Browntree Home Inspections Blog

My blog has moved. Please go to http://www.browntree.net and click on blog

If you want to make a true connection with your network on the social media sites you have to do more than just update your status or look at what other people are doing. You have to interact. One way you can do that is by paying attention to peoples birthdays or anniversaries. Most of the people on your network will list these dates in their profile. When you see someone’s birthday or anniversary is coming up, send an email or a card. Everyone likes to be recognized. This simple gesture will go a long way in building your relationships.

Brodie Brown
Metro Atlanta Home Inspector
http://www.browntree.net

I’m a home inspector in metro Atlanta. That means that unless I’m at an inspection, I’m usually alone. Most of my contact comes through social media sites like Facebook etc. The question becomes how do I really connect to other people on a personal level. One way is to practice listening as you read other peoples status updates. If they say they just closed a big deal, then say congratulations. If they say they’re having hard time with something, offer your help. The point is make a connection on a more personal level when you can. That will help you build a relationship with your contacts.

Brodie Brown
www.browntree.net
Browntree Home Inspections

The new technologies that we have today are amazing. I don’t think anyone can argue against that. There is a downside though. The human connection can get lost in email, text messages, and social media sites. I personally watched my teen daughter and her friend set next to each other and never speak, they were both busy texting other people.
You can take advantage of all of the awesome technology though and still build relationships. I want to spend the next few blogs giving you my ideas on how to tie the two together. I believe that if you can learn to use social media tech and keep the human touch that you will find that social media sites and tools are invaluable to your business.

Brodie Brown
www.browntree.net
Browntree Home Inspections

I was recently asked if a home inspection should be done on a property that is being sold “as is”. The answer is, if it will be lived in, yes. A home inspection is often used as a bargaining tool, but that is not the primary purpose. A home inspection is meant to give the buyer information about the house they are thinking about buying. That information can be used in bargaining, but it also tells what may need to be fixed or what is in good condition.

Brodie Brown
Browntree Home inspections
www.browntree.net

As a home inspector I see many water heaters with corrosion on the the pipe connections. Corrosion on these connections will eventually eat away at enough of the pipe to cause a leak. Corrosion at these connections is typically caused by two dissimilar metals being connected, i.e. brass to copper etc. This condition is corrected by installing a dielectric connector between the two different pipes. A dielectric connector is a small coupler that has a plastic liner that provides a separation between the pipes. If you notice corrosion on the water heater connections then contact a licensed plumber to install the proper connectors to prevent a water leak and damage to your home.

Brodie Brown
Browntree Home Inspections
http://www.browntree.net

My wife and I have been married for 11yrs. I think our marriage is as good today as it ever has been. One of the reasons for this is we communicate. We stay on the same page. Every year on New Years eve day we go to lunch together. It doesn’t matter where really, just make sure it’s a place where you can take your time. We go to lunch and then we write down our goals for the next year. We write all goals- personal, professional, family, marriage, finance, everything. We then take the page we wrote our goals on and put them in the lock box for a year. Then on New years eve day we pull out the goal list for the last year and see what we accomplished. You’d be amazed at how much you get done without ever looking at the list. Try it this year.

Brodie Brown
Browntree Home Inspections
www.browntree.net

Using social networking sites to grow your business is a no brainer. The sites are free, so not using them is like leaving money on the table. They can be overwhelming though. As I teach others how to use them, it is difficult to get across that it is not an overnight thing. It does take some time. You can make it easier by linking sites together, but again, it can seem overwhelming to try to figure out.
Facebook, Plaxo and Twitter can all be linked so that if you do a status update, or micro blog, on one it will automatically post to the others. Linkedin is not connected in this way, but it’s still a valuable tool.
I now offer a service to set up and/or link the sites for you. For example, let’s say you just posted a new blog entry and wanted to get the word out. I can help you do that by adding the feed to your social network sites. The same thing is true for sites such as youtube.
The great part is that we don’t even have to meet. I just need some basic information and in a day you will be set up on all four sites and ready to start spreading the word about your business. The cost is just $50.00. Let me know if you would like more information or have questions.
By the way, you may ask how does a home inspector know how to do this stuff? I have spent most of this year building my network and using the tools available to streamline it. It has been a slow real estate year after all.

Brodie Brown
http://www.browntree.net

I’m seeing a few companies that advertise that they can do a home inspection with a termite letter for the same low price. Usually a price lower than a typically home inspector will offer. Most of these companies are pest control companies who have decided that they can offer a quality home inspection just as easily as anyone else because they are already at the house. Their are a few companies that are qualified to do this, but many are not.
Using myself as an example, I have an extensive background in residential construction. I was formally trained in home inspection and I do continuing education in the field of home inspection. I do not do home inspections and offer to do other things that I do not specialize in just because I’m there at the house.
If you took your dream car to a transmission specialist and they said, “why don’t we paint the car while we’re here, no extra charge”. Would you be a little apprehensive. After all, they specialize in transmissions, would you really want them to try their hand at painting while they’re at it.
Here’s the point, if you want to gamble to save money then maybe it will work out. If you don’t want to gamble, then hire someone who specializes in their field. I specialize in home inspections. I have put a great deal of time, effort and training into the field.

Brodie Brown
Browntree Home Inspections
http://www.browntree.net

If you are looking for the highest quality gear at awesome prices then karatedepot.com is for you. I just spent a great deal of time searching the net for karate training shoes. I looked at many sites and could not find the brand name shoes for the lowest price like I did at karate depot. They were the least expensive, but still had the gear I needed. They have more than shoes as well, sparring gear, apparal, uniforms, weapons, etc. Check them out.

http://www.karatedepot.com