Housing Boom

With the upward swing of the housing market, John Goodrum is predicting boom times for his franchisees. John is master franchisee for A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections, which is celebrating 10 years in New Zealand this year.

‘Even though it’s relatively early days of the housing market revival, the signs are that 2024 will see a boom in property sales,’ says John. ‘And today, more than ever, vendors, buyers, real estate agents and property managers recognise the need for professional, unbiased inspections and reports. 

‘House buyers are far more conscious of potential problems while sellers appreciate that a home inspection better protects them from possible future claims. Thankfully, the belief that a qualified builder also qualifies to be a building inspector is finally disappearing, and there is a NZ Standards certificate NZS4306:2005 for residential property inspection.’ 

Rang all the right bells   

John had the perfect background for bringing A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections to New Zealand. A qualified industrial chemist specialising in building materials, he also spent 29 years in real estate where he owned five offices of a highly respected multi-national brand.

It was at a trade show in San Diego where John came across the franchise. ‘It rang all the right bells for me,’ he recalls. ‘The founder was in real estate and, just like me, was tired of encountering unprofessional and obviously inept home inspectors. A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections had been established to change all that. It now operates in 19 countries.

‘I trained as an inspector with the Canadian franchise, which made me really enthusiastic about the opportunity in New Zealand. As master franchisee, I launched A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections here as a low entry cost, high return franchise. Ten years later, with the brand well-established here, the investment is still only $72,500 +gst and includes an extensive territory, full training, a personal coach and marketing material. 

‘Our franchisees go through intensive online and on-the-job training, and the franchise package also includes specialised equipment and software. There’s on-going support from Zoe Wyatt and me personally, as well as the backing of A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections’ worldwide network.

‘Together, these give franchisees the skills and capabilities to identify issues across all matters relating to a dwelling. They don’t do repairs – it’s up to the vendor to organise qualified tradies to resolve the problems.’

Wide appeal to men and women 

John says A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections has wide appeal to men and women from all walks of life. 

‘Many of our franchisees come from careers totally unrelated to building, including IT, marketing, accounting, engineering and pharmacy. The quality of our training and systems make it perfectly possible to change careers and enjoy doing something totally different while earning an excellent income. 

‘Our second ever franchisee, Duane Turner, joined in 2014 and typically earns in excess of $150,000 annually, working as much as he wants, when he wants. New franchisees learn from Duane and others who act as on-the-job trainers for us.

‘In Hawkes Bay, John Potgieter is the franchisee for Hastings and, despite a depressed market in 2023, had by August already achieved a 6 figure income this year.’

And, says John, some franchisees come to the business via a roundabout route. ‘It was his wife’s idea that Aaron McDonald join A Buyer’s Choice, because she was concerned about his health in his heavy engineering job. He wasn’t sure at first, but now he’s a highly successful franchisee in Hamilton.’

South Island and more

With three Wellington franchisees about to finish training, John says he’s particularly keen for enquiries from Christchurch, Dunedin, Central Otago and the Lakes District. ‘As demand keeps growing, we do still have some North Island opportunities as well, so wherever you are or want to be, give me a call.

‘We are keen to bring the right people on board, so to make it easier we can offer special finance terms for three years. By then, you’ll have found out for yourself just what a great business opportunity A Buyer's Choice Home Inspections is!’   

See this advertorial on page 65 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 32 Issue 4

Contact details for A Buyer's Choice Home Inspections

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We welcome links from other websites to this article. Please note that this article is copyright © Eden Exchange NZ Holdings Limited, Franchise New Zealand magazine and Franchise New Zealand On Line. While it may be downloaded for personal use, no part may be reproduced on any other website, in electronic or printed form or in any other form whatsoever.