Thoughts From the Crawlspace

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., shares how skipping a home inspection can lead to significant financial risks and surprises after purchasing a property, especially in competitive real estate markets where buyers may feel pressured to forgo this crucial step. Jamie highlights common reasons buyers might skip inspections an...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., unpacks the psychological and emotional benefits of reducing clutter, emphasizing that a cluttered environment can lead to feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. Jamie shares practical tips for overcoming common obstacles to decluttering, such as fear of letting go of sentimental items and feel...

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, making it a critical issue for homeowners and renters alike. This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., delves into Radon Awareness Month and emphasizes the importance of understanding how radon enters our homes and its potential health risks. Jamie cove...

Termites are a significant threat to homes, causing an estimated $5 billion in damage each year in the U.S. This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc. dives into the world of these wood-destroying insects, exploring how they gain access to homes and the types of damage they can inflict. Listen for tips on identifying signs of termite...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc. discusses essential tips for safety during the Christmas season, particularly around home decorations, cooking, and entertaining. Jamie shares how to prevent hazards associated with Christmas trees, lights, candles, and cooking, highlighting how festive activities can inadvertently lead to d...

Ice damming is a critical issue that primarily affects homes in northern climates during winter, and understanding its formation and prevention is essential for homeowners. This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc. delves into the mechanics of ice damming, explaining how snow accumulation on roofs can lead to melting and refreezing...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., shares practical tips for homeowners, real estate agents, and investors on how to get ready for an upcoming inspection. Jamie emphasizes the importance of addressing safety and maintenance items, such as checking outlets, ensuring GFCI protection, and repairing leaks. He also discusses rout...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., shares essential energy efficiency tips for homeowners as winter approaches. With longer hours of darkness and harsher weather conditions, it's crucial to identify and address weaknesses in your home that can lead to increased energy costs and discomfort. Jamie highlights practical strategi...

 This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., shares why winterizing your home is crucial to prevent damage and ensure comfort during the colder months. Jamie outlines key actions: removing hoses from outdoor faucets to avoid pipe He also shares why you should inspect your attics for insulation issues and seal any cracks in hard surf...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., speaks with Riley Sandy,  a passionate homesteader, about the increasing interest in homesteading and growing food at home, a trend that has surged since the pandemic. Jamie and Riley discuss the basics of starting as a beginner homesteader, emphasizing the importance of understanding...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., speaks with Chandler Prible, head coach of Westview High School’s basketball team. Chandler shares his journey into coaching, influenced by his father’s disciplined yet caring approach. Jamie and Chandler discuss the value of fostering a positive team culture that values fun and personal de...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., speaks with Chief Carlos Jasso from the Shipshewana Police Department. Carlos shares his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in Mexico City to becoming a law enforcement leader in a small town. He emphasizes the importance of home safety and personal security, providing practical...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., shares the top nine electrical defects commonly found in homes. Jamie explores reversed polarity, knob-and-tube wiring, and double-tapped breakers, along with straightforward solutions for each defect. He stresses the significance of addressing these issues promptly to ensure safety and com...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., speaks with Dawn Coffee, Co-Founder of Your Environmental Services (YES) Laboratories, a family-owned environmental testing lab specializing in water and radon testing. Don shares the origins of YES Labs, the services they provide, and the critical importance of environmental testing in rea...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., speaks with Tammie Coplin Jones, an accomplished real estate entrepreneur. Tammie shares her inspiring journey from buying her first house at 19 to running multiple successful businesses today. She also shares how her earlier experiences in the industry shaped her resilient and servant-focu...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., dives deep into one of the most critical aspects of home maintenance—windows. Your windows play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal of your home. Jamie talks about operational issues, visible damage, energy efficiency, condensation problems,...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., dives deep into the nuances of building a new home amidst a housing shortage. With many prospective homeowners getting outbid on used homes, building new has become a viable option. Jamie shares why frequent communication and independent inspections are crucial when ensuring your new home m...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., speaks with Nic Wyse, a realtor from ReMax Results. Nic, who has extensive experience and serves on various boards, talks about recent national regulation changes affecting buyer-agent dynamics and commissions. He provides insights into the challenges these laws pose for new agents and buye...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., speaks with Jon Good, the influential editor of Real Producers magazine in Fort Wayne. With Fort Wayne being one of 140 markets nationwide for the magazine, Jon delves into the inception and growth of Real Producers, emphasizing its role as a relationship-building platform among top real es...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., welcomes Barbara and Becky from First Federal Savings Bank in Elkhart. They discuss essential insights for aspiring homeowners, providing valuable guidance on securing a mortgage and the advantages of working with a local bank. Barbara and Becky share their professional journeys in the bank...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., welcomes Courtney and Cory Barber to discuss their innovative company, CG Chemicals, and delve into their journey as entrepreneurs. Cory elaborates on how they obtained the rights to these patented formulas, tested against leading brands, and converted them into a thriving business. Despite...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., dives deep into the world of house flipping, sharing expert knowledge on common pitfalls and oversights often seen in renovated properties. House flippers often aim to quickly revamp a property to make it market-ready, but not all flippers prioritize quality and thoroughness. Jamie highligh...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., tackles misconceptions about mold in your home. Jamie talks about the inadequacies of using bleach to kill mold, particularly on porous surfaces, and why painting over mold with a stain blocker does not solve the issue. He also discusses the lack of a definitive standard for acceptable mold...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., speaks with Mary Dale and Shelly Sterry. Both guests share their deep-rooted connections with the Elkhart County 4H Fair. Jamie, Mary, and Shelly discuss new developments and upcoming events, painting an exciting picture of what's to come for fair-goers. From tips on budgeting for a home to...

This week on the Thoughts from the Crawlspace podcast, Jamie Miller, CEO of Gold Key Home Inspections, Inc., discusses the importance of sewer scans in the overall home inspection process. Jamie shares real-life examples and expert insights on why this often-overlooked service is essential for homeowners and homebuyers. He also explains the cost of these scans and the potential expenses of ignorin...