fantastic.
It's been great seeing you rise up that way.
Truly.
Now I want to ask about some of the goal setting that you've done this year as you've beenkind of planning and building your processes and your system for your company.
(21:04):
ah How did you go about the KPI process and what does that look like for you?
What are some goals that you have closing out the second half of the year?
My goals are to be more consistent with everything.
I want to have a better set schedule and...
you know, make more connections and just be a little more steady for right now.
(21:27):
That's my goal right now.
Yeah, yeah.
What did you say?
KPI?
Yeah, key performance indicators.
like, you never never like, okay, like, do you you don't have so for those of you that
I just plow through everything.
Okay.
I just plow right through everything that is.
(21:50):
That's the best way I can describe what I do.
I don't have acronyms for what I do.
It's plow through everything.
so for those watching, if you don't have KPIs, those are key performance indicators.
Those can be goals, numerical, tangible goals that you set that are kind of benchmarksthat you want to achieve in a certain period.
Right?
Say, so when I started out, uh I wanted to make six figures.
(22:13):
I knew that my base, my base fee was going to be such and such an amount that meant that Ihad to take the total that I wanted to earn.
before taxes and then divide that by the average fee, the average inspection fee, whichwould give me the number of inspections that I needed to do.
And I could break that down by quarter, I could break that down by month, and then thatwould kind of give me an idea as to what kind of numbers I need to be putting up or
(22:39):
growing toward and progressing toward, ah which would kind of give me an indication of howI was doing, right?
And of course it all comes down to bottom line, but.
It's something to think about in terms of if you really want to lock in on knowing yournumbers.
But I mean, Matt, is there a system that you put in place for kind of reviewing thingslike that as you've been growing at edge?
plow through everything.
No, mean, no, I mean, like, it's interesting to me to hear you say that.
(23:03):
I mean, like, because to think of like, what potential I could unlock, you know, by havingsome KPIs, you know, like, I don't know.
No, I mean, not really.
I mean, don't get me wrong.
Like there have been times where I have set goals for myself more like on a much smallerscale.
Maybe it's a uh number that I wanted to get to in terms of revenue for a month or
(23:24):
or a number of inspections.
m But I mean, like I just know, I mean, for the longest time I was a single man operation.
I didn't really know where the sky was.
OK, I didn't know where the limit was.
And so I just kept going.
And, you know, once I started getting booked, I would raise my rates and then I would justkeep going and keep going and just literally plow through everything until all of sudden I
(23:48):
found somebody that said, hey, I want to come work for you.
And I was like, hey, I want you to come work for me.
Let me figure that out, too.
And then.
next thing and now I got another guy, you know?
And so like, I mean, I don't want to say I don't have a plan, but I don't really have aplan.
Yeah, you just been going for it, man.
Yeah, I feel like but here's the funny thing, right?
Like you have people that can sit here and nerd out about having a perfect business plan.
(24:10):
And, you know, having like having it all down on paper, but there's no there's no drive toexecute and to follow through, right?
Because I want you like I feel like it's good to put both together if you can.
But the people that end up being the most successful are the ones that just keep freakinggoing like you guys have been talking
I mean, maybe, right?
But I think like the natural order of business, like as I grow, if I get like anotherinspector or something is to get somebody in my organization that has some KPIs, right?
(24:36):
And they start figuring out how to adjust things to work towards those goals.
So that way I can keep plowing through everything and they can just kind of keep me in therut, you know, in the little plow, whatever you call that, you know, they keep me, they
keep me in line.
not everybody's going to have your work ethic, right?
They might be a good inspector, but they might not be willing to like, as I've run intothis, there's inspectors that just don't want to market, right?
(25:01):
They want a company.
They want to join a franchise that's going to do all of it for them, but they don't wantto actually, all they want to do is show up on the job site and do the job, but they don't
necessarily know how to go get the job.
You know how to do both.
So it's like, you know, I feel like in, in
you know, making a case for KPIs and really tracking and knowing your numbers that canreally make even more sense when you're having to focus on how well is this particular
(25:26):
employee performing, right?
Cause then you're kind of giving him benchmarks, especially if it's not somebody that'snaturally motivated, but yeah.
can see that.
I can see that.
never thought about it in those terms, but I mean, it can be a motivator.
I can see
a lot of variables when you're starting out too.
(25:48):
So sticking to an exact plan sounds good.
But in the beginning when things are up and down and all over the place, it can be alittle discouraging to be like, well I wanted to be here and how do I get here?
So I think it can be a little discouraging when you're starting out.
(26:10):
Alright.
100 % too, especially for the single person operation.
um You need to be able to go with the flow.
Like I say, it's feast or famine.
And so if you get 10 inspections in a week, you can't think that every week is going to belike that.
um And you have to figure out ways to pivot and ways to work with what you've got.
(26:30):
And I think you really have to uh adapt a lot.
Sometimes that adaptation might be doing inspections that you aren't thrilled about doing.
maybe a location that you're not thrilled about going to, or maybe a type of home thatyou're like, I don't know.
I really don't like doing that.
These days I'm busy enough that I can say, nah, that's not the area I service or, or, youknow, I don't want to, I don't do that type of house or something like that.
(26:53):
I could say those things, but as when I, when I was newer, it wasn't the case at all.
Yeah.
kind of setting a benchmark, right Ashley, where it's like this year's kind of going tokind of be like, okay, we've got our systems in place.
We've got a baseline uh for operation for one year.
How do we beat that next year?
You know, so it's, I feel like it's a, it's good to give yourself grace on that one too,in a sense.
(27:16):
So.
I think a year is a good timeline to really a year even you know look at things howthey've grown what's worked what hasn't worked Go from there
No, that's fantastic.
ah Now year two is a fun one.
ah It's where you kind of like can sit down at the end of the year, evaluate, but then youstart to see trends.
(27:39):
And I feel like trends are very area specific sometimes.
ah there's ebbs and flows in the real estate market, spring market, and most places thathave a winter is always going to be heavier than, you know, end of summer when, you know,
back to school starts and then dead of winter.
But then there's other places like Florida where it's just fairly kind of consistent andthings almost reverse when we've got snowbirds down here.
(28:04):
kind of learning when the money comes in, when the money doesn't come in, how to adjustfor when to save, when to tighten the belt, things like that.
I feel like year two is kind of a great uh place to be figuring out some of that.
ah
Let's talk tools though, if we can pivot to that.
Some people will look to join a franchise because franchises will kind of pay the way forthe inspector to get in the door as far as providing them with tools starting out.
(28:35):
But what were some things that you were kind of looking to add to your kit?
And what have you gradually been building up tool wise over the past year as far as thingsthat you're using in the job site?
I have all the basic tools and I love my camera so right now...
No, you're gonna make fun of me.
(28:56):
uh
not.
No I'm not.
I just want to know.
no wrong answer.
No, I have the the FLIR.
FLIR?
I don't, I don't know.
I don't know what joint it is.
Well, now I am gonna make fun of you.
Keep her sane.
It's got a letter and a number on top of it.
I'm curious.
it look like a cell phone or is it like one that you hold like a...
(29:19):
uh
it's a handheld.
It's I'll get there.
(29:40):
I'll get there.
uh
I mean the fact that you're are carrying look any inspector out there is not carryingthermal camera.
I think it's crazy.
um There is just way too much to be seen that that you know, we can we can bring to ourclients attention.
So I mean the use the fact that you are using thermal in your reports is enough for me andhonestly, I would rather somebody use one of the ones that attaches to your phone than use
(30:04):
nothing at all.
So no, you're doing great.
I was just curious because I like that stuff but go ahead.
Other than that have just their basic tools, moisture meters, gas detectors, bladders, youknow, like don't really have anything fancy starting out super.
I'm not, like trying not to ask you which ones you have of all of those things right now.
(30:26):
I'm pushing it down, pushing it down.
Phoenix, yeah, Phoenix is bomb.
Well, yeah, what flashlight do you carry?
I think it's a Phoenix.
Dude, I freaking love it.
Honestly, there's nothing more exciting to me than when like the newest Phoenix flashlightcomes out.
It's like this is like 5 million lumens and I have to put my sunglasses on in the atticbecause it's too bright on the highest setting, you know, like that's how you know it's a
(30:54):
dang good flashlight.
And I don't ever pay attention to the new ones because I found what I need and what Ilike.
And that's it.
It's the E35R, think, is the one that I really do.
I have one sitting around here.
My gear is still in my truck because I literally just came home from work.
But I swear I have one sitting around here somewhere.
Maybe not.
(31:14):
Probably over by that speaker that was screwing up the audio for a day and half.
I got?
I'm going to show you that speaker up close and personal next time I see you.
It's perfect man.
my gosh, so that's no it sounds great actually I mean it sounds like you've got your kitpretty well built out but are you are you thinking about adding ancillaries in terms of?
(31:34):
ah right on or sewer scoping even a thing that's done over and You're not gonna what?
I haven't I haven't added that on yet.
We'll see maybe next year.
I know it is a thing here
But also that's one things IEB taught me.
was like focus on basics first.
(31:57):
Get down because if you focus, if you're trying to get your regular services down and thenyou have all these other products, your mind is going to be to everywhere.
Especially when you sell to people.
So.
think that's a good, cause I mean like you're learning about everything, you know, whenyou tackle something new, like wait until you, you're not learning so much anymore.
(32:22):
I mean, we're always learning.
Like I don't want to act like we're not, but, you know, uh a bit of the job gets routine,you know, once you've done several hundred inspections and you're like, okay, this is,
know, I've seen most of the things that I'm going to see in my area.
uh And so, you know, let me think about tackling on some type of,
you know, add on service or something, learning something new, think, but just giveyourself space to do that.
(32:46):
Now I want to pivot back a little bit because we were talking about, you know, what likegear you use in terms of like phone or tablet or, you know, Android, Apple, whatever.
So what are you using to, to, to write your reports on?
it and I don't like it.
Oh man.
(33:07):
feel like it's too clunky.
Is it just too big to carry around or?
It's it's good.
It's too big.
I'm not a fan
Man, I mean, I would.
That's the equivalent.
Like what I'm carrying around.
Like would be like the equivalent of like a fax machine, you know, like I mean, I mean,it's just it's a it's a surface pro.
(33:32):
I don't have that here with me either.
It's in my truck.
But but I mean, like, you know, it's bigger than an iPad um and it's really wild.
But I think did you start out doing it on your phone?
Yes.
Yeah, no, I people do that.
I am like the opposite of you in terms of like, I can't imagine walking around with such asmall device and doing it.
(33:53):
But that's that's because I have been working on a large when I first started, I wasliterally just using a digital camera, taking pictures, making notes and putting that
stuff into a war later is terrible.
Then I switched and started carrying around a bigger device and and I kind of building thereport on site.
using the camera that was on the device anyway, and that's just how I've done it eversince and the convenience I felt like I had with that.
(34:19):
I don't even know if doing it on your phone was an option then.
I mean, it probably was, but it wasn't very popular and it's never been with the softwarethat I use.
So I've never really had that as an option, but I have demoed other stuff.
I just can't imagine walking around with such a small device.
Also, I'm admittedly, I have my phone in my hand all day, so I don't think.
(34:40):
going to say that's funny for somebody that like has such a huge following from using hisphone.
Yeah, yeah, but I don't want to work on it.
I mean, not that kind of work anyway.
Not it's just it doesn't it doesn't compute.
Yeah.
Ashley, let's talk processes as well.
So uh when you were learning about the method of going through the home, what did youadapt?
(35:03):
What did you take?
Who have you kind of learned from and what is your, what does your workflow look like nowduring the inspection?
I just basically do what they taught us.
do here like first turn all systems on and then go inside room to room clockwise orcounterclockwise whatever you want to do.
(35:24):
Top to bottom.
uh That's what do to just keep it steady so you know you're hitting every room every everypiece.
Yeah, I mean, I think I've talked about my process too.
Like, uh I think that there are some things I feel like you need to do and it could begeographically like that could change.
(35:46):
But like as far as like here and what I do, I feel like as long as you have a process, Ithink that's the most important thing.
I mean, mine's out there.
People can watch it and see what order I do things in.
But the most important thing.
thing I think about inspecting is having a process.
If we just follow the same thing every single time, then that is going to position us tomiss a lot less.
(36:12):
I'm not going to say not miss anything because none of us are superhuman, right?
But it's going to just if we do the same thing every time, we are going to be catching ornot missing many things.
I
Now, definitely.
Now, the other thing we got to talk about too, because we've talked about this uh atInterNACHI conference, one of our best performing episodes.
(36:36):
We were talking about inspection vehicles.
And so we got to know, what do you drive?
What are you driving from the job site from one place to the next?
And there's no wrong answer here.
ah I have a piano problem.
There you go.
No, that's awesome.
Which, which.
I couldn't tell which direction that was going to go.
fix so can get ladders, can get all my tools, it all works.
(37:02):
Yep, we've talked to people that drive Chevy Sonics, that drive Ford Focus STs, trucks, ahMini Coopers.
So what made you pick that?
Did you already have it before starting or you got that specifically for the job?
So it's just what I had to work with.
So I'm working with it and it works.
Yeah.
(37:22):
I mean, I admittedly have, you know, considered it like after seeing inspectors to goaround with the hatchback.
I I'm, I am a Texas boy.
Okay.
And like we drive trucks out here.
I mean, it just, yeah, I know, I know.
But, um, and, but I mean, like I was a truck driver well before this came in, you know,like I drove trucks before I became an inspector.
(37:46):
That's just how it's kind of always been.
And so it was just, I didn't change it.
It's what I had, guess so, I guess it's what I had.
But I do see the benefit in it, especially like gas mileage and things.
I see the benefit in it.
And admittedly, I will tell you this.
Werner, everyone know the ladder company Werner?
(38:08):
They were awesome enough to send me a telescoping ladder not too long ago.
12 and a half foot, brand new uh thing for them.
It's...
uh
Literally 30 pounds, which I don't know.
Do you use a telescoping?
Either one of you use a telescoping ladder?
um I was using one before it was a 12 and a half foot as well.
It was 20 pounds and that 10 pounds.
I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but it makes a big difference whenever you're carryingthe thing around with the heat or oftentimes like I'm carrying it up a ladder to get up on
(38:35):
top of a roof.
But um I will say that I have been going and I've been carrying a little giant laddersince I started inspecting.
And it's in the back of my truck.
But that tailgate has been up and I've been going to the back seat to grab my Wernertelescoping ladder.
I really do like it.
It feels and it's much more stable than the other one that I had and and it operates awhole lot better.
(38:59):
And so I will say that like.
I have had less of a need for a truck lately because I keep going for that ladder if Ican.
It's gotta be.
It's gotta be, you know, a situation where my little giant obviously goes like 22 feet.
.
half.
So I mean, like if it'll reach it, I'm going to grabbing that thing.
(39:20):
It's a lot easier to carry around.
extended climb, man.
Which one are
but if I might check out that wonder if it's lighter because it does heavy so
don't know.
I don't know which one you're carrying, but I mean, check the check the weight on yours.
What's that?
Which one?
of professional ones that everyone was like get this one.
I'm like okay, so
(39:41):
I've got a, the one I had before and I still have it is a, it's a Amazon special.
It's made by some company called Yvonne or something.
It was fine.
It's been working for years.
There's nothing actually wrong with it at all.
But I will say that the Werner just feels a lot sturdier and I feel better on it, whichI'm surprised by because I've never liked telescoping ladders for that reason.
(40:03):
But this thing actually feels like a good ladder.
But I mean, you know, it's heavy in comparison, but that's the only I mean, if you call ita downfall, I mean, it's heavy, but it's probably heavier duty as well.
why I like my extended climb.
It's not overly heavy, but it still feels extremely secure when I'm on it.
uh True story.
So I had the 12 and a half foot extended climb originally in a previous married life.
(40:28):
And my wife at the time, I went to Sherwin Williams, saw this and bought it.
She looks at our bank statement and goes, so what did you buy at Sherwin Williams?
And she's like, this was like 250 bucks.
I said, it was this ladder.
Cause I had a Werner folding ladder and I was like, you know, I let my brother borrow itand I had this home inspection.
So I just, you know, decided to pick up this new telescoping ladder.
(40:51):
She goes, take it back.
We don't need it.
And so then a few days later, she goes, excuse me, babe, what's this other charge fromSherwood Williams?
And I was like, well, I did exactly what I told you I would do.
I took the ladder back and then I got the bigger one.
(41:15):
And then that wasn't why we got divorced but you know Yeah, right, right there might havebeen might have been how the fight started though
So if Werner is listening, these two fine home inspectors here would love to try out yourtelescoping ladder, by the way.
I think it's awesome.
I think that would be a fantastic video that we should do is comparing differenttelescoping ladders.
(41:38):
That'd be pretty cool.
uh
them right now.
One of them I got is garbage and one of is awesome.
Oh my gosh, I love it.
All right, Ashley, what is the for other inspectors that are trying to close out the yearstrong?
What's your biggest piece of advice to them?
(42:16):
plow through.
plow through.
Oh man, that's perfect.
mean, it really is that though.
I mean, I don't think you can put it any other way.
This is a tough business to gain traction in for the first couple of years as a singleinspector operation.
(42:39):
If you're not working for a firm that can provide you with business, it is just tough toget people to want to call you.
You don't have a portfolio of work to show them.
You don't have reviews to show them or a lot of them or whatever it is.
um
It even feels better whenever like you when silly little goals like once you've done like200 inspections, like you can tell people like in all honesty, like I've done hundreds of
(43:07):
inspections and that sounds good.
You know, I mean it was it was just under 200 inspections yesterday, but it doesn'tmatter.
You know, you can see even hundreds of inspections like little goals like that.
I feel like really get you where you need to be to just kind of keep plowing through likesetting little goals like that.
um Is that
(43:27):
Is that the TPI's or whatever?
Is that TPI?
I don't even remember what it stands for.
That's it.
toilet paper indicator.
Key performance indicator.
That's it.
Yep.
That's it.
You got it.
I love it.
Well, seriously, Ashley, this has been fantastic.
We've loved having you on the show.
(43:48):
Seriously looking forward hopefully to seeing you at inspection fuel if you can make it befantastic to see you there truly.
before we close things out, there is something I'd like to say, because we got somefeedback.
We did get some feedback.
There have been a lot of people come in on the comments on the last episode, which wasgreat.
It was the one where we talked to John Bolden about pecs, disclaimers, and all that stuff.
(44:09):
And I'm not going to go into too much of any of that.
We already did an episode on that, right?
But somebody did reach out to me.
They sent me an email, and we had a quick phone conversation about it.
And so his name is Mickey.
Thanks, Mickey, for reaching out.
I really appreciate the support.
It just lets us know people are paying attention.
It doesn't matter whether you agree or you disagree.
We like to hear it all.
(44:29):
That's what we're here for.
Not everyone's going to agree.
If we all agree, it's going boring show.
No, truly.
And I love that he commented and actually freaking reached out to you.
That was awesome.
We've got a way that you guys can reach out to us.
You can actually go we've got a website now for the for the show.
It's called the ride along dot show.
And if you go there, you can leave a voicemail.
(44:50):
And so you can actually talk to us directly.
If you've got thoughts, we want to hear them.
And especially for new inspectors or people that are fresh out of kind of like
man, I remember that first year of inspecting and how tough it was.
ah If you, if anything that Ashley's been talking about today resonates with you, drop aline in the comments, leave us a voicemail, give your best advice for home inspectors
(45:11):
starting out what they need processes to put in place, things they need to be aware of.
We'd love to hear all of it because we've all been there.
And if there's anything that we want to be on the show, it's helpful to everybody.
So
right and sign up for the newsletter.
Sign up for the newsletter as well.
It's gonna be in the show notes down below.
truly.
Ashley, thank you so much again for being here.
This has been fantastic.
(45:31):
We appreciate you big time.
Definitely.
Where can everybody follow you again?
closer look inspections.
Go look her up guys.
Thanks so much.
We'll see you right here next time on, the ride along.
See you then.
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