News

Join me for a Charity Golf Tournament!Posted by admin on August 4th, 2014

Do you golf? Do you like to have fun? Get a foursome together and golf with a bunch of amazing women for charity! Prizes, drinks, dinner and fun are all on the agenda… and it’s all for a couple of great causes: The Oregon Food Bank and NE PDX Backpack Lunch Program. This tournament is for members and non-members of The Greater Portland Chapter of Women’s Council of Realtors on Wednesday, August 13, 2014. Shotgun start at 1 pm.

This is a DRIVING COURSE, so carts will be provided. After 18 holes, dinner will be provided. Prizes will be awarded for some unusual happenings on the course. Non golfers are welcome to join the group for Dinner at $20.00 per person.

Drinks will be offered on the course and I plan on having some awesome promotional items! Please bring cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank. More info and register here.

See you there!Nicole teeing off recently...

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Radon Testing in Portland Oregon!Posted by admin on May 19th, 2014

Home Gnome Inspections now offers radon testing!

What is radon? Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that may cause cancer. It can be in the water, soil and air you breathe. It gets trapped inside buildings, increasing your risk for exposure.

Get it tested!

If you are concerned about radon in your home:

  • Make a appointment by email or call 503-913-1281! Radon testing is easy, affordable, and it can save your life.
  • Testing is most accurate when the doors/windows/exhaust fans & vents are closed for a minimum of 12 hours prior to the start of the test and when the home remains closed (except for regular entry and exit) for the duration of the test (at least 48 hours).
  • Radon in your home can be reduced up to 99%! Find qualified mitigators here.
  • Radon is estimated to cause 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year. Is the air you breathe safe?
  • Click here to see if  your area is at high-risk.

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Home Inspection DiscountPosted by admin on May 8th, 2014

Have you received a postcard or heard about our May home inspection discount? Get $20 off your next Portland home inspection with coupon code: SPRING 14. Just mention it at any time before payment.

Please pass this code along to anyone who’s looking for a thorough, reliable and trustworthy inspector!

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A/C Springtime MaintenancePosted by admin on May 7th, 2014

It’s starting to stay warm lately and soon enough you’ll want to use your air conditioning system. Make sure you’ll be ready to go when it’s time!

Basically:

  • Clear the immediate area around the unit- much vegetation growth has happened since you last used the unit!
  • Do NOT use when the temperature is below 65 degrees- this can damage the system!
  • When you first start the air conditioner, set your thermostat 5 degrees above room temperature to lubricate the system.
  • Change the filter at the interior unit- this should be done regularly, especially if you have allergies!
  • Learn what to have a qualified professional do for you.
  • Learn about Freon and how low levels can damage the system.

If you haven;t had your A/C system, serviced in a while, it’s probably time. Don’t wait until scorching temperatures are in the forecast!

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Are You Social?Posted by admin on April 23rd, 2014

We are! Follow us on social media to get maintenance, home improvement and green building tips as well as links to relevant housing articles and neighborhood events for the Portland area.

Don’t be shy! We’re happy to help. If you have a question, ask us in any of these ways:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomeGnomePDX

Twitter: @HomeGnomePDX

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/homegnome

Email: hello@dev.home-gnome.com

Call: 503-913-1281

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Tip No. 5Posted by admin on April 22nd, 2014

Our inspector, Nicole, was in architecture for more than 13 years! Ask her about ideas for remodeling and additions at no extra charge when she inspects your home.

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Toot toot!Posted by admin on April 21st, 2014

I’m not really the type of person to toot my own horn, but this article on Faces from the Neighborhood is so well-written and deserves a read! Learn a little about my history, my fascination with crawlspaces and why I gave up architecture.

Thanks to Lisa Ratzlaff for her wonderful interview and superb writing. She hit the nail on the head. Read the article here: Faces from the Neighborhood

Nicole in a crawlspace

If you’re looking for a realtor here in the Portland area, contact Lisa- she’ll take care of you!

Lisa Ratzlaff
Re/Max Equity Group
Cell: 971-200-5259
lratzlaff@equitygroup.com
www.realhomesinpdx.com

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My Moisture Meter Is Ready For Its Next Home Inspection!Posted by admin on April 10th, 2014

moisture meter skin testI changed the battery and calibrated my moisture meter this morning. I also successfully tested my skin and it contains moisture, so that’s good… but how do I use my moisture meter in a home inspection?

I use my moisture meter anytime I see moisture stains or have pinpointed a suspicious area that needs checking. Common areas that I check with my meter are:

  • Ceilings and walls (particularly at chimneys and at potential plumbing and roof leaks)
  • walls/ceilings/floors near plumbing
  • in basements and crawlspaces under plumbing and where foundations show previous or current leaks

My moisture meter is an invaluable tool to have in a home inspection and I use it a lot (mostly just to be sure) but surprisingly, I don’t usually find an alarming amount moisture. (Testing wood is tricky because it naturally contains moisture.) It’s even more difficult to detect moisture during the summer months when it hasn’t rained for a while so little moisture is present from a lack of rain.

If the house you’re getting inspected has had leaks or moisture issues in the past that the realtor and client know about, let me know so I can check it with my meter!

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First time home buyer? Join me!Posted by admin on February 15th, 2014

Choose one that best describes you:

A. I’ve never purchased a home before.

B. It’s been a while since my last purchase and I think I’m about ready to purchase my next home…  think things have changed, haven’t they?

C. Buying a home is something I plan on doing in the future. What can I start to think about and plan for now?

D. I’m bored. I like free food and drinks. I want to meet that one home inspector lady….

If you chose one or more of the answers above, you are in luck.

I’ve been graciously invited to participate in a first time home buyer’s event on Thursday, February 20th at John L. Scott Woodstock. Join us to find out the role of the realtor, what you (as a buyer) can do; hear from a lender, a title company and a home inspector (that’s me!); get your home-buying questions answered. These presenters know the process and business inside and out and they are on your side.

We will have plenty of information and handouts (and I’ll be passing out coupons for your next home inspection). Snacks and beverages will be provided. Best of all: this is a free event!

Deets:

RSVP if you’re so inclined (not necessary): nicole@dev.home-gnome.com

 

 

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Testimonial from Amanda and NatePosted by admin on June 16th, 2013

I got the best testimonial today:

My wife and I have had two different home inspections performed by Home Gnome.  We ended up not purchasing the house from our first inspection due to some things found that weren’t obvious to us.  We were very satisfied with the thoroughness of the inspector’s work and we contracted her to inspect a different property that we ended up purchasing.

The inspection reports are very thorough and easy to read.  Everything is summarized at the beginning of the report for quick reference and described in further detail in the subsections.  Photos are included so you can visualize the issues discovered.  The detailed reports and photos are helpful if you need to describe something to a third party.  Home Gnome’s attention to detail and perfectionism is invaluable. With her background in architecture, Home Gnome has the expertise and eye to see things possibly missed by someone without that experience.

The customer service was fabulous.  If there was something we didn’t understand and needed some clarification, we were able to reach out and get a prompt response.

I would recommend Home Gnome to anyone considering purchasing a house and looking to get a home inspection.  If you would like any further information about my experience please contact me at olson_nate@hotmail.com

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