Good Night, Irene!

I don't have a lot of time to blog today because we are really hopping around here. Hurricane Irene is starting to make her presence known here in the Myrtle Beach area of SC. My crews and I have been out for the last couple of days, preparing homes for the storm. Even though the National Weather Service is not expecting anything more than 50-60 mile per hour winds and a whole lot of rain for this area, I prefer to err on the side of caution and be prepared. Many of my customers want to take a "wait and see" approach. I try to dissuade of this attitude. In my opinion, it is a very risky proposition. Absentee homeowners need to keep in mind that they are not your only client. You, as a Home Watch professional, should have a pre-determined plan for storms. This has to include a schedule to perform whatever tasks each home needs in order to protect it properly.  Storm shutter installation and the securing of outdoor furniture and pool/spa equipment (to name a few) must be planned out based upon the amount of warning you are given by the weather authorities. Whether you are performing these services yourself or subbing the work out, you need to make allowances for time, gathering materials, and travel ... and let's not forget the inevitable "surprises" that can throw the proverbial monkey wrench into your well thought-out plan.

I always reach out to customers a few days before the storm is due to inform them of my plans. I will set a day and time for their final response or decision on preparations. If they decline preparations, I make it clear that if they do change their mind close to the anticipated arrival of the storm, there are no guarantees that preparations can actually get done. My team was out doing storm prep when power lines came down nearby during a very heavy downpour. I had them quickly finish what they were doing, and got them back to the office. Safety first ... every time. This particular job was a last-minute request by a homeowner who had originally decided not to take precautions. We were not able to complete the job, and his home is not fully protected. I wish we could have finished, but the homeowner made up his mind too late.

Our business is based on trust and communication. If you feel strongly enough to suggest a plan of action, then make sure you make your opinion known. If the homeowner chooses not to take your advice, document the conversation to cover yourself and your company. Do not accept responsibility for inaction on their part.

Every event should be a learning experience for all involved. I hope to learn better and more efficient ways to perform the task, and hopefully my client will want to be more proactive the next time (if there is a next time).


Be safe out there. And as always...


Much success,


Jack

The "Jersey Shore" joins the NHWA.

Growing up by the ocean in New Jersey, I consider myself to be a member of the original Jersey Shore crew (they called me "The Ridiculous Situation"). Having poked and prodded NJ companies to join up, I am pleased and proud to announce that the Jersey Shore is now represented in the NHWA. No, not that "Jersey Shore!" We'll have none of that! Holly and John Bodin, owners of Coastline Property Watch, now have the only NHWA-accredited Home Watch company in NJ.  (Yeah...I know. What Exit?) The company, which is based out of Ocean City (Exit 26), is gearing up to become the premier property services company in Atlantic and Cape May Counties. When you have a conversation with John and Holly, you can't help but be blown away by their enthusiasm and passion for Home Watch. John's intimate knowledge of local emergency services, as well as the local police, sheriff and fire departments, give Coastline Property Watch a view from many different angles. The Bodins have been operating Coastline Property Management prior to this, giving them the experience and judgment to handle most problems that may arise. Homes on that stretch of beach range from bungalow to mansion.  From retro to ultra-modern, CPW will take care of them all. I predict big things from Coastline. Their website (which is almost complete) is http://www.coastlinepropertywatch.com/. You'll currently find all of their contact info and a list of their services on the site. And look for an announcement in the Press of Atlantic City very soon.

As you know, the NHWA offers a "how-to-start" guide. On Sunday evening, I received an email from PayPal, informing me that there was a guide purchased by someone from Columbus, OH. I get to the office on Monday morning and the phone rings. I answer it, and Ken Wood introduces himself. Ken, a retiring teacher and sales rep, asks for a few minutes of my time. I agree, and I try to field his rapid-fire questioning. Brochures, insurance, logos, how about this, and what about that? A few minutes turned into half an hour. I had to leave for an appointment. "Listen," he says, "I am rarin' to go here. I am closing on my house in Holden Beach, NC, in October. I wanna have this business up and running before then." I tell him that I'll help in any way I can. (I'm just that kind of guy.) "Listen," he says, "I really need to pick your brain. I can be there in about 10 hours." Boom. So Ken leaves Columbus, OH, at 4 in the morning on Tuesday and gets to my office in Murrells Inlet, SC, that afternoon.

We spent some time talking, him asking and me answering. I shared some ideas with him, and he shared some with me. After a couple of hours and some coffee, he started to fade.  He said was beat from the trip (no...really?), so I asked him if he wanted to meet up that evening after he rested up. "Nope," he replied, "How about breakfast in the morning?" I agreed, and watched him drive off in his F-150. The next morning I got a call. "Gotta pass on breakfast, Jack. I'm already in Holden Beach [70 miles away]. I gotta get this business going!"

Ken Wood just had a knee replaced, but he can run circles around me. I have no doubt that this man will hit the ground running and never look back. It was great meeting you, Ken.

Til the next time, I wish all of you Ken Wood's energy.

Much success,

Jack

The current financial mess...an opportunity?

I don't want to look at the news. The stock market is bouncing around more than a golf ball on a cart path. The interest rates being paid by the banks...why even bother? My 401k is now a 201f. My house isn't worth what I paid for it. Now, I know I am not alone in this situation because a lot of my friends and family share the same worries and problems that I do. My problems aren't special. I talk to so many people who are in business for themselves, or are in the corporate world. They feel either trapped or terrified. Our parents always seemed to do the same job or have the same career for all of their adult lives. They settled in to a "comfort zone" and rarely took chances on a new direction for their lives. Our generation (and that of our kids) tells a much different story. Nowadays, it's not so strange for people to have four or even five different career changes during their working years. And as technology and constant communication evolve, so do the possibilities that we are presented with. New challenges that we are faced with sometimes almost dare us to change or switch directions every once in a while.

By 2005, I knew that I was burnt out by corporate life. I also knew that I desperately needed a big change. I knew that with my personality and experience, I would be an instant success in whatever I took on! I couldn't lose. Please stop laughing. No...seriously...stop. Thank you.  OK, so I was a little naive. If it were that easy, everybody would be doing it. Wouldn't they? I started Coastal Carolina Home Watch in Murrells Inlet, SC. I am happy to say that I am not only still in business, but I am also feeling pretty good about my future.

Home Watch does seem to be a choice for a lot of people like myself: those who are looking for alternatives. You would be amazed at how many Home Watch companies are Chapter Two in the lives of  people in similar situations. People who wanted to retire, but not really retire. People who may have left the work force a little too early. People who are always looking for that next "new" challenge. People observant enough to see "what is not there... but really should be." These people see an opportunity and realize that Home Watch is a much-needed service that should be made available to absentee homeowners. No doubt about it: they have looked at the possibilities and studied, planned things out and have taken steps to try and guarantee a more secure future for themselves. Instead of waiting to see what might happen to their investments, they have taken a new and exciting direction in their lives.

Home Watch is a great opportunity for the right person. And we have a very big need for accredited members.  We currently have consumer requests for: Saratoga Springs, NY;  Greenville, SC; Northern NJ; North Shore of Chicago; Atlanta, GA;  Minneaoplis, MN; Scottsdale, AZ; Santa Barbara, CA; Kiawah Island, SC; East Hampton, NY; and Puget Sound, WA.

Much success,

Jack

The NHWA at 11 months

We here at the NHWA are getting ready to celebrate our one-year anniversary next month. You know, sometimes you really have to step back and evaluate the progress of an undertaking like this. Are we where we expected/wanted/needed to be at this point? What have we learned/changed/aspired to do in our first 11 months of existence? Have we accomplished our goals thus far? 

Well, to start out not even existing, and to be where we are right now, makes me feel kind of proud. We already have members in 13 states (we are announcing a our first member in NJ in a couple of days), and many more in our mentoring and vetting stage at present. Our "how-to guide" is currently being used by over 30 companies either seeking to gain accreditation or looking to found their companies based upon the standards and ethics that are required to be accepted. Our site is consistently visited  by 800 to 900 visitors every 30 days. First-time (unique) visitors always number between 70 to 80 percent, month in and month out. We have had customer inquiries from virtually every state (including Alaska) and a few provinces in Canada. We have software in the works, and have had conversations with security companies looking to work with us. We have and continue to contact insurance companies with the idea of getting a conversation started about discounts for homeowners who employ an accredited Home Watch company. And as I have said many times before, by raising the awareness of these companies as to the importance and value of Home Watch, maybe we won't be made to jump through hoops and pay the premiums that we are paying now.

As I am sure you can guess, I am very excited with our progress. With the exception of a few skeptics and naysayers, our journey has been pretty positive so far. Ask Travis Bumgarner of Florida Estate Management Services in Boca Raton, Florida, if he's excited too. I received an email from him last month in which he let me know that he already has four confirmed NEW clients that came directly from the NHWA. He has only been listed as a member for a couple of months, and his business is located in an area that is in the heart of the "Home Watch Universe." That means that in just 11 short months, membership in the NHWA is carrying some weight and prestige.

And so, I'd like to express my thanks and appreciation to everyone who has supported our efforts to raise the standards of our industry and become accredited, or are currently working towards it. Because of them, I have never felt as positive about what we are striving for as I do right now in our 11th month.

BTW -- Look for some improvements and new features on the website in the next month.


As always, I wish you all much success.


Jack