Getting To Know Adrian Smith of Advantage Inspection

Please tell us a little bit about your family.

My wife Holly keeps our family and business organized. Our girls Brooke and Mackenzie are both in middle school. We keep busy with school activities, sports and music. Luckily, my family all live nearby so we are able to see them often. We’re grateful that Holly’s sister comes to visit regularly from Northern California. Our girls love when Aunt Lonnie is here. We enjoy Clemson sports, entertaining and serving and worshipping as a family at our church.

Describe what you do for the real estate industry?

Holly and I own Advantage Inspection, a multi inspector home inspection company serving the upstate of South Carolina

What inspired you or led you to enter the industry you are in?

Having an electrical background and a passion for working in the housing industry, Holly and I felt those skills would be a great fit for home inspections and would be a great way to serve others. I’ve loved every day of being in this business. What makes it even better is that it’s also our family business.

What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?

Our family could eat Mexican or BBQ almost every day. A few of our local favorites are La Parrilla, Mutts BBQ, Bobby’s All Purpose Seasoning and for a nice evening out we enjoy Rick Erwin’s Eastside. We love supporting local restaurants.

How long have you lived or worked in the upstate of South Carolina?

My family moved to Simpsonville when I was a child. I’ve lived in the area ever since and am proud to call the upstate home for our family.

What is the neatest event you have been to here in the upstate?

Our family enjoyed seeing the Budweiser Clydesdales walk down Main street a few years ago. I was also able to see the Olympic Flame run though Greenville on the way to Atlanta for the 1996 Olympics.

Give me three attributes that best describe YOU?

Adventurous, Dependable, Hard Working

What is your favorite movie of all time?

Shawshank Redemption, I’m a Stephen King fan and think this is a great adaptation of one of his books.

Do you have any advice that you consistently give to your clients or the agents you work with?

We always encourage clients to attend the home inspection. There is so much information that we provide for each home, our goal is to help clients and agents in the home buying process.

What is something that you dream of doing one day?

I am lucky to say that I get to live my dream every day. I do hope that our family and business can continue to look for ways to serve others in our community.

What would you consider to be your specialty?

Helping people through the home buying process. I thoroughly enjoy helping our clients navigate the home inspection aspect of buying and selling a home.

What is one thing about the Upstate that you believe sets it apart over everywhere else?

The people, location, weather. It really is hard to list just one great thing about the Upstate. There is a reason people are moving here in droves. Our location to the beach and mountains. Atlanta and Charlotte are short drives. Downtown Greenville and the Swamp Rabbit Trail. I hear all the time from people new to the area how friendly and helpful everybody is here. I hope that as the Upstate continues to grow we are able to keep this small-town charm.

Outside of a personal family member, is there anyone that you look up to more than anyone else and is considered by you to be an inspiration?

There are a few Inspectors around the country that I keep up with and respect. One of my friends has a home inspection business company in Atlanta. When I was a new inspector many years ago, he took the time to mentor me and really helped get my inspection career started on the right track. We stay in contact and he is still a friend whose opinion I respect.

Where would you like to be in your life in the next ten years?

I hope to still be actively performing home inspections. In ten years my girls should be close to finishing up college, and hopefully they’ll be interested in helping with the business.

What is one thing that most people do not know about you?

Many people are shocked to hear that I was born and lived in New York as a child. I’ve lived here for so long that I sound like a southerner.

Are there any places that you have visited that you would recommend for others to visit and enjoy?

Our family loves to travel. We love weekend getaways. Dollywood is one of our go to places. Destin, Florida is one of our favorite getaways that’s a pretty easy drive. Hard to beat those beautiful clear beaches, and there’s always a few dolphins around for entertainment.

If you could be famous would you be an actor, a musician, a politician, a sports star or anything else you would wish to be?

My dream growing up was to be a professional golfer.

What is your favorite time of the year?

I appreciate all four seasons that we get to enjoy here in the upstate. Winter is probably my favorite as our family enjoys snow skiing.

What do you wish for your clients every time you begin to work with them?

I hope that all of our clients find the home of their dreams. As far as home inspections, I try to convey to everyone that there is hardly ever an issue that comes up on an inspection report that cannot be worked through.

How do you work on being better everyday (Personal and business)?

Our church has a daily Bible reading plan. I try to spend a little time there each day. I love to read and I’m always working to find ways to better serve our clients. I’m also starting to listen to podcasts and am finding them helpful as well.

Name one thing that sets you apart from other agents in the Upstate.

Our company has been the leader in our industry for over 30 years, and it’s because of our people. We love to serve people and it shows from our office staff to each of our inspectors. It’s an honor when people trust us for their home inspections, and we never take that lightly.

What is your favorite social media platform?

Facebook is my primary account.

Finally, what makes a home a home to you?

Family makes our home. The messy rooms, kids running around laughing with friends. A place where our family feels comfortable and safe. Entertaining with family and friends. It’s where most of our memories are made and it’s the place where we always come together.