Home Inspections Are A Must.  Garbage In Garbage Out applies to any work one does.   Yesterday I looked at a home that carries a million dollar price tag.  I am not about to tell you where it is or who built it since I don’t need the law suite that would come my way.  To say that it is lacking in many ways and is well overpriced, for both the location and the quality of work, is to put it about as nicely as I can.  I only mention it because I am just finishing an article about home inspections that I am going to add to other articles I have about homes and home improvements on HubPages.  While I can’t imagine anyone buying the home I just mentioned, someday someone will (well into the future I think).  An old saying in the real estate business is that there is a buyer for every home.  Hopefully, the potential buyer for this home will utilize the services of a home inspector.  Said home inspector will get a real workout and the prospective Buyer will have spent his “protection money” wisely and well.  The inspection report will probably look like a small phone book and make interesting reading.  If you are in the process of buying a resale OR new home don’t try and save some money by not having a home inspection done (if it is not required by your lender) since it can turn out to be excellent protection and very inexpensive insurance.

DROUGHT BILL MOVES THROUGH STATE LEGISLATURE.   Every now and then the North Carolina State Legislature surprises me and does something that makes sense.  Don’t ask me when the last time was since I would be hard pressed to come up with an answer.  The current venture into such uncharted waters is a bill (not yet passed so I can’t give them a “well done” for it at the moment) that would conserve water all across the state during times of drought.  As we are having the most severe drought in the state’s recorded history it is about time they did something but, in this case, better late than never.  Under the bill the state could order water restrictions but individual water systems would decide who must conserve and how much.  Water systems would file plans with the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources.  That department could reject any plan it deems inadequate.  The factor that has made the bill digestable for local govenments is the allowing of local systems to design their own plans.

OIL MAN SAYS, “HARNESS THE WIND”.    To those of you who have been around for awhile the name T. Boone Pickens is probably one you are acquainted with.  He is a Texas oil wildcatter from way back and one who has been very successful.  Mr. Pickens is spending his own bucks to champion the cause and building of wind turbines across the nation’s mid-section to tie in with existing systems in other areas.  He says that if his plan is implemented it could supply 20 percent of the nation’s electricity needs within the next ten years and reduce our dependence on foreign oil by one third.  With that many wind generators going whunk, whunk, whunk - if we put wings on this country it would fly!  With his knowledge of the oil business I’m surprised he hasn’t had anything to say (at least that I am aware of) about developing our oil shale reserves but then that is evidently not on his agenda.  At least it is a plan and one he has evidently given a great deal of thought to.  I wouldn’t care to bet against his getting the job done.

John Fish  (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com

HOORAY FOR THE SUPREME COURT - Unfortunately, it’s been a long time since I could say that.  In upholding a citizens right to own arms they upheld the constitution.  I think it’s been awhile since they read it but a step in the right direction is a step in the right direction.

DRILLING FOR OIL - It’s O.K. - - but not in my backyard or off my coastline!  There is an endless discussion about the pros and cons of offshore drilling.  Whether we should or shouldn’t in offshore North Carolina waters, for example, would hardly be a necessary topic of conversation if either the oil companies or the federal government would undertake to produce the almost limitiless supply of oil that is available in the oil shale deposits in Wyoming, Colorado and several other states. 

THE SAD RAPE OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS HAS RUINED MY TASTE FOR ALMOST ALL OF THEM - In the past opera divas were the prima donnas that got all the press.  They fail miserably as experts at that trade when compared to today’s professional athlete.  The macho dudes have now taken center stage with actions any adult should be ashamed of.  No sport seems to be immune.  Add up the drugs, steroids, childish actions, gambling, absurd lifestyles and even more absurd incomes and you have a brew not fit to drink.  One of the more polite examples (which is simply legal cheating) is that of baseball where in almost any game you watch obvious errors are called hits or reversed to hits if initially called an error.  If that’s what show biz is all about - who needs it!?  

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com

Triangle, North Carolina.   Triangle existing home sales slid 9% in August.  During August the sale of existing homes in the Triangle were down 9%.  Year to year they are down 1.9%.  Unsold inventory is up 20.9%, pending sales are off 15% and showings are down 9%.  On the other hand the average home price was up 7.2% to $247,582.  Divided up Wake County was up 7.1% to $272,977, Durham County was up 8.7% to $199,729, Johnston County was up 5.3% to $181,348 and Orange County was up a whopping 19.3% to $379,777.  As an indicator of what the future has in store, Wake County building permits were down 5% vs. last year while in Durham County they were down 30.3%. 

TIP - If you are looking for a good buy in either a new or resale home determine your price range, determine the area you want to live in, check the Days on Market for the available inventory, the price reductions (per MLS History) and the new home incentives being offered.  Stear clear of the “you must use our lender” requirement of the regional and national home builders.  Also, please be advised that BEFORE you get in the car with me to look at any homes I will require that you talk to my lender to determine what you can handle in the way of a home.  While I think he is the best available you certainly are not required to get your loan through him.  You are, however, required to talk to him.  You need to know what you can honestly handle in the way of down payment and monthly payments and I need to know that we not just going out “joy riding”.  Buying a home is not a game it is serious business.  I treat it that way and I require that you treat it that way as well.

DOWN MEMORY LANE - When I was Ralphies age I did not lust after a BB gun.  My mouth watering slavering desire was for bigger game.  I wanted a - - - - Chris-Craft.  I knew that unless the blud bird of happiness pooped a golden egg on my pillow my chances were zip but that’s what dreams are for.  My dad had a friend who had one and on a couple of occassions I had a chance to ride in it.  Also, if you had enough long green you could rent one at the lake.  The polished wood, the glearming brass and chrome, the roar of the engine, the rooster tail behind the boat when you took off from the pier, the “look ladies it’s me” (that came a little later) were a thrill beyond simply shooting Black Bart in the rump. THE GOOD NEWS.  On Sunday, Sept. 29 the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill-Triangle chapter of the national Antique & Classic Boat Society is having its second annual boat show at Lake Wheeler from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  More good news.  It’s free. THE BAD NEWS.  It’s so dry in these parts you have to get primed to spit!  Unless we get a lot of rain before the show the city might have to close the lake.  Should that happen they will remain tied up along the piers.  However, as the wolf might say, “The better to look at them up close and personal my dear!”.  For more info try www.vintageboat.org  (You’re a piker Ralphie!).

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com       

Raleigh, North Carolina.  Raleigh News and Observer reprint?  While I am not in the newspaper business I would guess that most newspapers could save a lot of money by printing most of the sections once, including the front page, and then just redelivering them every day.  As long as the sports section and obits were new most people wouldn’t know the difference.  My proof of this statement is derived from two facts:  (1) The number of people who watch soaps on TV  (2) - The headlines and sub-headlines in today’s paper. 

Our Traffic Misery Is Just Getting Worse - - No!   Really?!

Navy Checks Out Landing Field Sites - - - - No!   Really?!   (You have to be from North Carolina to appreciate this one)

Meddling Alleged In War Fraud Probes - - - No!   Really?!

State Doctor Has Sex Crime On His Record - - - No!   Really?!

Subpoenas Served To 13 In Congress - - - - No!   Really?!

Raleigh Chambers New Chairman Urges Members to Vote in Favor of Wake Bond Issues Totaling $187 Million - No!  Really?!   (You REALLY have to be from the Triangle to appreciate this one)

State Banking Officials Are Looking Into COmplaints That National Home Builders With Operations In The Triangle Area Are Violating Federal Lending Laws - - - - - - No!   Really?!

More Slowing Expected In Housing Starts - - - No!   Really?!

Crude Oil At Record Level - - - - - - - - - - - - No!   Really?!

Thank God there’s there’s the sports page.  At least the stories in it change:

O.J. Simpson Faces 10 Felony Charges - - - - No?   Really?!   Hmmmm.  Then again, maybe not!

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: Marvmax@mindspring.com   Website:  www.JohnFish.com