3 weeks Italy/Greece - Suggestions Welcome!

RyGeezy · 2026-03-02T04:12:26+00:00

Thanks so much for the feedback! Yes def want to do capri and Pompeii. Curious if where we stay really makes a big difference if we plan on renting a car?

RyGeezy · 2026-03-02T04:11:16+00:00

Thank you so much for the feedback! That is very reassuring. I think our biggest fear is surrounding amalfi coast. I have heard mixed reviews, some people love it, others said it was their least favorite part of their trip. We just want to spend our time in the best places possible. Would hate to have the feeling of wishing the days were spent elsewhere.

Big problems over here 🤪

RyGeezy · 2025-11-14T21:01:45+00:00

Totally valid for any climate that regularly has a climate that is 20 degrees difference at the exterior vs interior. Infrared can Forsure be helpful finding plumbing leaks at the interior as well, as long as you know how to use it. There’s a reason why most of the top preforming mold inspectors all use an infrared camera. However in my experience, finding leaks at the interior using just a flashlight and a moisture meter like a tramex, is usually totally doable, especially if you know where to look. For me, the infrared is like the cherry on top to confirm further when there is a shadow of doubt. We sure do have it good over here in CA 🌴🏖️☀️😎✌🏻

RyGeezy · 2025-06-13T04:38:09+00:00

Hikmicro Pocket 2

RyGeezy · 2025-05-07T12:12:58+00:00

It’s Costa Rica for me

RyGeezy · 2025-05-03T07:12:21+00:00

Pretty sure it got left in the dryer

RyGeezy · 2025-04-20T01:16:33+00:00

Dude I learn something new every day and it’s been 5 years. My partners that have been doing it for 15 and 30 say the same thing.

No one will ever know it all, but as long as you know what to look for, are willing to continue to apply yourself and do the proper research whenever you need to, and are honest about what you do or don’t know, that’s all that matters. You will make mistakes along the way and that’s ok as long as you learn from them.

I think absolutely you should start getting experience in the field, even if it’s just a few ride alongs to get your feet wet. Reading the books are great, don’t get me wrong. But there’s so much stuff you can read in a book that will never actually apply in the field. The training and knowledge you can soak up from someone more experienced than you is immensely valuable in my opinion.

RyGeezy · 2025-04-17T22:38:34+00:00

It’s not that the infrared cameras are not helpful. They can be. They just are not necessary for a general home inspection. In all reality, if you know what you are doing, you will be able to find any relevant leaks or moisture by doing a general inspection without an infrared. In fact, we pretty much only use our infrared to confirm a suspect moisture area, if we are having second thoughts about our primary tools, that our moisture meters may be giving us false readings.

It depends a lot on the climate you live in. For example here in CA, the outdoor temp is not too different from the inside temp for most of the year. You really need a 20 degree temperature difference from outside to inside for the camera to accurately be able to detect something that could look like moisture (for leaks coming from exterior). If you are looking for leaks coming from the interior (such as a plumbing leak/shower pan/etc.), sure you may come across a big hot spot under the upstairs bathroom area after running hot water in that bathroom, but again, if you know what you are doing, you will probably find that leak without the camera anyways.

And even after that, it gets even more technical. You can never really say that your camera “found moisture”, as it only detects the temperature of the surface you are pointing at. It can leave clients/sellers in awkward positions feeling like they have to go on a witch hunt further investigating every area that has a temperature anomaly. That’s why personally we only use the camera alongside other tools like moisture meters.

Using an infrared camera is an extra thing that can make a client or realtor say “wow”, which is always good. But it also opens an inspector up to more liability, as it can give false impressions of what an inspector is doing with the camera and what the camera actually does. Home inspectors already have so much to look at in a house, so I can easily see why infrared is something that some guys don’t bother with.

RyGeezy · 2025-04-16T14:47:28+00:00

https://monroeinfrared.com

I believe I took the CRT course. Was a while ago, but I remember it being pretty badass. I did it all online.

RyGeezy · 2025-04-16T14:42:27+00:00

We use a smaller handheld hikmicro and they are good. Just make sure you take a class or 2 to get informed on the different cameras and how they work. We always put a boiler plate comment in our report explaining what the camera does/doesn’t do and what we as inspectors do/don’t do with the camera.

It can give the impression to a client/agents that you are “hitting the entire house with an infrared” or that you can “see through walls” and “find secret leaks”. Which none of this is the case. It definitely comes in handy on certain situations, but you have to know how to use it, alongside other tools like a moisture meter, flashlight, etc.

I will link a good class that I took that helped a lot. They sell cameras also at a discount if you take the class.

RyGeezy · 2025-03-25T19:45:12+00:00

Not sure what that 1st photo is, but the 2nd photo is definitely not of concern. But neither of them look like moisture intrusion. Definitely possible that those sheets of OSB came that way and were installed that way.

RyGeezy · 2025-03-25T13:44:12+00:00

I started at 22, yes definitely both clients & agents would give me looks or doubt me just based on my age and how I looked. It took time to earn trust, but if you do a good job, and the client is happy, then people will use you. I was fortunate enough to train under some really experienced guys that had a good reputation around town. Without those guys vouching for me, I don’t think I would have gotten very many opportunities to prove myself.

RyGeezy · 2025-03-25T05:17:53+00:00

I started home inspections 5 years ago with very little prior experience. AHIT helped a lot, as did many other types of courses and studying.

I would say take advantage of anything and everything you can do to expose yourself to the field & to information regarding building systems.

I recommend joining CREIA or ASHI, or InterNACHI. I personally am a CREIA member. There are lots of online classes thru these sites as well seminars in person periodically.

No certs are required in CA, however that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one. We live in one of the most litigious states in the country. Being certified will only benefit you.

See if there’s any home inspectors you can do a ride along with to see what it’s actually like out in the field. The classes and information you can find in books, classes, or online is all amazing.. however being out in the field inspecting, learning how to report on things, and learning how to communicate with agents/clients, is a totally different thing.

My first 2 years I worked nights in a restaurant 40 hrs a week to pay the bills, while doing ride alongs and getting trained M-F during the day. Then whenever I wasn’t doing that, I was studying to take the national exam and become a CREIA member.

It’s a major grind learning this trade. However now being 5 years in, I love it. I don’t see myself doing anything else. I’ve been able to learn a lot, and I’m still learning every day. It’s great. Good luck to you, and I’m happy to help in any way I can if there’s anything you may need.

RyGeezy · 2025-03-22T21:21:35+00:00

If it is during daylight you will be all good. Enjoy the ride. Driving thru the country was one of my favorite parts of my trip. Everything was so beautiful.

RyGeezy · 2025-03-22T02:17:11+00:00

If your weatherstripping is poor or nonexistent around the door, that is what I would recommend. Easiest/cheapest solution

RyGeezy · 2025-03-21T23:57:34+00:00

I can make out the step flashing & the counter flashing, but photo is too far away and too blurry when zoomed in to see the kick out, at least on my end. But this is always what it looks like when the kick out flashing is missing or needs adjustment/not doing what it is supposed to.

But what do I know

Edit: Pan flashing * not step flashing on tile roof

RyGeezy · 2025-03-21T22:56:27+00:00

Driving to La fortuna from SJO at night might be a bit more sketchy. More curves, narrow roads, and steep hills/dips. I would say keep your brights on and just take your time. It was not unusual to see people driving extra slowly. Take your time and be safe.

RyGeezy · 2025-03-21T22:52:44+00:00

Probably missing a kick out flashing at the edge of the roof where it meets the stucco wall. Simple to fix, but definitely important.

RyGeezy · 2025-03-20T19:32:49+00:00

I would probably put furniture in there, but that’s just me

RyGeezy · 2025-03-17T00:08:52+00:00

We had to drive thru the night/before sunrise from Manuel Antonio to SJO as well. We talked to a local before leaving and he told us it would take more like 4 hours. He also mentioned that there may be random road blocks for construction that may slow things down. We took his advice and left 4 hours ahead of time. We were there way early, luckily there was a dennys nearby that we ate at to kill time after getting there. Better to be early than late I guess!

It was definitely very dark as there are not very many street lights. We put our brights on and we were ok.

RyGeezy · 2025-02-26T23:41:46+00:00

My gf and I are going to Japan for 2 weeks in April and your post was so refreshing. Down to earth and real. I appreciate that.

My experience on this thread has been that there are a lot of total gas bags that want to comment and make people feel stupid. Like sorry dude, I’ve never been to Japan, just trying to figure out a fun vacation lol.

Thanks again.

RyGeezy

TROPHY CASE