2014 So Far: The Good, the Bad, and the Future
The end of spring/summer real estate season is time to catch up on personal business, analyze trends and plan ahead. Armed with flashlight, screwdriver and little gray cells here’smy look around the housing industry Mega-trends I’ve worked for up-and-coming multi-degreed professionals, investors, software engineers/designers/managers, medical professionals, first-time buyers, retirees, divorced and widowed persons; everyone except my main source of income; the middle-middle class. […]
Letters Home
Inspectors typically work Point of Sale transactions. A lot of what we do gets lost in the buyers rush to negotiate, move and settle. Here are my reasons to schedule aMaintenance Inspection every 6-9 years. The science of how we build and live in homes is changing. Materials, methods and lifestyle all have an impact on function and […]
Cool in June
Thermostat Wars and The Streetlight Effect Too much A/C gives me sinusitis, too little and I can’t sleep. You may be comfortable at 79, but it’s 78 for me. Family beach week is a constant battle between the 70F-crew and grumpy uncle Dan. Individual comfort depends very much on the specific needs of the comforted. How homeowners solve cooling deficiencies depends upon their understanding of the problem. When I see a fan in every room during an […]
A Question of Balance
Economies in Equilibrium Efficient systems require balance. Part of my job is to discover out-of-balance components before they compromise function and safety. I rail against the over-emphasis on appearance at the expense of durability because I know, sometime in the future, failures will occur. Appearances do make a difference, especially when they express common architectural language with a unique voice. Lowes and Lead Paint Contractors are tasked with […]
2014 Atlanta Home Trends
These real-world trends in the Atlanta market are worth a look. Thanks to agent Peggy Desiderio and landscape contractor David Curl for your knowledge and advice Walk To Pizza What was once a lifestyle decision is now an economic necessity. This nation-wide trend holds for Atlanta, ITPand OTP. http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2012/05/why-you-pay-more-walkable-neighborhoods/2122/ Take the Last Train to Boomerville Ranch-condo quads […]
Dan's List: Media, Products and Services With not much of an apology to Angie
Homes on TV Tearing houses apart makes for a show, not an inspection. The inspector’s goal is not to entertain but to assess and recommend cost-effective repairs. If Tom tells Kevin “We’ll just have to tear it out and start over” he’s spending money most of my clients don’t have. The success of This Old House created a market for home-style reality […]
Ice, Snow and Old Houses
Notes on Stormageddon and the Decatur Old House Fair In my capacity as an engineering technician I’ve learned to evaluate storm damage. Keep me in mind if you’ve got tree-on-the-house. I spoke to an arborist who told me many firms do not charge to assess trees. They make their money on surgery, trimming and removal. Public adjusters assist homeowners by ensuring hazard insurance […]
Porch Story
Change Transform Scribe Timber Reflection Interim Catalyst
