nashville tn home inspections: Is Your Ductwork Wasting Your Money? - Part 1
- 02/12/14 05:37 PM
Next to the water heater, the ductwork system in the average home is a huge energy waster. In the typical residential property, 20% of the air that moves through the duct work system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poor connections. If one has an older hard pipe system, the leakage could be as high as 40%. All of these conditions add up resulting in higher utility bills and the inability to properly regulate the temperature and condition the home. Typically, most ductwork runs in the attic, the crawl space or depending upon the design, both. Poor connections not … (57 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Taking a Stand...
- 02/08/14 08:30 PM
Most home inspectors use a trifold as part of their handouts and marketing efforts. I'm not knocking my competitors. I think that this is great and it helps get the word out about their business. However, I developed a trifold of a different nature. My challenge was to find and purchase a cost effective brochure holder. Most of the ‘typical’ brochure holders that I could find online were anything but cost effective. Then the idea came to me, "Why not use a picture frame holder?" I started searching online for ideas. Hobby Lobby to the rescue. I was able to … (10 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: People Like You are 'Old School'...
- 02/06/14 04:24 PM
As part of business growth and development, I call on real estate offices to drop off flyers, marketing materials and press flesh. I understand that the growth of business is based on developing personal relationships with others. Yesterday, I had a meeting with a broker to see if I could drop off some marketing materials and have an opportunity to meet the agents. After puffing up like a little Banty Rooster, looking down his nose and being as haughty as he could be, he told me in no uncertain terms, “No! People like you are ‘Old School’. You waste your … (25 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Busy, Busy, Busy...
- 02/05/14 05:29 PM
Wow! Where did this week go? It seems as if this week has gone by like that proverbial speeding train. The boxcars containing the days of the week are going by so fast they almost look like a blurry picket fence. I guess there's an awful lot to be said about time flying when one is having fun. Yes, I am having fun. Building a business is both challenging and fun; however, it is very time-consuming. Later this morning after my inspection, I have several resumes to pour through as I will soon be hiring on my third home inspector. … (17 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Monday Morning Motivator ~ 02.03.14
- 02/02/14 06:15 PM
“Until you get enough of enough, the "enough" that is never enough, you dare not quit! If your good is better, your better can be best; your best too can become excellent!” ― Israelmore Ayivor There are days when I keep telling myself, "I've got to quit doing this." Another day rolls by and I find myself engaged in the same behavior and telling myself the same thing. It is only when I make the decision and say with emotion, "Enough is enough! That's it! No more!" that things in my life will change. This year, I look to better … (9 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Buyer, Beware!!!
- 01/31/14 06:48 PM
Having just read a post by Clint McKie, home inspector extraordinaire based in the southern part of New Mexico, the gist of his blog gave a lot of credence to a huge travesty that is going on in the real estate industry. That is, on-site agents who sell properties in large building developments. For the most part, the on-site agent works for the builder and their alliance is to the builder - not the buyer. Their main goal is to put bodies in the vacant properties – nothing more nothing less. They often pooh-pooh the need to get a home … (58 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Biggest Home Seller Mistakes - An Inspectors Weigh-in...
- 01/30/14 06:28 PM
Here recently, I've been reading several posts where the powers to be at ActiveRain have polled real estate agents and have asked them what are the top mistakes that sellers make. I really wish that they had asked home inspectors the same question. IMHO, the mistakes that sellers make often fall in two major categories. 1) Sellers fail to get a pre-listing inspection. For some strange reason they do not want to have peace of mind during the selling process. They must feel that their property is in ’excellent condition’ and the home inspector will find nothing. This way of … (45 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: The Next Step...
- 01/30/14 06:03 PM
One of the items that has been on my vision board/goals list has been to purchase a company vehicle that can be used for the office staff and marketing/realtor liaison. Being the conservative person that I am and not wanting to give my hard earned money to the tax man, I purchased the vehicle on the last day of the year in order to offset capital gains. (Most folks out there will understand that I have a better use of my money than the government does.) The next step on the project board is to get the vehicle wrapped so … (7 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Siri Can Learn 'Southern'...
- 01/25/14 07:58 PM
The other day, I wrote a post about technology and the advancements that have been made in the voice-to-text applications. While Siri is not perfect – whoops! Did I just say that a woman is not perfect? Ouch! Talk about my world being in deep do do… Okay, lest I digress… I have found that the more that I use Siri or other voice-to-text applications, and when I slow down, Siri actually learns Southern. I can only imagine that the developers of voice to text applications must have a difficult time when working with dialects. To me, that is one … (4 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Oh No! Not Again...
- 01/25/14 07:42 PM
Just when I thought that the Tennessee area was going to be out of the woods and safe from all the Arctic blasts that have been rumbling through the area, it looks as if the folks in this area need to batten down the hatches for yet another burst of cold weather. I know that most folks that I have talked to in this area, as well as, other parts of the Nation are ready for warmer weather to make its grand entrance. I know that Spring will get here soon enough and I do not want to wish my … (5 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Getting the Right Folks on the Bus
- 01/23/14 06:06 PM
One of the items that have been on my vision board for quite some time was to get a marketing person/realtor liaison. It really seems as when I cast my bread upon the waters of the universe unknown chains of events happen. Although I had put ads up on Craig's list and inquired through my networking groups I could not find the right person to put on the bus. And then through one of the most unlikely of sources, the right person was located. Monday, Annelle Tubb came on board to help take the company in the direction of my … (19 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Somebody Born in a Barn?
- 01/22/14 04:42 PM
Good grief! Somebody born in a barn? I woke up this morning and it was like 13° outside. Y'all, it just ain't supposed to get this cold this far south of the Mason-Dixon. So what I would like to know is which one of you Yayhoo’s up yonder in the 'hinterland' somewhere north of ‘the line’ left the freezer door open? Good golly it's cold! And the sad thing is, there ain’t no relief in sight. Now, there may be some of y'all up yonder that really like goosebumps, rubbing noses, ice fishing and cold weather. But the southern belles … (19 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Things Are Warming Up...
- 01/08/14 06:59 PM
Upon returning from my visit from the desert Southwest, I was under the impression that because the area was an ice box, real estate was going to be slow. Boy, was I wrong! I already have several inspections on the books and more are pending. The real estate market for this area is holding strong and is continuing to heat up. This flurry of activity seems to be generating enough heat to melt the ice and snow and return temperatures to their normal ranges. Although the temperatures were down in the single digits the early part of the week, they … (16 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: 2014 Is Here - Now What?
- 12/31/13 06:43 PM
Today, many folks will be engaged in writing their New Year's resolutions, business plans and goals. This year, I do not plan on writing any resolutions. For the most part, resolutions are nothing more than lies that one tells themselves. Yes, the desire is there but sometimes the flesh is weak. And so the lie begins and often perpetuates itself. If one cannot be true to self then who can one be true to? For me, 2014 made its grand entrance with no fanfare. The way that I look at it, the new year was going to start with me, … (20 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Before You Write the Check...
- 12/30/13 05:04 PM
It's not unusual to see new roofs installed on properties in subdivisions that were initially designed for first-time home buyers. Some of these subdivisions are now 20 years old and in order to maximize profits, builders often installed twenty-year shingles. Typically, 20 year three tab shingles have a life expectancy of 17 to 20 years here in the middle Tennessee area. Often times, when these older roofs are replaced, roofing contractors take shortcuts and the current homeowner, not being savvy to proper installation techniques, often wind up footing the bill for additional repairs long after the contractor has cashed the … (43 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Okay, So There Are Some Glitches...
- 12/30/13 06:56 AM
After several weeks of development today I did the first trial run of the new inspection program that I plan to use on my iPad. As with any new development, there will be some bumps in the road that need to be smoothed out. Today's trial run wasn't without its trials and tribulations. Nonetheless I was committed to doing a full inspection and find out what needed to be tweaked. All I can say is that I'm glad that this was the only inspection that I had to do today and it was a vacant house. I can see where … (9 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Christmas Traditions...
- 12/24/13 06:41 PM
Christmas. A time in the season that is filled with peace, joy, laughter, family, friends, and richly steeped in traditions. The traditions around my house have changed through the years. When the squeals of laughter and excitement from the children echoed through the halls of the house, we had the tradition of opening one gift, that each of the children pulled from the stockings that were hung by the fireplace. Now that we are empty-nesters, traditions have changed. In a few hours, my wife and I will drive across town, eat breakfast at the Opryland Hotel and walk around the … (10 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Sausage Casserole...
- 12/22/13 05:01 PM
One of the traditional meals we have around the house is sausage casserole. This is a dog-eared, faded, hand-written old recipe that one will not find in cookbooks. Ingredients: 16 slices of white bread – remove the crust and cut into squares 3 cups of milk and six eggs – blend together 1 teaspoon of salt – pour over the bread 2 pounds of sage sausage – cook and rinse off excess grease. Drain well. Three jars old English cheese 3 tablespoons of butter Put the 16 slices in a large casserole baking dish. Pour the milk and egg mixture over the bread. Cover with aluminum … (13 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: Time & Pareto Principle
- 12/21/13 05:38 PM
As I scroll down the list of blogs I'm following this interesting to see how many of these folks are active and those that post periodically. For the most part, the top 20% on my list are relatively active. The remaining 80% post occasionally or not at all. Once again, gives credence to the Pareto Principle. While I do enjoy posting on this platform, my conundrum is that I can only allow myself an hour a day to write and post comments. Needless to say, there are days when I'm doing good to write a post and make 10 comments. … (3 comments)
nashville tn home inspections: So This Is Christmas…
- 12/20/13 08:43 PM
So This Is Christmas… Last night's event at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center was absolutely phenomenal. Amy Grant and Vince Gill are two very talented musicians and entertainers that were well worth the price of admission. What better way to start off the Christmas season than with a relaxing evening. Today starts the final preparation for Christmas at our house. In a few short hours family will be arriving from across the State. As in most cases, every I has to be dotted and every T has to be crossed and every little item must be in this place. And so the … (10 comments)
Next to the water heater, the ductwork system in the average home is a huge energy waster. In the typical residential property, 20% of the air that moves through the duct work system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poor connections. If one has an older hard pipe system, the leakage could be as high as 40%. All of these conditions add up resulting in higher utility bills and the inability to properly regulate the temperature and condition the home.
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