Liberty Inspection Group - August 2018

Liberty Inspection Group - August 2018

Libertyinspectiongroup.com 610.717.3082 AUGUST 2018

RUNNING BACK IN THE SWING OF THINGS THE ART OF

As we approach the end of the summer, all the runners around town are getting in their training miles, prepping for all the big marathons coming up in the fall. While I’m recovering from an injury, and probably won’t be participating in any marathons anytime soon, I am trying to get back in shape, despite some issues with my calves and my incredibly busy schedule. But honestly, whether I’m getting ready for a 26- mile challenge or just jogging on the day-to-day, running is more than a hobby for me. At this point in my life, you could almost call it a compulsion. After all, even with my crazy calendar, I have to do s omething to expend all this energy and keep myself healthy. Though it’s been a challenge, I’ve been doing a lot of work lately to get back into the rhythm of running regularly. I’m not sure if I’m there yet, but it feels good to

my health as I get older. Back when we all used to run together, they kept up with me despite being quite a bit older than me, and even now, Steve puts in 30–40 miles every week. I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise — back when they were my age, they could beat my record times no problem. Meanwhile, Byron is completing the Boston Marathon in 3 hours 30 minutes, which is amazingly fast for his age. I figure if I can be in half the shape they’re in at their age, I’ll be set. With all the demands of work and life, I can’t find a lot of time to go out running with that crewmuch anymore. But with my new smartwatch, I’ve found a way to keep the camaraderie and competition going while holding myself accountable. Many of my running buddies have picked up devices that track our miles, which we then upload to Strava and send to one another. So, I’ll see my friend running 5 miles on a Saturday and find myself off the couch in mere seconds, ready to go match his time. While I’ve never really “gotten out” of the running game, it’s been a long time since it’s been a central part of my life. Honestly, I wish this was just due to laziness, because injury is a lot harder to overcome. But recently, I’ve rediscovered the joys of being out in nature, pushing my body to the limit. It’s the ultimate release. And best of all, if I can find time for a run in one of the random times of the day that it fits, everything else just falls into place. Whether or not my calves, calendar, and training will allow me to get anywhere near where I used to be, I’m just thrilled to make running a habit again in my life.

be making it more of a priority after easing off for a fewmonths. Coming back from an injury isn’t easy, but I feel that I’m at least making some headway. As a member of the Delaware County Road Runners Club for over 15 years, I’ve run my share of miles. But even though I’d consider myself a pretty speedy guy, I’ll always look up to my buddies Steve Whitmore and Byron Mundy. These guys are still just cranking out the miles despite being up there in years, giving me hope for

–-Chris Earley

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Daymond John’s ‘The Power of Broke’ CHRIS EARLEY’S BOOK OF THE MONTH

Today, Daymond John’s fashion brand FUBU is worth upward of $6 billion. But back when he was just a scrappy young entrepreneur and not a CEO angel investor on “Shark Tank,” he was operating on a $40 budget. He scrounged up the money and used to it buy a little cotton cloth. Then he knit himself a few stylish hats and began selling them on the street at a high profit margin. From those humble, “broke” beginnings, he used his shrewd business sense to turn his brand into an international powerhouse. In his book, “The Power of Broke,” he outlines how low resources are the furthest thing from a hindrance to your business — in fact, those circumstances can be your greatest asset. As John points out, his story isn’t as unusual as it may seem. In fact, it happens all the time. When your back is against the wall and your last few pennies are jingling in your pocket, it forces you to be ruthless with your investments, bold with your ideas, and real with your customers. You get creative, you find workarounds, and you discover approaches that your moneyed peers could never even dream of. And you learn skills that will carry you all the way to the top.

“The Power of Broke” is a useful reminder to keep on innovating and using my imagination to push toward my goals. Even after we’ve achieved some measure of success, it’s important to not get too comfortable — or even worse, lazy. As John writes, it’s vital to keep that fresh mind of a beginner at every stage in business, driving, striving, and hustling until we sit up there with the rest of the Sharks.

It’s been a long time since I started Liberty Inspection Group on a wing and a prayer, building up a cold network and establishing credibility within my field. But

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“Liberty Inspection Group was terrific! Tyler was professional and pleasant. He was VERY thorough, and we left feeling confident about our new home. Tyler patiently answered all of our questions. We'd recommend Liberty Inspection in general and Tyler specifically.” -Gerre G. “Tyler made the home inspection experience enjoyable and informative. His work was thorough, he was patient with questions, and he was enthusiastic about features of the home. I felt really confident in his reporting and I have a much firmer handle on how to manage my new 92-year-old home! Tyler was even nice enough to follow up and answer additional questions that came up for me the next day. I would recommend Tyler and the Liberty team without hesitation. Also, being able to schedule my inspection online (with availability as soon as the next day!) was super convenient.” –Jessica G. OUR CUSTOMERS SAY IT BEST

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THE SKINNY ON COMMERCIAL INSPECTIONS

To inspect or not to inspect. That is often the question when considering the acquisition of a new commercial property. In reality, there are a number of ways to go, each with their own pros and cons depending on your circumstances. Here are the top five inspection scenarios that play out for commercial properties. 1. Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Phase 1 inspections mostly consist of records-based research in public files to determine previous usages of the land and whether they indicate possible toxic conditions. Normally, you get a Phase 1 assessment when a lender requires it for the purchase of a commercial property, or an oversight agency requires it. 2. Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment Phase 2, just like it sounds, happens after Phase 1, if required, depending on the results of the first test. Samples are taken from soil, groundwater, and building materials on-site and analyzed for signs of contamination. It’s worth noting that both Phase 1 and Phase 2 assessments must be performed by a certified environmental professional. 3. General Commercial Inspection This is a great option when you don’t need or want a Phase 1 but still want to know what you’re getting into. Your certified commercial inspector will visually assess the WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

entire structure, giving you the big picture on upcoming maintenance, defects, or potential safety hazards, along with other points to negotiate with the seller.

4. Unofficial Consulting If you have a trusted contractor on your team or one you work with closely, they can be a helpful second set of eyes. They can give you a free opinion within the scope of their knowledge and expertise, and provide you with cost estimates for any work needed. 5. No Inspection Sometimes you may opt for no inspection at all. If you know the property is in great shape and you don’t need an inspection to gain lender approval — such as in a cash deal — you might save money by skipping the inspection. And structures like large open warehouses often don’t need inspections because there’s not much to inspect in the first place. But it always pays to do your research to ensure you don’t end up with a lemon.

If you’re in need of an experienced inspection team for a potential acquisition, call the experts at Liberty Inspection Group at 610.717.3082 today!

SUMMER GRILLED HALIBUT

INGREDIENTS

•

4 boneless, skinless halibut fillets, about 5 ounces each 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

• • • •

2 pounds mixed tomatoes, sliced 1/2 cup hearts of palm, drained

•

Basil leaves, for garnish

Ingredients:

Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

•

1 lemon

DIRECTIONS

4. In a mixing bowl, combine

1. Lightly oil grill grates and heat grill to medium. 2. Grate 1 teaspoon lemon zest onto halibut fillets. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. 3. Grill halibut, turning just once, for about 5 minutes on each side.

tomatoes, hearts of palm, juice from lemon, and oil. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish salad with basil. Spoon salad over grilled halibut. Serve.

Directions:

Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine

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1180 SETON PARKWAY, SUITE 330 KYLE, TX 78640

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: PAGE 1 Chris Earley on His Passion for Running PAGE 2 Daymond John’s ‘The Power of Broke’ Our Customers Say It Best PAGE 3 Your Top 5 Commercial Inspection Options Summer Grilled Halibut PAGE 4 Must-See Swimming Holes of the World

SAFE SAILING THIS HURRICANE SEASON BOOK A CARIBBEAN CRUISE

After last year's devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise. Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could be more magical than a floating hotel roomwhere you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year. Safety and Savings Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes

move slowly across the Atlantic and have relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather. Flexibility Is a Must The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next. While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise!

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