Michael Carson

I too have used Report Plus for many years. Like the other folks have typed, not much surprises. I have found that inserting photo's with call outs can be a posture building experience. Office Pro will drive you to drink, however, they are working on it. [:-graduat

I purchased a Flir BCam SD 2 years ago when the price was more. Use it on every inspection, reeltors freak out when they see it. Found some things with it, verified with moisture meter, clients love it and tell their friends. Mine does not have the picture in picture, wish it did. Is picture in picture a help or a hinderance when taking the image?

I have used a Garmin 550 for several years. Subdivisions have to be several years old in order for the update discs to be effective. Overall it is a reliable accurate unit. I got a blackberry from sprint, it comes with sprint navagation. It is pretty accurate and comes with turn by turn as well as checks traffic and redirects. I am comparing the Garmin and Blackberry and if the Blackberry proves to be as accurate I will probably make the switch. Hope this helps.

Bikini clad supermodel would be a nice feature. As long as she is not attached to the property so I can take her with me. []

15Y/O home deck attached by lag bolt and flashing. Exposed sheathing underneath. Shouldnt this area have house wrap and J-channel/siding oon this area to prevent wood rot and water wicking. Need clarification on this, I am having brain seizure. Thank you. Click to Enlarge 30.25 KB

I carry a spare flashlight and tape measure to loan to the folks. Keeps them busy while I perform the inspection. Interesting moments are when parents bring their children to the inspection and they spot your bag full of goodies and try to claim it as their own while the parents just stand there and not say anything or correct the darlin. [:-party]

Here is one where the owner said the roof does not leak and the flashing is prevent ice damming. [:-censore Click to Enlarge 67.15 KB

Ditto with all of the above.

I have several Sun Nuclear 1029's and a 1028. I have received alot of referrals from the way the report looks. If your state requires the monitor be approved by the EPA then go with the 1028, in my opinion the reason is that the 1027 has been around awhile and with the improved imbedded report software I don't believe that they will be making them for much longer. I know a great many people will disagree with that statement but when I talk to the folks at Sun Nuclear that is the underlying tone I get. Besides when I do a radon test for a realtor and my competition gives a strip of paper with .....Pci/L and I am able to give a graph with levels for each hour and a photo of home and monitor placement, I get the repeat business from then on.

That is ridiculous. If the light goes out, the camera will not be able to record and you won't be able to tell what happened. Exactly, if the light does truly go out there would not be anything to record and it solves the age old mystery of does the light really go out when you close the door. If not you will have a great video of the inside of your fridge. [:-graduat

Well back from the inspection. The wife asked about all kinds of little detail stuff. And guess what was on the list............dishwasher light [:-magnify. I explained the thing ran through the cycles doesn't leak and that was the main thing. Husband spoke up and said that since the color of the dishwasher was white we could use some white out to make it go away. I asked if they really needed a light to tell them that their dishes were clean. They replied common sense should dictate. So, I am now going to put my camera in the fridge and take a video to see if the light really does turn off!

Your right, I just make a note and move on. The little light is just bugging me.

While setting up a radon monitor the other day in a home, that I will inspect tomorrow, I noticed the clean light illuminated on the dishwasher and it flickers. When you unlatch and pull the door open, the light turns off, when you close the door and latch it the light comes on and flickers, when you ensure the dial is in the off position, light flickers. Shouldn't the light turn off after you empty the thing and ensure that the dial is turned to the off position? Seems like a petty thing to ask but, with my luck latelyI will get a call on it. [:-paperba Thanks.

I agree with the bad flame sensor, I had the same problem you are describing. Cleaned the flame rod and it works fine now. Called my furnace company who installed it and they said that it was the flame rod and every so often they need a good cleaning because dust settles on it.

If locating air leaks, temp increases, moisture, etc is what you are wanting to do, I would purchase a thermal imager. You will cover more area faster with the thermal camera. You will be there all day pointing that all over the walls etc. If you are looking for something that will get you a temperature reading and to use as an inexpensive educational tool to teach your clients about ways to save money, then purchase the black and decker tool. Just my humble opinion. []

Follow the advice of the others and have an attorney versed in real estate write your agreement. Also, look into placing an arbitration clause in your agreement this gives some added protection. I also put a phrase in there about radon and whether they want the test or not and they can check yes/no. The radon thing may seem petty, it just keeps people from coming back later and saying "you never told me blah blah.....". Good luck.

Thank you for the feedback, I guess if it can keep the MP'S warm outside, it should keep my wife warm. It will be a challenge since she is always cold even in summer. []

Who is BRP, and do they have competitive rates?

My wife was looking at infrared space heaters. I have not heard or read anything negative about them yet. Does anyone own one and what are the likes/dislikes of owning one. Thanks.

I am gong to use the google webmaster site and use some of their tracking tools, etc. to see what they suggest as well. I am going to implement some of the things I have read here today and see what happens. Thanks to Dom for helping everyone. Yes, often times when you make any sort of change you'll go down for a few days then go up higher than before. I've never really found a good explanation for that but it's pretty common. Download a program like WebCEO (get the free version) which will make it easier for you to track your rankings across all the search engines for the top 5 terms your aiming for.

I am scaired of heights and that is what binoculars are for! [^]

That must be a rough neighborhood to have to carry a weapon to protect the laundry. [:-bigmout Oh are you gonna get it when you get home - big trouble buddy.

www.IRtalk.com is one, you can also E mail Gary Orlove at Flir (gary.orlove@flir.com) there is a newsletter that has alot of good information on it. I also do alot of google searches and go to the library. I also talk to the folks who perform cleanup when homes flood, many use thermal cameras to ensure the place is dry. Hope this helps.

I too sat through a 2 day online course for home inspection and found it remedial at best. I gain more knowledge by going online to and reading thermographer websites/blogs and using the device every chance I get.

I have used pdf995 for several years and just installed it on my new laptop that runs Vista. It is very reliable with the best part being free. You can pay the small fee to have the advertisement go away if you would like.