As of 12 noon or Monday 4/14, there are 162 active users on this site with 39 registered members in the bunch, but not a lot of new posts going up. Looks like most of us are just waiting for something to happen or for work to come in.

10-4 good buddy.
Poll: Growing majority avoid buying homes - Real estate - MSNBC.com

__________________
Dave

Yeah, I read that earlier today Dave. But I'll never undestand the people who won't buy because they think the value of the house is going to drop. If they are only planning on being there a couple years, I guess I could see the rationale. Doesn't anybody buy a house anymore with the intention of living there for years and years?

Just got back in from a morning job. Business has picked up a good deal in my area. I have been booked fairly solid for the past couple of weeks and this week has only a few open spots in it.

__________________
Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com

Showoff!

Good for you Scott. Hopefully some of what you're experiencing will find it's way up to PA.

I got a call a little while ago from somebody looking for an inspection 80 miles away from me. I may actually take it he calls back. That's a sign of the times.

Nick. I think that may be part of the problem here in the Northeast.
Population has stayed steady or decreasing. A lot of people stay in their house for long periods or move up to larger homes. But we do not have the growth the South and West have. This makes it real tough in these slow markets.
I am thinking of moving to Florida myself. My wife just got layed off after 15 years in same company. (Bought by another firm) Poor timing for us with the HI slow also. If she finds something in Florida (Have a condo there) we will probably leave the Northeast. Big savings when you figure mortgage, property taxes, heating cost, Cost of HI business in slow market. Do not expect it to pick up in next few years. Only down part would be that I would leave the HI business that I love. At some point you have to stop the bleeding. Plus I hate the cold weather as I get older!

__________________
Dave

That picture is in a town about 40 miles from me... I guess that's not a good indicator as to how things are in my area. For a long time everyone around here said the Pacific NW was shielded from the problems.... I guess not.

We're doing okay but still down quite a bit from the past few years.

SF bay area still has really high prices and the long timers are doing just fine.
The guys that entered this business in the last couple of years are a disappearing fast. However, it was no different between the 50s and 80s when I was contracting or mid 80s 90s and when I was inspecting. It takes time to get established, get a rep (trust) and one has to always stay on top of his/her game. Southern CA inspectors are not as reasonably content as my friends around here, but I think the market down south is far more depressed and there's a lot more of them then us.

__________________
Jerry McCarthy
Construction Consultant
www.expertbuildingconsultants.com

I would guess that Jerry Mc is right. I am slammed (right now, at least).

__________________
The apostrophe troll.

Most home inspectors around here are part time so they don't have to worry about the lack of jobs as much (which has always been a plus for me since they are not around to answer the phone and many of their wifes don't do the greatest job when the kids are yelling and the dog is barking).

They talk the talk about being a great home inspector and how they are still doing good but yet they still have to work as a maintenance man in an apartment building or some other job that doesn't offer insuranc or great pay even after being a home inspector for some years now.

__________________
I say lets merge all the home inspection organizations into one.

Seepaluce

Not sure about others, but I've been booked solid since the middle of January.

I've blown away every month this year with physical count and $$.

April is enroute for the same results.

Just hope it continues.

__________________
Cheers - Nolan E. Kienitz, HCRI, PMP
Dallas Home Inspector
www.NolansInspections.com

Nolan,

Dont' be telling everyone that man.

They'll all be loading up the U-Haul and be moving this way.

Its been 7 days a week for me for the last 2 months with just a few days off for well you know.

rick

Yeah Boy,

Attached Images

	Danceing on Pickup.gif (8.0 KB, 73 views)
	Waving $.gif (28.3 KB, 73 views)

__________________
It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie!
Billy J. Stephens HI Service
Memphis TN.

Come on martha get the kids in the old truck. TEXAS HAS WORK!!!

My IR work has been a big help this year.

Best

Ron