home inspection: Today I am Julia Childs...But better looking
- 11/15/10 09:04 AM
The Oxo salad chopper has made chopping salad so much easier for me! My wife eats a lot of greens and preparing salad is not one of my favorite things. This cool knife that looks like a pizza cutter is so cool I can even get the kids to help. It cuts everything for salads including nuts with just a few rolls! I don't even need a separate cutting board or worry that someone will lose a finger. The cool angled handle on the roller is built to work perfectly with the oxo bowl and the rim of the … (3 comments)
home inspection: How to handle a necessary evil
- 11/12/10 06:06 AM
The necessary evil I am talking about is extension cords! (insert horror music here). Most people don't think twice about these potential safety hazards so I have put together a simple list to use them safely.
1. Don't run extension cords through a doorway where they can get damaged. 2. As tempting as it may be, don't hide extension cords under carpet where you can't see them and they may overheat. 3. An extension cord can be a trip hazard, keep them away from high traffic areas. 4. Never use extension cords end to end. That doubles your risk. … (1 comments)
home inspection: Quick fix for dirty dirty siding
- 11/11/10 05:00 AM
No matter what the surface, the outside of your home will have dirt and grime build up. Cleaning it is a whole lot easier than you may think. Pressure washing that the pros use isn't always the answer. More often than not you don't need to re paint the surface either. Save yourself some time and money with the following tips.
Mild detergent and water usually do the trick. First, get the surface wet with the detergent and water mixture using a garden sprayer. Grab a soft brush like the kind you use to wash … (5 comments)
home inspection: The builder made a sticky mess!
- 11/08/10 03:33 AM
One of the inspectors at United Professional Real Estate Inspectors was featured in a local news story about a bee infestation mess. Dennis Candler (he's the same guy who was stranded on a roof in an earlier blog) disovers it's all the responsibility of the builder to fix this horror. http://www.kcra.com/news/25629087/detail.html … (2 comments)
home inspection: How 3 things affect your FICO Score
- 10/25/10 04:15 AM
If you are anything like me, you have often wondered how FICO really works? The company behind FICO has published the specific point drops for common missteps. You can find them on the fico website. Here is the breakdown of 3 common financial difficulties and how their specific point drops. Maxed Out Credit Card · Starting score of 780: 25-40 point drop · Starting score of 680: 10-30 point drop 30 Day Delinquency · Starting score of 780: 90-110 point drop · Starting score of 680: 60-80 point drop Foreclosure · Starting score of 780: 140-160 point drop · Starting … (0 comments)
home inspection: Red Flags you can spot on your own
- 10/22/10 04:12 AM
Home inspections by a qualified inspector are always a must. That being said, there are a few things you can spot on your own as well. · EXTENSION CORDS- A labyrinth of wires from the outlets to computers, televisions, radios, lamps, etc. may tell you the home has an outdated electrical system. A qualified home inspector can tell you if it can be fixed simply or with new wiring. · FOUNDATION CRACKS- Vertical cracks are mostly nothing to worry about but horizontal cracks are another story. Horizontal cracks often require excavation, drainage provisions and wall repair. Opinions can be different with … (0 comments)
We all know curb appeal is a big deal. Lack of curb appeal can be a big deal breaker. The exterior of your home gives off a first impression. It also protects your living space from all sorts of damage from animals, humans and mother nature. If you are looking to change your home’s exterior but just can’t visualize what you want there is a cool new on line tool from Better Homes and Gardens. http://www.bhg.com/app/colorahome/member/index.jsp Color-a-Home’s website allows you to test various designs and color combinations. Some of the exteriors you can check out on your … (1 comments)
home inspection: Scam Watch 2010!
- 10/18/10 04:14 AM
Mortgage guidelines may be up and there are better loan disclosures for consumers but the FBI says mortgage fraud is on the rise. Fraud comes in many forms. The cost across the nation is between 4 and 6 billion dollars a year. Common frauds target those homeowners behind on their mortgage and looking for help. There are a lot of great organizations that dedicate themselves to helping homeowners. It is important to know the signs of a common fraud. This short video from NBC’s Today Show is a great outline to help you be aware of the criminals … (3 comments)
home inspection: The psychology of your buyers!
- 10/15/10 04:52 AM
Sellers can gain a competitive edge by studying the research of the psychology of home buying. According to Smart Money’s David Rout, subtle factors can be deal breakers in today’s buyer’s market. You and I know that a bad paint floor in a room can be rectified by a few coats of paint. Research shows that subtle factors like these can be deal breakers. A study from the University of Texas really may surprise you. It turns out that listings that boast renovations like “new paint, new carpet, and/or roof work actually end up with lower sales prices. Buyers become … (0 comments)
home inspection: Know how your buyer thinks!
- 10/15/10 04:50 AM
Sellers can gain a competitive edge by studying the research of the psychology of home buying. According to Smart Money’s David Rout, subtle factors can be deal breakers in today’s buyer’s market. You and I know that a bad paint floor in a room can be rectified by a few coats of paint. Research shows that subtle factors like these can be deal breakers. A study from the University of Texas really may surprise you. It turns out that listings that boast renovations like “new paint, new carpet, and/or roof work actually end up with lower sales prices. Buyers become suspicious … (2 comments)
home inspection: Oh Please...anyone can see that!
- 10/11/10 05:04 AM
I love the “handy” people who think its ok to blow off their home inspection. If it looks good, it must be in great shape. Why would anyone stage their home and place furniture so that it hides broken tiles? No one would EVER paint over cracks in the walls. That would be dishonest. Plants would NEVER be placed to conceal rotted wood outside. I can’t think of ANY instance where air fresheners would be placed on top of filters inside air vents to mask foul odors. How about those over loaded closets hiding holes in the … (1 comments)
home inspection: Things I LOVE about Fall...other than football.
- 10/06/10 04:32 AM
The temperature is creeping downward! A little breeze in the air and a crispness we haven’t felt in awhile. I also get excited about fall because my energy bills lower with the temperature. It is very easy to lower energy bills with the right use of your ceiling fan. This video has some great information about how the blades on your ceiling fans work to help your heating and cooling systems. It’s been around awhile so it’s worth it just for the bad 80’s outfit and hair. Thanks to the weather channel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hj0-0H7oE4
Here’s a little cheat … (0 comments)
home inspection: Get it checked out if...
- 10/04/10 03:47 AM
Please note that most of the symptoms of mold develop over time. If you notice some of these things are happening in your home or increasing, do something about it. Do not wait.
1. You smell stale musty odors, in the laundry, walls, or bathroom. 2. You have “banging” headaches with no good story behind them. 3. Your towels or clothes smell musty even though they were just washed. 4. Antihistamines are your best friend. 5. You are continually un-naturally tired. 6. You feel better when you are away from home for awhile. 7. You have strange health problems … (0 comments)
home inspection: 5 ways to fake it until you make it!
- 10/01/10 04:01 AM
There are many situations in business that can send our stress level flying. It can be as simple as a meeting with your boss or a sales call. It can also be something like speaking in front of an audience. Preparation combined with confidence will offer you a great start. Here are a couple of other tricks that may help. 1. Give yourself a break. You don’t have to be perfect. If you make a mistake, smile and continue. 2. Find a way to calm yourself so that you can burn some of the extra adrenaline. Try a few push-ups … (3 comments)
home inspection: I just had to point and laugh!
- 09/30/10 04:23 AM
Ok, so maybe pointing and laughing wasn’t the nicest thing I’ve ever done but at least I didn’t take a picture and put it on this blog. We take our inspections very seriously and pride ourselves at going above and beyond what most inspectors do. Today that led to one of my inspectors on a roof. He just couldn’t come back down. As a courtesy with every inspection of a 2 story house, we are happy to use a ladder to get from ground level to the roof of the first floor. We then pull the ladder up from the … (3 comments)
home inspection: Yum! Bacteria!!
- 09/29/10 04:44 AM
My family and I hang out a lot in our kitchen. We meet for meals (obviously) and to grill the kids about school. (They love that!) That’s all great but what isn’t great? The kitchen is one of the filthiest rooms in the house! Germs and grime collect all over the floors, countertops and even inside appliances. Yum! Bacteria for dinner? I don’t think so. The Today show has a great clip that shows how to do everything from cleaning cutting boards and removing burn stains to finally getting the dishwasher to smell good. Want to catch fruit flies? It … (0 comments)
home inspection: Hey Birds!!!!! I'm trying to work!!
- 09/28/10 05:16 AM
I think it’s important that my blog bring useful information to active rain. As I sat down to write this one, I thought of all the quick videos available for home improvement. This one covers just about everything from flooring, drywall, riding mowers, and deadbolts. It also reminds us that even the best make mistakes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gvETC0Cx6Y
Great way to kick off a work day with a little laughter!
… (0 comments)
home inspection: It may not be Christmas but ENJOY the gifts!!!!!!
- 09/27/10 03:42 AM
The fact that lenders have strict mortgage guidelines for home buyers is no surprise. No more financing with zero down. Most conventional loans now need 10% to finance. In light of these changes, more people are taking advantage of cash gifts from family. The rub is that you want to make sure you accept that gift in a way the mortgage underwriter will accept. Here are a few steps I found to help guide you along the way. 1. All parties should sign an acceptable gift letter. Here is an example: I am the (relationship to recipient) of (name … (2 comments)
home inspection: Don't keep letting the poor things die!
- 09/24/10 04:55 AM
I am not someone with a "green thumb". Nope. Plants come into my home or outside my home to beautify the landscape and promptly wilt or dry up. If someone needs a home inspection, my team and I are the best. Plants, flowers, not so much. After some research I decided to share my discoveries. Too little water and the plant dies, too much and the roots set in. As a general rule, plants want about an inch of water per week. How do we know that our plants are getting the right amount? When is the best time during … (3 comments)
home inspection: TAKE CARE OF YOUR REALTORS AND BUYERS!
- 09/14/10 05:08 AM
We are all human and sometimes inspectors make mistakes. Your inspector must have the financial ability to fix those mistakes with the right insurance. Make sure your inspector has Errors and Omissions insurance. Does your inspector have a declaration page? Ask him to fax it to you. For an example, see ours at http://www.uprei.com/forms/tabloid/664/default.aspx. I think it is imperative to take insurance one step further to protect those who refer our service. At UPREI, we cover the referring realtor! Let’s say something goes wrong and a referring realtor is named in a lawsuit. It sounds like a horrible situation. If this … (1 comments)
The Oxo salad chopper has made chopping salad so much easier for me! My wife eats a lot of greens and preparing salad is not one of my favorite things. This cool knife that looks like a pizza cutter is so cool I can even get the kids to help. It cuts everything for salads including nuts with just a few rolls! I don't even need a separate cutting board or worry that someone will lose a finger. 
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