Key Inspection Services, LLC is the number one rated home inspection service provider for Microsoft, Amazon, and Google employees. With over 19 years in business and more than 22,000 happy customers, Key inspects homes all over Western Washington, from Pierce to Whatcom counties and everywhere in between. When Brandon Brockaway-Ring and his wife, Blythe, were in the market to buy a home, they had it inspected by Key. “I got to meet and join my inspector and see what they did and got to learn about this trade,” Brandon told us. “I was sold right away and knew that was what I really wanted to do once I was done with school.”

 

At the time, Brandon was attending school for Construction Management. A native of the corn fields of northwest Indiana, he had grown up in the construction industry learning electrical, plumbing, mechanical, framing, etc. “After getting out of college the first time, I tried to work sales and tech, something that was not so hard on my body, for just a few years,” he recalled. “I discovered that I like to be outdoors and have a new job site each day. In the past, I had the opportunity to run and develop other businesses and after realizing that is what I really love to do, besides looking around people’s homes, I knew running Key would be in my future.”

 

Brandon figured out that he could have his own business and also do what he loves. As he says, “When I was young, I was told often ‘work smarter not harder.’ This has stuck with me and I try to apply this any chance I can in life.” Recently, Brandon took over Key Inspection Services from Farren West after working under him for eight years as an inspector. He was the lead inspector and helped Fareen flip houses for more than five years. “Over the five-plus years, I rebuilt Key basically from the ground up with new software, employees, and many more services to make lives easier for home buyers and agents,” he says. “I took this route of taking ownership of the company rather than starting from step one again.”

 

Key performs a visual inspection of the requested structure – be that a house, condo, or commercial property -- from top to bottom, looking for structural and safety concerns, checking that components are properly installed, and determining whether or not components are “near or past the end of their lives.” Their services include sewer scopes, air quality and mold testing, manufactured home foundation certifications, thermal imaging, and drone inspections.

 

Possibilities include a “wide range of add-on services to help create a one-stop shop that saves home buyers and agents time and energy,” Brandon supplemented. “For a small fee, we can provide a repair price that helps buyers/sellers and agents with the costs to fix findings in the inspection report. Key has a team of inspectors that are thoroughly trained to provide the most current protection for homebuyers and agents covering a territory from Olympia to Bellingham.”

 

He goes on to say, “Key offers very simple online scheduling abilities. Our reports are not just a checklist of what is at the house; we put more focus on what is wrong with the house so you don't have to waste time trying to read between the lines. Our second main focus is the clients and ensuring they are properly educated and informed. We utilize technology to do the best job we possibly can.”

 

Customers agree. “I recently purchased a home and the inspector did an amazing job with the home inspection,” said Aiden Lee. “At the end of the inspection, the inspector provided me with a very in-depth detailed inspection report. I strongly recommend others use Key Inspection Services!” Majsan Champagne added, “I have been using them and referring them for years, and they are always consistent, honest, and thorough.” Brock Sabo commented, “These guys are great! Always willing to accommodate you in every situation. Being a real estate broker in this fast-paced market, it’s helpful when you can count on your inspector. Professional, punctual, and extremely thorough. I would recommend Key Inspections to anyone.”

 

When he was 19, Brandon moved to Washington. “After visiting and seeing the mountains I knew I had to move here,” he told us. He and his wife met in 2014 after a date at Diamond Knot Brewery in Mukilteo. “The following day, I took her up a non-established path up the side of a mountain and we had a blast popping out at the lake and seeing views no one else gets to experience.” Soon after, Brandon met Blythe’s daughter, Chloe. “We got along very well hiking, camping, playing games, and enjoying each other’s company,” he recalls. His favorite activities still include hiking, rock climbing, and “hanging out” with the family and dog Murphy. Brandon also enjoys playing music (guitar), trying to learn a new language and would love to learn to sail. But travel is his biggest interest. “As a family, we have had lots of adventures going to Hawaii, Costa Rica, Yellowstone, Yosemite, France, Germany, Italy, Belize, Mexico, Washington DC, and more. We backpack, camp, and travel as much as we can,” he says. Blythe, a nurse, also traveled for work to Papua New Guinea, Nicaragua, and Peru to offer medical help to families in need.

 

“Within the last several years, people are spending more and more time in their houses and working from home,” Brandon said. “Homes these days are not built to be lived in as much as they are. With the airflow issues, water issues, and general wear-and-tear that houses see, it's advised to have important areas of your house looked over to help reduce any future concerns. I can provide a non-biased opinion on the condition of a home. No sales or incentive comes to us for finding concerns. I would recommend now more than ever to have your house inspected.”