nashville tn home inspections: It's Their World, I'm Just Driving in it!
- 12/18/13 03:45 PM
If most of you are like me, you weary of all of the so-called "Idiots" that one shares the highway with. I know I do. It seems as if a lot of folks are in an "all fired hurry" to get to the next stop sign or traffic light. They weave in and out of traffic, cut people short and wave at people with their middle finger because other drivers are not doing what they want them to do. Oftentimes when I see folks behaving like that, I just shake my head and say, "It is their world, I am … (23 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Dallas or Bust...
- 12/15/13 06:20 PM
Later this morning, I will be boarding a blue and orange tube, hopefully, one that has wings on it and be heading to Dallas. This will be a whirlwind business trip.
One of the things that I really like about my mastermind group is that I have the opportunity to visit other offices not only to see their operations but to also see how their marketing people do their jobs. The most successful members in my group have outstanding marketing people.
Make no bones about it! Those who flourish in business are way ahead of the game when it comes … (3 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Monday Morning Motivator ~ 12.09.13
- 12/08/13 06:03 PM
Monday Morning Motivator & Some Points to Ponder...
“Stop allowing your day-to-day life to be clouded by busy nothingness.”
~ Steve Maraboli
I can only speak for myself when I read the above quote. I find that there are those distractions that cloud my vision and I engage in the activities that accomplish absolutely nothing. Distractions abound - phone calls, emails, folks dropping by and the all important; doing what earns a living. All are diversions that can bewilder and cause commotion.
Looking at my calendar, I see and feel a sense of urgency. There are but a few precious weeks left before … (27 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Isn't Technology Grand?
- 12/07/13 07:51 PM
It is amazing when I look at how technology has evolved over the last few years. A few years ago I would not have thought that I would be sitting at an iPad, talking to the machine and writing a blog. It seems as if technology has been evolving at the speed of light.
While it is much faster to write a post on the laptop, I can easily see how the iPad (once I get used to it) can suffice while on a business trip or vacation. Okay, so I cheat and use Dragon and type on the blue-tooth key board. … (17 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: How Much Energy Are YOU Wasting Today?
- 12/02/13 06:08 PM
Conventional water heaters. The standby of the industry for many years. They are located in garages, attics, crawl spaces and almost every other imaginable place that a plumbing contractor or builder can install them. They are fueled by electricity, natural gas, propane and fuel oil. They are simple to build and their operation is as simple. Cold water enters through the bottom and exits through the top.
This simple design also lends itself to a tremendous amount of energy loss. This energy loss is often referred to as standby heat loss. Not only does the water heater lose energy in … (40 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Thermal Imaging...
- 11/26/13 05:28 PM
Thermal Imaging...
In an attempt to lessen liability and to provide more accurate inspections, it appears as if the home inspection industry is leaning towards the use of infrared cameras to detect concealed defects that would not normally be visible during the "visual" inspection process. Once again, the real estate industry is developing a love/hate relationship with this new process. Personally and professionally, I feel this is due to the "fear factor" and that the unseen and unknown may "blow the deal".
In our respective industries I feel that it is paramount to lessen liability as much as we can. We all have … (30 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: POMS...
- 11/23/13 09:40 PM
Now that vacation time is over, it is time to get back to eating healthy. Needless to say, my eating habits over the past week or so Not been the greatest. Stepping on the scale, I heard the machine say, "OOF!" and the display read "one at a time please!" Okay! Enough is enough!
This morning, it was off to the health food section of the grocery store. This morning, I noticed that they had pomegranates on sale. Come to think of it, now's the time to purchase them because they are in season. Later today, I will be separating the … (7 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Droopy Drawers...
- 09/14/13 10:23 PM
Droopy Drawers...
If someone gave me a nickel for every time I see interior rated fans used for exterior applications, I would would have accumulated quite a stockpile of nickels. Interior rated fans are not suitable for exterior applications because:
1. The blades are made of MDF (medium density fiber) board or similar crap. This material is okay for interior applications but is about a useful as paper board when it come to holding up to wet or humid conditions.
2. Once the blades get moisture in them, they get out of balance and the whole unit wobbles badly.
3. The bearings are cheaply made. … (11 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Just a Thought...
- 09/13/13 06:33 PM
Just a Thought...
A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wreck a life. A timely word may level stress. But a loving word may heal and bless. Unknown
Every day, the average person uses 10's of thousands of words. Words are important. However; most use words carelessly and unwisely. Words used in idle jibber-jabber accomplish nothing. What you say to yourself and others is of utmost importance. Are you careful with the words you use? I hope so...
It is true that sticks and stones can break bones. Words can heal sooth and encourage. What words are you using?
… (22 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: What's Wrong with this Picture?
- 09/12/13 07:42 PM
What's Wrong with this Picture?
Actually, there are three. The obvious one is the dryer venting installed above the package and compressor unit. Over time, lint will be sucked into the condensing coils and reduce the efficiency of the units. Accepted industry standards requires that vent be installed a minimum of 5 feet from compressors.
The 2nd problem is not so obvious. A convenience outlet has not been installed in the vicinity of the units. All newer installations require a GFI protected convenience outlet for technicians.
The third issue is that the crawlspace entrance does not have a finished coat. This is a … (31 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: What Condiment Would You Like?
- 09/10/13 08:16 PM
What Condiment Would You Like?
There are no perfect houses on this plane of existence. Houses were built by men and men keep being reminded that aren't aren't perfect! Hence the need for the home inspection -- even on new construction.
On yesterday's inspection of a new townhouse, the builder/super sneered at the buyer and sharply told her, "I don't know why you are wasting your money, this guy isn't going to find any thing wrong. I have personally gone through this property and inspected every inch of it! If he finds anything wrong, I'll eat my words!!!"
OOPS!!!? Where's the insulation? Would … (35 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Make the Decision and then Do It!
- 09/09/13 07:59 PM
Make the Decision and then Do It!
There are those days when I know I must do something but the frailties of my human nature makes me want to blow it off. Such was the case of this morning's bike ride. My body was wrestling with my mind as to the reason I should not do this!
Thank goodness for will power. I made the decision to do the ride. I'm glad I did. For in doing what I did not want, I achieved a new personal record: Average speed 4:04 per mile.
The moral? One can be pleasantly surprised what they can … (19 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Wrong Is Still Wrong...
- 09/07/13 09:21 PM
Wrong Is Still Wrong...
On a recent inspection, I was given what for by the seller's agent because of what I had written in my report about the steps pictured to the left. They were quick to tout the infamous phrase, "Well, It passed codes and a CO was issued." So, what's your point? Wrong is still wrong. I does not matter who says it is right!
Just because it passed codes doesn't mean that it is or was installed according to industry standards. Municipal Codes inspectors are not the end all. They are fallible and oftentimes overlook glaring issues in their … (66 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Finally...
- 05/25/13 08:44 PM
Finally...
Another week has zipped by faster than Superman flying after that speeding train. I wonder, is anyone else having as much fun as I am? Even though I am busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest, I am having a ball.
This morning, I finally finished and emailed the last of my reports! YEAH!!! I can now get down to the serious business of having a day off. Well, not really. There are relaxing things to do in the gardens. When I finish that, there are more things to do in the gardens. … (15 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Monday Morning Motivator ~ 5.6.13
- 05/05/13 07:24 PM
Monday Morning Motivator...
The key to my success is my predominant thoughts and words. What am I telling myself? ~ Michael Thornton Having read books and listened to CD's on Neuro-Lingustic Programming (NLP) over the weekend, I realized what I tell myself is hugely important. I recognized that the key to my success is to change my self-imposed programming. Focus on what I want and what is important through the 19 main language patterns.
Although the subconscious mind does not "hear" negative words, it does harbor negative or destructive patterns.
Today, I will focus on the … (15 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Sometimes Simple is Good...
- 05/04/13 07:37 PM
Sometimes Simple is Good...
Haven taken lessons from the maven of marketing, Barbara Torado, I have learned that simple is good. Folks are so bomb barded with ads (latest stats over 3,000 a day) that we have developed built-in filters to screen out unwanted messages. Because we only have a few seconds to catch their eye and make our pitch, keeping it short, concise and succinct is the rule.
Below is a sample of one of the fliers that I will be handing out on my marketing route this week...
The Complete Home Inspections Team
… (23 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Nope! No Holes!
- 05/04/13 06:56 AM
Nope! No Holes!
Today has been one of those lazy, cold, rainy, Tennessee days. Plans having been scuttled for another day, there was not a whole lot to do but sit in the sun room and count the raindrops falling on the koi pond. After awhile, I soon lost count and started watching the fish swim back and forth looking for a hand out.
It did not take too long for the warm comfy blanket and the excitement of the day to take its toll. The heavy eyelids closed and it was time to check to … (6 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Put a Cork in it!
- 05/03/13 07:42 PM
Put a Cork in it!
For some folks, not a bad idea -- especially when the jaw hinges get to working overtime!
When it comes to water heaters, putting a cork in it is never a good idea. Under the right conditions, water heaters can have as much potential explosive force as as stick of dynamite! Imagine what this can do to your lovely 3 bedroom home.
Temperature, Pressure, Relief (TPR) valves are designed to prevent excessive pressure from building up in the tank. Being mechanical devices, they do fail. Often this is associated with intermittent … (29 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Monday Morning Motivator ~ 4.29.13
- 04/28/13 08:00 PM
Monday Morning Motivator...
It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. ~ Unknown Growing up I was often "dared" and "double dog dared" to do something. While these were often childish pranks that took a certain amount of risk or cunning to pull off, the dares took courage.
Something seems to have happen tho as I got older and supposedly wiser. I was no longer "dared" and complacency set in. I quit doing the difficult because it was easy to settle.
Today … (18 comments)
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nashville tn home inspections: Money to Burn?
- 03/16/13 08:22 PM
Money to Burn?
Proper air movement across the coils is important especially when it comes to how efficiently the compressor unit runs. Monthly checks of the filters and annual checks of the evaporator coils is a must. For the most part, most home owners never give these items a second thought.
The A-Frame coil pictured below is badly clogged. When coils get this dirty, the efficiency of the unit is reduced by as much as 40%. This makes the compressor work harder, wastes energy, reduces the life and will not allow the property to reach desired temperatures.
… (20 comments)
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If most of you are like me, you weary of all of the so-called "Idiots" that one shares the highway with. I know I do. It seems as if a lot of folks are in an "all fired hurry" to get to the next stop sign or traffic light. They weave in and out of traffic, cut people short and wave at people with their middle finger because other drivers are not doing what they want them to do. Oftentimes when I see folks behaving like that, I just shake my head and say, "It is their world, I am … (23 comments)
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