One less stress in life would be good. Having one less stress when buying a house is essential for your own personal well-being and that of any relationship you may be in. Those of you who have bought a house recently – especially if it was your first experience – can relate to this sentiment. For Walter Koelmans’ “Heartfelt Home Inspection”, one less stress is not only his company’s motto but it is also a philosophy that he and his family can relate to on a very personal level. After the experience Walter had selling his last home he also learned, first-hand, the value and necessity of certified, professional home inspectors.

“I had an offer for my house that gave me the asking price, subject to a home inspection” this former Alberta oil patch worker recounts of his experience trying to sell his house before moving to Port Alberni. Walter lived in that house for more than a decade, he had done a number of renovations and improvements over the years and as a skilled tradesman he felt confident that a home inspection was a mere formality to close the deal. To his disappointment, the experience was anything but a mere formality.

The buyer brought in his own inspector, as is the common practice, who came in and around the house, did a few visual inspections then was seen holding some “device around the furnace” and came out with a reading that the furnace was leaking lethal levels of carbon monoxide. “How was this possible?” wondered Walter and his wife who were not only stressed by the move and the fact they had been told they had a gas leak but even more so by the fact they might die if they stayed another moment in the house! The furnace was well maintained, and Walter had previously installed a state-of-the-art carbon monoxide detector just to be safe. Needless to say, the deal immediately fell through and Walter had to turn off the furnace upon learning of the findings…in a –20 Alberta winter, no less.

After living beside his woodstove with phone in hand for three days trying to get confirmation of these findings from the home inspector Walter decided to call the gas company directly. The company came in with its own inspector and sophisticated equipment to confirm Walter’s suspicions – there was no problem with his furnace (or his carbon monoxide detection device) at all. It was then and there that he decided that home inspectors needed to help reduce stress when buying or selling a home; not add to it!

Walter and his wife had already decided to leave the long hours of the oil patch and confines of working for someone else to head west to Port Alberni to enjoy life and start a new business. He had been to the area on vacation 3 years ago and one of his daughters, a veterinarian had already moved here with her husband. Given his experience with selling his home in Alberta, his skills as a tradesman and genuine interest in working with and helping people Walter decided he would pursue the accreditation required to become a home inspector and start his own business, whose name clearly speaks of Walter’s approach: “Heartfelt Home Inspection Ltd”.

Underlying Walter’s approach is not only his experience that he believes nobody should ever have to endure but also a philosophy of doing things right and doing them right from the start. Mr. Koelmans recently completed an intensive Home Inspection diploma with the nationally recognized Carson-Dunlop Home Inspection Institute. Walter’s learning and growth as a home inspector doesn’t stop with his diploma. He plans to continue upgrading his credentials to be able to be qualified to inspect woodstoves and chimneys and pursue certification for carbon monoxide and radon testing.

Not only is Walter ensuring that he is covering all his bases when it comes to being a qualified professional home inspector in today's busy market but he will also be prepared for proposed government regulating of the industry in the near future. “Being a Carson-Dunlop graduate in Home Inspection helps me feel confident that I can adhere to the standards set,” explains Walter. He continues, “I have experience in home building and renovations, as well as a knowledge of lumber products,” which shows that he has both the formal training and practical knowledge to be a reliable and trustworthy home inspector.

Walter begins to explain his business survival plan: “I’ll be offering things that aren’t by others when I do a home inspection,” I’ll be checking the usual stuff that other inspectors do but I get much deeper in my home inspections. My concentration will be on the systems – heating, plumbing, ventilation, interior and exterior, and structures – and how they all work together, or should work together. I’ll also examine other things that people don’t tend to consider, like the landscaping around the house. For example, does the entire yard slope towards the house? This is not a good thing, especially in this rainy climate.” Walter continues to walk me through what a home inspection should cover.

As I listen to Walter I start to think about how well he is able to relate to people on a level they will understand and feel comfortable with the process. I also start to wish he were in business when I bought my first home 3 years ago.

With an often long wait to get a home inspection and a hot housing market some buyers have to make the uncomfortable choice of removing the “subject to inspection” clause from their purchase offers. Nobody wants to make that decision and it certainly won’t help the stress level. So, Heartfelt Home Inspection is sure to be extremely busy once fully operating in this market.

Walter recognizes the importance of not only doing the best he can to grow his business but also to maintain a healthy quality of life balance. After all, he and his wife moved to Port Alberni to get away from the crazy hours to enjoy all that life in the Alberni Valley has to offer. Both Walter and his wife have a genuine community interest. They want to get involved in things like youth soccer (that they greatly enjoyed in Alberta) and other service and youth organizations. One of their passions and means of relaxation is to cruise the back roads on their motorcycle.

For a fee of $300 Heartfelt Home Inspection will be competitively priced but also offer the client more than what is available from other inspectors. Walter explains that “my inspection report will be available to the client on a computer disc and available online with updated links…so the inspection can always be updated. The links will also provide information on how to remedy issues that may have been detected. The CD will also include digital photos highlighting suspected problem areas.” For those who want a paper-based manual equivalent of the detailed electronic home inspection the fee is an additional $50. “You will get more than a few pages of a checklist with my inspection,” Walter continues, “you will get a complete inspection that includes explanations and links to follow up information.” All reports, paper or CD, will also come with a repair prioritization and a repair cost estimate and the digital photos are added value features that help set Heartfelt apart from the competition.

If anyone is considering becoming an entrepreneur Walter encourages you to contact Community Futures to see if you may be eligible for support under the Self-Employment program: “Community Futures also offers great one on one support and thorough training to do a proper business plan.”

Heartfelt Home Inspections is soon to be a very busy business. Walter’s preparation, commitment, and personal interests will sure to not only offer his clients “one less stress” but are sure to reduce the stress he may have been feeling as he enters the world of entrepreneurship.

Heartfelt Home Inspections can be contacted by email at: heartfelthomeinspections@shaw.ca or phone at (1-866) 720-1848. You can also check out their website at: http://www.heartfelthomeinspection.ca/ or follow the links to the realtors section on the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce’s new website: www.avcoc.com

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