Now that spring is here in middle Tennessee, winter is not officially over until the fat lady sings or we go through our last four winters which ever comes first. Typically, the winters win out as it is still too cold for the fat lady to come up from Florida. These “winters” have been derived from local folk lore used as planting guides dating back to the agricultural days of our area.
These springtime "winters" or cold snaps correspond to the blooming or budding of vegetation common to our area. These start when the redbud trees are in bloom like they are now. The cool snap we are now experiencing is referred to as "redbud winter". Next week, when the dogwoods are in bloom, we will experience another cool snap ushering in "dogwood winter". The next two are locus and blackberry winters. After blackberry winter, it is safe to plant warm season vegetables like tomatoes, corn, okra, and beans.
Are there any other areas out there that have winters such as this? Please comment as I would really like to know.
This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Brentwood, Nashville, Davidson and Williamson Counties of Middle Tennessee. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of Michael Thornton and those who comment. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Below are links to other sites or articles that I have written:
This seems to be my week for picking on plumbers. I don't know why, maybe it's just because I have seen too many things that have have done which does not make any sense. Yesterday, while inspecting a rehabbed property in a mature section of Nashville, TN, I came across this installation of a water faucet at the kitchen sink. The faucet has been installed backwards as evidenced by the valves opening away from you instead of towards you. I had to give this poor fellow a grade of "C" for consistency, as he did the same thing on the pedestal basin in the bath.
Have a great, happy and safe Easter Weekend y'all!
Don't you folks who don't live in the south wish that you had a simple, concise and succinct word that is deemed proper verbiage in normal as well as formal conversation like y'all?
This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Brentwood, Nashville, Davidson and Williamson Counties of Middle Tennessee. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of Michael Thornton and those who comment. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Below are links to other sites or articles that I have written:
I was inspecting a new construction property in Nashville, TN yesterday and ran across this professional installation of an air handler and condensate pump. Professional contractors will install a bracket on the side of the air handler on which to mount the pump and an outlet for power. This contractor took a short cut and went down to Walgreen’s or where ever was convenient and purchased a $1.29 extension cord and left it like that. The mechanical codes official signed off on this installation, making me wonder if they had even been there at all or was this just another drive-by shooting.
This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Brentwood, Nashville, Davidson and Williamson Counties of Middle Tennessee. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of Michael Thornton and those who comment. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Below are links to other sites or articles that I have written:
Easter is just around the corner. Are you still looking for that perfect gift for your children or grand children? Try ImagiTales. I had lunch the other day with one of the developers of this delightful children's book. In 2003, two of the developers friends formed a partnership to develop technology that would personalize children's media. Starting from a technology that didn't exist, Tina and her partners did what most said "Couldn't be done". Being mothers themselves, the developers saw the learning value of having personalized books to teach children some of the valuable lessons they need to learn. What I found interesting, is that all of the partners live in the Williamson County area.
These inexpensive, personalized children’s book features not only your child’s name but also their face on nearly every page! These fun, quick and easy to create books are available in a variety of subjects and reinforce positive concepts for children such as recognizing colors and shapes and parts of the body!
The process is simple and easy-to-use! Just upload your child's picture, clip the face, and the on-line software does the rest. Your E-book is available within seconds of creating and an actual printed book is only 2-3 weeks away! Your first E-book is free and additional E-books are available for a very reasonable cost. Hard bound books are more due to shipping and handling costs. There are several titles available and is great for interaction with the younger members of the family. View their website at ImagiTales.com.
This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Brentwood, Nashville, Davidson and Williamson Counties of Middle Tennessee. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of Michael Thornton and those who comment. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Below are links to other sites or articles that I have written:
One of the biggest misconceptions about radon gas is that if the property has a crawl space, the crawl space venting will dissipate the gas to the outside. WRONG! I have been doing home inspections in the Nashville, TN area the past few days, and on two of the properties, the buyers requested that I do a Radon test. Both properties were located in the Sevier Park area off Granny White Pike just south of I-440. One was new construction and the other was a 1950's property. Both had Radon Levels above 20 pCi/l (pico Curies per liter). According to the EPA, any reading above 4.0 pCi/l is considered elevated and must be mitigated. It does not matter if the property has a crawl space or is built on a slab. The geology under the property determines if the property will have elevated levels of Radon.
Middle Tennessee is considered a high radon belt and it is highly suggested, that as a part of the property transaction, a Radon test be conducted. The buyers of these properties were glad they did. The $125.00 test saved them about $1000.00 in remediation costs. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States second only to cigarettes.
This posting and the contents written here are the intellectual property of Michael Thornton of Complete Home Inspections, Inc. providing home inspections for Brentwood, Nashville, Davidson and Williamson Counties of Middle Tennessee. The views and opinions expressed are just that - views and opinions of Michael Thornton and those who comment. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Below are links to other sites or articles that I have written:
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Complete Home Inspections, Inc. is a full service, company which is large enough for excellent service and small enough to care. Serving Brentwood & Nashville Tennessee since 2001. Call 615-661-0297.
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If at the end of the inspection, you are not 100% satisfied, we will not charge you and pay for the inspector of your choice to inspect your new home. Check our website for details.
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I have several areas of interests, and I enjoy writing about several topics. Below are some links to some articles that I have written as well as other links of interest or organizations.
I have long been a history buff. Williamson, Davidson, and the Middle Tennessee area is rich in history and culture. Click HERE to the left to read some posts that I have written about areas of interest here in the Middle Tennessee area. Feel free to comment as this is an open forum.
Photo of the day is a series of posts on some of the things that I find while doing home inspections. Many of these are the things that either unhandy home owners or paid contractor do in order to save a dollar or two.
blogs.chiblogs is one of my websites where I post articles about home inspections, the Standards of Practice for the industry, explain why home inspectors do what they do, and other articles. Feel free to browse around and make comments. This is an open forum.
Click on this hyperlink to take you to the ASHI website. You can use this site to find an ASHI certified home inspector for your area.
The ASHI Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics can be found on the ASHI website by clicking the button the the left. These can also be downloaded as a PDF file.
The Indoor Air Quality Association is a site designed for the exchange of information concerning the indoor air quality of your home. I have been a member of IAQA member for several years.
Mold - The attached link will take you to the Governments EPA website. There you can hyperlink to several sites to learn about mold and how it affects you, your house and your environment. Many home inspectors will not test for mold. We offer this as an ancillary service to our business.
Radon is another ancillary service that we offer our customers. Radon is second only to cigarettes as the leading cause of cancer in the United States. Properties found in the high range will have a 1 out of 3 chances for a high reading. Middle Tennessee is in the high range for Radon.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission keeps an eye on products in or around your home that may pose a potential safety hazard to you or someone you love. Currently, there are over 15,000 items under the agency's jurisdiction. Check here often as recalled products change from time to time.
This link to the Consumer Products Safety Commission gives a complete listing of product recalls by category. Here you can search for a product type or manufacturing company. Once again, a helpful tool. Check here often as products keep being added to the list.
Real Estate Partners
Name
blog site
Profession/
Location
Website
Description
Larry Brewer Real EstateI am a Broker, Realtor, with Keller Williams Realty and specialize in working with clients seeking homes in the Brentwood, Tennessee area. I am a former Brentwood educator.
Elizabeth Payne Real EstateSuzette Johnson has been serving Williamson County Tn as a local Realtor for 20+ years. She and her husband work selling Real Estate in the Franklin /Cool Springs and Brentwood area. 615-351-1202.
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