BY CASEY MURPHY

cmurphy@tylerpaper.com

Bill Redfern is expanding his home inspection company to East Texas.

In 2007, Redfern, 46, launched A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections. He serves as its chief executive officer.

Redfern grew the company in Halifax, Nova Scotia, before relocating it two years ago to Pompano Beach, Fla.

Expanding into Texas seemed the natural next step, he said, adding that he saw East Texas as a great opportunity.

Last week, he a franchise in Longview. He said that after going through the training program to become a home inspector, the franchisee should open the office about June 1.

“We’re tickled pink” to be in East Texas, Redfern said.

Now he has plans for Tyler.

“We see the same opportunities there,” he said.

Tyler has a fantastic economy that remains steady and consistent, Redfern said.

He is looking for a franchisee for the business in Tyler. A small percentage of his inspectors have a real estate background.

“I almost prefer that they don’t have a building background,” Redfern said, adding that people with customer service and/or sales skills do well.

Each franchisee has a protected territory to offer residential or light commercial inspections.

There are 36 franchises in the U.S., more than 100 units in Canada and several dozen international locations.

After Longview and Tyler, he expects to open more offices in East Texas, he said.