Nope, I Didn't Always Know Everything Someone recently asked me what it takes to start a home inspection business. How did you get started? You seem to know everything. Really?
When I started my business, I had the good fortune to already have a full-time job. Good thing too, because it was right before the mortgage crisis in 2008. That took some of the pressure off to make the leap to full time. I was able to ease into the inspection business and build my network and relationships with many local agents. I completed 4 free inspections in … (20 comments)
morris home inspection: Maybe a Seinfeld Episode?
- 03/26/23 07:40 AM
Maybe a Seinfeld Episode? Many years ago when I first started doing inspections, I had the pleasure of inspecting a condo for my daughter and her soon to be husband. The marriage didn't last for a few good reasons but that's not what this story is about. They were buying unit one of a 4 unit condo. The complex was horseshoe shaped with a detached row of garages in the middle of the horseshoe. The seller was home. As I walked around the back by the gas meters, I could smell a strong natural gas smell at the meters. I … (8 comments)
morris home inspection: Not a Bozo Bucket For Sure
- 03/23/23 08:21 AM
Not a Bozo Bucket For Sure About 6-7 years ago, I had an inspection scheulded for a client that was buying his very first flip house. He owned a carpet cleaning business and this property was only $30,000. I remember thinking how many carpets he must have cleaned to save up $30K. Nothing was really out of the ordinary on the roof and exterior. The interior was a different story however. As I was in the basement looking at a section of about five 2x8 floor joists, I saw there were termite tunnels and what looked like squishy wood. There … (16 comments)
morris home inspection: Now Just Hold on a Second There
- 03/23/23 07:05 AM
Now Just Hold on a Second There. There are many times when a seller is present at the home inspection. Most of the time they just hang around the house, in the kitchen or family room watching TV or reading, etc. They may say to check with them if we have any questions we need answered. Very helpful and totally fine with me and my buyer. We always remind the buyer that we are in the seller's home and we should wear boot covers, which I bring with for them just in case to respect the home. I also remind … (14 comments)
morris home inspection: OOh OOh That Smell
- 09/23/22 07:57 PM
OOh OOh that smell. In my 15 years inspecting homes, I've seen so may weird and wacky and just plain stupid things, I really should just write a book. I can tell you it would be a best seller. For instance, tell me these aren't crazy things to find on an inspection. Cut off mannequin head just inside the attic hatch. Oh, it also has fake blood on it's face. Real funny Mr Seller. How about finding an oil painting of a nude woman in the attic of a nearly empty house, who just happens to be packing up … (10 comments)
morris home inspection: OOh OOh That Smell
- 09/23/22 07:57 PM
OOh OOh that smell. In my 15 years inspecting homes, I've seen so may weird and wacky and just plain stupid things, I really should just write a book. I can tell you it would be a best seller. For instance, tell me these aren't crazy things to find on an inspection. Cut off mannequin head just inside the attic hatch. Oh, it also has fake blood on it's face. Real funny Mr Seller. How about finding an oil painting of a nude woman in the attic of a nearly empty house, who just happens to be packing up … (1 comments)
morris home inspection: Winter is Coming Fast- Ready or Not
- 10/23/21 06:18 PM
Winter weather is coming fast. Bourbonnais, Illinois was 36 degrees last night. There are a few things that are worse than a furnace acting up in the middle of the winter, but for the life of me I can't think of any right now. Your furnace or boiler needs an annual checkup. REPEATING Your furnace or boiler needs an annual checkup. Don't wait. If you put it off until November or December, you're asking for trouble. Waiting until the snow flies means you waited about 3 months too long. Now if you're depending on something like this old furnace … (8 comments)
morris home inspection: Things I wish I knew
- 09/26/21 09:00 AM
Things I wish I knew- As I have gotten older, I realize there are so many things I just don't know anything about. I wish I did, but either I never took the time or didn't realize I really wanted to know about that skill or idea or information to learn about it. For instance, I have always wanted to play guitar, I even own an acoustic giutar, but have never picked it up to play one note. I would like to know how to play golf, but learning to play is just a reason to be able to hang out … (9 comments)
morris home inspection: Old Man Winter is on the Way. It's Furnace Time!
- 10/15/14 11:53 PM
Old Man Winter is on the Way. It's Furnace Time! Winter was pretty rough in Bourbonnais, Illinois last year. There are a few things that are worse than a furnace acting up in the middle of the winter, but for the life of me I can't think of any right now. Your furnace needs an annual checkup and if you put it off until now, you're asking for trouble. Waiting until the snow flies means you waited about 3 months too long. Now if you're depending on something like this old furnace to keep you warm through the winter, then you might want to invest in a space … (2 comments)
morris home inspection: Don't You Just Hate Dried Out Leaky Boots?
- 12/03/11 12:25 PM
Don't you just hate dried out leaky bootsRian season is here again, is your roof ready? I spend enough time doing home inspections in the Bourbonnais and Kankakee Illinois area up on roofs to see just about everything that the buyers can't see. There seems to be a limited life cycle for the plumbing boots that protect the house interior from the rain and snow that pound the roof year 'round. They should remain flexible and tight around the plumbing stack pipe and if they are, there is not a single drop of water allowed into the attic and interior. There are no … (10 comments)
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