Frank Helderle

My friend V. S. turned me onto this world recently. We've all heard of mystery shoppers but what is it really?

Actually, it's not the easiest thing in the world to do. Each assignment has different responsibilities, some are going in and just grading the business on a few things, while others require a laptop, digital camera and remembering the names of greeters, staff, checking the bathroom supplies........

Although some pay very well you have to be quick to get the really good ones. You can rate a drive thru experience and earn about $8-$10, or you can rate the previews at a movie theater and stay and watch the movie for free. Or if you're really good you can have a $100+ meal, get reimbursed and be paid $100-$200 for an evening of fun.

It is a complex registration and requires a lot of patience to get through all of the sites and determine which assignments you want to apply for. Theres also a school you can attend. One is a little on-line class that runs $15 or if you are serious you can do a one day in person for $125. Which ever one you decide to attend you will earn a rating which will help you get the better assignments.

As an added incentive you're graded on each report you complete, the higher your percentages the more schedulers are looking at you. A scheduler is the person you apply to for an assignment and who makes the determination who gets the assignment.

Really a cool way to get out, experience new places at no cost and get paid for doing it.

Contact me today to receive the website where you can register and start learning how you can become a secret shopper. It is somewhat time consuming to begin the process, but once you're registered and have a few reports under your belt it gets easier and easier to find the great assignments.

I do charge a nominal fee of $7.00 to provide the web site required to begin the journey, but again you're only going to get out of it what you put into it. Payable through pay pal or mail.

Normally the average home buyer is looking at 12- 14 homes over a 8 week period before they make a buying decision. Since ordering a Home Inspection on each one would be cost prohibitive, FrontDoor.com, a new real estate site operated by HGTV, provides this list of 10 things to look for in a pre-inspection that will help identify potential problems.

FrontDoor.com's Top 10 Red Flags for Home Buyers

1) Mass Exodus from the Neighborhood

Don't let a home's curb appeal keep you from glancing down the street. Are there several other homes for sale? Are nearby businesses boarded up or vandalized? Get the scoop from the neighbors. If everyone else wants to leave the street, maybe you should, too - before you're stuck with a bad investment.

2) Mediocre Maintenance

Three layers of roofing and gutters with plants growing in them are signs the owners aren't big on maintaining their home. What else did they neglect?

3) Foundation Failures

Check out the yard grading. If the yard slopes towards the house, it could cause water to run down the foundation walls or into the basement, which will be costly to repair. Scour the foundation for damage. Bulges or cracks bigger than 1/3 inch can mean the house has serious structural issues.

4) Bad Smells - Inside or Outside

Take a big whiff of the air inside and outside the house. Do you smell anything funky? If you can't smell anything but the huge baskets of potpourri all over the house, this could be a red flag.

5) Faulty or Old Wiring

While you're probably not an electrician, make sure all the switches and outlets in the house function properly. Flickering lights, circuits that don't work and warm or hot outlets or faceplates are all symptoms of wiring problems.

6) Fresh Paint... on One Wall

New paint can really spruce up drab walls, but it can also hide bigger problems, like water damage, mildew or mold. If the room smells strange or if you see stains or saggy walls or ceilings, have an inspector look for mold and leaks.

7) Locked Doors and Blockades

Ask about any rooms that are "off limits" during your home tour, and arrange to see them later if you're interested in the house.

8) Foggy or Non-Functioning Windows

Check for water in between double-paned windows and make sure all the windows are functional.

9) Structural Walls or Floors have been Removed

Sure you love the open floor plan, but was the house always open or did the homeowners renovate? If they removed a load-bearing wall without adjusting the framing, it can shift weight to other parts of the house. Hire a structural engineer if you think any renovations are questionable.

10) Bugs!

No one wants a house with a pest problem - be it roaches, mice or worst of all, termites. Be on the lookout for unwelcome creatures as you tour the house. Even if no foes pop out while you're there, consider a separate termite inspection if you're thinking of purchasing the property.

The Bottom Line

Always get a professional inspection for the house you choose to buy. Skipping a home inspection is not a good way to cut costs. You'll end up paying more in the long run when problems arise.

For more information, visit http://www.frontdoor.com.

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