Navy Veterans Both; Couple Ready to Put Military Experience, Diligence to Work with Largest Home Inspection Brand
(Lakeland, FL) The devil is in the details when it comes to home inspections. And the husband-and-wife team of Andre Walters and Eileen Juarez – both Navy veterans – bring keen eyes to their new profession, evidenced by both of them using the term “meticulous” when describing their attention to detail.
Exactness and knowledge are what homebuyers and sellers are seeking and the Lakeland couple is looking forward to applying the skills they have learned in their military careers as owners within the Pillar To Post Home Inspectors® network, the largest home inspection franchise in North America. Walters and Juarez serve clients throughout Polk and Osceola counties.
Veterans represent 14 percent of franchisees, and they prove a good fit for the franchise model because veterans possess strong leadership skills and a thorough understanding of being part of a team. Franchises also operate on proven systems and defined procedures and the military training that veterans go through allows them to easily adapt to a system and find success in franchising.
Andre and Eileen could not have prepared themselves better for their new careers. Andre and Eileen spent 20 years and 12 years, respectively, in the U.S. Naval Construction Force, better known as the Navy Seabees, who are responsible for building much of the temporary and permanent infrastructure at U.S. military locations around the world.
Said Andre, 41, who was a training instructor: “My background has provided me with a solid grasp of structural knowledge and a keen ability to focus on the details. And my training experience has further improved my communication skills, enabling me to explain complex matters to clients in a comprehensive, easy-to-understand manner.”
Added Eileen, 31, who was also a recruiter: “My recruiting experience deepened my community involvement, enabling me to establish meaningful connections, learn what was essential to the community and how I can better contribute.”
The couple’s timing for launching new careers couldn’t be better. Home inspections have become a vital part of the real estate sector, providing buyers and sellers with reliable information about the condition and value of a property. The U.S. building inspector industry, measured by revenue, is estimated to have a market size of $4.9 billion according to global research firm IBISWorld. Pillar to Post Home Inspectors has been at the forefront with its outstanding and innovative technologies that were introduced just in time to provide contactless home inspections during the pandemic.
Andre and Eileen are a perfect fit for Pillar To Post Home Inspectors and the business model affords them the opportunity to structure the business as they see fit, whether hiring employees or doing it all by themselves. One thing is certain, they couldn’t be more eager to launch the next chapter of their lives as small business owners.
Said Andre: “It was time for retirement. I spent 20 years of my life doing something I loved and enjoyed, but the time had come to move on to my next chapter in life. I chose Pillar To Post Home Inspectors because I wanted to continue to do something that I enjoyed, but also because after talking to several others companies, I realized that Pillar To Post Home Inspectors provided the most structure, attention to detail, and sense of reliability.”
Said Eileen: “Although I loved my time in the service, I realized after our second child that it’s not conducive to have both parents in the military simultaneously. I chose instead to finish my college education and earn my bachelor’s degree in accounting. That allowed me to spend more time with our kids, progress in my career and support my husband without having to give one up for the other.”
Today’s homebuyer – especially in the ever-changing housing market – would be wise to turn to Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, given some recent findings. According to Clever Real Estate, 72 percent of homebuyers who purchased in 2021 or 2022 have regrets over their home purchase. The most common factors that contributed to their remorse were spending too much money and rushing into buying.
And there are some other important considerations to mull in addition to a home’s square footage and number of bathrooms. Clever’s survey also found that almost half of homebuyers – 43 percent – made financial concessions like waiving a home inspection amid fierce competition for homes, according to CNBC. And skipping that home inspection can be costly. A survey from insurance firm Hippo found that most homeowners – 77 percent – had to pay for an unexpected repair within the first year of owning a house. Two-thirds of respondents said those fixes cost more than $1,000, said the CNBC report.
While Andre and Eileen are anticipating a steady stream of clients – “Everyone is moving to Florida,” Andre says of the state recognized as the second-biggest population gainer, behind Texas – they are looking forward to the opportunity to build a business that can be passed down within their family.
“Our objective extends beyond just ensuring financial support for our family,” Andre said. “We aim to instill in them the values of diligence and dedication, proving that success and ownership are attainable through hard work.”
For information visit https://andreandeileen.pillartopost.com or call 863-225-2242.
About Pillar To Post Home Inspectors®
Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with home offices in Toronto and Tampa. There are nearly 558 franchises located in 49 states and nine Canadian provinces. Long-term plans include adding 500 to 600 new franchisees over the next five years. For further information, please visit www.pillartopost.com or for info about a franchise go to franchise.pillartopost.com