Old inspector reconnecting

[Steve Rush]

Hello all. Reconnecting on Brian's site. Always loved his forum. Back to learn and participate

[Brian Hannigan]

Thanks for posting here and welcome to InspectionNews!

You will find a ton of information here but don't forget about the Member Benefits too.

Some save you time, others save you money and some do both!

Make sure you view the list of Member Benefits at: http://www.InspectionNews.net/home_inspection/MemberBenefits

[Gunnar Alquist]

Hello all. Reconnecting on Brian's site. Always loved his forum. Back to learn and participate

HOLY S#&*!!!,

Steve, how are you? Long time no see/talk/hear. Still alive, I see. :cool:

[Steve Rush]

[QUOTE=Gunnar Alquist;284400]HOLY S#&*!!!,

Steve, how are you? Long time no see/talk/hear. Still alive, I see. :cool:

Hi Gunnar,

Yes still alive, busy as ever, just been staying out of politics. Live longer that way.
What's with the mad scientist hair?

[Gunnar Alquist]

[QUOTE=Gunnar Alquist;284400]HOLY S#&*!!!,
Hi Gunnar,

Yes still alive, busy as ever, just been staying out of politics. Live longer that way.
What's with the mad scientist hair?

I was in my 50s, got fired from my marriage and decided that now would be a good time to go through my mid-life crisis. So, I started a spreadsheet to analyze my options (sailboat, Harley, Porche, 22 y/o girlfriend) and found the only thing I could afford was long hair.

So, I went with it.

[Steve Rush]

[QUOTE=Steve Rush;284401]

I was in my 50s, got fired from my marriage and decided that now would be a good time to go through my mid-life crisis. So, I started a spreadsheet to analyze my options (sailboat, Harley, Porche, 22 y/o girlfriend) and found the only thing I could afford was long hair.

So, I went with it.

Well I bought a nice Harley Road Glide customized for my mid life crisis. Added lots of accessories. Cruised around Tahoe, Nor.Cal, Monterey etc with my wife Sold it last year. Used proceeds to go to Italy for 14 days. Still have a vacation home in Tahoe. Paid off my house in SSF after my heart attack 5 years ago. Trying to get debt free, but I just got permission to buy a boat for Tahoe. I really have nothing to complain about.
Have tried several times over the years to train someone to take over my business. No one wants to put the energy into becoming an inspector with the incentive to gross several hundred thousand a year and taking over an established business as one of the top 5 companies in this area.
I have had lazy, not motivated, want it now without working for it young men and no woman takers. One tried stealing my software. Only so many companies do home and termite inspections and I am one of three in area. Think of the knowledge you and I can offer a newbie and no one wants a business that all they have to do is learn, show up, collect data and issue a couple reports.
Oh well I will still retire next 6 years. Hopefully someone will come along or I will just fade into the sunset like Shane on my Sea Ray Sundancer 350.

P.S. You're only 50?

[Gunnar Alquist]

[QUOTE=Gunnar Alquist;284405]
P.S. You're only 50?

No. Turned 60 this year. The long hair started a few years ago. Takes a while to grow-out.

Yes, I have known a few folks who tried to sell their business, but did not have any luck. I suspect if the price is low enough, someone will take it. In this job market, intelligent young people can get into tech and make lots without having the crawl around under someone else's home. It's only us fools that do that.

Difficult to get the current generation to pour concrete or cook either. That's why many jobs of that sort go to the recent immigrant community.

Sounds like you are doing ok though.

[Brian Hannigan]

Hi Steve,

Welcome back. I'm happy to hear you're doing well and can't wait to hear about the new boat.

Looking forward to seeing you sometime soon.

[Steve Rush]

Thanks Brian,
You have always been a class act.

The boat.........Brand new that boat is $274000. I saw a 1994 refurbished for $14500 that peaked my interest. Still deciding whether to buy one is worth it. BOAT stands for "bring out another thousand" I am trying to become debt free and the stupid side of me says get a boat. A toy that I will likely only use 6-7 times a year.

[Gunnar Alquist]

Thanks Brian,
You have always been a class act.

The boat.........Brand new that boat is $274000. I saw a 1994 refurbished for $14500 that peaked my interest. Still deciding whether to buy one is worth it. BOAT stands for "bring out another thousand" I am trying to become debt free and the stupid side of me says get a boat. A toy that I will likely only use 6-7 times a year.

$274 K?!? *Hurgh* :shocked:

Plus, you get to buy gas. I bet that thing would suck down a couple of hundred every time you took it out for the day.

Ever think about a kayak? :cool:

And, how does a young family fork over a quarter of a million? I do like the pink bikini though.
https://www.searay.com/page.aspx/pageid/160944/pmid/366033/Sundancer-350.aspx

[Jerry Peck]

I suspect one of the two boat prices had an extra "0" .
$274000 ($27400?)
$14500

Not being a 'boat person' (one of the few 'not boat people' in the family) I've heard that boats "are a hole in the water you throw money into".

[Gunnar Alquist]

I suspect one of the two boat prices had an extra "0" .
$274000 ($27400?)
$14500

JP,

Looks like Steve has his numbers correct.
https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2016-sea-ray-350-sundancer-102633967/?refSource=standard%20listing



... I've heard that boats "are a hole in the water you throw money into".

True

[Jerry Peck]

JP,

Looks like Steve has his numbers correct.
https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2016-sea-ray-350-sundancer-102633967/?refSource=standard%20listing


HOLY CRAP BATMAN!

That IS an expensive hole in the water!

[Steve Rush]

Just to be clear, I would never pay for a new boat, especially a $275000 boat! I did see one of those models on Craigslist , 1994 Sea Ray 230 Sundancer in excellent condition for $14900. Now sold, bummer. I will wait until next winter to buy. There will always be deals.

[Gunnar Alquist]

I dunno, I think I would have been in awe if you did buy new. Even if you do live in a city where poverty level wages are around $100K, that would still be impressive.

However, I do understand why $15K would be more appealing. However, like JP said "a hole...". A few years ago, a friend of mine bought an older (mid '70s - fixer) 33' sailboat for a mere $30K. He put an additional $30K into it and now puts an average of 15K annually into it (slip rental and maintenance) in addition to his own labor. You really gotta love boats to do this. I love boats enough to go out on his.

[Steve Rush]

Gunnar,

The poverty levels here are now about $150000. I don't know how people can afford to buy a house here and come up with a minimum $200000 down payment.
SF is so expensive and too many homeless on the streets. That's a whole other subject
A 2/1 goes for a minimum $1M. In Palo Alto $2.5- 3M. Yet I am pretty busy all the time. . I do 98% sellers inspections. No more buyers inspections. Booked out so far that can't meet contingency time frames. I am sure your area has same conditions.
The boat is on a bucket list, but I can't have a house in Lake Tahoe without a boat. Man would I like to be able to buy a boat at $275000 and not even blink an eye on the cost.