INSPECTOR 610.717.3082 Libertyinspectiongroup.com
Winter 2020
t Liberty Inspection Group, we have a unique working environment. We have a handful of employees who work in our front office, handling administration and managerial work, and our inspectors work primarily out of their vans. We really only see our inspectors in the office when they have a break between inspections, need to check in, or during quality control ride alongs. While the system works, it also means we don’t get much valuable time with our entire team. Four times each year, the entire Liberty Inspection Group team gathers for a quarterly outing, organized by our very own Kim Krauss. We’ve done escape rooms. We’ve all grabbed lunch. We have done many exciting things as a group, and this past fall had to be one of the coolest gatherings we’ve had yet! This fall, our company toured the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. Now, full disclosure, this was during Halloween season and the penitentiary was preparing for a haunted house in its historic halls. Instead, we took a tour during the day, and like the good inspectors we are, we weren’t so interested in who had been imprisoned there as we were with what built the penitentiary. If you can picture it, there was our tour guide rattling off about Al Capone and the other famous criminals who once called the penitentiary home, while our guys were lifting manhole covers and debating the specifics of the septic system that lined the penitentiary’s walls and pipe system. Our group did not do that. Each quarter, we try to make sure that happens.
... I think we all agree there is tremendous value in using this time to give back to others in our community.”
opportunities to help others in our community. Whether we’re folding clothes at a secondhand clothing store or stocking shelves at the local food bank, I think we all agree there is tremendous value in using this time to give back to others in our community. And, if anything, it could strengthen our bond even more. Of course, no matter what we’re doing, our team always finds a way to have fun! Personally, I believe these events are a big culture-building opportunity for my crew and me. Despite our distance and the gaps in the time between seeing one another, these events create a more cohesive group. I love the people I work with every day, and I enjoy having the opportunity to create lasting memories with colleagues. I truly value the work everyone in this company does. Without them, this company would not be possible.
Our group loved it. I think Kim really nailed the planning for this event once again! This year, as we look to plan other options for engagement and gathering, we’re hoping to add more
Besides, who else would inspect the pipes on a 190-year-old prison with me?
–-Chris Earley
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H ave you ever had a conversation with someone and felt like they just weren’t getting it? Did you feel frustrated or annoyed, wondering why you couldn’t get your point across? Have you ever walked away from an interaction with a stranger shaking your head and wondering what kind of person they are?
Chris Earley’s Bookshelf
The Power and Complexity of ‘Talking to Strangers’
In “Talking to Strangers,” author Malcolm Gladwell addresses this phenomenon and analyzes the ways in which we speak, approach, and act around one another. Using pivotal news events, such as the story of the individual who took down Bernie Madoff and the death of Sandra Bland while in police custody in Texas, Gladwell unravels the complexities of meeting new people and the potentially dangerous and deadly outcomes that can occur when we struggle to understand one another. It’s through his observations and deep research that readers develop a sense of empathy with their fellow humans. Gladwell’s work was an introspective process for me. It didn’t have as much to do with business and being an entrepreneur as much as it had to do with how I think and act toward
LAUGH INSPECTION!
"I am a Realtor, and this was my first time working with Jeremy of Liberty Inspection Group. He did a thorough job and clearly explained everything to my buyer! Would recommend." –Kate M. "Many of my buyers have used Liberty Inspection Group during the past few years, and all have been very happy with the inspector, Chris Burns. Chris is highly experienced and knows his business very well." –Mahnaz N. "Adam did a great job explaining all the components of the home to my buyer and, as it was an older home, what needed to be watched in the future. A terrific experience and very educational for my buyer. I will highly recommend Adam for future inspections to any client." –Mark R.
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building Our Team
others. I’m already an empathetic person, but Gladwell’s work allowed me to develop this even further. I believe there’s power in understanding others. Developing compromise is never easy, but when it’s done effectively, it can be a beautiful, powerful thing. Gladwell doesn’t provide a road map or options for doing this in “Talking to Strangers,” but he offers a place for critical thinking about what makes us all so similar. I thought about his observations for weeks, and I still apply them to my life today.
How You KNOW Your Inspector Is the Right Person for the Job
Gladwell is a five-time New York Times best-selling author whose works force readers to contemplate their own actions and develop compelling new points of view. Gladwell’s career has landed him on the Time 100 Most Influential People list. “Talking to Strangers” is available on Amazon.com, and you can learn more about this book and other novels by Gladwell by visiting Goodreads.com.
P roperty inspecting is a complex skill to acquire and perfect. When you trust an inspector to examine the safety and integrity of a home or business, you are putting a lot of faith into the education and training of another person. It can be nerve-wracking and confusing at times to know if your inspector is an expert or someone skating through the field with minimal knowledge. Many states require inspectors to be licensed and to continue training each year through on-site and classroom work. In Pennsylvania, inspectors do not have to be licensed with the state, but that does not stop our team from meeting and exceeding the same qualifications as the states that do require the license. ( Note: Our team also does work in Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware, where licenses are required. We have licensed team members who inspect properties in these states.) Our inspectors are required to undergo 120 hours of course training, and then they continue their education with on-site training every year. Before inspectors are permitted to work in the field on their own, they must shadow, observe, and assist with anywhere between 20–30 inspections. As they work through this process, our veteran inspectors offer feedback, advice, and suggestions for proper training and guidance. Once in the field and working on their own, we provide our inspectors errors and omissions insurance, and they are members of the "International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, InterNACHI". In addition, Liberty Inspection Group offers an on-site mentor program. We believe our expertise is valuable, and we want to provide a good example for the next generation of inspectors. Much like our new-hire process, the program follows requirements laid out by state guidelines and home inspection mandates. When you recommend Liberty Inspection Group to your clients, you can guarantee you are providing them with an expert who will report accurate findings every time. Learn more about our mentor program or inquire about our expertise by visiting LibertyInspectionGroup.com. When Liberty Inspection Group is hired by your buyers or sellers, you can guarantee your clients are receiving inspectors who are experts.
SIMPLE PANCAKES FROM SCRATCH Everyone should be able to make pancakes without a boxed mix. This recipe is no-frills fantastic and can probably be made without so much as a trip to the grocery store.
INGREDIENTS
• • • • •
2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder
• •
1 3/4 cups milk
Unsalted butter or canola oil, to grease skillet
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar, optional
2 eggs
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a griddle or skillet to medium-low. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients (including sugar if you like a sweeter pancake). In a separate bowl, beat eggs into milk. Gently stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ones. Mix only until flour is moistened. Clumps are fine. 3. Add some butter or oil to the skillet. If the butter foams or oil shimmers, the temperature is correct. Pour in a pancake of any size, cooking until bubbles form, about 2–4 minutes. 4. Flip and cook other side for 2–4 minutes. Serve warm.
Inspired by The New York Times
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Growing Together: The Power of Company Outings
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Malcolm Gladwell Analyzes Communication in ‘Talking to Strangers’
Hear From Our Happy Clients!
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Simple Pancakes From Scratch
What Training Does My Inspector Need?
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Real Winter Wonderlands
Snow is magical and gorgeous — unless you have to commute in it. If you want to enjoy all the wonder that winter has to offer without the hassle, why not turn it into a vacation? Here are a few breathtaking, snow-covered destinations that any winter lover can enjoy.
Bulguksa Temple, South Korea
Above the city of Gyeongju, this ancient Buddhist temple has stood on the slopes of Tohamsan Mountain since the eighth century. Bulguksa, or “Temple of the Buddha Land,” is South Korea’s No. 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a popular attraction for domestic and international tourism. The crowds and school tours die down during the winter, however, which also happens to be when Bulguksa is at its most pristine. The iced-over lotus ponds and snow-dusted pagodas add to the sense of tranquility this site naturally exudes. If you want the feel of a ski trip to the Alps without the packed slopes and ritzy resorts, the Dolomites are just for you. Located in northeastern Italy, this stunning mountain range is home to some of the best skiing in Europe, as well as many historical sites. The secluded villages that dot the mountain valleys are an attraction in their own right, especially for the rustic cuisine you’ll find there. Don’t expect The Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
pasta though. This region is a melting pot of flavors from Austria, northern Italy, and the local Ladin people. Ricotta and sauerkraut pancakes, anyone?
The Antarctic
This is the one entry on this list that is best enjoyed during the summer months, which is December–February in the Southern Hemisphere, because that’s when the freezing temperatures of the southernmost continent are at their most hospitable. The Antarctic has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, with cruises taking adventure seekers through the vast, untouched beauty of this far-flung destination. Some tourists even enjoy kayaking or cross- country skiing through this icy paradise.
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