About Cass County, ND

I was driving downtown a couple of days ago and saw a blind man. Sure, it’s not incredibly uncommon – but he was alone. My heart went out to him. What a struggle that must be to have to rely solely on only 4 of our 5 senses.

Now, I’m not a guy who scares easily. But if you asked me to walk downtown, across busy city streets, while blindfolded, you would find me scared out of my mind. I mean, do we really pay that close of attention when we drive? I know I don’t.

Can you imagine, though, how “in-tune” his other senses must be? This guy was using a cane, and he knew when it was safe to cross the street – he managed to walk from one end of the crosswalk, across the street, and back up, with no hesitation. His pace was normal, and he walked with confidence.

I spent 8 years serving as a youth minister – and we would take annual ‘mystery’ mission trips. Students didn’t know where we were going or what we were doing – they just signed up on faith. In preparation, we take our group through an obstacle course around the church – and all 40 or so participants are attached with a rope. Each person is then given a disability. Some can’t use their legs – some can’t use their arms – some can’t see – some can’t talk – and many have a combination of these disabilities.

This obstacle course takes them over, under, around, and through different tasks and barriers. It is quite entertaining to watch! What I love, though, is that in the beginning of the obstacle course it is always an “every man/woman for themselves” attitude. And as we begin, those who can’t walk are left lying on the ground. Those who can’t see are left wandering and searching for the rope & the group.
Quickly, the group starts to realize that either everyone succeeds or everyone fails. It isn’t about them anymore. It’s about the group. More specifically, it isn’t about their disabilities. It is about their abilities.
Those with physical strength help those who cannot walk. Those with the gift of sight help those who are blind. Those who can talk communicate for those who cannot. Every person crosses that finish line because they were helped by another and because they helped each other.

How paralleling this obstacle course is to real estate. When our business struggles or we are just starting out, our tendencies are to focus on our disabilities and not our abilities. And most of us think that we have to go at it alone...

My hope for us all is that we recognize what we have and what we can do for our clients. If we simply focus on ourselves and our disabilities, we will be deemed useless along the journey. We are each gifted differently, and I have confidence that your gifts will strengthen the people we get to work with.

So if you are blind, you learn to rely on your other strengths & senses. You also have to learn to rely on the strengths of people around you.

I strongly believe that people are dying for a life worth living. Find purpose in others & in your own life! And these clients of ours trust us with the biggest thing going on in their lives. What an honor! So have confidence – hold your head up high – and work hard! Learn to strengthen the senses and gifts that you do have, and surround yourself with others that bring other gifts to the table.

For most of my life I’ve heard people talk about getting involved or volunteering for something for the sole purpose of highlighting it on their résumé. This approach is simply all wrong.
People can sense genuineness. Your heart isn’t something that is hidden. If you want people to invest in you…then you need to invest in them. And this investment can’t come on just a business side while you represent them if you want to achieve maximum results.

Invest in your community. Get to know people in different spheres. And don’t do it to increase your business. Do it because you genuinely care. That’ll make all the difference.

2011 has been my best year yet in real estate. My business is up almost 300% from last year. I’m selling more than 1 house/week and I’ve reached every goal I’ve set out for myself for the year. It’s incredible, and my blessings are overflowing…

In a market where our home sales are down 30%, I can’t keep up and am looking to make my second and third hires for my team.

All the while, I’ve done this while holding down a second job in ministry (working 15-20 hours/week). I’ve also volunteered hundreds of hours for a charity (www.homelessandhungry.org) I started with my old youth group in 2006.

But the more I volunteer and the more I invest in the community – the more my business increases. Your clients will understand your other investments – and in fact I believe they’ll be drawn to that. If you have to work around your volunteering schedule or a sports team you play on/coach or whatever…they’ll be ok with that. And I believe, subconsciously, they’ll be attracted to that.

I play basketball over my noon hour Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have for almost 9 years. And at basketball I met Ryan. He used me for both his buyer’s and seller’s agent in 2007 when he moved. He used me again this year when he moved again. His wife referred me to two co-workers who used me. One bought one of my listings (a hogger) and one used me to list her home (which I also hogged).

One friend from basketball = 8 transactions. And I don’t play basketball to meet clients. I play because I love the sport.

Don’t volunteer to boost your résumé. Volunteer to make a difference. Don’t get involved in clubs and organizations outside of work so people think you’re well rounded. Become well rounded by getting involved. Your clients will care more about your genuineness than they will your résumé.

Making a difference makes all the difference.

During a recent home inspection in West Fargo I came across several inflatable lawn ornaments. These are more common nowadays and typically require power from the house. The ornaments are very cool but it was the extension cords that caught my eye and almost my feet. Extension cords present a real trip hazard and should be either secured to the ground or colored brightly to help alert passersby. The cord, running about 25 feet to an exterior outlet, was frayed and repaired with duct tape. Another extension cord ran under the garage side door and was plugged in inside. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that there are about 4,000 injuries annually associated with extension cords. These injuries can range from tripping to serious electric shocks. Make sure your extension cords are undamaged, plugged in to exterior outlets only and clearly visible to help prevent possible accidents.

At another inspection of a home in Moorhead I saw several Jack-o-Lanterns sitting on the front steps. The pumpkins had a melted look and the tops were covered with black soot from candles. These days you can purchase inexpensive LED lights or glow sticks to replace the traditional candles and spare yourself and your home from a possible fire hazard.

Fargo and Moorhead experience high winds throughout the year. Its a good idea to make sure any decorations you have outside ,such as lights or lawn ornaments, are safely secured. You don't want wake up one morning and find your carefully placed spooky decorations wrapped around your neighbors truck!

Take a few minutes to check the decorations on the outside of your home and you can have a scary but safe Halloween.

Mid-America Inspection Services, serving Fargo and West Fargo, North Dakota, Moorhead, Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, Wadena and the Minnesota Lakes Region

218-443-3555, 320-846-0004, 218-287-0877, 218-841-0444

midamericainspections@gmail.com

www.midamericainspection.com

Common Housing Defects, Part 1

Home Inspectors may disagree on the exact order of a list of prevalent defects found in the course of home inspections. One thing they will almost universally agree on is that water is the enemy of a house and those defects that lead to water problems are among the most devastating.

Landscaping problems are often a simple matter of assuring that the soil slopes away from the structure for the first 10 feet or so at a rate of about 1 inch per foot. When coupled with a proper gutter system, this will help reduce chances of water entering the basement or crawl space.

Roof issues are more likely to stem from improper or worn flashings and sealants around protrusions such are roof vents and plumbing stacks than they are from worn out shingles. Even cheap shingles are usually able to shed water for 15 – 20 years when installed correctly barring damage, such as hail or wind. Obviously, at some point shingles will start to fail requiring maintenance and eventually replacement. A roofing professional is the best authority in helping decide when the most economical course is replacement.

Chimneys can be a source of water inside the house in several ways. As mentioned before, poor or worn flashings can cause leaking into the house. Cracks in the crown can allow water to penetrate inside of the chimney structure and lead to damaged bricks, blocks or liners. These defects are particularly dangerous with wood burning fixtures. Clean and inspect chimneys annually for frequently used wood burning fixtures.

Windows and doors, when improperly installed and maintained, can be another source of water inside the house. These can be insidious as the water can leak inside the walls and beneath the flooring causing considerable damage before detection. Check and maintain door and window sealant and flashing annually.

Foundations can leak through cracks and water migration through the porous concrete blocks and mortar lines in stone and brick foundations. In unfinished basements and crawl spaces, foundation cracks are easily detectable and should be properly filled to restore water tightness. Water movement through porous masonry is often seen as a white salty looking crust, known as efflorescence, around the area of penetration. This typically requires cleaning and sealing to help prevent recurrence.

Plumbing issues are often visualized as a gush of water and these certainly can be a major but easily located problem. The most damaging water problems tend to be those we are not aware of until damage is done. A slow leak beneath a sink, an aging wax ring under a toilet, a leaking flashing on the roof, all of these keep wood wet for a long time allowing decay to progress without warning. Water heaters store a large amount of water and become a source if not routinely monitored. Improper connections can be a source of leaks as can a failing temperature and pressure, T&P, relief valve. The most dramatic leak stems from tank failure. Routine monitoring or a home inspection by your favorite home inspector can reduce chances of having a tale of woe to share at work and potentially save you money on repairs.

Mid-America Inspection Services, serving Fargo and West Fargo, North Dakota, Moorhead, Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, Wadena and the Minnesota Lakes Region

218-443-3555, 320-846-0004, 218-287-0877, 218-841-0444

midamericainspections@gmail.com

www.midamericainspection.com

For several months now my son, Sterling, and grand daughter, Kyra, and have driven by a construction site of a new fire station in West Fargo. Lucky for them, once construction was complete they held an open house to celebrate the new station and it was an excellent opportunity for the family to learn more about the roll firefighters play in the community and steps they can take in their own home to stay safe in case of a fire.

The visit made my son think of how, as a home inspector in the Fargo and Moorhead area, he is always highlighting areas where fire could be a concern for a new home buyer.

Make sure the door leading from your garage to the interior of the home is fire rated. Typically the edge of the door will have a fire rated seal made of neoprene weatherstripping or other material.

Ensure that the door is self-closing either by latch or spring hinges. Spring hinges are fairly easy to install yourself because you can attach them one at a time and leave the door hung during the installation.

Verify that you have a proper firewall between the garage and the interior of your home. Check for exhaust vents, attic hatches and other protrusions that might cause a break in your firewall.

Invest in commercially available fire extinguishers for your kitchen and garage and make sure you and your family know where they are and how to use them in an emergency.

Develop an escape route from your home in case of a fire and practice it with your family on a regular basis.

Know the location of the fire station nearest to your home and take time to visit. If you are like them and own a home built on slab you might ask if the fire station is available as a shelter during a bad storm or tornado. Also, check with your home owner's insurance if a new fire station has opened in your area. You may find that your rates will decrease because of your close proximity to the station.

During their visit they got to climb around a fire truck, try on some of the equipment firefighters use in their job, learn about fire safety and most importantly to Kyra, have some free cookies and juice.

Mid-America Inspection Services, serving Fargo and West Fargo, North Dakota, Moorhead, Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes, Wadena and the Minnesota Lakes Region

218-443-3555, 320-846-0004, 218-287-0877, 218-841-0444

midamericainspections@gmail.com

www.midamericainspection.com