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The House Fluent Podcast is back. We are going to kick off the infamous return with a short interview for Realtor Safety Month. Bill Mueller is a veteran of the martial arts and self defense community with over 45 years of experience training and teaching others. He is also a licensed Real Estate Agent in the DFW area and has decided to combine his talents to help others.

With surprising statistics on the rise when it comes to how at risk Real Estate Agents really are. According to the "2020 National Association of Realtors, Realtor Safety Report" (https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2020-member-safety-report-08-31-2020.pdf) , 31 percent of REALTORS® reported feeling unsafe during an open house and showings.

27 percent felt unsafe while meeting a new client for the first time at a secluded location/property. An additional 27 percent felt unsafe after receiving a threatening or inappropriate email, text message, phone call, or voicemail.

To combat this Bill has developed 12 principles that can be used ini a self defense situation.
He puts on free self defense seminars for Real Estate Agents Across the DFW area. You can learn more about Bill at Self-DefenseSeminars.com

We hope you are enjoying the podcast content! Check us out at HouseFluent.com To learn more about Home Ownership, Schedule a Home Inspection, Order discounted Air Filters or just read great articles.

Well summer is almost here and the Texas heat is beginning to rear it's ugly head. Time to go check that sprinkler system for issues so your lawn will be green and healthy all summer long.

In this episode the guys break down your lawn sprinkler system and talk about the different parts and components as well as what to look for when your turning on the sprinkler system for the first time this summer.

Should I fix that thing on my home inspection? This is probably the single most common question we get asked and Kelly and I finally tackle this topic on our latest podcast.

If you have ever had a home inspection, the results can sometimes be overwhelming. How do you sort through all the information to get down to what really matters.

Enjoy this weeks episode and remember to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

Today we interview in-studio guest Ben Maddox from the Sweetster Team at Keller Williams. Ben discusses the benefits of working with a dedicated buyers agent especially in a market like the one we are experiencing today when often buyers are having to waive inspections or appraisals and bringing more cash to the table just to be competitive.

We also discuss the the importance of good communication between you, your agent and all the vendors involved in making sure you make it to the closing table with confidence.

Ever wonder if there is an alligator in your sewer? Sewer camera inspections reveal that and so much more. The main sewer line between your home and street is generally the responsibility of you as a home owner. It is one of the most neglected things in a home. It's buried, under constant bombardment from nature and impossible to see inside of without special equipment. Your main sewer line is also one of the most expensive items to repair in a home. On this show, we talk about what a sewer camera inspection can accomplish as well as some of the limitations. We also talk about when and how often it makes sense to get an inspection.

Spring is in full swing in North Texas and it might be a good time to revisit your home inspection report to ensure your home is prepared for the season ahead and repair any damage from the most severe winter storm we have endured in years.

Although springtime may bring about thoughts of gentle rain, fresh flowers, green grass, and an overall sense of renewal, spring can sometimes look a little different around here. This time of year can bring about everything from gentle rains to thunderstorms to hail and even tornados.

Your home inspection report is a great resource for tips and ideas to keep your home maintained. Is your home prepared to keep you safe and dry during spring storms? Here are 3 quick tips pulled from a home inspection report plus a bonus suggestion to help make sure you're prepared.

Trim Your Trees
One of the biggest ways you can prevent damage to your home during a storm is to keep the trees maintained. Trees that are too close to your roof can rub your shingles in the wind leading to damage and even removal of the shingles. In addition, tree limbs can break and fall, any that break while overhanging your house can cause damage to your roof or walls. Keep in mind trees can not only land on your house, but also vehicles, people, and power lines.

Check And Clean Drainage Systems
Having a proper drainage system can prevent flood damage from stormwater. Be sure your gutters have been cleaned out after fall and winter, and that downspouts allow water to discharge away from your home. If you have subsurface drains, be sure they are free and clear of debris. Subsurface drains that have backups and clogs can lead to standing water and flooding around your home. In certain circumstances, broken subsurface drains can even lead to water penetration or damage to your home’s foundations. You can find more details about the type of drainage system you have in your home inspection report.

Check Your Rain Gauge
If your sprinkler system has a rain gauge, it’s time to check it and make sure it is working. Many sprinkler systems have a wireless rain gauge that requires batteries. Some have a simple receiver close to the controller with a digital screen letting you know the battery life, other older models do not. Be careful changing these as many are mounted to the gutter or roof of your home. You can find photos with the gauge’s location in your home inspection report under “Landscape Irrigation”.

Emergency Preparedness Kit
The recent winter storm left many Texans entirely unprepared for even the most basic of needs like clean water, bandages, blankets, and flashlights. If the last 15 months has taught us anything, it is that having a basic emergency preparedness kit ready and on hand long before an emergency is just plain smart.

Final Thoughts
It’s never too early to be prepared. Start by reviewing your home inspection report for any details on your drainage system, roof, landscape irrigation system and more. Once you have a good feel for what you have, do a basic walk around your house and remember to keep in mind the systems we discussed in this article. Finally, putting together a basic emergency kit can provide some comfort in the event of an emergency.

If you can’t find your home inspection report, just let us know and we’ll send a copy over to you.