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It's is a great day here in Orem, Utah. Inspection life here in Utah was very busy this past week, but the highlight of the week came on Wednesday when we celebrated Adam's 6th birthday. Normally we would celebrate with a home party, but this year we took Adam and about 10 of his friends to a wonderful new place in Orem, Utah called Extreme Competition.
Extreme Competition is an indoor warehouse where they have every blow-up carnival ride known to man on the inside. For 1 hour we went non-stop over the obstacle courses, down the slides and even stuck ourselves to a 12 foot velcro wall. Watching our 2 year old Aaron climb the 10 foot angled rope climb only to go fearlessly down the slide on the other side was impressive.
My favorite activity was the Run-n-Tug. The Run-n-Tug is a harness that you put on your upper torso that has a large bungee cord attached to the back side. The object is to run as far as you can while stretching the bungee cord. When you start to max out you dive to gain a few extra feet while reaching out to stick your velcro marker to prove your manlihood. The instant the marker is placed the bungee cord's power sends you flying about 10 feet airborne backwards until you once again abruptly come to a stop when you hit the floor. ...... Come to think of it, maybe that is why my back is currently throbbing. =:}
NOTE: This is copied from the AII™ website. I'm sharing it here because it took the better part of 7 hours to complete the work, because of the links, registration form, and CGI scripting. To register for the event please visit www.Inspection.org for the fees and details.
DATES: APRIL 28-30, 2000
PLACE: AIRPORT HOLIDAY INN - PORTLAND, OREGON
A.I.I.™ has a history of sponsoring important training and educational seminars for Home Inspectors. This is the first time that A.I.I.™ has offered a program in the Northwest area. If you are an established Home Inspector who is serious about advancing your career, or are new to the business and want to expand your knowledge base, you cannot afford to miss this opportunity.
This weekend program is designed to be an educational experience that is loaded with great topics and presenters. Our focus is on filling the days with learning. There will be no house tours, cocktail receptions, entertainment or awards dinners that drive up the fees. We want to offer the most education for your dollar as possible.
SPOUSES: We also encourage you to bring your spouse. We have a policy that spouses may attend at no additional fee - just let us know when you register if your spouse is going to join you.
GET YOUR CREDITS ! - Attendance at the presentations qualifies for Continuing Education Credits with the State of Oregon, A.I.I.™, and other home inspection associations.
CE CREDITS
8.0
Ron Cloyd is the owner of Certified Home Inspections in Klammath Falls, Oregon. Ron is well-versed in the challenge of making accurate evaluations and repair recommendations for Wood Destroying Insect and Wood Destroying Organism inspections.
2.0
1.5
All of the technology in the world will not help your business phone ring if you are not effectively marketing yourself. Tips will be shared for the new Inspector that will help them penetrate their marketplace. Advanced tips will also be discussed for seasoned Inspectors that are trying to lighten their workload and still increase their bottom lines.
Michael is the owner of Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc., in Orem, Utah. Michael is also the creator and author of the weekly National Home Inspector's e-mail newsletter the Monday Morning Messenger. He is well-versed in both ends of the success spectrum and will share some proven tips that will make your business more successful.
3D COURSE REGISTRATION
The seating is very limited for this course. CLICK HERE and e-mail Michael directly to reserve your place in this class.
This course is designed to step Inspectors through the different features of the 3D Report Writing software. The basics will be taught as well as more advanced features like importing digital photographs, diagraming and merging report comments into summary documents. As an added feature we will also discuss the new CE handheld software.
NOTE: The fee for this course is $150.00 and is not part of the general A.I.I.™ conference. Attendance at this training is for those Inspectors already using or those that are upgrading to the 3D system. This is a hands-on course that will require the use of your own laptop in the training room. Those without laptops will need to either borrow one or bring along their full desktop systems. It is important that the steps are learned on your very own machine. This course is being offered because of the growing number of Home Inspectors that are using this feature-filled software.
HOTEL INFORMATION - The Portland Airport Holiday Inn is conveniently located two miles from the airport. Complimentary transportation is offered 24 hours a day. Downtown Portland is minutes away.
The Holiday Inn at the Portland Airport is offering attendees discounted rates for single and double rooms of $79.00. For reservations call: (503)256-5000
Be an Early Bird registrant for a chance to win one free night!
If your payment is received on or before March 25, 2000, your name will be automatically entered in the drawing to receive one free night's stay at The HOLIDAY INN at the Portland Airport.
Chances are you have received your postcard announcement in the mail for the upcoming A.I.I.™ Northwest Conference. As the time draws nearer, it is becoming apparent that there is a lot of interest in what will be offered there, as well as members stepping forward to offer help in putting it together. I have heard from several of you, and it's a pretty sure bet that if you offered a hand you will get a call from me before long.
I will try to answer some of the questions that I anticipate will be coming forth before they get asked. Please call or e-mail me (530-477-4700 or Smerritt@cwnet.com) or Brent Foster (360-360-236-8321 or GPIinc@home.com) with any other questions you may have. (NOTE: Please leave Michael Leavitt alone on this topic - Michael is being very helpful with the organization in other areas, so please respect that he is not the person to direct questions to).
Q: How do I find out more about the Portland Conference? The postcard doesn't tell me much.
A: Go to the A.I.I.™ website, (You can click on it directly from this site or type in www.Inspection.org). There is information there now, with more to come as the line-up of presentations solidifies, (and as Michael's time permits for him to put what I give him onto the A.I.I.™ website).
Q: What if I didn't get a postcard?
A: It will probably land in your mailbox today or tomorrow if it hasn't already. If not, go directly to the website. Do not pass Go. Any number of things could have led to your not getting the card.
Q: How do I register?
A: There is a fill-in form on the web site, along with the answers on what to do with it. Start by printing the completed form. Then, depending on your method of payment, you either mail it or fax it.
Q: What's the deal with the "Early Bird" discount?
A: Get your payment into Brent Foster's hands by the 25th of March and you save $50 off the regular registration fee. Plus, your name goes into the drawing for a rebate on your room for a night.
Q: Even the regular fees seem low compared to the other conferences I've attended or gotten invitations to.
A: There's two answers to this:
Q: What's the deal with A.I.I.™ Mobile Home Training? I was really wanting to get that certification, but I see it isn't being offered?
A: Yep, it's not there this time. There is only room to offer so much, and it was decided that there is not room for it this time around. But the thought is to springboard off the anticipated success of this conference to a training in either June or September, in which the A.I.I. Mobile Home training could be presented.
Q: Is the Portland Airport Holiday Inn giving us a deal on rooms?
A: Absolutely they are. That was one of the deciding factors in selecting the Holiday Inn at the Portland Airport for this function. Room rates are $79 for attendees. Make your reservations early as they will not guarantee this rate as the date draws nearer. By the way, for you wise guys, the drawing for a free night applies to those who stay at the Portland Airport Holiday Inn - if you go somewhere else and pay $139 for a room the deal is off!
Q: Funds are a bit tight for me now, but I really want to attend. What are the registration payment options?
A: If you cannot afford to write the check there is always the credit card option. The Association is set up to process Mastercharge and Visa.
Q: Is it too late to suggest courses for the weekend?
A: Very nearly Yes. The line-up is quite full, but if you contact me quickly we may be able to accommodate your suggestion. Suggestions are most helpful if you can also direct me to an awesome presenter. I'll follow up any suggestions that meet the criteria of appealing to a goodly number of Inspectors. It is often difficult to offer subjects that appeal to the seasoned Inspector as well as the person who is newer to the inspection business. If need be, we can split the group for periods because we have two rooms reserved for this event. There is still a little time to change or build on the schedule, but the window for change is closing quickly.
Q: Who else has been invited to the Portland Conference besides A.I.I.™ members?
A: This event is being sponsored and executed by A.I.I™ only. We have also sent out invitation to every Registered Home Inspector in Oregon, California inspectors with the CREIA North Central Valley Chapter, and a number of Washington Home Inspectors with and without affiliations have also been mailed invitations.
If you know of another Home Inspector who may be interested, please direct him/her to our A.I.I.™ website (www.Inspection.org). The Course Credits apply towards the requirements of A.I.I.™, the State of Oregon, and CREIA. The policies of other Trade Associations has not been verified as to whether they accept our courses for credit.
Q: I see there is an A.I.I.™ Board Meeting scheduled for Saturday. Is that open to the entire membership or just the Board Members?
A: The entire membership is encouraged to attend. A.I.I.™ has a policy of open Board Meetings.
I know I can't think of all the possible questions that might come up, so bring them to me or Brent Foster directly, or post them to the AII™ Inspector Hotline. I'll do my best to address them promptly. Scott Merritt - AII™ President 2000
Here's what I've got this time. The photos were taken while inspecting an upstairs condominium unit. It was one of eight (4 up and 4 down) in an Association of probably 100 condominiums. The first picture is of a water heater installed in a small closet off a hall 1/2 bath vanity linen closet area. It is a 40 gallon small and squatty tank.
The second picture is the termination point of the SRV venting.
What do ya think?
Does this look to be acceptable in any way shape or form to the assembled masses? If possible, I'd like to know by tomorrow AM, early. I've made my comments on my report, but the buyer wanted me to "hear from my web buddies" - Ken Ives - Sacramento, CA
As Ken Ives asked..... "What do ya think?"
Last week I discussed the challenge of battery life in the little handheld CE machines. I went ahead and purchased the additional Casio battery. The game plan from here is to use one battery for an entire week. At the end of the week I will then charge it up and remove it from the Casio E-100 and replace it with the back-up battery. The Casio technical support says that the unused battery should be able to hold a full charge easily for a week. If I need the battery during the week then so be it. If not, the regular rotation will be better for the battery life.
The one scenario that I am trying to prevent is having to finish a partially complete inspection on my laptop or on a handwritten check sheet. The bonus to working with the CE platform is that the accessories are relatively inexpensive when compared to laptop accessories.
You are not going to believe what I am test driving this week...... The Finger Pen??? The biggest challenge with a Casio unit (or any other pen based machine) is the insertion and storage of the pen stylus each and every time you put the unit back into the custom belt holster. A possible solution for this challenge is the index finger stylus.... I'm a bit apprehensive, but it could just be a winner. After a full week of inspecting with the Finger Pen I will have some very definite opinions on the usability of the product - Tune in next week for the road test results.
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