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Report This!
More Classic Construction Techniques in Photos from Our Inspectors.
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Please report what you see in the photo below. First student to report correctly saves $25.00 on your next CE class.
Thank you RB for the photo.
NOTICE: Send in the photo published in our next Newsletter and win a $25 gift certificate good for any PLI class or deal.
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Credit Card Progress in 2013
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Credit cards no longer are allowed to charge unfair interest rates.
Card sellers also are required to give plain language disclosures so you can see for yourself.
Those improvement are required by the federal Credit Card Act, part of the silver lining to financial crisis and rehab, passed five years ago.
An Oct., 2013 government study found that the law already has helped reduce the total cost of credit to consumers by 200 basis points. That's a 2% per year cut in costs.
It is the first real cut in credit card costs this 21st century. It really adds up.
Remember that new rules now let inspectors pass along the costs of using credit cards.
Any home inspector accepting credit cards is paying a pretty price, calculated in a nearly mystical way. Is it a bonus card, does it give users points, etc. etc.
PLI has recommended doing that by offering a discount for cash or checks, rather than an extra "upcharge" for using a credit card.
That's because the rules come from settlements and contracts -- not from laws or regulations. Those settlement agreements are pretty complicated. But basically, there are a series of rules and required disclosures, including notices, that must be used if a seller charges extra to use a credit card.
It's much simpler to just use a discount for cash.
It's also easier for consumers to accept. Nobody wants to pay to use a credit card. Nobody minds seeing a discount for cash.
As a result, expect to see more and more cash discount offers. They already are at the gas station we use. There will be plenty more.
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can help you and your community stay fire-safe.
Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season. Check out NFPA's "Project Holiday" page for free safety resources and helpful tips such as:
- Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
- Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer's instructions for number of LED strands to connect.
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We dare you to find a better deal on the important services home inspectors need all the time. (If you do, send it to us.)
Want to save serious bucks on credit card sales? Try
Shopping for the best deal on E&O insurance. Check out
Need a professional web site? Here's a steal.
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Purchase Peace of Mind Reviews
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Would you like Peace of Mind Reviews?
PLI's
newest service will review your inspection report - before it goes to your customer, anytime you want, with same day turnaround service. Same day service is no extra charge.
Reports are the home inspector's real product, no matter how hawk-eyed any inspector is. But without feedback from another pro, it's hard to know how good that product actually is - especially for new inspectors and inspectors working solo. When inspectors begin their career, there is a lot to remember. Let us give you the backup to really get ahead.
Every month, Steve sees the Board of Home Inspectors raining on another inspection report, often with things that would have been a simple fix. And most months, letters get sent to home inspectors asking them to show up at a Board meeting to get "educated" about report writing and their SOP. Don't go there.
PLI wants every home inspector to enjoy success. So here's chance to double-check your work. Gain confidence you are carrying out your SOPS, minding state regulations, and plugging in "best practices" - so you won't have to look over your shoulder. We've got your back.
Introductory Offer
For a limited time:
$100.00 per inspection with a minimum of five reviews. Can be paid in two installments. Save $250 dollars by purchasing this bundle.
$150.00 per inspection with no minimum. Paid with each review.
To start, call PLI and email your report to Inspectdirect@aol.com
along with your photo library. Be sure to tell us your SOP. PLI will review your emailed report that same day. (If the report is received in the office after 5pm, or in hardcopy, then it will be the next morning.)
A good practice is to tell your customers the report will be emailed (or sent) to them in 24 to 48 hours. Handing out inspection reports at site is risky business - at least until you've been inspecting for a minimum of five years. Even then, it never will be the best way to provide quality inspection reports and to avoid problems.
And Let's Stay Safe Out There!
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Greetings!
Happy New Year! Don't miss these tips to pump cash flow and prevent loss for 2014.
From the source -- for home inspectors.
News and research -- One more fringe benefit from PLI.
Because 'It Pays to Know™.' All year. Nonstop.
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Time for New Year resolutions.
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It's time to update business plans. Start by checking the return on your reserves. If you put them in a plain S&P500 index fund, reserves are up about 30% for 2013. That means every $1,000 reserved, and invested in a Vanguard S&P 500 index fund, is $1,300 today. (If it was in a CD or a bank savings account, it went up less than 1%, so those reserves are worth $1,010 today.) Don't have reserves? Then (a) there probably is no real business plan either, and (b) trouble is in the works.
That is the time to think survival -- and recovery. If you're down to one practical New Year's Resolution, a for real backup for your records and reports is the perfect choice.
Oh sure, everybody is planning to backup those files. Besides, the computer has been working fine for years. And it's never crashed. They'll get around to backing it up. One day. Maybe tomorrow.
Now is the time. And here is a solid three-step backup program, complete with an add-on bonus resource to archive all the old stuff.
Step 1: Use cloud services to duplicate important files
Step 2: Back up to an external hard drive
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You Should be Earning Money While You Sleep.
Why Your Earnings Are A Fraction of What They Could - & Should - Be.
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Investing 101
Every home inspector must build savings - for retirement, for unexpected costs (hospitals, car wrecks, etc.), and for business reserves. That probably is obvious.
What may not be so obvious is how to do that well - and make money on it.
The short answer is that practically all that money should be invested - not left in a bank or CDs. Once it is invested, leave it alone and let it grow.
Basically, retirement and loss reserve funds belong in long-term investments. There are many reasons, including the "miracle of compounding" returns and lower taxes when investments are sold. (There are special tax rules for 401(k) or Roth retirement plans, which are mentioned later. Both have contribution limits). It is true that some ready cash needs to be kept on hand for daily expenses. But most savings, for retirement, for business reserves, and the like, needs to be invested. All retirement and business reserves should be invested long-term. Parked, put to work, and left alone to keep working until retirement time comes.
It is surprising how many home inspectors never get around to taking that important step. Investing lets your money earn money for you, while you work. Banks basically do not.
Read how to below.
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CE Class - January 16th - 19th
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14 hours
$289.00 by January 10
$329.00 thereafter if available
(No extra "membership" etc. charges)
28 hours
$559.00 by January 6 (a good deal!)
$598.00 thereafter if available
Class sizes are limited -- so you get the most.
Because "It Pays to Know."
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PLIs "Ask Steve"  |
Inspector Reports Septic Failure
Health Dept. OKs System
Seller Wants to Sue
A home owner asked about suing a home inspector!
Her beef? Basically, the home inspection report killed a deal to sell their home. The inspector said the septic system had failed. But there was an odd twist. The septic failure was not mentioned in the inspection report. It was in a separate email the inspector sent the buyer. The second twist was that this was not the first home inspection of the couple's home. It had been under contract twice before. So other home inspectors had written reports on the same home before. The most recent prior report was only a few weeks ago. Both prior deals fell apart because the buyers had mortgage problems. But the listing agent got copies of both reports along with requests for minor repairs, like a loose gutter. The two prior, but recent, home inspection reports both said the waste system was OK. So here's a fresh home inspection that finds septic failure right after two other inspectors said the same system was fine. Maybe it just broke. Maybe not. It gets better.
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It's Your Professional Community
So Pitch In!
We're All InThis Together!
Please, visit our website and read our
Blogs.
"Comment" on them.
Click on "Blog" at the bottom left of the home page
Here are just a few of the latest blog conversations you can join:
Or fire us an email to start a new topic thread -- anytime!
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Professional Learning.
nonstop.
Only PLI
delivers ALL inspectors needs
ALL year long
ALL at incredible prices.
PLI speaks up for ALL inspectors with Lawmakers and Rule setters at
Federal, National Association, and State bodies, including the KBHI. No one else does.
"Only PLI has helped defend a home inspector at a state licensing board, in court, at the Attorney General's Consumer Protection office, and in arbitrations. No other school or association has. You get more than just 14 hours. It pays to know that too."other group has helped defend a home inspector -- successfully -- at a state board.
How do you spell "Professional Support for Professional Inspectors?"
"PLI."
Just a few of the Services you get from PLI:
ALL the Breaking News inspectors need. Free!
Top inspection software. Save hundreds $! With live help!
Contract reviews and updates -- at prices you can't beat!
Manuals and handbooks - cheaper than the web!
Tools (including IF) & safety gear - at PLI-only discounts.
Hot topics and technical excellence in CE.
Experienced advice on handling 411 notices -- from someone who actually has!
Expert witnesses for inspector and real estate cases.
Live problem desk. Same day service. Free to PLI grads.
SHARE us with your friends.
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License # KBPE R-0403, KBHI P-1001, KBHI CE-1002
Louisville, KY | Phone 502-896-2020 | Fax 502-895-4766 | Email pli4u@aol.com
Content copyright 2013. Professional Learning Institute 4U, LLC. All rights reserved.
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We hope you find this helpful. Please remember this is a news and reporting service only. It is not legal, accounting, or any other professional advice. It is not a substitute for the advice of a knowledgeable professional who is acquainted with your individual situation. Users should rely on their own professional's advice rather than any news or publication for their individual decisions. Any and all use of PLI Content, this and any PLI site, any newsletter, and the Services is subject to the Terms of Use (TOU) "which may be found on the PLI site. PLI does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of such Content or Services. By your Use of this Content or the Services, you agree that under no circumstances will PLI or its members, officers, directors or agents be liable in any way for any Content or Services, including but not limited to any errors or omissions in any Content, any offensive, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable Content, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred. Articles and comments reflect only the views of the author and not of PLI. You are entirely responsible for all content that you upload, post, email, transmit, or otherwise make available.
We all are in this together. We believe everyone should be able to understand the laws, regulations, decisions, and decision-makers that govern them. PLI stays closely tuned to our industry and professional developments, though PLI does not support or oppose any organization, office holder, or candidate, or contribute to any political campaigns. Articles from the Newsletter Archive may be reprinted provided PLI's copyright is credited, notice is given of the PLI TOU and to PLI, and a copy of any such reprint is delivered at the time of reprinting to PLI. Article updates may be available; contact us. For other information, explore Resources on the PLI site.
www.pli4u.com
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Copyright © 2013 PLI
All Rights Reserved.
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