John Battaglia is the owner of At Ease Home Inspections in North Metro Atlanta
What was your first job in the realty industry? I come from a large family of plumbers, electricians and general contractors. I had a lot of building and remodeling experience before I started doing home inspections.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in the North Georgia mountains near Dahlonega on a 700-acre farm. We had two lakes and the Etowah River ran through the property. You couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up.
Growing up, what did you want to be? A preacher.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Pay a visit to one of the local Atlanta breweries.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? Reformation Brewery near downtown Woodstock.
What do you love most about the industry? Every inspection is a new adventure! I get to meet new people every day, and I almost always find one thing in a house I’ve never seen before.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? My goal is to put my clients and their agents “at ease.” I take the time to provide very thorough inspections and then convey my findings in a neutral, non-scary manner.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Crawling through insulation in attics that are 150 degrees in the middle of the summer.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I regularly teach classes for Realtors and sponsor events at their offices. I also attend at least three networking groups or meetups per week.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? I’ve been able to help protect many of my clients and their families from serious hazards, such as radon, carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, potential house fires, etc. Knowing I’ve been able to help protect the lives of some of my clients is something I feel really good about.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? I recently read “The Seven Levels of Communication” by Michael Maher, and it was outstanding.
What is your favorite restaurant? Probably Home Grown on Memorial Drive.
What kind of car do you drive? A Toyota Tacoma – I’ve still got some country in me, so I’ll probably always drive a truck (and as a home inspector, I need something to carry my ladders around).
Smartphone or paper? Digital everything.
What is your favorite city after Atlanta? Athens. My wife and I met at UGA and lived there for 12 years. Great food, great music and no traffic!
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? If you spend your time and money on cultivating relationships and making people feel special, then your business will grow.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? I use my Supra e-Key app everyday, and it never gives me problems.
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? I follow around 300 agents in the Atlanta area – I really like anyone who posts quality content and not just all their listings.
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