You don’t need a massive ad budget to grow your inspection business—you just need to show up for your people. 

In this episode, Lauren Hughes from Lighted Way Home Inspections shares how she’s built a thriving business in a rural Texas market by leading with generosity, consistency, and heart. From delivering flowers to agents’ desks to sponsoring local events, Lauren proves that the best marketing is often just being a good neighbor.

We cover:

This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation that will get you thinking beyond ads and funnels—and back to the simple power of relationships.

🔗 Links & Resources

🚀 Ready to grow your business?

🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2!

Ep. 140: AI in Home Inspections, Part 2

Let’s get nerdy! In Part 2, Chris Skinner shares how he’s gone beyond the basics to train custom GPTs, communicate faster with agents, and use AI to unlock serious focus in the field. 

We dig into:

How to use AI when you’re not the owner

The real potential of custom GPTs

Communication hacks for agents + clients

Where AI shines—and where to stay skeptical

Whether you’re AI-curious or already using ChatGPT daily, this episode gives you real-life inspector insights you can use now.

🔗 Links & Resources

🚀 Ready to grow your business?

🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode!

We’re on Apple, Spotify, Google—wherever you pod.

Have an idea or want to be on the show? Email [email protected]

AI isn’t coming for your job—but it is here to help you work smarter. In this episode, Chris Skinner from Silk Inspections breaks down the automation and AI tools he’s using to save time, reduce mental load, and bring more consistency to his business.

We get into:

This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation that makes AI feel less intimidating and more practical. Because the real power? Still comes from you.

🔗 Links & Resources

🚀 Ready to grow your business?

🎙️ Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2!

Join new host Carla Heatherly as she talks with inspectors and industry pros about growth, real-world strategies, and what’s next for the modern home inspector.

Yon and Brian grew up less than a mile apart. They played on the same sports teams as kids. Now, although they live across the country, they're both home inspectors. And they learn from each other every day.

In this episode, we get into:

- Growing a YouTube channel and why client education is so important

- Building home maintenance plans for clients post-inspection

- The difference between inspecting new builds and historic homes

- Different communication styles

- Why having industry friends/mentors is key to growth

You can find Yon and Brian's YouTube channel, Home Inspections Matter, at https://www.youtube.com/@UC3biUdnJzw1sMbWtPNfgSaA. You can find Yon at https://homegrowninspectionsc.com/ and Brian at https://workflowhome.com/.

📲 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today and get all the education and onboarding you'll need to get up and running successfully: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

🚀 Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0

🛠️ Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0

👥 Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90

🚨 Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.

🤓 Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email [email protected]

💬 Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying: https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

Thomas is BACK by popular demand. In the episode, we get into:

- Why collaboration is the key to leveling up the industry

- Raising your prices and adding/communicating value

- Taking ownership of issues clients run into vs learning when to say no this just isn’t our problem/fault

- Navigating contractor relationships, insurance woes, and how to give recommendations without being the upgrade police 

- Home health inspections and getting in the door with homeowners who aren't actively buying or selling

📲 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today and get all the education and onboarding you'll need to get up and running successfully: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

🚀 Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0 🛠️ Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0

👥 Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90

🚨 Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.

🤓 Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email [email protected]

💬 Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying: https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

Matt is a beacon of wisdom in this industry. This episode is a must-listen for any inspector thinking about becoming a business owner...or thinking about selling, for that matter. We get into:

- How Matt went from company employee to company owner

- Commitment and consistency over hustle culture

- The future of mergers & acquisitions in the inspection industry

- Why you need to KYN (Know Your Numbers)

- How he spent his life savings on his company in a down market...and why that was actually a great thing.

If you want to get in touch with Matt, you can find him at @acehomeny on Facebook or at https://acehomeny.com/.

📲 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today and get all the education and onboarding you'll need to get up and running successfully: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

🚀 Bundle a year of the app with a custom website: https://hubs.la/Q02p9VvF0 🛠️ Growing your business? We got your back. Check out our business tools: https://hubs.la/Q02p9S0B0

👥 Learn more about the power of Spectora, visit Spectora Academy: https://hubs.la/Q02pv_G90

🚨 Not subscribed to the pod yet? Shame! Go do it! We're on Apple & Google Podcasts & Spotify. Click follow or subscribe! This keeps us motivated to keep doing more of this.

🤓 Got ideas for guests? Send 'em our way through the chat bubble or email [email protected]

💬 Not using Spectora? See what the biggest and best companies are saying: https://hubs.la/Q02p9SRZ0

We're lucky to have not only an incredibly successful real estate broker, but a CEO, best-selling author, coach & keynote speaker on Spectora Spotlight.

Leigh Brown is a straight shooter and an advocate for serving customers and improving the real estate industry in any way we can.

Leigh and Kevin have a free flowing conversation around the NAR lawsuit and settlement and what it could mean for Realtors, home inspectors and homebuyers.

You can find Leigh at her website and the socials!

https://www.leighbrown.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC11stDD0nfFUYfhPB-E1nLg

https://www.facebook.com/LeighBrownSpeaker/

https://www.instagram.com/leighthomasbrown/

 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

If you don't know Bill, you should. He and his team are some of the kindest, hard-working folks you'll come across. We've been fortunate enough to know them since the beginning of Spectora. Bill & team discuss:

- Starting a sole proprietorship with a spouse

- The importance of starting with two

- Values and excellence

- Quality software

- Growing your vision as you grow

- Hiring & team inspecting

- Looking for your "off ramp"

Want to connect with Bill? You can email him at [email protected] or hit their website https://www.PreciseInspecting.com

 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0

Jeremy Smith talks to Kevin about his unique co-op model of growing regionally, and possibly nationally. They also get into his unique backstory, how he extends value beyond the home inspection, and why this industry is perfect for lifestyle and balancing with family life.

Get in touch with Jeremy!

[email protected]

http://www.apexpropertyinspection.com/laramie

 Interested in Spectora? Start your free trial today: https://hubl.li/Q02nfFrR0