our biz: BUSINESS SENSE
Talk
with the
Business Titans
JOLENE AND MARK SLOCUM
Proprietors of WIN Home Inspection (WINHI) Aledo/Westover Hills
(an affiliate of World Inspection Network International)
JULY 2015
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
PCT: What kind of services do you offer?
WINHI: Provides professional home inspection services
for homebuyers and pre-listing home inspections for home
sellers. Mark is licensed as a Professional Home Inspector through the Texas Real Estate Commission and is also a
Certified Pool/Spa Operator/Inspector through the National
Swimming Pool Foundation. Mark recently completed training and received his certification as a Certified Residential
Thermographer using infrared technology.
PCT: How did you establish WIN Home Inspection businesses?
WINHI: Mark retired from the United States Marine Corps
in 2011 after 24 years of honorable service. We were not
ready to fully retire and began looking for a business of
our own to build. We researched many businesses and
paid special attention to those that were veteran friendly.
Mark had extensive experience in construction prior to the
military, and along with his experience inspecting military
aircraft, the home inspection business felt like a natural fit.
WIN Home Inspection is a national franchise and one of
the top 10 franchises for military veterans. We attended an
informational meeting about WIN, spoke with other WIN
owners, and in November 2013, WIN Home Inspection Aledo was created. Then, in December 2013, we purchased a
second franchise — WIN Home Inspection Westover Hills.
WIN was founded in 1994, and now has over 180 franchises across the nation. WIN is new to Texas with eight
operating franchises in the state, including our two.
PCT: What advice would you give to someone buying or
renting a home?
WINHI: When buying or renting a home, create a list
of the most important aspects or priorities you would like
to have regarding the home. It will be different for each
individual, couple or family, and they will change over the
years. The size of the home, lot size, school district, community, access to freeways, nearby conveniences, drive distances and the amount of maintenance/upkeep of the home
are all considerations that should be addressed. Living in
60
BY CHRISTINA LOVELESS
your dream home is personal and finding the one that
meets most of your criteria will provide you with the
greatest satisfaction and happiness. It sounds simple,
but it’s not always so easy to carry it out.
PCT: What are some tips for people who are considering buying their first home?
WINHI: Take the time to interview and find the real
estate agent who is right for you. Buying your first
home is often intimidating, exciting and frightening. Finding an agent who will work with you so you
understand the process and answer all those questions without making you feel anxious is priceless.
Do consider the suggestions your agent makes; they
truly want to help you find the right home. We have
outstanding real estate agents in our community and
many love and enjoy the satisfaction they get from
working with first-time home buyers. Of course, do
your due diligence and get a home inspection. The
home inspection should provide you with the infor-