If you would like to see for yourself why Homexam's encyclopedic book receives rave reviews such as those quoted below, read the free articles. Standard Edition (390 pages) includes more than 1000 pictures. The CD ROM version has large print plus drawings and photos in color. A paperback version also is available for the same price as the 3-hole-punched pages in shrinkwrap.

Homexam's User-Friendly Home is given to thousands of inspectors' customers each year. Following are some of the reasons for its success: 

• By giving authoritative information in book form, you can fully inform your customers without incurring the liability that may result from putting too much information on your report.
• Inspectors who give books often hear attorneys, real estate agents, and other referral sources say, "I recommend your company because I want my clients to leave the inspection with something they can carry in their arms." When properly marketed, a book-based reporting system will build your business.
• Because we live in a materialistic society where your product tends to be evaluated by the pound you may be able to charge more when you give a book.
• Conscientious agents refer customers to inspectors who provide the best service. And a conscientious agent is likely to be the type of person who will be loyal -- sending you business year after year.
• Balanced disclosure, including positive statements (see the lists of Advantages in 1A , 2A , etc.) are appreciated by overworked real estate agents. Obviously, no reporting system will please everyone. But sell or loan a book to agents you know so they can see how Homexam's book can help their cause.
• People like immediate gratification, and everyone will appreciate the brief, immediate report that is feasible when you give in-depth information in a book form.
• You'll appreciate the immediate payment and freedom from the drudgery of nightly report preparation .
• Customers are less likely to throw away a book than a stand-alone report. The book with your business information on its cover will bring you business for years.
• Homexam's reporting system is flexible. You can use your current checklist and merely circle the most important index items that you want your customer to read; or your local print shop can copy Homexam's free report masters (the items have references to the book); or you can use report forms from third-party vendors. Or, best of all, you can use Homexam's EZguide for Windows® to produce reports.
• New option! Now you can use a pocket computer or laptop to create reports with references to Homexam's encyclopedic homeowner's manual. PorterValley's InspectVue software is preferred by many inspectors. Go to http://www.pvsoftware.com/products/homexam_library.shtml
• Inspectors who have switched from other reporting systems typically report a reduction in complaints. It's likely that customers feel you are going the extra mile when you give them a book, and the goodwill you generate comes back to you as reduced complaints. The information in the book, of course, also helps (one inspector commented, "In part, it looks sorta like a giant disclaimer"). If you also do your best to serve your customer in other ways, it's reasonable to expect a reduced risk of getting sued.
• Accuracy -- for years Homexam has offered cash to any inspector who can find an error of fact. Result: Homexam's book probably is the most accurate of any available.

Unsolicited Endorsements

We gratefully receive favorable comments about Homexam's User-Friendly Home almost every day. At first, we saved all such comments. However, as our "Praise" file quickly filled up, we stopped recording the comments; so most of the following statements are many years old. Please note that our book has become even better since these comments were made.

The following are unsolicited comments:

• "It knocked my socks off"--John Barber, former home inspector, Washington
• "I truly am thrilled . . . if there is one book . . . that I would recommend to students . . . to prospective homebuyers and sellers, and to home inspectors, without any doubt it would be the Homexam book . . ."--Joseph Scaduto, author, and founder of the Society of Professional Real Estate Inspectors, uses material from the book as text for training home inspectors.
• "I never imagined I'd use any text material except my own . . ."--Bill Ball, founder of the American Institute of Inspectors, uses material from the book as text for training home inspectors.
• "Agents love it"--Ron Larson, inspector.

In addition to problems, the book identifies the good features of components and systems of the house (agents feel good about the balanced approach).

Other honors: For many years, purchase of this book was a prerequisite for joining the Georgia Association of Home Inspectors. It also served as the basis for the first certification test used by the National Association of Home Inspectors (the original 300 questions were written by Larry Reavis, Homexam's president). Many training organizations use the book as a textbook. After Oregon required inspectors to pass a test, one inspector (Wayne Hueppelsheuser) kindly faxed Homexam a copy of a list of recommended texts he received from the testing officials, with their handwritten note "Wayne, buy this one & pass," with an arrow pointing to Homexam's User-Friendly Home . He also told us it was the best book he bought. Similarly, John Russell told us "I spent a bundle, but The User-Friendly Home was by far the best." Finally, Ron Millstein of the Building Tech Bookstore told us he considers The User-Friendly Home to be the best book for training home inspectors.  -