Goodell Structural Home

    By living in Marin but working mostly in San Francisco, Rik says he lives the best of two worlds. Marin is laid-back and has an endless number of choices in beautiful, twisty roads for him as he pursues his passion of riding his motorcycles -- an obsession that has gripped him for more than forty years. He and his wife ride the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area nearly every weekend and take a few longer road trips each summer too. Then, on Monday, he steps into the excitement and challenges of the rich San Francisco Residential Real Estate world where he gets to apply his decades of training and experience in directing people toward an understanding of the health and history of this city's unique homes. With his unusual background as a trained instructor, a police officer, a banker, a mortgage lender and a general contractor, he is a trained observer with a well-rounded skill-set for investigating a building, defect recognition, supportive report writing, and clearly communicating the reality to you.

    As his mother was an accomplished Residential Broker, Rik grew up speaking "Real Estate" back when purchase contracts were single-page documents and a nice 3/2 home in California sold for $25,000. He loves to help people decode, appreciate and preserve their home and their investment. He wants to teach them how to protect themselves, their loved ones and guests from hazards that may exist therein. He began in 1985 when, as an already established general building contractor, he became frustrated with the misfortunes of his remodeling clients who had recently bought a home but weren't aware of the problems that came with the closing of the escrow. He feels that there is rarely a house that should not be bought if the price is right and the buyers are prepared to deal with its needs. Still, due to his decades of experience, he knows that virtually all houses -- even brand new ones -- have some issues. Mr. Goodell believes that a buyer needs to know what he or she is buying to be certain they are up to the challenges (if they exist) and that the purchase price reflects the true cost and condition. He is fond of saying he is a "professional pessimist who peddles peace of mind" since that is what comes from knowledge. Rik built his information-service business out of thin air, a passionate vision, and years of paying-his-dues effort.

    "This is the kind of place I like. It is one of those lonely places you have to go through Hell to reach. Many a man's home is just that I expect"....Louis L'Amour, "Treasure Mountain". This quote describes the passion Rik has for the sanctity of a home and the multi-faceted price we each pay to acquire and then keep ours.

    Rik has written and published more than a hundred articles for "The Real Estate Magazine", appeared as the Home Inspector on the first HGTV "House Detective" program and starred in the Home Inspection training video, "A Live, On On-Site, Home Inspection". In 2003 he was interviewed on a KTVU Channel 2 News Housing Special. During his career as an inspector and builder, Mr. Goodell's clients have ranged from dignitaries and stars in multimillion dollar estates to average Mr. or Ms. America in starter homes or studio condos. He absolutely loves helping excited, first time buyers. Rik has had the pleasure of working for large corporations and modest, volunteer-staffed, community organizations. He is grateful for a loyal core of savvy property investors that he has been fortunate to consistently serve over the years. Rik is also available as a speaker at Service Club Luncheons, Homeowners Associations, Property Managers Meetings or other appropriate forums.

    Mr. Goodell has been in Rotary International since 1985 and has served as president of two different Rotary Clubs. He is a leader in men's ministry at his church and has served as an officer on the board of directors of the California Real Estate Inspection Association. Rik has been an ASHI Member and Certified Home Inspector since 1989 (Member ID#10926). He is a Viet Nam era USAF veteran and a writer of stories. Hobbies past and present include competitive pistol shooting, SCUBA diving, motorcycling and stage acting. His beloved wife is an associate dean at University of the Pacific, Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. They have two sons.