Russel's Blog

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Help for meth lab property owners

I return comment for comment.Jerry Becker of Littleton, Colorado, provides this helpful information for property owners and landlords whose tenants might have been involved in some unusual activities.

I've been fortunate that I have not had to inspect an obvious meth lab house. I did inspect one house that had been turned into a marijuana farm. Every room had multiple grow lights hung from the ceiling, grow trays everywhere, a very well-done interior watering system, and, of course, the requisite mold growing on all the walls and ceilings.

After I finished the house, I was able to go back to our online newspaper and retrieve the story about the house.

 

Via Jerry Becker and Associates:


As a Realtor, if you have a client whose property was used for a meth lab or if you are the owner of such a property, this may be of interest to you.  Property owner victims of meth labs have found the cost of cleaning up their properties to run into the tens of thousands of dollars.  To make matters worse, many insurance companies are refusing to pay the claims for these cost because they deem losses to be caused by an illegal activity, even when the property owner had no knowledge of what the tenants were up to.  There's a Denver law firm called Frankl Law Firm that has had success in winning court cases against insurance companies that refuse to pay these claims.  In fact, they're trying to carve out a niche practice in dealing with these types of cases.  Now, you may not be in Denver, however, many times companies that have success in certain areas of law tend to network and lend assistance to other legal firms around the country, that are engaged in similar defenses.  It may be worth your while to contact Frankl at 1-866-300-2051 and inquire if they can refer a law firm in your area.  Hopefully, it's a call you'll never have to make.


Jerry Becker
Jerry Becker & Associates/Metro Brokers
303-933-0900

5 comments • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 29 2009 06:47AM

Make your own laundry soap

I return comment for comment.Paul Duffau, a home inspector in Moscow, Idaho, posted this interesting way to make your own laundry soap.

I remember when I was growing up in Kingsville, Texas, under the tutelage of my wise old grandmother after she had adopted me, we often made our own cleaning materials. Alas, all her recipes have been lost since everyone thought that everyone else had them -- I thought Shelley had them, Shelley thought Billie Jo had them, Billie Jo thought Rod had them, Rod thought I had them, and on and on. Nobody had them.

I get a lot of my home remedies and recipies from "Hints from Heloise," but I don't mind getting them from other people, as well, even a home inspector! 

 

Via Paul Duffau (National Property Inspections in SE Washington):

With the cold weather and low inside humidity at my house, my kids and wife have been having a problem with dry skin. If you have sensitive skin like my duaghters do and need to know what goes into your laundry detergent, now you can make your own. Costs are low and the process takes no more than 15 minutes.

 Obligatory Cautions:

Don't mix any of the ingredients with ammonia derivatives (surfactants) or chlorine. Always use appropriate eye protection, a mask, and gloves if necessary. In addition, do not eat the detergent, poke it in your eye, or stick it up your nose. Any substance can be harmful if handled inappropriately.

 Most homemade detergent recipes recommend the use of washing soda (available in grocery stores or from pool cleaning companies), but baking soda will work in a pinch.  If you wish to substitute your favorite bar soap for Fels-Naptha laundry soap, use a full bar instead of 1/3 bar.

 This first recipe is one I have made and enjoy. $3.50 buys enough ingredients to make 2 full batches. Use 1/2 cup to cup per load depending on level of dirtiness. Each batch yields 16 cups.

 Ingredients:

 

1 gallon hot water

1/2 bar finely grated Fels-Naptha soap

1 cup baking soda

 Grate soap into a saucepan and add enough hot water to cover it. Stir frequently on medium low heat until all the soap is melted. Meanwhile, heat 1 gallon of water in a larger pot (do not boil). Add melted soap and mix thoroughly. Finally, add the baking soda and stir it in well. Allow mixture to cool before pouring into storage container. Keep container sealed and stir contents before each use.

 For extra cleaning power, you can follow the directions above using the following ingredients:

 1 gallon water

1/3 bar finely grated Fels-Naptha soap

1/2 cup washing soda

1/2 cup Borax

 If you prefer a dry detergent, you can use this recipe:

 Powdered Laundry Detergent

 2 cups finely grated Fels-Naptha soap

1 cup Washing Soda

1 cup Borax

 Mix these ingredients well and store in an airtight plastic container away from heat. Use 1-2 tablespoons per full load.

 

 Additional Tips:

 1.         All these detergents work fine in cold water, so save the hot cycle for soiled cloth diapers and other materials that need to be sterilized.

 

2.         Contrary to what your mother taught you, neither your clothes washer nor the earth itself will cease to spin if you do not separate light and dark clothing. Once excess dye has been removed from dark cotton clothing by the first few washings, it is safe to mix colors.  However, I still tell the kids to separate the reds.  There's only so many pair of pink underwear I want in the house and none of them should be mine. 

3.         Try using vinegar in a Downy ball or add 1/4 cup during the rinse cycle as a natural fabric softener (just don't use vinegar and bleach in the same load).

 4.         You can fill a square of flannel with the fragrant herb of your choice (lavender works well) and sew it shut. Pop this in the dryer to add your favorite scent.

2 comments • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 29 2009 06:13AM

Create sensory appeal with home staging to sell your home

I return comment for comment.Sharon Tara, a home stager in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, provides this useful post for us about not only staging a home for sale, but just using common sense to make it look its best. That common sense uses some of the other senses, those of sight, scent, touch, and sound.

When I was a Realtor many decades ago in Texas, I used sight, smell, and sound -- at that time we hoped that no one would touch anything in someone else's home -- often.

Since part of a self-employed person's job description includes marketing, I spent a portion of each day in the University of Houston and Rice University libraries reading marketing books and magazines. It was there that I learned by all the stores play "elevator music." Music relaxes people (except, arguably, rap, hip-hop, and other music with foul language as its basis), and once they are relaxed, they are usually able to think more clearly. And if they are relaxed in a home that they are considering buying, that's just another plus,

Read the following post by Sharon and then use the great information in it to help your own business -- real estate or otherwise.

 

Via Sharon Tara New Hampshire Home Stager (Sharon Tara Transformations):

Preparing your home for sale? 

You are not alone, many New Hampshire Seacoast homeowners are hoping to find a buyer, and your house has plenty of competition on the market.  To guarantee you make the best impression on buyers, I suggest you keep in mind that "sensory" appeal is just as important as "curb" appeal.

foyer

 SIGHT

The visual appearance of a house prompts potential buyers more than any other factor.

Once homeowners step inside, they decide almost immediately whether or not they want to buy. It is essential that their first impression be a positive one. The entryway should be spotless, clutter free and welcome them with a feeling of home.

Clean or freshly painted walls and spotlessly clean or brand new carpeting are a must. Hardwood floors must be in excellent condition. Floor tile should be a light neutral color, in excellent condition.

Throughout the house, furniture must be arranged to show space and function and at the same time guide the eye toward positive features of the house and away from the negative.

 

Light is the second most quoted reason for choosing a home.

 Make sure all lights work and, where necessary, replace light bulbs with a higher wattage. Replace dark or worn lampshades with new, sheer or white shades.

Paint walls and dark woodwork in light, neutral paint.

Replace heavy, dark window treatments with lighter sheer curtains. Clean all windows inside and out so that the sun can shine in.  

lemons

SCENT     

Nothing will turn away a potential buyer faster than an unpleasant smell.

Welcome buyers and make them feel comfortable by greeting them with a pleasant aroma.   A few drops of vanilla warmed in the oven yields the same result as baked cookies, triggering a comfort response. 

Remove litter boxes. Keep trash can clean at all times. Open windows before a showing when possible.

A word of caution:  be careful with the use of scented candles and air fresheners.  Over use can cause buyers to suspect you are trying to mask an offesnsive odor.   Also, many people have allergies to scented products.

laundry

 

Be sure to keep laundry room clutter free and keep all dirty laundry inside machine.

An excess of dirty clothing allowed to pile up can be the source of a very unappealing smell.

 

 

 

 

towelssoap

TOUCH

Texture, added throughout the house, is appealing to the eye and to the touch and will add an element of style which translates into perceived value.


Help buyers feel comfortable and at home by keeping the temperature warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

SOUND


Creaking floors, dripping faucets, and noisy heating systems could be a cause for concern to a buyer.

Neighborhood noises such as traffic and barking dogs can be distracting. Playing soft jazz or classical music can help the home feel more relaxing and help buyers to concentrate on positive features.

 Buyers' perceived value of your home is based on the reaction of their senses.

 

Whether you are selling your home, have a design challenge, or just want a fresh, updated look, I would love to assist you with your transformation or answer any questions that you may have about Home Staging in the Portsmouth,  New Hampshire area.   For More Information Visit:

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1 comment • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 29 2009 05:43AM

Do you have Buyers who tell you, "I'm going to wait."? Share this!

I return comment for comment.Scott Larson of Monroe, Wisconsin, wrote this post that provides a very succinct answer to the age old buyer statement, whether in a buyers' market or a seller's market.

Back when I was a Realtor in Texas in the late 1970s and early 1980s, my answer was to show my Clients a graph of the long-term increase in real estate values. Of course, that was when people bought a home, lived in it, raised their family in it, and quite often retired in it.

I think part of the problem with the real estate market in the last ten years or so is that people were buying and selling as if real estate was just another stock or bond, a car to be used for a little while and then sold. When we get back to buying real estate to live in and raise families in, I think the market will be a better place to work.

Until then, though, use this answer to help those Buyers of yours who are still sitting on the proverbial fence.

  

Via Scott Larson (ReMax (Towne Square Realty)):

Example, take a home that is priced at $100,000 and the interest rates are at 5% for a 30 year loan. The monthly payment would be $536.82.

Now let's say they wait and the housing market drops another 10%. (good) The home is now $90,000, but the interest rate go up to 6%( bad). The new monthly payments are now $540 per month.

With the volatile market that we live in, waiting isn't always the best option. Why pay more when you can start making your dream of home ownership a reality today while interest rate are historically low and homes are on sale?

Do the numbers!

1 comment • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 29 2009 05:29AM

Phone Etiquette: Slooooooooow Down when leaving your phone number...

I return comment for comment.Konnie McKee of Haymarket, Virginia, wrote a short blog entry that has been dear to my heart ever since the late 1970s when I bought my first answering machine.

Of course, at that time, people weren't used to leaving messages, and at the few times when someone had to leave a name and phone number, rarely was the name or number discernible. That's when I decided that I would make myself available to my Clients (and family and friends) 24/7. That doesn't mean that I sit up 24/7 waiting for the phone to ring, but if it does, I answer it (unless I'm in that smallest room in the house). I'm a catnapper, so it's very easy for me to fall asleep after a phone wakes me up and I finish taking care of whatever matter is at hand.

I will say that I have scheduled many home inspections during the wee hours of the morning, and regularly receive compliments about my accessibility. I know many of the Realtors refer me simply because they know that they -- or their Clients -- can always reach me, day in, day out, any hour, any holiday, any sporting event.

If you do get my voice mail, though, please leave your name and phone number, once at the beginning so I know whom I'm listening to, and once at the end so that I can immediately return your call.

 

Via Konnie MAC, Northern Virginia Real Estate (Konnie McKee ):

I listed a townhouse for sale...for $30,000...  Yes, I said it $30K...in these, here parts, that's un heard of!!   So, no surprise to me...My Phone was ringning off the HOOK....!!!!

(I know, I could have bigger problems.......)  What was amazing to me, was how many agents, when they left their phone number, they said it so fast.....I mean faster than an auctioner..... 

I had to play the message, get the first 2 digits, then play it again, to get the next 2.........Holy Canoli!     Multiply this times the 40 calls I got, and I was spending more time than any one person should, trying to get these phone numbers...so when you leave your phone number, in  a message....SLOOOOOW DOWN!!!

  

  Your Northern Virginia Realtor 703 407 7088 Konnie Mac FREE No Strings attached...search MLS to to www.KonnieMac.com

Homes for sale in Manassas Virginia Homes for Sale in Haymarket Virginia Homes for Sale in Bristow Virginia Homes for Sales in Catharpin Virginia, Homes for Sale in Dumfries Virginia, Homes for sale in Woodbridge Virginia, Homes for Sale in Leesburg Virginia Homes for Sale in South Riding Homes for Sale in Aldie, Homes for sale in McLean Virginia, Homes for sale in Great Falls Virginia, Homes for sale in Oakton Virginia

 REALTY DIRECT - Ashburn, Virginia

 

 

1 comment • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 29 2009 05:20AM

Cartoon-ize your picture with BeFunky.com

Since I interact regularly outside of business hours with many of the Realtors who refer me regularly, I'm always on the lookout for things that can help them with their businesses. Some have even accepted my invitation to ActiveRain!

This nice little utility comes to us from Jane Grant up in Temecula, California. Thanks, Jane.
Via Southwest Real Estate, Inc.:

I found this great website that you can easily make any picture into a cartoon, drawing, ink or pencil.   It is called "befunky.com".....

Original Picture of max:

To this....

My Picture:

                                                                                                                                                 

     Or this......................

 

 

 

 

Some of my other animal blogs:

Animal Attraction

Max as a Reindeer

Misty all dressed up!

The Foreclosure crisis and orphaned dogs

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice. My Blog does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

 

2 comments • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 27 2009 08:36PM

How much is that bulldog in the window?

Rarely will I re-blog something by another home inspector because I like to write about topics indigenous to my profession myself. Most of my re-blogs, then, are about technology that can help both Realtors and home inspectors, or information from Realtors that can help Realtors in my own service area.

The post that I'm re-blogging here comes from a home inspector, though, Kevin Welch of Rutland, Massachusetts. Since my other company here at ActiveRain is my Marketing & Business Consulting company, I often combine the two in order to help home inspectors and Realtors get their businesses started. I specialize in the initial planning, startup, and growth phases of companies. After that, I'm outta there.

Kevin does a great job of answering the age old question, "How much does it cost?" as it relates to home inspections. Realtors also might get something out of Kevin's post that can help them answer their Clients objections about commissions, the cost of home inspections, title fees, etc.
Via Kevin Welch (American Bulldog Home Inspection Inc.):

I typically have 2 types of people call my office, 3 if you count telemarketers, but who counts them? The first type is a prospective client who needs a house inspected and they have heard from a friend or a relative that I am the only inspector worth calling. It doesn't happen as often as I would like, but sometimes it does happen.  They call to book an inspection and, often times, they never even consider the cost. They understand the value of a thorough inspection and are willing to pay whatever I ask for, no questions asked.

    The second type is the price shopper. You know who I am referring to. The first question they ask is "how much is a home inspection?" As far as I am concerned, that question is like calling a car dealer and asking the price of a car. It is impossible to answer that question without additional information. How big is the house? Single family or multi? how old? Occupied, vacant, short sale, foreclosure, etc.

     Originally, I would begin by quoting a price based on some of that information, only to hear them say, "OK, thanks, I will get back to you." It rarely happened though, because they could usually find someone else later who would agree to do it for a few dollars less. I have to question the wisdom in spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a home to raise your family and awarding the contract for a home inspection to the lowest bidder. Government contracts are often finalized using this criteria, often with less than stellar results. Can anyone say "Big Dig?"

   My new approach is this; when a prospective client begins by asking how much, I counter by asking if price is the determining factor. This usually changes their focus from the lowest price to the best value. Then it is just a matter of convincing them of the value that I offer. I still don't get them all, but my odds are greatly increased.    

Kevin Welch

American Bulldog Home Inspection

Watchdog for the American Dream

2 comments • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 27 2009 03:29AM

FRESH IDEA TO DRESS UP OLD LISTING PHOTOS

Here's a useful utility that Kelly Willey of Marathon, Florida, found.

Not only can it be very useful for Realtors, but home inspectors could use it spruce up some pictures for their educational home inspection slide shows. Not every picture we take on the job site is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph.
Via Coco Plum Realtors: Florida Keys Real Estate:

 

I am having a lot of fun editing my photos with Picnik.com

 

Quality photographs that will capture someones attention are critical to your blog posts,web sites, MLS and on-line advertising.

 

I had some tired old photos on a vacation rental site that I wanted to refurbish without the time spent to go out and re-shoot the pictures so I put them into my picnik basket and......

 

This was turned into......

marathon florida keys oceanfront real estate

 

A Fresh New View..

 

marathon florida keys oceanfront real estate

 

 

This photo of the lobby was too dark and dreary and did not do the place justice....

marathon florida keys oceanfront real estate

 

 

After Picnik....

 

marathon florida keys oceanfront real estate

After Picnik it is fresh and new and "picture perfect" for the web. They have many different fonts you can choose from and any color under the rainbow.

 

 

marathon florida keys oceanfront real estate

 

Adding borders and frames is a snap and you can choose ANY color to compliment the photo.

 

 

marathon florida keys oceanfront real estate

 

Playing with the saturation will give you some really cool effects and make your photos pop....

 

marathon florida keys oceanfront real estate

 

Or, if you are feeling funky try some of the quirky effects and make a really eye catching design....

 

Go check it out, have some fun, and freshen up those tired old photos you do not want to retake.

 

Foreclosure Search

 

Coco Plum Realtors is small family owned and operated real estate business in Marathon, Florida. They were founded on the principles of hard work and serving others first.

FLORIDA KEYS REAL ESTATE

Kelly Willey is the broker and began her real estate career in 1989 in Baltimore, Maryland and Long and Foster Realtors. She rose quickly to the top of her office and was the Rookie of the Year in 1989 with Coldwell Banker. Over the years she has earned numerous sales awards, sold millions and millions of dollars in real estate and attended a vast number of training programs. Kelly has specialized in working with many REO, short sale and foreclosure properties over the last 20 years. And, she holds the SRES, Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation for working with senior citizns and their special needs.

Kelly and her family have been very involved with Island Community Church and Island Christian school. Being involved as a youth leader with the teens sparked their interest in foreign missions. They have taken many trips to the Dominican Republic to serve the impoverished of that country and founded a non-profit corporation, Micah Missions, to raise money and awareness of that cause.

For all your real estate needs in Marathon, Duck Key, Key Colony Beach and Grassy Key call Kelly Willey at 305-289-2212 or email her at MicahMissions@Gmail.com. We are always happy to help you with area attractions, local schools or the value of your Marathon, Florida Keys home.

We specialize in helping buyers find foreclosures, pre-foreclosures, short sales, bank owned and REO properties throughout the Florida Keys from Key Largo, Islamorada and Marathon, Key Colony and Duck Key to Big Pine and key West.

Vacation rentals are also available and we have a property management division if you have a need to rent your Florida Keys home.

 

 

 

5 comments • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 27 2009 03:10AM

Distribute your photos, text, video... to social networks - all from one place

Here's a nice utility that Brian and Rita Burke of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, found for all you people who just have to be everywhere at the same time.

Personally, I can't imagine being a member of 60 social media sites, networks, and blogs, but perhaps that's because I actually do work for a living -- LOL.

Whenever I'm mentoring home inspectors in getting their businesses started, I tell them to pick 3-5 sites and work them for all their worth. Spreading oneself too thin and then being average or less rather than the best can sometimes be just as bad as not having a presence at all.

So I'm not going to condone being too many places, but the usefulness of this utility might be the fact that you can choose your 3-5 sites through this utility and not necessarily that it is encouraging you to be at all 60 places.
Via Kenna & Co. Real Estate ~ Denver Luxury Real Estate:

Getting bogged down trying to manage all  the different blogging and social media sites. Checking in at Twitter. Flashing through Facebook. Adding photos to Flickr. So much to do. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done.

save time - PixelpipeWell, here is something that could streamline some of your social media efforts and save some precious time.

Pixelpipe - distribute photos, text/updates, video, audio to over 60 social media sites, networks and blogs. Just enter your file to pixelpipe and it sends it to all the sites you have specified.

I tried this for the first time yesterday (photo) and it worked amazingly well and it was easy to do. What a time saver. I sent the photo to Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, Tumbr etc. Wow.

Oh, and of course it is FREE!
Sign in, add your user information to each of your social media sites, blogs, what have you and you are ready to go.


Brian and Rita Burke

Kenna and Co. Real Estate

303.955.4220 Office
303.710.2609 Brian Direct
888.417.4347 Fax

 

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Disclaimer: Kenna and Co. Blog does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided herein, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied. Blog posts on the Kenna and Co. Blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author(s). Kenna and Co. Blog does not express the views of Kenna and Co. or those of the broker.

Copyright 2009.© Kenna and Co. Rita Burke. Denver Real Estate All Rights Reserved. Jan 22st 2009. "Distribute your photos, text, video, audio to social netoworks all from one place"
1 comment • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 27 2009 03:03AM

Home Buying/Selling With the Advice of a Family Member

This post by Bridget Fredericks of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, could just as easily be titled "Home Inspections With the Advice of a Family Member."

I'm always amazed when my Client brings along, say, his dad who lives in Old Dime Box, Texas. Texans, of course, are from the Great Nation of Texas, which is only loosely considered a state in the United States of America. They kind of do their own thing down there, especially out in the boondocks in Old Dime Box.

(Hey, I was born and raised in Texas, so I can say these things! LOL).

Notwithstanding the fact that each Texan is an encyclopedia unto himself, just because dad built his home in 1957 doesn't mean that he knows the various building standards that exist in San Diego County, California, in 2009.

Let's say Mr. Client brings his brother from Truth-or-Consequences, New Mexico, because Mr. Brother had a home inspection on his house just a mere seven years ago.

Okay.... You get the message.

Thanks for bringing up this important topic, Bridget!
Via Bridget Fredericks (RE/MAX First):

I know lots of us like to get advice from someone who we trust greatly before making big decsions.  In fact, it's perfectly normal.  But there's a right way and a wrong way to do this.  So, if you are a buyer or seller and you plan to make a move soon and want the advice of an uncle, an aunt, a parent, or other trusty advisor this article is for you!

First, I assume that you want your advisor involved either because they are older/wiser than you are or because they have purchased and sold more real estate than you or both.  These are good reasons.  I know that when I make big decisions I still like to get my parents' input because they are wiser (we won't call them "older" because they get sensitive to that "old" stuff).  Realistically, I know that they have had their opportunities to make mistakes so why not learn from their mistakes instead of having to make my own!

When you get started, bring your advisor(s) to your first meeting with your REALTOR.  It's important for a couple of reasons.  First, "who" you select to represent you in your real estate transaction is your first BIG decisions.  Let your advisor(s) meet that person and help you determine if your real estate agent is as good as you think they are.  This is the first big step you'll take.

If you are selling a home, your advisor(s) won't be needed again until you get an offer.  When your agent makes the appointment to discuss the offer with you, be sure to schedule it so that your advisor(s) is there as well.  All the questions can be asked at one time and your family member and your REALTOR can work together to help you achieve your goal.  It is key that everyone is working together to help you!

If you are buying a home, I suggest that your family member view the homes with you.  Most buyers tend to buy on emotion.  You will have the added benefit of your advisor giving you a less emotional opinion of each home as you see it, in conjunction with your REALTOR's opnion in terms of values, quality, and resale.  Once again, everyone is working together to help you achieve your goal.

By being sure to have your chosen advisor with you each step of the way, you eliminate some trouble for you.  I've seen before a thousand times.  A buyer picks out the prettiest house from the whole lot, brings Auntie Em who has bought and sold apartments for a living and the very excited buyer who just loves the home they chose asks Auntie Em what she thinks and ole Auntie says, "Well, it's ok, but I'm sure you could do better." If only Auntie Em had seen the other 10 houses that were awful, then she, too, would know what a great home the buyer had chosen.

The entire process of buying or selling a home can be a big undertaking.  This is just one tip to make it a little less stressful for you and a little easier.  The whole process is one big education, so leaving someone as important as your advisor out of one of the loops can hurt the process for you.  So bring them along for everything.  And you'll get better, more helpful advice from your friends/family.

0 comments • Russel Ray, San Diego home inspector • January 27 2009 02:49AM