Spring has sprung and we’re really excited about the coming year – we hope you are as well! We continue to welcome new Horizon Partners from across the United States and Canada, which is great to see. We’ve been actively advertising in many of the Association magazines and websites in an attempt to spread the word about Horizon. The advertising is also an indirect way that we can provide financial support to the various Associations. We’d also like to thank many of you who have helped to spread a good word on our behalf to your friends and colleagues – we very much appreciate it!

Recently, we have seen a major surge in our active Horizon Partners joining us for our informative Webinars – it’s a great way to learn the new system functionality, and to brush up on areas that you’re perhaps a bit unclear on. See our Webinar Schedule below for the upcoming programs, and please join us – it will pay dividends for you and your business!

We are also busy working on some changes and enhancements to Horizon, based on all of our customer research that we have conducted over the past several months. News will follow shortly!

Thanks as always, and Happy Inspecting!

John Kwasnik
Senior Horizon Consultant
1 800 268 7070
info@discoverhorizon.com

Quote of the month
Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.
- George Carlin

Congratulations to our March Prize Winners!

March draw for 4 Shell Cards – Winners:

- Sean Bacon
- Pat Johnson
- Paul Studholme
- David Leebody

Horizon Tip

Create useful shortcuts on your PDA!

Set up your PDA so the buttons on the front of the PDA both turn the machine on and go to an existing program. On my Dell X. 51 for example, I have button 1 to open my calendar, button 2 to open my calculator, Button 3 to open Pocket Word, and Button 4 (the button with the house!) to open Horizon. These buttons will both turn on the PDA and open the program you want instantly. So, with one click you can turn on the PDA and go immediately to the last place in the report you are working on. It could not be faster or simpler. This is where the instant on feature of the PDA really shines.

Technical Articles

Technical Article #1 - Steve Love Presentation Notes

In March 2005, I was called to an inspection in Baldwin, Ontario. Nice home, long ranch style bungalow, about 15 years old.

I showed up, knocked on the door, presented my card and started looking around. At this point the agent was waiting in his car for the clients to show up. Read more... 

Technical Article #2 - Identifying Heat Pumps

At first glance, it can be difficult to differentiate heat pumps from air conditioners, especially during the summer months. The following are some of the ways to tell.

Look at the data plate. It may say Heat Pump on it, or the model number may start with HP. If it does not, you can jot down the manufacturer’s name and model number and contact the manufacturer. Read More...

Dynamic Webinar Learning Program - Would you like to work smarter and faster?

Horizon Webinar Schedule! – Sign up for each session!

Take advantage of our live and interactive special webinars to help you maximize your Horizon experience! Due to popular demand, we will now be running these sessions 3 times a week - Mondays & Wednesdays at 6pm EST, and Friday afternoons at 2pm EST.

To register, click on the corresponding links and indicate which day you'll be available.

Read More...

Building Your Business

The First Time Buyer’s Seminar – Part 2 of 2!

Last month we discussed some of the general elements of a first time buyer seminar, and provided you with a brief seminar outline that has been proven successful many times over.

This month we will look at some of the particulars of your home inspection presentation so you know what to cover, and what to do after the seminar is complete.

Click here to view this month’s article.

To review part 1 in our series, click here.

This information was extracted from “Building Your Home Inspection Business – A guide to marketing, sales, advertising, and public relations.”

To order this book, call us at 1-800-268-7070 ext 251 or email us at education@carsondunlop.com.

Ancillary Reports

Last month we introduced the Site info ancillary report. Site info allows you to include extra property data with your Horizon reports. This month we’d like to share 3 more ancillary reports.

1. Appliances – For the inspector that includes appliance information in their report. This tab allows you to identify ovens, ranges, washing appliances, etc. as well as report on their deficiencies.
2. Wood Destroying Organisms – Report format to include visible evidence and findings for pest inspectors.
3. Infrared – A section for IR inspectors to add Thermography to the Horizon report.

Ancillary reports can be designed for any unique ancillary services you may offer. You can design your own to suit any of your inspection needs.

Click Here to request an ancillary report or offer any ideas for one.

Horizon Update

Database Update - March 23

In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve updated the Horizon database, giving you more reporting items to select. Many of these ideas have come directly from our users. In a number of cases, these updates will help ensure that you adhere to the various standards of practice and licensing requirements.

Click here to view the updates!

Kari Shastri of Eagle Home Inspection in Toronto, ON describes this photo as,
“An ingenious extended dryer venting system”

Please send us your most unusual or humorous inspection photo for this month, along with a brief description. Submissions will be posted in the next edition of the Network News. A prize will be awarded for the most original submission!

Thank you for your participation. All photos can be emailed to graham@carsondunlop.com.