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18 Apr 2014

Now Available! Continuing Education Course – Residential Contents Inventory

Professional DevelopmentA large number of inventory professionals are seeking continuing education. This was made evident by those who completed the survey recently distributed through a joint effort by National Inventory Certification Association and The Inventory Institute. In response to this survey, NICA has just completed “Residential Contents Inventory.”

This course includes the variety of processes that are currently used by successful inventory professionals. Therefore, this material serves two purposes: 1) to introduce the many options from which a new inventory service professional can select and develop a quality service of their own, and 2) to provide this collective information for established inventory professionals who seek to learn other methods, in an effort to continually improve their process.

Additionally, this course offers a general understanding of homeowners insurance. This is to enable the inventory professional to properly recommend when it would be a benefit for the homeowner to discuss coverage with their agent.

It is imperative that a home inventory service provider conduct business with honesty, integrity, sound business judgment, and professionalism. Course material reinforces best practices, which support the National Inventory Certification Association Code of Ethics.

Documenting the contents of a residence is the foundation of the asset inventory industry, and in essence, where the home inventory industry began. It makes sense that this be the focus of our first course.

Residential Contents Inventory Course

Some of the topics addressed in the Residential Contents Inventory course are:

  • Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
  • Additional Reasons for a Home Inventory
  • Determine Your Process
  • A Systematic Approach for Your Service
  • The Finished Product
  • Best Practices
  • Safety

Visit the Continuing Education Section of the NICA website for a full description of the course. Members of the National Inventory Certification Association receive a 50% discount off of all Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses.

02 Apr 2014

The Rhyme and Reason for a Home Inventory

quillApril is National Poetry Month, so we decided to invite home and business inventory professionals to share their passion for the industry through verse.

The need for an inventory is often a serious discussion. However, we don’t always have to be a serious bunch!

With that in mind, NICA is taking this opportunity to lighten it up a bit while sharing the many reasons for an inventory.

 

The Rhyme and Reason for a Home Inventory

Do you have photos and a list
Of the assets that you own,
Often called personal property
They are the contents of your home.

To recover from a disaster
Insurance won’t pay what you think
You’ll need to list all items
Even glasses from which you drink.

The list will be extremely long
You’ll spend outrageous hours of time
The deadline will cause excessive stress
While noting details, line by line.

You need this list for financial planning
For pre-nups, moving, or divorce
It’s also helpful for estates …
An asset inventory sets the course.

Yes, there are many life events
When you need an inventory
Talk to others who needed and didn’t have one
They’ll be happy to share their story.

Cindy Hartman
Hartman Inventory, Avon, IN

16 Dec 2013

Home Inventory – A Guide for Homeowners and Renters

EbookCover-Home InventoryNational Inventory Certification Association is serving as a site to help people learn more about the asset inventory industry. Home inventory is the foundation of the “asset” umbrella, and one of the reasons we are offering this ebook in our bookstore.

This website is designed to serve members of NICA, other asset inventory professionals, business owners, and renters and homeowners, we knew it was imperative that we include this book in our online book store. Feedback regarding the information is that people are learning (and surprised) that home inventories are not just for disaster preparedness.

The authors share a decade’s worth of knowledge and experience as they discuss the various reasons homeowners and renters have chosen to hire their professional inventory services. Real experiences add to the conversational tone in this educational but easy-to-read ebook.

For the do-it-yourselfer

If you are a do-it-yourself type of person, Home Inventory – A Guide for Homeowners and Renters is for you! This ebook comes with full-size templates, which will help you complete your home inventory. Learn how to create a thorough, detailed record of your belongings, how to keep it updated, and where and how to store it safely. A variety of options are included, so you can choose the process that works best for you, based on your time and your purpose for creating the inventory.

A resource for many professionals

This ebook is a great resource for accountants, CPAs, estate attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents, and professional organizers. It would also be a thoughful gift for new clients or to add to the end-of-year-planning packets.

Order your do-it-yourself guide for home inventories in our book store. For bulk purchases, contact the authors.

About the Authors

Cindy and Mike Hartman founded their home and business inventory service, Hartman Inventory™, in 2004. Lessons learned from life experiences were the driving factors in the decision to enter the asset inventory industry.

After years of refining their processes, they founded Nationwide Inventory Professionals™. This Business Package and Licensing Agreement assist new business owners to achieve a faster startup and receive continued support.

Recognized leaders in the industry, Cindy and Mike help ensure consistency through ownership of National Inventory Certification Association™, which offers certification, continuing education courses, and professional development through a variety of options in the book store.

All three companies serve the Hartmans’ mission statement: “To help others achieve success.” Whether they are providing an inventory for a home or business client, assisting others as they begin and grow their own inventory company, or overseeing the designation of Certified Inventory Specialist™, the Hartmans are living their passion.

20 Nov 2013

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Inventory Professional Achieves Certification

National Inventory Certification Association congratulates Charles Will for achieving the designation of Certified Inventory Specialist (CIS).

The National Inventory Certification Association™ (NICA) is pleased to announce that Charles (Anthony) Will, owner of Harrisburg Home Inventory, has earned the designation of Certified Inventory Specialist (CIS). Achieving this recognition from NICA confirms his knowledge and competence to provide quality contents inventory services.

A requirement for certification and membership with NICA is to agree to the Code of Ethics, which helps ensure that their clients are served with integrity, respect, and confidentiality. Harrisburg Home Inventory provides a full inventory documented of your personal property in a format that insurance companies prefer, using digital photography and video.

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Mr. Will joined the US Army in 1989 and served in all three phases of the Gulf War. After ending his active service in 1995, he lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and joined the Army National Guard as a Federal Civilian Technician.

Continuing on his quest to serve others, he established Harrisburg Home Inventory to help people get organized, understand exactly what they have, and prove it in case of loss. Will’s intention is to “help educate others and make friends along the way.”

As the general public gains knowledge of the necessity and benefits of having a photographic and written record of their belongings, the asset inventory industry continues to evolve. The number of inventory service companies is increasing due to the demand for this professional service for both residential and commercial clients. Choosing to achieve certification will enable Mr. Will and Harrisburg Inventory to stand apart from other asset inventory professionals.

In addition to home and business inventories, his interest in boating, dirt track racing, and NASCAR encourages him to place an additional focus on assisting off road racing teams secure a thorough list of assets.

About National Inventory Certification Association

Established in 2011, the National Inventory Certification Association™ (NICA) is the officially recognized certification authority for the personal property/asset inventory industry. The certification and continuing education opportunities ensure that members have access to quality industry knowledge as well as business and professional development resources to help achieve the success they seek for their home and/or business contents inventory companies.

28 Oct 2013

Michigan Home Inventory Professional Achieves Certification

National Inventory Certification Association congratulates Metro-area member Tim Edwards, owner of Elite Inventory, who has achieved the designation of Certified Inventory Expert (CIE).

The National Inventory Certification Association™ (NICA) is pleased to announce that Tim Edwards, owner of Clarkston, Michigan-based Elite Inventory LLC, has earned the designation of Certified Inventory Expert (CIE). Achieving this designation from NICA confirms his knowledge and competence to provide quality contents inventory services to small and medium sized businesses, schools, government offices, homeowners, and renters.

A requirement for certification and membership with NICA is to agree to the Code of Ethics, which helps ensure that their clients are served with integrity, respect, and confidentiality. Having achieved his BS in Engineering Administration from Tri-State University, he understands the value of certification. After years in the corporate environment in various Management and Supervision positions, his entrepreneurial spirit set in.

His desire to spend time with his wife Kelly and their two sons, Edwards found the home and business inventory industry to be a perfect opportunity to create a successful business that would allow for the life balance he was seeking. To assist with the start-up and receive continued support, he chose to invest in a business package and license agreement with Nationwide Inventory Professionals. This provided him with the support and mentoring he sought to start and grow his inventory business quickly and professionally.

As the general public gains knowledge of the necessity and benefits of having a photographic and written record of their belongings, the asset inventory industry continues to evolve. The number of inventory service companies is increasing due to the demand for this professional service for both residential and commercial clients. Choosing to achieve certification will enable Edwards and Elite Inventory to stand apart from other asset inventory professionals.

About National Inventory Certification Association

Established in 2011, the National Inventory Certification Association™ (NICA) is the officially recognized certification authority for the personal property/asset inventory industry. The certification and continuing education opportunities ensure that members have access to quality industry knowledge as well as business and professional development resources to help achieve the success they seek for their home and/or business contents inventory companies.