STX Home Inspections

By Ruth Gnirk | Photography By Brianna Cortez Photography

Josh Butler is the owner and chief inspector at STX Home Inspections. He has decades of experience, has inspected thousands of homes, and is passionate about customer service. Josh loves spending time with his family and strengthening relationships with others, especially if that can happen on a boat. He is energized by restoring and improving vehicles. Josh inspects homes because he cares about the families who live in them, and he wants to be part of your team.

When Josh was growing up, his dad was in the construction industry and traveled a lot. Josh grew up a little wild, but he grew up quickly. He learned the value of being diligent, and how to do a lot with limited resources. He also learned to love things with motors. Josh said he’s always liked dirt bikes, three-wheelers, or anything with an engine, and he idolized his uncle who had a good life and amazing cars.

“I only know how to work,” Josh smiled. “If I wanted a vehicle as a teenager, I had to fix or rebuild it in my grandpa’s shop. When I was on my own and started making my own money, I always wanted the toys I had to do without while I was growing up. Usually, I couldn’t a ord what I wanted, so I improvised. I would buy what I could a ord, fix it up, and then sell it for profit or trade up to something better until I could finally get what I wanted.” When he was in his late teens, Josh wanted to see the world so he worked construction. He traveled around the US for over 20 years, working on industrial and commercial construction projects as well as remodels and renovations. Josh admits he was quite wild in the day and made some choices and mistakes he is not proud of, but he never lost hope that things could improve.

After Josh met his wife Jennifer, he started settling down. Although he had grown up with a colorful and complex childhood, he was determined to be a devoted husband and a loving father. He said he will not allow himself to fail in life, or in his relationship with Jennifer.

Although Josh learned a lot through his experiences in the construction industry, he was missing out on experiencing milestones in his young daughter’s life. Josh knew first-hand the importance of fatherly involvement, so he decided to make some changes. Josh earned his inspector’s license and then started STX Home Inspections. Initially, Josh was completing inspections during the day and working local construction jobs in the evening. During his first year, Josh inspected around 200 homes, and his numbers have increased yearly.

Josh likes to hold himself to a higher standard. For example, Josh guarantees that STX Home Inspections will submit a final report within 24 hours of an inspection, even though the State requires reports within 48 hours. He typically delivers inspection reports to clients earlier than his 24-hour deadline.

Earlier this year Josh’s younger brother Steven joined STX Home Inspections. Steven had been working as a mechanical engineer before he earned his inspector’s license. With a two-man crew, STX Home Inspections can perform five inspections a day, and they average 16 per week. Together Josh and Steven have completed almost 600 inspections in just the past seven months.

Josh not only delivers facts to his clients, but he personalizes and educates each one so that STX Home Inspections clients feel informed and empowered. He believes that when clients know what can be improved, they will know how to take their next step.

“Despite what people may think, I don’t get paid more for finding more deficiencies,” Josh chuckled. “Another thing that surprises people is that brand new homes can have many pages of

‘deficiencies,’ while an older home that is properly maintained may have only one page. My job is not just to find imperfections, but to help each client understand the things on the list that are easily resolvable, sometimes even by the clients themselves. We can accommodate any inspection need.”

STX Home Inspections offers discounts to teachers, active military, veterans, and first responders to thank them for their service. They also have discount rates for first-time buyers. Another way Josh gives back to the community is by providing monthly continuing education sessions for REALTORS®. He also cooks for community fundraisers and grand openings for small businesses.

Josh has been going to car shows since the early ‘80s, and he and his uncle show the ‘57 Chevy whenever they can. Josh enjoys collecting and restoring classic cars, modifying trucks, and riding his motorcycle. He has modified, improved, repowered, or restored more than 50 vehicles, and he doesn’t plan to stop any time soon. He has a very mechanical mind and can fix, weld, or build almost anything if he has enough time. He jokes that if he can’t fix something, it’s not really broken! Josh loves CrossFit workouts. He has been consistently doing them for four years and has been a CrossFit coach for three years. He became a coach to stay accountable. It also didn’t hurt that coaches got a free membership. As a small business owner, every dollar counts!

“I got into CrossFit because I saw a picture of a dad doing pull-ups with his daughter riding piggyback. I always wanted that picture, but my daughter grew faster than my strength. I also want to be fit so my wife and daughter can be proud of me,” smiled Josh.

Josh and Jennifer have been married 13 years, and his family stays a top priority. Their daughter is her daddy’s number one fan and does everything with Josh. The family has three dogs, which their daughter loves as if they were her siblings. The Butlers love to boat, fish, hunt, and cook together. They usually invite friends, colleagues, and clients to join in the fun.

Josh is passionate about collaborating with clients and their REALTORS® face-to-face. He is passionate about providing customer service that is personable, professional, accurate, and timely. Josh believes it is essential to take time to help each client understand the results

I ONLY KNOW HOW TO WORK.

and possible remedies for anything he has found during inspections.

STX Home Inspections is in the process of expansion. They are constructing an office and shop on their new property that will be able to accommodate the continuing growth of STX Home Inspections. They will continue finding new ways to provide even better, and more extensive, service to their customers.

STX Home Inspections is ready to schedule any specialty residential or commercial inspections that clients desire, including termite, pool, water well, and general inspections. They are licensed through TREC and the Texas Department of Agriculture. They are also in the process of receiving a mold inspection license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. “I am extremely grateful for the open arms of the real estate community. I am thankful for all the referrals I have received and the feedback that REALTORS® have shared,” said Josh. “I am glad to be part of the Coastal Bend real estate team.”