Author

Topic:   HI Schools covered by G.I. Bill? - 3600 visits (2 today, 6 this week)

Keith L. Pruski
New Member


Posts: 7
From:New Orleans LA
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 02:20 AM            

Been lurking a bit.

I'm a Marine currently in Iraq. I return home next month. Then retire in about another year. Plan on trying to get into HI at that time. I have several rental properties in New Orleans. And my wife is a mortgage broker. HI seems like a natural fit, and I have a good friend down there who is willing to mentor me. He recommended I attend ITA. I was just wondering if anyone knew of an alternative school that accepted the G.I. Bill.

I have tons of questions in anticipation of the school and setting up my business. I have seen the suggestions about doing a search, and have been reading through many threads. I'm still trying to get an idea of what my initial start up cost should be, as well as insurance. I'm also curious as to what types of tools I will need to invest in. Might as well start collecting now

Lots more reading to do..........

I'd appreciate any help given.

Happy Holidays to all.

Charles Gifford
New Member


Posts: 13
From:Jacksonville, FL
Registered: Apr 2001

posted December 19, 2005 04:04 AM            

I appreciate your service and your sacrifice.

Good luck on your new venture. ITA is a class organization and will provide you with a sound foundation.

I have a former 30 year active duty Marine who works for me. A wonderful assest. His work ethic and attention to detail is second to none.

Please shoot me an email at amerispec@bellsouth .net.

Semper Fidelis
Charles

PS, I spent 12 years on active Duty. Served worlwide in all active Divisions.

Erby Crofutt
Member



Posts: 1114
From:Georgetown, Kentucky
Registered: Mar 2002

posted December 19, 2005 04:09 AM            

Dear Keith,

Thank you for being there. I hope you're back with your family & coonhounds soon.

I know I've put this here before, but want to make it simple for you to find as I'm sure you're time for internet surfing is somewhat limited.

=======================
It is NOT as easy and simple as the “Become a Home Inspector, make $500 - $800 a day” ads from the Home Inspection Schools make it look. They are rather self serving to get new students in the door. There is a high failure rate, some estimate as high as 75%, for starting a home inspection business. The schools don’t mention this because the students would not come in the door and give them bucks. Three years ago, there were over 200 licensed home inspectors in Lexington, KY. In May of 2004, there were only 65 listed on the licensing web site. Lexington no longer offers licensing due to the new state law.

Most home inspectors are one person shops that don’t have room to hire anybody. Plan on doing it all by yourself. Of course, if you have $15,000 or $20,000 you could buy a franchise and get their support in getting started. Still a high failure rate.

While the ads are accurate in that you CAN make $500 - $800 a day, what they don't tell you is that those days are few and far between. You'll be luck to do one inspection a week for the first year or two, and it's kind of tough living on $225 a week. Better have some money in savings or another job.

As any detailed advice I would give you, about becoming a home inspector, could appear to be self serving, I will give very little. But I will point you to the best resources on the internet for getting the advice. It will take you some work to dig it out though. See links at bottom of this message.

Here are some quick message board links to topics about becoming a home inspector.
http://inspectorsjournal.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2250
http://inspectorsjournal.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2251
http://inspectorsjournal.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2252
http://inspectionnews.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/000100.html
http://inspectionnews.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/000003.html

You should get, if you don’t already have, specific knowledge & education about proper application, installation, performance characteristics and failure causes for all the different types of:

1. The way the Lots & grounds & grading affect the structure;

2. Old and New Exterior surface materials and the various components thereof, wood lap, cement asbestos, vinyl, brick, log, masonite, etc;

3. Old and New Roofing materials, including gutter systems, downspouts, and leader extensions;

4. The complete electrical system from the Service Drop to the outlet, including the different brands & models of panels, wiring types & sizes & ampacity, required locations for the different types of switches & outlets, etc. (all systems from Knob & Tube to present day systems)

5. Structural components of the home from the roof framing to the foundation walls (including crawling thru the attics and crawl spaces);

6. Heating Systems, including flues and ductwork requirements;

7. Air Conditioning Systems;

8. Fireplaces / Wood Stoves / Chimneys; (are you familiar with Trimmer Arch Supports? It raised heck with me on the testing I took, i.e. the NHIE – National Home Inspectors Examination).

9. Plumbing Systems; (Complete DWV - (Drain, Waste, Vent) requirements)

10. Water heaters.

11. Kitchen Appliances;

12. Interior construction materials;

13. Laundry Room Applications.

14. Business Management

15. Marketing

16. Taxes & accounting

17. Insurance

18. and I’m sure there’s more I’m missing off the top of my head.

Anyway the resources: (These are nationwide message boards for Home Inspectors.) Search the archives for specific questions or answers before asking questions. A LOT of good advice is contained in the archives that will probably never be repeated.
http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/index.php
NACHI message Boards
http://inspectionnews.com
Residential Message Boards
http://inspectorsjournal.com/forum/default.asp
The Inspector’s Journal Forum

First, focus on reading the message threads in the General Chit Chat, Insurance, Training, Reporting Systems, Advertising, Legal, Marketing, and Miscellaneous forums. This is where you can learn about the risks and rewards and how to’s of starting a home inspection career. There is a lot of great advice in those messages from Inspectors who have made it, and Inspectors who have failed to make it. It will likely never be adequately repeated anywhere else.

If you truly want to become a Home Inspector, you’ll have to work hard at it. Digging thru this advice in the message board archives (searching) is just the start of the hard work to become successful.

If you still want to do it after reading those threads, then read the Specific Topic threads, such as Electrical, Plumbing, Structural, Roofing, etc.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. It can be a very rewarding career, but it is a LOT of hard work to get started, be successful, and avoid being sued for sloppy inspections.

Do a LOT of reading in the message archives, did I say a LOT of reading in the archives, before you spend any money on schools or equipment.
=====================

------------------
Erby Crofutt
B4U Close Home Inspections & Kentucky Radon Testing
Georgetown, Kentucky

www.b4uclose.com

Robert Schenck
New Member


Posts: 8
From:Whitby, Ontario - Canada
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 05:50 AM         

Keith,

First I’d like to say thank you for your service as a United States Marine. I’m sure you’re looking forward to getting out of Iraq, back to your home land, and finally into that retirement day. As a former Navy Chief, 24 years active duty, I know personally all of the sacrifices you’ve had to endure. So a big Semper Fi goes out to you and your Brothers in harms way.

I don’t think I could have said it any better than how Erby put it. It is a LOT of hard work, but it’s also a VERY rewarding job. May I offer my two cents worth here? If I were you (and this is only my opinion), seeing how your about to retire from the Marines, I’d first look into getting a job within your specialty. That is, whatever your MO is within the Marines. Especially if you have a family to support.

To go straight into being a Home Inspector after retirement isn’t going to be easy and certainly not a great paying job at first. Even with your pension (depending on where you live), it’s going to be tough to survive on the few and far jobs here and there.

After the Navy, I was working as a Telephone Technician and doing home inspections on the side. Having the Telephone Tech job allowed me to study, research, study, inquire, study… read some more, study some more, and even allowed me to find some Home Inspector mentors.

Finding a good Home Inspector mentor is invaluable. I happen to find a HI that was an ole retired Air Force Pilot. He taught me a lot! In fun, he still gives me crap for being a squid (sailor), but I give it right back to him for being an Air Head – lol. There are HI’s that will want to charge you for tagging along and some that won’t.

I drafted a letter, in regard to looking for a HI mentor, and sent it out to about 20 or so local Home Inspectors. Most didn’t reply, some said sure ….. But for $100 per inspection … and a few came back saying …… sure, I’ll take you out with me for Free.

In the mean time, if you have about a year before retirement, I’d definitely attend the ITA school you were talking about. The VA will cover it under the GI Bill. Then I’d look for a HI mentor and start going out on inspections. On top of having to know what you’re doing as a HI, knowing what to look for, you also need to have some “People Skills” as well. By going out with a mentor, it will give you a taste of what it’s actually like. Anyway, that’s my two cents worth. Good luck !!!

Robert
Roberts Home Inspection Service

P.S. - By reading all of the different threads on this website, you'll also learn a great deal.

Robert Schenck
New Member


Posts: 8
From:Whitby, Ontario - Canada
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 05:58 AM         

Keith,

Another bit of advice, ... if you plan on doing a lot of reading and posting of threads in this site, make sure your e-mail stays up-to-date ! Otherwise, you have to re-register, and all of previous post counts go back to "0". As I just found out the hard way - lol.

Rob

Keith L. Pruski
New Member


Posts: 7
From:New Orleans LA
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 06:14 AM            

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your detailed responses. I was a little worried I was going to be jumped on as a Newbie

I have been reading, and I plan on doing a bunch more. Right now, it seems I have more time than anything on my hands. Been here 11 months and ready to roll for sure.

Making the jump is gonna be a big step, and seems intimidating. I'm hoping that my retirement check, my income from the rentals, and the wife's check especially will keep us afloat for the first few years. She seems to be more confident than me that we can make it work.

My job within the Marine Corps is "Maintenance Management". I track all of our ground equipment and everyhing that entails. I know a little about a lot of equipment, but don't know a lot about any one type of equipment. I kinda see that parrallel with HI. Is it?

I'm hoping to do the ITA school next summer. I retire the following Feb. Between the summer and retirement, I'd like to try and get as much experience under a mentor as possible.

I guess I need to check with the VA and see what they will cover.

Again, I appreciate the responses thus far, and look forward to more.

I'll keep reading.....

Erby.........do you know me from Prohound? Man I miss the dogs and nights in the woods.

Keith L. Pruski
New Member


Posts: 7
From:New Orleans LA
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 06:33 AM            

WOW........what about this response that came to my email?

-----Original Message-----
From: Diligent [mailto:diligent@houston.rr.com]
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 4:52 PM
To: Pruski GySgt Keith L (CSSE CLB2 MMO S4)
Subject: inspection

The market is already glutted with cheap unqualified inspectors. You will be
just another one in the mix. Your assistance in killing George W. Bush's
personal and distant enemies will not qualify you as a viable canidate in
this industry. The war should have never happened. Everyone worldwide knows
that.

======

Thank you for your concern. Please continue to enjoy the freedoms that your country is providing you.

Sincerely,
Keith L. Pruski

[This message has been edited by Keith L. Pruski (edited December 19, 2005).]

Gerry Beaumont
Member


Posts: 482
From:Rochester NH & Clearwater FL
Registered: Jan 2003

posted December 19, 2005 06:44 AM            

Hi Keith,

every group of professionals has it's lunatics, unfortunately home inspectors are no different.

Be well, be safe, and thanks for your service.

Regards

Gerry

Al, congratulations on showing what a class act you aren't

------------------
Gerry Beaumont
NACHI Training Consultant
www.nachi.org

Keith L. Pruski
New Member


Posts: 7
From:New Orleans LA
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 06:54 AM            

Free plug for Mr. Austin's business:
http://www.do-diligent.com/index.html

Since I am originally from San Antonio, and have friends and relatives in Houston, I'll be sure to let them know who you are.

BEN KELLY
Member


Posts: 121
From:UNION CITY, TN
Registered: Nov 2003

posted December 19, 2005 07:14 AM            

Well, I guess the blanket of protection he provides for Al is not enough! What a Jerk.

Even if you don't suport the war, you could support the service men who left their families for yours!

I will write no more, it is starting to get ugly in my head!

Robert Schenck
New Member


Posts: 8
From:Whitby, Ontario - Canada
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 07:21 AM         

Keith,

How long have you been in the Corp? As it was with me, I’m sure your feeling the “Retirement Jitters”. I was going through the “What Am I Going Too Do Now” syndrome prior to retiring from the service. Luck had it; I had a retired Marine Corp buddy who helped get me a job as Central Office Switch Technician (fancy name for telephone tech) when I had left the service. Long story short – the telephone company went out of business, and now I’m inspecting full time.

Having your pension, rental properties, and wife with her job, I’m sure you’ll do just fine. And for the idiot who sent you the moronic e-mail? Just take it with a grain of salt. Like Gerry said, there’s a lunatic in every aspect of life. If it wasn’t for people like us, he might not have the luxury of writing ignorant e-mails.

Gerry,

Since I saw your name pop up in here, I just wanted to tell you that the “Roof Training Course” on the NACHI website was great. It was very informative / educational. It would be great to see something on electrical or any other major element of a home as well. You can never get toooo much training. BTW – Did you know this guy who sent Keith the e-mail? It never fails to amaze me the mentality some people have.

Robert
Roberts Home Inspection Service

Mike Boyett
New Member


Posts: 4
From:Austin, Tx
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 07:45 AM         

Keith,
Please ignore the remarks e-mailed to you from Al Austin the best you can. I've never posted on this BB but felt compelled to register here and reply. I have seen Mr. Austin in action earlier this year at a Texas Real Estate Commission Inspector's Committee meeting and, trust me, he is nothing to be concerned about. He hogged the podium, shirt tail hanging out, hair messed up, making little sense at all with his ramblings. The Committee members looked at each other after he spoke and simply rolled their eyes. Now, don't get me wrong, I support his right to be a moron and know that you are defending his right to do so. You have my utmost respect for that. My son is also Marine veteran of the war and is now continuing to serve his country as a DEA special agent. I fully support you and your mission and will gladly tell Austin that fact. Once my blood pressure has gone down a little bit I will try to e-mail you and answer any questions and give you my experience starting up a HI business here in Texas.

------------------
Mike Boyett
Capital City Inspections
(512) 577-2579

Phil Harvey
New Member


Posts: 1
From:Saginaw Mi
Registered: Mar 2004

posted December 19, 2005 08:03 AM            

Keith,
I don't know about the GI Bill paying for the home inspection courses, but they will reimburse for test fees for the International Code Council www.iccsafe.org code certifications and the National Home Inspectors Examination www.homeinspectionexam.org.

I would recommend running not walking to your base education office and if you haven't finished your associates/bachelors degree to try and get it done prior to retirement. Take all the CLEP and DANTES tests you can as they are free while on active duty. Get your military schools (technical and PME) translated into college credits if possible. If the GI bill won't pay for the home inspection course, take a look at the local community college, most offer construction management or residential courses, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.

I retired as a AF MSgt with 23 years service 6 years ago and am just starting to use my GI Bill entitlements. Don't wait as time will fly by and then some of your benefits will be useless. Check out the VA website www.va.gov and www.gibill.va.gov for other benefits

Phil

Richard Rushing
Member



Posts: 2822
From:Duncanville, Tx.
Registered: Oct 2003

posted December 19, 2005 09:19 AM            

quote:

---

WOW........what about this response that came to my email?

-----Original Message-----
From: Diligent [mailto:diligent@houston.rr.com]
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 4:52 PM
To: Pruski GySgt Keith L (CSSE CLB2 MMO S4)
Subject: inspection

The market is already glutted with cheap unqualified inspectors. You will be
just another one in the mix. Your assistance in killing George W. Bush's
personal and distant enemies will not qualify you as a viable canidate in
this industry. The war should have never happened. Everyone worldwide knows
that.

======

Thank you for your concern. Please continue to enjoy the freedoms that your country is providing you.

Sincerely,
Keith L. Pruski

---

Sorry folks... I know it is really close to Christmas and I just got back from Florida or I would have personally stopped in Houston on my way back (after reading the above post) to re-color the end of my boot.

I have served my country as a Staff Sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division and as an Airborne Ranger. I feel qualified to comment on another perspective relative to that of Bagdad-Bob's opinion (a.k.a Al Austin).

I sincerely hope that if you are wanting to get into the home inspection business, that you will seek mentoring from someone who is unbiased and without simple and narrow minded views, as you recently received via email.

Here is an offer for you. Once you retire and you have completed your courses and you want to do some hands on inspections, you can and may contact me anytime and I will be willing to have you along for a week or so to help in any way I can, so that you can become established and comfortable with your business.

Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,
Richard Rushing

------------------
Richard Rushing
Duncanville, Tx.
richard@aa-inspection.com

Robert Schenck
New Member


Posts: 8
From:Whitby, Ontario - Canada
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 10:09 AM         

Well, so far we have the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force involved here. Anyone from the U.S. Coast Guard in here to help with the Civil Threat we're up against ? lol

Robert Schenck
New Member


Posts: 8
From:Whitby, Ontario - Canada
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 10:16 AM         

BTW - Don't let the "From:Whitby, Ontario - Canada" throw you off. I'm a full fledged American here. Just happen to be living and working in Canuck Land for awhile.

Wouldn't want you to think I'm a Canadian trying to stir up some trouble down south.

Brian Hannigan
Administrator



Posts: 1157
From:San Clemente, CA
Registered: Jan 2001

posted December 19, 2005 11:40 AM            

Hi Keith,

I too would like to welcome you to the board and would like to thank you and the others who have served and are serving our country. I can not thank you enough for the sacrifices you make.

Get home safely and I hope you can find the answers to all your inspection questions here. I wish you the best of luck in your new business.

------------------
Sincerely,

Brian Hannigan

Hann Tech Marketing Links:

Helping Inspectors $ucceed Since 1997

Keith L. Pruski
New Member


Posts: 7
From:New Orleans LA
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 19, 2005 09:41 PM            

Thanks for the replies, and the ton of emails I received. I skimmed through all of them, and there is just a massive amount of information that you guys have sent me. I really appreciate your time and efforts to share your knowledge with me. I hope to reply to everyone individually later today or tommorow. I can't say enough about you guys making me feel comfortable.

On the other hand, my new little buddy here sent me another LONG email full of crap. He also included the below:

Al Austin BSME ENGIDE/ Diligent Enterprises 281-480-3388

Confidentiality Note: The information contained in this message, and any attachments, may contain confidential and/or privileged material. It is intended solely for the person or entity to which it is addressed. Any review, retransmission, dissemination, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.

What are you so afraid of Mr. Austin?

I also see a couple of emails where you guys have engaged Mr. Austin in conversation via email. I think it is our best bet is to let Mr. Austin continue to exercise his freedom of speech.............with someone else.

Rick Hurst
Member



Posts: 3789
From:Rockwall, TX
Registered: Oct 2003

posted December 19, 2005 10:09 PM            

Keith,

Welcome to the board and I as many thank you for your work in preserving freedom for us all.

As for as Al's comments I encourage you and others to forward any emails and comments with your name and your present occupation to the Texas Real Estate Commission at: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/

I'm sure TREC would be interested in Al's comments about you not be a canidate for a HI. I don't believe he is correct on the rules set forth by TREC to be stating such hatred and TREC should be informed.

TREC has been trying to help persons such as agents and Hi's in those states affected by the hurricane to be able to work in Texas under certain conditions.

I find Al's comments very unprofessional and I think as HI's we all apologize for his rudeness.

Hope your home soon with your family.

Rick Hurst
Texas

Russel Ray
Member



Posts: 2764
From:San Diego, California
Registered: May 2002

posted December 20, 2005 02:54 AM            

Hey, Keith.

Everything about you (name, Marines, originally from San Antonio) seems to indicate that you might be a distant relative of mine.

Any relation to the Kirks and Hartmanns in San Antonio and Floresville? Mom's name Mary?

Keith L. Pruski
New Member


Posts: 7
From:New Orleans LA
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 20, 2005 05:47 AM            

Russell,

I replied to your email. Yes I believe we are related. Not sure if we would be 2d or 3rd cousins. Something like that. "Aunt Agnes Kirk" was my grandmother's (Irma Hartmann Ortmann) sister. My mom is Mary, Irma's youngest daughter. I am the oldest son.

Wow, just a couple of days here, tons of valuable advise, very good emails with refernces, lots of offers to help me, and now a distant relative. Where do I pay?

Maybe Mr. Austin could pay my dues for this year............

Richard Rushing
Member



Posts: 2822
From:Duncanville, Tx.
Registered: Oct 2003

posted December 20, 2005 06:32 AM            

Nope... Bagdad Bob won't pay for his own use of the board. Or did I just miss his name on the contribution list? If I did, I stand corrected.

I couldn't agree more than with the lateratory comments by Rick Hurst about notifying the TREC.

There is a constitutional right to be as big a jerk as you want by your freedom of speech.

However, there is also a 'god-given' right, which I reserve the right to exercise at a moments notice, to insert my foot in your back-side for being a jerk while exercising your freedom of speech.

Just a question for Al., which do you prefer? Your right or mine?

Isn't it funny. The people who most want their freedom of speech protected as well as their freedom are usually the ones who bitch the loudest about preserving that freedom... yet, do not support the folks who are there to do such a thing. WOW!

Folks, whether or not you agree or disagree with the policies with our country is irrelevant. My biggest complaint is the disrespect that has been shown time and time again to the men and women who serve in the armed forces by the general/ blanket statements of those think everything is black and white or Dem's vs Rep's. That's not the case. The sacrifice should not be just numbers reported daily. The sacrifice is real families apart, and not only at Christmas but MOST OF THE TIME. The sacrifice is the job they are doing vs the real world jobs that they could be doing... like being a professional home inspector.

Politics and this board really do not go together. So, I'll stop the rant. My deal is a true sense of personal embarrassment for the truly good people out here in Texas as well as the inspection community that have to bear the label of someone who in no way is representative of how we, as humans, respond to helping one another.

Hell, if you are not here to help others, why even show up to this board? I guess the answer is to take from it and not give back... That make sense why some people only hang around the Chit-Chat threads and Ethics threads without contributing to the technical threads.

Rant-OUT

Richard

------------------
Richard Rushing
Duncanville, Tx.
richard@aa-inspection.com

Robert Schenck
New Member


Posts: 8
From:Whitby, Ontario - Canada
Registered: Dec 2005

posted December 20, 2005 06:34 AM         

Keith,

You've stumbled upon a website (forum) with a wealth of knowledge and insight. I'm always glad to see a fellow military service member join the ranks !

You asked where do you pay ? Hmmmm ? Maybe you can make a contribution to the Austin Rehabilitaion Center for the mentally impaired ?? (Sorry - I couldn't resist that one)

Not only is he sending you e-mails, but I'm also receiving them from him. Wow - What a charactor he is !!

Richard Stanley
Member


Posts: 769
From:Corpus Christi, TX
Registered: Sep 2002

posted December 20, 2005 07:13 AM            

'can't find that word in my Webster. "lateratory" . I will venture a guess that it means Al Austin is an A&&h@le.

Ed Porter
Member


Posts: 692
From:Grand Haven, MI
Registered: Jun 2001

posted December 20, 2005 07:21 AM            

I think there are days when poor Al forgets to take his medication, or he sobers up. Either way...the man is a lunatic.

Good luck to you Keith, from someone getting out of the business, to someone getting into the business.

------------------
Ed Porter - NAHI CRI
Cornerstone Home Inspection Services, Inc.
Grand Haven, MI

cshomeinspector.com

Russel Ray
Member



Posts: 2764
From:San Diego, California
Registered: May 2002

posted December 20, 2005 08:56 AM            

Hey, Keith.

I knew with a name like Pruski and being from San Antonio that it had to be you.

Your Aunt Agnes Kirk is my paternal grandmother, the one who adopted me at the age of 10 and raised me in Kingsville, Texas. So if your grandmother is my great aunt, I think that would make us second cousins? Once I get past first cousins, I get totally confused about relationships.

I sent you a more extensive email.

Jerry Peck
Member




Posts: 7924
From:Pembroke Pines, FL
Registered: Feb 2003

posted December 20, 2005 10:12 AM            

Russel ... "I get totally confused about relationships"

Yeah, but as long as they work for you, that's okay.

------------------
Jerry Peck
South Florida

Mike Schulz
Member


Posts: 344
From:Fuquay Varina, NC
Registered: Jan 2003

posted December 20, 2005 12:24 PM            

I say we bring our men back and send "AL" over there to take care of us. He would last about 30 minutes before he would become some towel heads bit@#.....

Keith, Thank you,
You and all servicemen and women make me proud to be a American!

[This message has been edited by Mike Schulz (edited December 20, 2005).]

Buster Foster
Member


Posts: 50
From:Burleson, Texas
Registered: Jun 2005

posted December 20, 2005 12:53 PM            

Keith,
On behalf of my kids, my wife, my family and community We say THANK YOU and yours for protecting our right to Live and Breathe in the Greatest Nation on Earth. We should all be thankful to the Men and Women of the Armed services for the jobs they do!
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Buster

Al Austin
Member



Posts: 1103
From:Houston Texas
Registered: Jan 2001

posted December 20, 2005 03:45 PM            

Keith and other newbies or want to be newbies:
Seriously, first off you may have a whole lot to learn starting off and it is an endless task to keep good accurate information coming in. After a while a lot of the stuff here is highly redundant, weak, diversionary and somewhat elementary, kind of like KP duty or a high school study session. But then as an inspector you might also always be worried about being sued if you miss something or treat someone wrongly. It is the nature of this country to be quick to sue for big bucks for any reason no matter how trivial.

On a positive note I am sure you will be a perfect candidate for the NACHI association. It is perfect for your current level of experience and you can become a "certified" inspector over night at little or almost no cost out of pocket. Then you are on your way to the big bucks and lots of Realtor friends who will be very happy to give you referrals for reports they will cherish at closing.

Just tell them at NACHI that Nick G. (their Commander in Chief) sent you a freebie offer. I'm sure you will love his military approach and outgoing yet understated personality. NACHI has thousands of "certified members" with similar talents and ambitions as your current ones. You might fit right in instantly.

Of course there are always many other avenues open to vets and the GI Bill payment plans. Many inspection schools may not that organized or capable of handling the GI bill requirements but you can attend many junior colleges nationwide and learn the trade while attending at night without needing any real background in construction, architecture, engineering, electronics, HVAC or having any structural knowledge.

You could also become a pest control poison applicator and look for termites and other nasty creatures. That also takes very little experience, knowledge or skill.
You could also learn how to paint houses or shampoo carpet. The military probably also taught you how to flip burgers. There are always opeings there.

Also on a positive note:
Good Luck to your long range vision and plans; may they take you to better possibilities with freedom and justice for all.

A special Thanks goes out to Thomas Jefferson for Freedom of Speech provision and the Bill of Rights. May they never be repealed or limited by government entities or private interests. Thus the core freedoms can be used (like the Geova Convention rules and the United Nations provisions) to help protect worldwide peaceful civil liberties and respectful dialogue and interchange between ALL people of this currently highly troubled partisan planet.

Joseph P. Hagarty
Member


Posts: 477
From:Philadelphia / Main Line
Registered: Feb 2003

posted December 20, 2005 04:25 PM            

Al Austin Wrote:

quote:

---

...On a positive note I am sure you will be a perfect candidate for the NACHI association.

You could also become a pest control poison applicator and look for termites and other nasty creatures.

That also takes very little experience, knowledge or skill.

You could also learn how to paint houses or shampoo carpet.

The military probably also taught you how to flip burgers. There are always opeings there.

Also on a positive note:
Good Luck to your long range vision and plans; may they take you to better possibilities with freedom and justice for all.

---

Keith:

All Business Professionals are welcomed at the NACHI Organization. Members of NACHI include many of the most Successful and Entreprenurial Members of the HI Industry.

Mr. Austin's views represent a small fragment of the Industry (himself) and should not be considered to be representative of the views of the majority of the HI Industry (NACHI)

http://www.nachi.org

------------------
HouseMaster Inspection
West Chester, PA
joseph.hagarty@housemaster.com http://www.householdinspector.com

Erby Crofutt
Member



Posts: 1114
From:Georgetown, Kentucky
Registered: Mar 2002

posted December 20, 2005 04:55 PM            

Brian Hannigan,

I know you've only given your award a couple of times for well deserving individuals under special circumstances

I'd like to ask you to consider Al Austin a well deserving individual also.

PLEASE, relegate him to the same category as those other well deserving individuals and award him the "BOOT".

------------------
Erby Crofutt
B4U Close Home Inspections & Kentucky Radon Testing
Georgetown, Kentucky

www.b4uclose.com

Rick Hurst
Member



Posts: 3789
From:Rockwall, TX
Registered: Oct 2003

posted December 20, 2005 05:27 PM            

I second that! Its time to go.

Rick

BEN KELLY
Member


Posts: 121
From:UNION CITY, TN
Registered: Nov 2003

posted December 20, 2005 06:12 PM            

http://www.nachi.org/

Al, your comments are bogus. I am sure your business will continue to flourish with your current attitude.

Gerry Beaumont
Member


Posts: 482
From:Rochester NH & Clearwater FL
Registered: Jan 2003

posted December 20, 2005 07:09 PM            

Hi to all,

I think for once febble minded Al has it right, I have just given Keith a years "working membership" in NACHI at our (NACHI's)expense.

I KNOW that our members will encourage him and help him develop, if we can't help an active serviceman in the persuit of his goals then who can we help.

I KNOW our members will support me in this.

Regards

Gerry

------------------
Gerry Beaumont
NACHI Training Consultant
www.nachi.org

Russel Ray
Member



Posts: 2764
From:San Diego, California
Registered: May 2002

posted December 20, 2005 07:31 PM            

Hey, NACHI folks. Good to see everyone over here.

I'm hoping that, as a cousin of some sort to Keith, and a NACHI member, perhaps I can influence Keith a wee bit. I sent him a lengthy email about NACHI, Mr. Austin (although I'm not sure the "Mr." is deserved), and various other home inspection-related tidbits (as well as some family news).

I know that NACHI not only can help Keith succeed, but will helpfully and willingly help him succeed. I think it is that NACHI willingness to help new inspectors succeed that infuriates so many home inspectors. Yet I would submit that the truly good home inspectors, regardless of association affiliation, have nothing to be afraid of.

My own opinion is that if someone truly is good at what they do, that someone can create a niche market for himself regardless of any other entities or professionals in the market. Personally, I believe I'm living proof of that. Many here at inspectionnews.com don't like me or my way of doing things, yet I seem to have created an extremely good, reputable, and profitable niche market for myself, my company and employees, and my way of doing things.

You can do it, too.
Anyone can do it.
Notwithstanding any little snippets here and there that all humans fall prey to, anyone can create a successful enterprise without denigrating other people regardless of their ethnicity, sexual orientation, politics, or anything else.

Okay, margarita time.

[This message has been edited by Russel Ray (edited December 20, 2005).]

Scott Patterson
Member



Posts: 2971
From:Ridgeland (Jackson), MS
Registered: Mar 2001

posted December 20, 2005 07:45 PM            

Al,

You have really crossed the line. It's not even worth my time to type the two words that describe you as a person.

Brian please give Al the award, I don't think you have given one this year! Al, you have my vote.
-----------------
Scott Patterson

http://www.ashi.org

Scott Patterson
Member



Posts: 2971
From:Ridgeland (Jackson), MS
Registered: Mar 2001

posted December 20, 2005 07:49 PM            

As Al is known for deleting his post, I thought I would save it for all to see: P.S. the spelling is all Al's!

quote:

---

Al Austin
Member

Posts: 1102
From:Houston Texas
Registered: Jan 2001
posted December 20, 2005 03:45 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keith and other newbies or want to be newbies:
Seriously, first off you may have a whole lot to learn starting off and it is an endless task to keep good accurate information coming in. After a while a lot of the stuff here is highly redundant, weak, diversionary and somewhat elementary, kind of like KP duty or a high school study session. But then as an inspector you might also always be worried about being sued if you miss something or treat someone wrongly. It is the nature of this country to be quick to sue for big bucks for any reason no matter how trivial.

On a positive note I am sure you will be a perfect candidate for the NACHI association. It is perfect for your current level of experience and you can become a "certified" inspector over night at little or almost no cost out of pocket. Then you are on your way to the big bucks and lots of Realtor friends who will be very happy to give you referrals for reports they will cherish at closing.

Just tell them