COVID-19 Response Page

Welcome,

Our goal is to help you stay informed during these uncertain times so that you and your business may emerge at your best. We’ve created this page for you to use as your bulletin for all important COVID-19 topics related to HomeGauge and the Home Inspection Industry. Check back for continuous updates, new resources, and important bulletins from us. We hope you and your loved ones stay safe!

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[4/20/2020] Cities Restricting In-Person Showings Due to COVID-19

Cities like Denver are starting to crack down on in-person showings due to the novel Coronavirus. Be sure you’re prepared to meet new restrictions like these by learning about using 360-degree images and videos in your inspection reports.

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[4/15/2020] IRS Stimulus Payment Page Available Earlier Than Expected

Additional functionality was supposed to launch on April 17th, but the page started offering more options this morning. If applicable, you can visit this resource to see if you’re eligible, calculate your payment, and register proper payment information. Visit the page.

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[4/14/2020] Facebook for Business Launches Virtual Education Series

Facebook for Business is providing daily virtual trainings over the next few weeks, with schedules released weekly. Make the most of your time at home with these continuing education opportunities.

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[4/12/2020] Insurance Companies Returning Premiums Due To COVID-19

Allstate, American Family Insurance to return $800 million in premiums because no one is driving

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[4/9/2020] The US Chamber’s Guide For Small Business Emergency Loans

Learn more about how you may be eligible for help from The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

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[4/7/2020] American Family Insurance Provides $6.8 Million in Relief

American Family Insurance hopes to support COVID-19 pandemic relief with $6.8 million raised by the business group companies. Read more here.

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[4/6/2020] Facebook’s Latest Measures for COVID-19

The major social media platform has just announced new features and updates to help the owners of Facebook pages outline business changes during COVID-19.

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[4/02/2020] Government Assistance Options for Small Business

The US Department of the Treasury has posted this informational webpage about government assistance options for small businesses. If you’re interested or need help during the COVID-19 pandemic, take a look.

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[4/01/2020] Occupant Virus Release and Hold-Harmless Agreement

We found this resource interesting and thought we’d share it with those who feel they might need it.

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[3/30/2020] COVID-19 Resources from ASHI

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) has provided a comprehensive, state-by-state COVID-19 resource we think you might like. Check it out here.

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[3/26/2020] COVID-19 Resources from Google

Google often plays a role in how we do business and conduct our lives, so it’s important to understand what they’re doing to help combat the spread of COVID-19 and misinformation. There are also a few good suggestions for business owners during this difficult time.

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[3/25/2020] InterNACHI Webinar for Home Inspector Safety

We found this great webinar being hosted by our friends at InterNACHI, which will help to inform you of best business practices and how to stay safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

They have also released a helpful, interactive map of state-by-state COVID-19 measures, which may be helpful for you to reference.

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[3/24/2020] HomeGauge In-Person Training Postponed

Our upcoming in-person training for intermediate and advanced HomeGauge software users has been postponed to adhere to the guidelines of the CDC and protect our Inspectors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We will announce a new date once it has been set. In the meantime, we’re working hard to expand our webinar selection so that you have more ways to learn and grow, even if you’re stuck at home. Visit our Support Center for new training and webinar information as it is released.

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[3/23/2020] Social Media Traffic Increasing During Coronavirus Crisis

If you’re stuck at home thinking of ways to help your business through these weird times, imagine how social media volume is increasing as more people stay home during the Coronavirus Pandemic. This could be major for you during a potential lull in business as this gets resolved.

How does this impact you? Maybe you’re not on social media yet, your profile needs some updating, or you don’t have a Facebook Business Page or Google Business Profile. This is the time to consider upping your game on social media as your audience on these platforms grows.

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[3/22/2020] Inspector Licensing & Training Impacts from COVID-19

Some states require in-person training as part of the licensing process for home inspectors. If your state requires in-person training, they may have changed their requirements during this pandemic. Be sure to visit your state’s government website for updated information.

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[3/21/2020] New Webinars In The Works for Those Stuck At Home

We will announce new trainings shortly catering to the work-from-home population we’ve recently become. Make use of your newfound time at home!

More updates to come…

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[3/20/2020] Helpful Tips for Inspectors During the Coronavirus

• • Follow the advice of the CDC. You can also wear protective gear and bring your own hand sanitizer and pens.
  • Don’t bring your gear into your home and risk exposing your family.
  • Consider altering any policy about having the buyer attend the inspection during this time.
  • If the buyer is still attending, be sure they are not inviting extra guests and to keep 6 ft between you and anyone else around you.
  • If the buyer is not attending, how can you create a great customer experience?
    • Take more pictures or videos than you normally would and include them in your inspection report.
    • The HomeGauge Report Writer allows you to upload 360° images for a more immersive customer experience.
    • Have a scheduled time near the end of the inspection when you can do a live video meeting with the buyer to show and explain your findings.
    • Don’t forget to offer your other inspection services to customers needing them during this time, like radon testing, septic services, and WDI home inspections.
    • This is a great time to start if you don’t already offer pre-closing or post-closing consultations.
  • Shift your focus to promote and offer more home maintenance inspections as buyers spend more time in their homes making lists of things they need to get done.

• • Keep in contact with your Realtors; they will feel the market change just before you will.
  • Hold a webinar with Realtors on inspection topics. Zoom is free.
  • Hold a buyer webinar and contact previous clients for attendee referrals. Remember, many homeowners will be spending more time in their homes. They may discover things and have questions.
  • A popular book for agents to adjust during change is Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times by Gary Keller. This may help you re-frame how you address your business – you can also let your agents know about this resource.
  • Ask your Realtor friends how they are adjusting and where they see a role for you.
  • If there’s a slump in home sales:
    • Increase your marketing for maintenance inspections for current owners.
    • If it becomes a buyer market, have a pre-listing inspection plan.
    • Re-evaluate the aspects of your business: can you make improvements?
    • Get client feedback
    • Update your website
    • Create or grow your social media account
    • Learn and grow with webinars and at-home learning