A Different Path.

"Brian, what are you going to do when you get out of the Army?" - common question I was asked  in August of 2016. 

I was retiring after 22 years in the Army and all my training and education was as a Physical Therapist. It seemed like I had educated myself into a corner. I wanted a break from being a full time PT but I still wanted to do something that utilized my skills and provided a challenge. 

I've always loved DIY projects (and my wife keeps me busy with projects around the house). We have a rental home that I maintain and have remodeled over the past 8 years. I enjoy projects around the house and learning something new about plumbing, electrical, construction and building practices with each new problem to solve.

It hit me when we bought a college rental house in Bellingham. It was built in 1902 and had a ton of character as well as a lot of problems to fix before it was ready to rent. I walked around the house with the home inspector during the inspection and was fascinated with the process. 

Looking at a house and assessing the systems, construction and how the whole thing goes together is very similar to doing an evaluation of a patient. I'm skilled at diagnosing musculoskeletal issues in patients and those same skills are essential in being a good home inspector. 

I needed a change and this was it - become a home inspector. I get to use all my skills I've learned as a PT and combine them with my love of DIY with the challenge of looking at something new every day.