Most of the time, business people over 30 (Digital Immigrants) struggle with blogging. The don’t really understand how it works or the utility. But here’s an example from a guy who gets it and illustrates the two simple rules of business blogging.

Mike Jaquish is a Realtor® in Cary, NC (full disclosure - Mike’s also our client). Recently, Mike wrote about “Free Bonus Space? Buyers Beware!” in his blog:

Lately I have bumped into a couple of Cary homes with unpermitted, sub-code finished living areas. When it is mentioned, the Listing Agents’ responses have been, “Since it isn’t counted in the square footage, the Sellers consider it ‘free bonus space.”

It is NOT “free…” More often it is ”unaffordable.”

• Does that “free bonus space” carry any guarantees on the homeowners’ electrical work, uninspected and possibly performed with a buddy and a beer or two on some forgotten weekend?
• Is there a guarantee that the HVAC unit that was tapped to heat and cool that “free” area is properly sized for the additional burden? Or will the unit struggle, fail to keep the house comfortable and fail early?
• Will the unacceptably steep stairs, without a handrail, be “free” of easily avoidable hazards that are addressed in the North Carolina Residential Building Code and in Town of Cary Inspections?
• And will the new owners be “free” of liability if some aspect of the goofy work creates personal injury? Will a homeowners’ insurance policy always cover unpermitted space issues?
• What will it cost to bring the “free bonus space” up to code, to be permitted in arrears? How much of the home will need to be torn up to satisfy Cary Permits and Inspections?
• If your Seller can’t legitimize their home, why should a Buyer take on that “free” responsibility?

The list of “free” questions goes on.

But without a doubt, that space is not “free.” Nor is it a “bonus.” It’s what can ”freely” be accepted as a “potentially devastating liability risk.”

Mike illustrates the 2 Rules of Effective Business Blogging:

1. GIVE SOMETHING OF VALUE - Mike gives expert information without asking any quid pro quo from the reader.
2. GOOD WRITING - Mike’s taken the time to craft his post into a lively, informative read.

Bonus points for brevity. Read more from Mike’s blog here.