Understanding the "Product" you sell (This information could save your clients THOUSANDS of dollars) *  Support the economy....build a wood deck *  Examples of longer lasting decks *  Beautiful waterproof elevated deck Last Minute Inspection Discount Offer NBI's Tidbits (Snippets of life from NBI)  *Picture of the Week "Eliminate Wet Bathroom Floor"   A little Humor to brighten your day *Here Comes the Judge Time to Read: 5 Minutes or Less Routinely, agents confess how little they know about the physical product they sell…(the house). At times, they are embarrassed that they can’t answer client’s questions regarding the physical aspects of the house. Each publication, you will find helpful comments and pictures to help build your knowledge base. This information is not to make you a home or termite inspector. It’s to increase your core knowledge to make you even more valuable to your client.     Support the economy....build a wood deck   NOOOOOO!!!!   DON'T DO IT!!!!!   That's what I want to scream each time I see a homeowner rebuilding or performing substantial repairs to their wood decks.       This homeowner broke up the concrete patio and installed a wooden deck.  Now (less than 10 years later) is rebuilding the deck.     Here is another deck built right on the ground.  The home seller was having the deck sanded in preparation for sale.  This was complete waste of time and money as the undersides of these decks are almost always rotted out.     This is often what the underside of wooden decks look like within 5-8 years.  This deck can never be certified by the termite inspector unless the deck is completely replaced.     This is the only time wooden decks look nice.  In a year, it will start changing color and will need continual maintenance.      New decks like the one above will cost the seller $25.00 - $40.00 per sq. ft. and will need replacing in another 8-10 years.  (The poorer the ventilation, the faster the deck will rot.  Typically, the closer to the ground, the poorer the ventilation.)   The ONLY one that benefits from wooden decks is the contractor or termite company that replace them.  If you are wanting to stimulate the economy.....build a wooden deck.   When close to the ground....use concrete! !   Here are some examples of beautiful patios that will NEVER rot out.      This pretty exposed aggregate patio lined with brick would cost approximately $15.00 - $18.00 per sq. ft.     This brick patio would cost $18.00 - $22.00 per sq. ft.     This Arizona flagstone would cost $25.00-$35.00 per sq.   These patios will retain their appearance far longer than wooden decks and will NEVER have to be replaced.  Why would anyone build low lying wooden decks???      Examples of longer lasting elevated decks   For years, I have been encouraging homeowners to replace their low lying decks with attractive concrete patios (as shown above).  I was stumped; however, when the property required an elevated deck.  I still hated wooden decks for the same reasons as above.  What are the options?  What are the pro's and cons of each?   Composite Decking:        Over the last 10 years, wood composite decking (such as TREX) has gained in popularity.    PROs: The deck boards won't rot.   Properly installed, it will last far longer than a traditional wood deck. CONs: The support members need to be pressure treated timbers which cost twice as much as regular lumber. The composite deck boards are also twice as expensive wood decking. You still have slots between each deck boards that trap dirt and debris. These are not waterproof deck; therefore, the area below is unprotected. (In my opinion, they are quite bland in appearance.)   Sheet Vinyl (type) decking:        Sheet Vinyl is one of the latest entries into the waterproof deck systems.  Sheets of this vinyl (plastic) are melted together to create a clean waterproof decking system.   PROs: The deck is waterproof; thereby; eliminating the problem with rotted framing members. The framing members underneath do not have to be pressure treated which can lower overall price of the deck. Easy to clean.    CONs: Estimated life is between 5-10 years.  New sheet of vinyl would have to be installed at these intervals. Sheet material can be damaged by sharp objects or hot objects such as hot embers from an outdoor fireplace. Quite pricey for its estimated life.  I was quoted $12.00 - $14.00 per sq. ft....(AFTER I prepared my deck for sheet material.)  That averages $2.00 per sq. ft. per year.  Waterproof deck surfaces need to be sloped away from the house so they drain properly.  This is done by adding new support members and plywood decking.   (HINT:  If your wood deck needs replacing.....This is the time to waterproof it.  Often times, the support members have "some" fungus damage but can simply be re-supported rather than being completely replaced.    (Click HERE for examples of how this can be done. (In my opinion, these vinyls are also quite bland in appearance.)     Beautiful waterpoof elevated deck   Several years ago, I purchased a beautiful house with an UGLY wood deck.  I "hated" it.         In the spring, it would be covered with mold and mildew.  In the summer (when it dried out), it would squeak so loud you couldn't hold a conversation.    I couldn't replace it fast enough.  After nearly a year of research, I decided to create my own solution.  I considered the composite decking, the sheet vinyl; concrete capped decking plus many other options.  Not liking any of them, I decided I would create a waterproofed deck of my own design.    Check out the difference! ! !         I installed a natural slate stone for the deck surface with a glass railing system.  Because the deck was 1300 sq. ft.,  I wanted a way to cut down on the cost; so I decided to perform all of the labor myself and make this my summer project   The deck is rich looking, waterproof and should last forever.  What pleased me most was the materials for the waterproofing component (slate, membrane, mortar board, etc) cost me only $4.25 per sq. ft.  This deck should last forever and will not continue to cost me as compared to the sheet vinyl system above.  Imagine how much this type of deck would increase the value of your client's home.  I know it has mine.   Feel energetic?  Click HERE to see how this deck was constructed.  I have created complete "How-To" instructions showing you step by step procedures for building your own waterproof deck.    EVERY deck system mentioned above is BETTER than a traditional wood deck.  Do your client a favor and have them consider the alternatives.  They will appreciate your considerate recommendations.   This article is another example of NBI's commitment to you and your clients.  Our commitment to non-biased inspections allow us to write articles such as this.  We don't build or repair decks; therefore, we're not in the business of replacing decks in the exact same manner that will cause them to rot time and again.  To the Top       (Snippets of life from NBI) Picture of the Week: "Eliminate Wet Bathroom Floors" Don't you just hate slipping on a wet floor when you step out of the shower?  This homeowner did also....  The wiper blade on the bottom of his shower door had deteriorated and a lot of water would continually drip out of the shower.  Are your ready for this? Are you sure?   Yes...Those dots in front of the shower pan are what you think they are. His corrective method was drilling holes through the flooring to allow the water to drain into the subarea.  No more standing water on the floor! Now I call that a unique solution to a common problem.    To the Top We need your help! ! Our records are showing that thousands of our emails are being swept out to Sea by overzealous spam filters that filter on graphic text and pictures.  If you feel that NBI's newsletters are informative and helpful, we would really appreciate you jumping up and down, waving your arms during your next sales meeting asking all of the other agents in your office to put us in their email address book.  They are missing out on very worthwhile information. Thank You NBI has only two things to sell, unequalled construction knowledge and “TIME”. We understand that we will never be able to sell “TOMORROW” again. NBI would rather give your client a GIANT discount for acting fast, than not filling an open time slot. By ordering a “Last Minute Home and Termite Inspection”, your client could save up to $300. Our normal rates are: (Based upon homes under 2000 sq. ft.) (Prices may vary between market areas.) (San Francisco and Fresno County prices are slightly different.  Please call our office for exact fees.) Home Inspection: $395.00 Termite Inspection: $240.00 Total:.. $635.00 If you fill a combination (home and termite) inspection for the day following your call; your client will have to pay only $335.00! A $300 SAVINGS! (Example: If you call NBI on Monday and you are able to fill an open time slot we have on Tuesday, you will receive up to a $300 discount.) If you fill one of our time slots 2 days from your call, your client will have to pay only $435.00! A $200 SAVINGS! If you fill one of our time slots 3 days from your call, your client will only have to pay $495.00! A $140 SAVINGS! (Note: Our condominium inspection prices are $240, $310, and $380 respectively.) Call our office at (800) Go-NBI-NOW (800) 466-2466 for complete details. For additional information about our company, please visit us at www.goNBI.com. NBI produces the highest quality inspection reports in the industry.   EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE! ! We provide pictures in our Home "AND" our Termite reports.  Go to www.goNBI.com  for samples of NBI's home and termite reports. Click on Sample Report in the left column. Place your inspection orders on-line, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  Have you missed previous Straight Fax Newsletters?  Click HERE.  We have many posted for your review.  They contain a lot of great information. To the Top Here comes the judge A carpenter was giving evidence about an accident he had witnessed. The judge asked him how far away he was from the accident. The carpenter replied "twenty seven feet, six and one half inches". "What? How come you are so sure of that distance?", asked the judge. "Well, I knew some idiot would ask me. So I measured it!" replied the carpenter   To the Top Like NBI's Straight FAX Newsletter?   Nearly 500 new agents per month are asking to receive our newsletter.  Encourage everyone in your office to register for this worthwhile information. Send to, Answerman@goNBI.com. What issues would you like us to discuss in future Straight Fax Newsletters?  Electrical, Plumbing….Roofs???   Proper interpretation of pest control reports???   Let us know. HAVE QUESTIONS or concerns regarding a potential home problem, ask NBI's AnswerMan at Answerman@goNBI.com  Editor Notes:  Dale J. Luger founded National Building Inspectors in 1986.  Mr. Luger has purchased; rehabilitated and sold over 1000 residential units in his career.  His credentials as a General Contractor, Roofing Contractor (1976), CA Real Estate Broker (1982), Pest Control Operator (1987) make him uniquely qualified and knowledgeable of all aspects of real estate transactions.    We never want to send unwanted mail. Your name is here because a fellow agent suggested you'd like to receive e-mail from us. To remove your name from our e-mail list, simply reply with the word REMOVE in the subject line.