Under the Roof with Randy Barfield

With Thanksgiving next week, you know what that means....holiday season, drumroll, please! Randy and the gang meet up in Georgetown to discuss the intensity and variety of holiday decorations, and zero in on Randy's hunt for the perfect holiday narwhal (AKA, the unicorn of the sea). The team discusses different DIY decoration solutions, as well as safety protocol, road trips, Texas leaves, an...

Trick or Treat! On this spooky Halloween episode, Randy, Ashley and Mary sit down to chat about Fall fashion in Texas, couture riding boots, and home inspection tools. The team dishes up the laughs as Randy shares encounters with wildlife on the job, and Ashley poses the age-old question, "Does the ghost convey?" Randy gets fired up over a backyard DIY horror story explaining why, "...

Freshly rejuvenated from vacation in Willamette Valley, Randy welcomes Ashley and Mary into the studio to share everything he knows about pinot noir! The team laments the lingering Texas heat, discusses water shortages in the area, how to maintain your lawn and foundation amid drought, and Randy explains percolation rate to the horror of Ashley and Mary. Randy explains the impact of a bad toilet f...

In the live music capital of the world, you don't have to look hard to find talented musicians. Finding a native Austinite who grew up learning to sing from his mother (a Grammy-nominated opera singer!), plays upright bass with the South Austin Jug Band, and has sold real estate across Texas since 2006...that's a different story! This week, Randy and Mary sit down with Will Dupuy to lear...

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 insec...

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 taki...

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...

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...

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...

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 fo...

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 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 mag...

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 Ashle...

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 jus...

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 percol...

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 electri...

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 1,00...

One activity we can't get enough of this month is spring cleaning! We always like to stay on top of preventative maintenance to help homes look (and feel!) their best. Tune in for Randy's top recommendations to care for and protect your home - inside and out! Randy, Ashley, and Mary discuss the ins and outs of spring home maintenance, and varying motivations for pest control. The team di...

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...

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...

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 fo...

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...

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 sour...

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...

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...