Gregory Scheer's (gscheer) Blog

Yesterday I inspected a home--it took me about three hours to get around, over, in and under it.  I drove home and uploaded my 269 digital photos.  I had to switch memory cards about 2/3 of the way through the inspection but I didn't realize I had taken so many photos.  I use a reporting software...

I was browsing some other message boards that I belong to and ran across a link regarding REOs.  There are a number of REOs still in my area, so is there a liability? Did any of you read this article?  This is something to be aware of.  http://www.inman.com/news/2008/07/24/lenders-stick-listing-a...

What's wrong with this picture?  This is the bath tub hot water temperature.  It's important to note that anything over 110 degrees is hot water but above 120 degrees scalding time drastically shortens.  Check your water temperature, and though it gets the dishes clean, it is dangerous especially...

Have you ever thought you were being under paid?  Last week I was under my second crawl space along with all the spider webs, narrow spaces, dripping water, and dust and I thought, "My prices must go up" and this is what I need to do.  The problem, as I see it, is some inspectors charge so low of...

I saw a blog today in a local forum regarding their AC compressor and how to determine if it was still alright.  Below is a learned tip: There's a way to check the air conditioner using a clamp amp meter--I'm not an electrician but this has worked for years: Look at the label on your compressor a...

I just returned home from a seminar in Burbank, CA.  The course was on commercial inspections.  This is an often overlooked market for inspectors.  This is something I intend to do more of.  For the realtors, how do you find a commercial property inspector?  At GCS Home Inspections, we don't mark...

I'll have to tell you a lesson learned for a neighbor.  The other day we drove back home from the store and as we got out of the car we looked down the street to see a nieghbor's garage door open and nothing but soot up the front and side of the garage.  It was not burning and we hadn't been gone...

All PL'ers, Today on Bronco Drive there was a garage fire that put one of our Plumas Lake families out of their home for an undetermined amount of time. Luckily no one was hurt but we have a mission. Though there was no noticeable damage in the house (the garage fire wall worked), the fire burned...

Have you ever hired an inspector and then get a call from them saying, "The utilities aren't on, I cannot perform the inspection."? And maybe they want to come back again and it costs again...well, I'm not going to talk about the money, but rather give you all a "war-story".  I was hired to inspe...

Today wasn't nearly as hot, but it was so much more sunny since the wind is blowing from the south; all the smoke from the northern fires was blown back towards the fires and left us with clear air.  That clear air gave me a bit of sun burn at the pool while my sons were at their swimming lessons...