My Favorite Home Inspector

What I really like about blogging is the fact that I get a chance to let everyone know about an excellent businessperson when I find them. Today I'm writing about a great home inspector in the Antelope Valley. His name is David Kraemer and he owns and operates Inspector Catch-it.

Let me tell you about the first time I met David. I was selling a house out in West Lancaster and as part of my job, I had to be there to open up the door to let him in. So I arrived at the property and this man came up with a computer strapped around his shoulder and a tool belt with all sorts of gadgets that I didn't recognize around his waist. Let me digress for a second and say that his poor computer met its maker at some later date and has unfortunately become a casualty of the business, but that's another story. He came up to me and started explaining how his new software worked and was just a very friendly person.

Then he began his inspection. As I waited, I watched David check out every nook and cranny of this house from the ceiling down to the foundation. He didn't miss a single thing and was extremely thorough, but that's not the only fact that impressed me. He also explained everything, including how one little clear box can test a microwave, plugs that check electric voltage, water pressure standards for outdoor faucets, how they construct sinks to keep them from getting clogged and more. I love to learn new things and he made my time there a true pleasure instead of what would have normally been utterly boring.

So of course, I kept calling him whenever a client needed another inspection. At one house, I had clients who spoke only Spanish and he started communicating with them in their native language. He then invited the family to go around the house and watch him work, just the same as he did with me. So as I stood there, I saw a train of people walking single file around the house behind the inspector and they were having a blast.

Now remember how I mentioned he was speaking Spanish to the clients? Well my mother, who is also a real estate agent, was there with me. She decided to speak a little German to the man, just to see what he'd do. Under any normal circumstances, the usual response from most people is to be impressed that she could speak some German. However, without skipping a beat or stopping his inspection, he began talking for a couple minutes in German. Everyone was shocked and I think he might have humbled my mom a little bit too. I hope my mother doesn't read this, but I found the whole situation hilarious. What doesn't this guy know? I still laugh when I think back to that day.

So consider this my little testimonial. While most people just want to be left alone to get their job done, this inspector is willing to explain everything to buyers, or anyone else who asks. Plus, he does an awesome job as an Antelope Valley home inspector.

The Antelope Valley Fair, 2010

August in the Antelope Valley is a special month. That’s when thousands of residents in Palmdale, Lancaster and surrounding cities gather to enjoy all the attactions at the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival.

If you're new to the area and haven't been to the Antelope Valley Fair, this is a great year to treat yourself and your family to shopping, roller coasters, delicious food, and plenty of shows to choose from that are sure to be entertaining. Some of the concerts lined up for this year are Ted Nugent on August 20th, Weird Al Yankovic on August 22nd, The Beach Boys will perform on the 23rd and ZZ Top will be on stage on the 24th. If you're short on cash, the grandstand seating is free with paid admission.

The arena events are also exciting shows to see. One great example is the demolition derby, where dozens of contestants enter a race for a real life game of bumper cars. These drivers ram each other until there’s only one operational vehicle left, which is the winner. There are also professional bull riders, rural olympics and the figure 8 race at the fair in 2010. If you miss an event one year, they usually have something similar the next year that is just as exciting.

There are art exhibits, such as: paintings, photographs and homemade crafts. If you prefer shopping, roam around and collect some great items from the stands that local vendors set up. There's enough to keep any shopaholic busy for hours. For animal lovers, there are barns full of farm animals to go and visit as well. There's such a wide variety of things to do, even the pickiest visitor will find something they enjoy.

The AV Fair opens on August 20th and ends August 29th, so mark it on your calendar.