Happy birthday, America! Randy, Ashley and Mary gather round in anticipation of Independence Day 2024 to discuss all things home maintenance and inspection in Central Texas this summer. At the top of the list: integrated pest management! Randy explains how pests can use a bridge to get into your home, the benefits certain insects bring to your yard, the dangers of drift, and why he likes the insect most Texas newcomers (and some natives!) fear. The team sorts through Randy's latest Amazon fi...
On this Memorial Day weekend kickoff, Randy and Mary welcome Steve Lyon, Principal of Service, Repairs and Maintenance at Tri-County Pools. Steve and Randy discuss the ins and outs of pool design and construction, the value of a pool in residential real estate, a Central Texas obstacle for saltwater pools, and what it takes to properly maintain a home swimming pool. Steve explains that while taking care of a pool is not exactly rocket science, there is science involved! Since teaming with Jo...
Tara and Craig McGuire of the McGuire Team at Bramlett Residential join Randy and Ashley in the podcast studio to discuss all things real estate and home inspection in Austin this spring! From curb appeal dotted with whale tongue agave and desert willows, to the team's decades long background in realty and real estate finance, Tara and Craig share what they're seeing in the market. The group deep dives into the ways the COVID-19 pandemic changed home inspection philosophy and exemplifi...
In honor of April Fools' Day, the team sits down to play a friendly game of stump the inspector. But while Randy Barfield has been called many things and held many jobs over a lifetime, one thing he certainly can't be called is a fool! Randy shares answers to the most commonly asked home inspection questions, and shares his wisdom about HOAs and pests (including common Texas insects and snakes). Randy walks through the home inspection licensing process, and shares how to get the most o...
On a fun-filled, springtime episode, Randy, Ashley and Mary sit down to discuss the home maintenance your home truly needs this season and the possible ramifications of not servicing critical components like your HVAC. The team reviews their favorite lawn and garden products, Randy shares a popular "Where's Waldo" moment, and deep dives into a home that seemed to grow bigger on the inside. Things get down to brass tacks when the age old question, "Should I buy a new home, build a home, ...
Love is in the air because...you guessed it! It's Valentine's Day! While we love a good Hallmark holiday, one day out of the year isn't enough to maintain a healthy relationship. Like any good, long-term commitment, your home needs constant, steady devotion and attention. Randy sits down with Ashley and Mary to share his #1 Philosophy: If it moves, it needs maintenance! ; Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
In honor of the week of love, the crew sits down to talk about how to love your home in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Cue the 2023 Ice Storm! Ashley shares an unforgettable corgi demographic, the team discusses the anatomy of Live Oak trees and the best way to dispose of your branches, and Randy shares his secret to a great marriage (happy wife, happy life). Because we still have a lot more winter (six weeks, says the groundhog) ahead, Randy shares some best practices learned tips to ...
In the latest podcast episode of "Under the Roof with Randy Barfield," Randy, Ashley and Mary sit down to celebrate the New Year! The team discusses the pros and cons of resolutions, what we want to accomplish in 2023, and what every home owner should resolve to do better this year - Take care of your home! The team dives into the home inspection must-dos for your home this year, debates the home design trend of a second kitchen, and examines why your water should never be brown. For more ho...
Well folks, it’s the holiday season, and you know what that means – it’s time for last minute shoppers to unite over a lifelong habit of waiting until the 11th hour to find that perfect gift. Join Randy, Ashley and Mary (along with two very special guests) for this holiday episode where we discuss all of Randy's top picks for everyone on your list. The crew also dive head first into a crash course of water heaters, fresh off the heals of Ashley's water heater home emergency just in time for C...
With Thanksgiving tomorrow, you know what that means....holiday season, drumroll, please! Randy and the gang rather 'round the holiday table to discuss a feast of holiday decorating tips and tricks to make your home look fabulous and keep you safe. Ashley, Randy and Mary discuss the pros and cons of DIY versus professional home lighting, outlet safety, timer maintenance, and the marvelous magic of unicorn multiplication. In the spirit of the season, we thank you for listening and are gratef...
Fall is finally in the air and rain has returned to Texas at last! With more comfortable conditions upon us, Ashley, Randy and Mary sit down to discuss the harbingers of Fall - Longhorn football, cricket infestations, and the age-old debate of whether or not to fall back for Daylight Saving Time. Mary asks Randy about the value of gutters and how to clean them as the rainy season begins, and Ashley shares the latest home-lighting trends from her neighborhood. Looking for more inspection and ...
This week, Randy and Ashley take refuge indoors to get out of the brutal and relentless Texas heat. The two dive into the effect of a full summer without rain and in the triple digits on homes, lawns, and foundations. Ashley inquires about the practicality of foundation watering and the obscure factor of Central Texas' first "foam" house, and Randy shares a landscaping idea that just might become a trend! Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Fac...
This week, Randy and Mary brave the heat to discuss home irrigation and cooling. With a record number of days over 105 degrees in Austin, the team gets real about air conditioners' capacity to overcome the temperature delta and how you can improve your cooling output by selecting air filters with the proper MERV rating. Randy gives us a science lesson in evaporation, transpiration, and percolation to help determine when and how to water for those under restrictions, and Mary wonders if Funky ...
This week, the team sits down to prepare for the reality that Texas summer is finally here! We kickoff with an in-depth discussion of home HVAC repair and maintenance, the function of supply and return vents, and those tricky areas in the house no one really cleans. Mary shares details about a potential home improvement scam sweeping new builds in the area, and Ashley brings up the summer electricity-saving topic on everyone's mind: Solar energy. For the final act, Randy paints a vivid...
In this Memorial Day episode, the team celebrates the unofficial kickoff to the summer season with Randy's host-with-the-most entertaining tips, and a reminder as to why everyone (especially in the hectic real estate biz) needs self-care in the form of vacation. Randy shares his recent discoveries in native plant exploration, including a brief guide to salvia (which encompasses more than 1,000 shrub species!), and explains when and why you should comb your muhly grass. Tune in as you enjoy y...
Randy, Ashley and Mary gather to reflect on the 2022 Austin real estate market, discuss holiday light safety and the Griswold effect, why cats should never help you decorate, the possibility of UFOs in Texas, and the etymology of promulgation. In need of a home inspection in Central Texas? We offer complete inspections for buyers, one-year warranty inspections for owners, and phased inspections for those in the building process. Learn more at barfieldhomeinspection.com and follow us on Fac...
Randy welcomes long-time friend and broker/owner of Bramlett Residential Real Estate, Eric Bramlett. After chatting through their affinity for EV technology and enhanced range enabling treks across Texas, they discuss changes in Austin real estate over the years and what could be next as we look forward to 2023. Special thanks to Eric for joining the pod! Learn more about Bramlett Residential Real Estate and their recently announced partnership with Dochen Realtors beginning Jan. 1, 2023. F...
Living in 2022, we are accustomed to the modern convenience of homes being safe, dry, and stable (thanks in part to great home inspections!). But that hasn’t always been the case. Journey through time to explore American home design and structural integrity with Randy, Mary and Ashley this Thanksgiving and learn a brief history of home building and inspections in the United States The primary source for today is an article by American Home Shield. For more home maintenance tips and tricks, a...
When it comes to homes, Randy has seen it all! That's what happens when you inspect homes for nearly 20 years. In our spooky season tribute, Randy sits down with Ashley and Mary to spill the pumpkin seeds about the scariest encounters he has had while inspecting. The team also divulge their own personal ghost stories and reveal their biggest fears. Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram more more frightfully funny updates from Barfield Home Inspection. Looking for more i...
It's time again to discuss home buying, selling, inspections and maintenance in ATX! Join Randy and Ashley as they dive into the latest home trends in Austin and discuss the number one thing your home needs from you this autumn. Thanks for listening! Schedule your inspection today at barfieldhomeinspection.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!