Francois K. Gregoire
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2002
- Professional Status
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- State
- Florida
As many of you know, my firm, Gregoire & Gregoire, Inc., made a decision years ago to forgo accepting assignments from Appraisal Management Companies. Although we lost volume, there was a very interesting side benefit: we started to earn a profit.
About the same time, I made a conscious decision to concentrate on non-lending related assignments and pursue more interesting, more time consuming and higher paying assignments. Although most work comes in by word of mouth and referral, it's important potential clients have a means of finding me.
Way back when, Wayne started AppraiserUSA.com. Since we did not have a website, I jumped at the opportunity and put up a free listing. Later, I sprung for buying a top 5 position for the one county I service. Over the years, the AppraiserUSA spot has proven to be the best money I've ever spent on business promotion. Come to think of it, it's the only money I spend on business promotion.
I've learned that folks searching the internet for information or services like to have responses right away. Fortunately, I now work out of my home and answer my phone and email at all hours. This morning the phone rang at 7:45. The client will be in town for only two days and needs an appraisal for a divorce. There may be an opportunity for expert witness services along with the appraisal assignment. While he is on the phone, I am able to look up the property online, quote a fee and set an appointment. We also discuss that, because of my schedule, workload, and the effort involved in producing a credible result, it will be a couple of weeks before the report is delivered.
The client is happy. I am happy. Just before hanging up the phone, I ask, as always, how he happened to hear of me. The answer? AppraiserUSA.
That prompted me to go take another look at my listing and freshen it up a bit. Wouldn't you know, Wayne was right there answering his emails before 8:00 A.M. to help with a couple of things I could not accomplish myself.
THAT'S what I call SERVICE! THANKS WAYNE!!
About the same time, I made a conscious decision to concentrate on non-lending related assignments and pursue more interesting, more time consuming and higher paying assignments. Although most work comes in by word of mouth and referral, it's important potential clients have a means of finding me.
Way back when, Wayne started AppraiserUSA.com. Since we did not have a website, I jumped at the opportunity and put up a free listing. Later, I sprung for buying a top 5 position for the one county I service. Over the years, the AppraiserUSA spot has proven to be the best money I've ever spent on business promotion. Come to think of it, it's the only money I spend on business promotion.
I've learned that folks searching the internet for information or services like to have responses right away. Fortunately, I now work out of my home and answer my phone and email at all hours. This morning the phone rang at 7:45. The client will be in town for only two days and needs an appraisal for a divorce. There may be an opportunity for expert witness services along with the appraisal assignment. While he is on the phone, I am able to look up the property online, quote a fee and set an appointment. We also discuss that, because of my schedule, workload, and the effort involved in producing a credible result, it will be a couple of weeks before the report is delivered.
The client is happy. I am happy. Just before hanging up the phone, I ask, as always, how he happened to hear of me. The answer? AppraiserUSA.
That prompted me to go take another look at my listing and freshen it up a bit. Wouldn't you know, Wayne was right there answering his emails before 8:00 A.M. to help with a couple of things I could not accomplish myself.
THAT'S what I call SERVICE! THANKS WAYNE!!
