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, and the gift of the Goose Island Oak.In the spirit of the season, we thank you for listening and are grateful for your support.  Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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, "You need a permit for that!" and talks through the hidden dangers lurking inside home makeovers. Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 flapper valve and the team reflects on daily water conservation, AstroTurf, and what to call people from Oregon. Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 learn about the double life of a real estate agent and professional musician. Will shares how he uses YouTube to market his listings with song, his favorite types of properties, and weighs in on whether or not agents should attend the home inspection. Randy and Will talk tech, from sewer scopes and security cameras to Uber for Business, and Will breaks out his trusty guitar for a summer concert on the podcast! Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 finds, examines home inspection pest management gone wrong, and patents the Louisiana Slip & Slide. Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 John Luebbe and Dan Allen, Steve has built Tri-County Pools Service into a company servicing over 2,000 customers, offering repair on all problems that may arise with in-ground gunite pools. From maintenance and cleaning to repairs and complete renovations, Tri-County has factory trained technicians to handle any pool problem. Learn more at swimaustin.com.Tune in to prepare for the unofficial start of summer and get your swimsuit (and maybe your scuba mask) ready! Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 exemplified the value of the pre-inspection. Randy shares his vision for when a buyer should join in on the inspection process, and the group discusses the importance of everyone's favorite reading material: The home inspection report! Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 out of your inspection. Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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, or purchase an older home?" surfaces with a real-life case example. Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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!

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 Christmas!Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 grateful for your support! Let the 2023 holidays begin!Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 Facebook and Instagram!

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 Cold Medina could be just what your yard really needs.Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 picture of the residential wind turbine market.Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 your long weekend!Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 discusses transport options for stock tanks and Ashley gets some advice for fertilizing her lawn's downhill slope. From caring for your grass to keeping critters out, we cover it all with a few expert suggestions in this episode of "Under the Roof with Randy Barfield." 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 weather the next storm. The team plays a word association game and tries to identify a mysterious winter sound.Thanks for listening! Head to barfieldhomeinspection.com and follow us on Facebook/Instagram for more home maintenance tips and info about our home and roof inspection services.Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 home inspection and maintenance tips, visit us at barfieldhomeinspection.com and follow Barfield Home Inspection on Instagram and Facebook.Looking for more inspection and maintenance tips? Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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 Facebook and Instagram @barfieldhomeinspection.Thanks for listening!

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.For more home inspection and maintenance tips, visit us at barfieldhomeinspection.com and follow Barfield Home Inspection on Instagram and Facebook.

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 StatesThe primary source for today is an article by American Home Shield.For more home maintenance tips and tricks, and to schedule your Central Texas home inspection, visit us at barfieldhomeinspection.com.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

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.

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.

Randy, Ashley and Mary are back at it again to discuss all things home in Austin, Texas! Tune in to hear the crew debate the start of fall,  discuss Ashley's ant home invasion horror story, and learn how to stuff your weep holes. Afterward, Mary reveals a truly electric tale and confesses to a nervous house-cleaning tick, and Randy shares his ambition to become the first space home inspector.Thanks for listening! If you are looking to work with the home inspection team you can trust in the Austin area, visit barfieldhomeinspection.com to book yours today!And remember: even igloos require maintenance.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @barfieldhomeinspection.

The Barfield crew is back at it again! Join Randy, Mary and Ashley as the all-things-home trio sits down in Randy's kitchen to discuss home warranties, hornet infestations, and Randy's on-the-roof playlist. They dive into the most important portions of the home inspection report, and examine what can go wrong when you don't have a home inspection as part of the buying process.Tune in now and thanks for listening. In the Austin area and in need of a home inspection? Visit barfieldhomeinspection.com to schedule yours today!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @barfieldhomeinspection.

Learn what value a pool can add to your home, the difference between freshwater and saltwater systems, and Randy's Top 4 Tips for enjoying your pool in the latest episode of the podcast!Need more home maintenance tips? Visit us at barfieldhomeinspection.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @barfieldhomeinspection.In the Austin-area and want to schedule your home inspection? Give us a call at 512-350-0123 today!Thanks for listening!

In this special episode, we share the loss of a dear family member and discuss the hidden dangers of Chagas disease. Learn more about kissing bugs and Chagas Disease in the U.S. from our friends at Texas A&M. Know the signs in humans and pets and give your furry friends an extra hug for us.In homage to Earth Day, Randy, Ashley and Mary discuss the importance of green living and home design with one unique case study near and dear to our hearts: Casa Desnuda! From rainwater collection and solar panels to rock walls and native plants, this Central Texas home is carefully designed with Mother Nature in mind.And speaking of Mother Nature, happy Mother's Day weekend to all the Moms out there. Thanks for listening!

This week, Randy and Ashley sit down to discuss the ins and outs of spring home maintenance. From caring for your grass to purging items you no longer use, we cover it all with a few expert suggestions in this episode of "Under the Roof with Randy Barfield." Randy's Top 5 Tips for Spring

While we love to have fun on the pod, tool safety is no laughing matter. Some recent close calls inspired us to touch base on tool safety tips for the average home owner. Join in this week as Randy shares his number one safety mantra from his construction days, learn why reading the manual is always important, and approach the question: what risks are really worth taking?Stay safe, stay healthy, and thanks for listening!

As the month of love comes to a close, we dive into the importance of listening to your home. What is it trying to tell you? Chances are that like any good relationship, you can tell what your home needs just by listening!Join Randy, Ashley, and Mary as they explore the ways the elements (wind, water, earth, and fire) can impact your home over time and what you need to do (and be on the lookout for!) to protect it.

What does buying a home have in common with falling in love? It turns out there's a lot!This Valentine's Day, learn to identify a home you're sure to love long-term with the help of a great real estate agent. We're honored to have special guest Jenny Kim of Austin Real Estate, who was just named one of the top 500 producing agents in by Austin Real Producers, impart her wisdom on life, love, and a happy home in this Valentine's special!

The ebb and flow of winter has officially arrived in Central Texas! With the scars from last year's disastrous winter storm still fresh for many Texans, what's needed to ensure you and your home are ready in case arctic chill rears its head again? Join us as Ashley and Randy discuss measures you can take to protect your home, family, pets and plants, whether a freeze is just overnight or lasts for days.

As we continue to prep for the winter weather that may (or may not!) come, we head up on the house top to see what awaits us in the attic! How does the attic factor into the home inspection? What kind of insulation (and how much) does your home have? Learn the answers to these questions and hear what we're thankful for this holiday season!

If the mosquitoes are finally gone it must be fall, right? Randy and Ashley take on Texas temperatures, winter and holiday preparation for your home, and cats that can carry plants in the latest episode!

Although it may not be your favorite topic, it's an important one for every homeowner to think about: pest control! As a licensed home inspector, Randy has a few tips and tricks to protect your home from wood-boring insects. Plus, we investigate the case of backyard rodents and discuss how Randy keeps his hair looking great!

Trees in the kitchen. Retro design. Find out what we love most about Austin and our booming real estate market in the latest installment of Under the Roof!Join Randy, Mary, and Ashley as we discuss the latest stats about the hot market and answer the question on everyone's mind: has the seemingly unstoppable Austin bubble finally burst? Get your monthly dose of home maintenance tips, real estate insight, and news you can use. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates from Randy and the team at Barfield Home Inspection!

The Texas Real Estate Commission is making a few updates where home inspections are concerned. Learn what you need to know, and get Randy's insight on the "Top 5 Tools Every Homeowner Should Keep Handy" in the latest episode, coming soon to  Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you like to listen! 

Summer is right around the corner and things are heating up in Austin, as usual! However, the busy summer season comes on the heels of one of our rainiest springs on record. How does all this moisture affect the home inspection process? What damage should homeowners, buyers, and sellers be on the lookout for? Get the scoop, as well as a little pachyderm mania, in this month's episode!

Was your lawn damaged by the winter storm that ravaged Central Texas? Join the club! This week we're on location at Mary's house where a major project is underway to restore water drainage and enlarge the indoor-outdoor living space in her family's new construction home. If you've ever wondered how to undertake an outdoor design project from design to finished project, this episode is for you!

Even though Randy Barfield always tells it like it is, there's one filter he always recommends: your home HVAC filter, of course! Tune in this month as Randy, Ashley, and Mary discuss why clean filters are important, where you can find them, how to change them, and how they can impact the outcome of your home inspection. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @BarfieldHomeInspection for more home maintenance and inspection tips. Keep those filters clean, folks!

The storm has passed. Thank goodness. But in the wake of the subzero disaster that swept across Texas last month, homeowners are left with questions. Good thing Randy Barfield has the answers!Tune in for the latest episode as Randy and Ashley discuss the storm's impact and ways you can prepare yourself and your home for future events. From generators to post-storm inspections we cover it all from the ground up to the roof down!

Congratulations everyone, we made it to 2021!As we embark on a new year, demand remains high in and around Austin, Texas, making it more important now than ever to secure your home inspection. Learn how the inspection can help buyers make an informed decision especially in a competitive market. The Barfield Home Inspection team is working hard around the clock to help ensure buyers get a thorough inspection even within tight option periods. Tune in as Randy, Ashley, and Mary discuss the stiff competition, options for buyers, and what comes next!

In this episode of "Under the Roof with Randy Barfield," Ashley and Randy discuss the four pre-construction phased inspections: What are they? When do they happen? How do you schedule one with Barfield Home Inspection? Tune in to find out!

It's that time of year again, folks! The holidays are upon us and that means you are likely to bring out the ladder to clean gutters and install holiday lights. Before you do, make sure you're using your ladder safely with a few words of wisdom from Randy Barfield. In this episode, we also cover why having a home inspector physically get on your roof is so important. Thanks for tuning in!

Ever wondered what information is contained within the home inspection report? Well, open it up and find out! In this episode of Under the Roof with Randy Barfield, we walk through the ins and outs of the inspection report and its intrinsic value for homeowners. Ever wondered where your water heater is located? Read the report! Do you know how old your heating and cooling system is? Read the report! What was the Delta T at the time of your home inspection? Read the report and find out. The home inspection report is your inspection team's way of giving you the 411 on your home. Follow along with Randy, Mary and Ashley to learn just how helpful this document can be, especially in competitive buying situations. Thanks for listening!

The dog days of summer are upon us in Central Texas! While we welcome the occasional summer shower, days are long and hot and water tends to run a little low. Learn everything you need to know about maintaining your lawn and foundation with your home's irrigation system. From programming your controller to understanding what your lawn really needs, Randy covers it all in this edition of Under the Roof. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of Under the Roof, we are joined by Austin agent and broker Kinan Beck who helps us understand the intricacies of today's market and what buyers and sellers need to know.

Let's face it - many of us have been indoors, or at least at home, for a while now. For sellers prepping to list this spring and summer, here are a few of Randy's top tips to get your home ready while you wait.

Ever wondered what a day in the life of a home inspector looks like, or how you get there? Hear the story behind Barfield Home Inspection, telling it like it is since 2003.