The Owl Says...

Everything started out as usual. 
 
Client called asking about my inspection choices, prices and qualifications.  Set the inspection for a couple days later at 5:30PM per the client's request (he didn't want to take a day off work).
 
Began the inspection with my usual "rap" about what to expect during the inspection.  The agent chimed in that this was a "pre-offer inspection".
 
The back-story is that this client had an offer accepted on a previous home (foreclosure) and decided not to complete the deal (he didn't get into details of why).  Apparently, he had to jump through all kinds of hoops to get his earnest money back. This must have been last fall, as his previous inspector did not renew his license (IL renewal was Nov 31, 2008). 
 
He and his agent thought that having an inspection BEFORE they made an offer on this property (a short sale) would alleviate the headaches if this property also was not up to the clients needs.
 
With the abundance of foreclosure/short sale properties out there, I was wondering if anyone else had used this method and what y'all think of it.

Check out, http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html You can pick out a crayon drawing by kids (thank you card) and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.  No personal info, email or financial info needed - just a name and hometown. 

It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be great if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

Imagine how cool it would be for a soldier, perhaps missing his own kids, to get a card made by a kid!

Regardless of your opinion of the war, our soldiers need to know we are behind them. This takes just seconds to do and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do.

Thanks for supporting our troops.

With the change of seasons, it's nearly time to change the smoke alarm batteries.  Well, the seasons and the fact that I was "advised" by the wife to start getting Christmas stuff out (UGH!).  Holidays usually consist of using electricity in ways it wasn't meant to be. 

Where is that special outlet thingy so I can plug in 72 strands of lights? 
I swear I had 12 extension cords last year, how can i make due with 10?

I thought I'd share a tidbit from my inspection report concerning smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms save lives, we all know that.  Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms at all or no smoke alarms that work. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.

In order to save lives they need two things - power and a functioning sensor.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends replacement of smoke detectors every 10 years or sooner if they do not respond properly. (See all smoke detector safety tips from NFPA)  Presumably, this is because the sensors will become less effective over time (they are mechanical and subject to failure).

It is beyond the scope of a home inspection to determine the age or sensor sensitivity of a smoke alarm.  I recommend everyone change the smoke alarms at time of possession and at the interval recommended by the manufacturer.  Smoke alarms are relatively inexpensive these days.  Isin't that expense worth it to positively know that your smoke alarms are brand new?  To me, it's much better than guessing how old they might be.

Some common smoke alarm tips:

• Install smoke detectors in each bedroom and on each floor of the home (follow manufacturers instructions).
• Interconnect smoke detectors so that when one sounds, they all sound.
• Use both ionization smoke alarms and photoelectric smoke alarms (or a combination alarm)
• Test alarms monthly by using the test button
• Change batteries twice a year

For a full list of smoke alarm tips, as well as general fire safety tips see www.nfpa.org

My son just started second grade and all of the kids in his class are excited to learn to write in cursive.  Never mind the fact that he is still trying to master printing - he can't wait to get started.  The cursive begins after New Years, and we were informed that in third grade they are to write exclusively in cursive.

I haven't written anything in cursive in years - decades, maybe - and wonder if I'm ahead of my time or way behind.  When I do write the old fashioned way (pen and paper) I always (and I rarely use the word always) print - signature excluded (and my signature is a big scribble - or so my wife says).  

Seems to me that in this day of word processors, email and texting that the "art" of writing is fading fast.  I am 99% certain that my son's first attempt at writing in cursive will be far better than any cursive I were to attempt,

My questions to you, my fellow Rainers are...

• Do you write the old fashioned way (pen and paper)?
• Do you write in cursive?  
• Do you print?  
• Does it matter?

If you print, like me, try writing something in cursive.  Go ahead, right now - try it - I did (and now I am 100% certain that my son will write better in cursive than I do).  Yes, it probably looks funny, but if you can't laugh at your own writing, what can you laugh at!

Sometimes, during the course of an inspection I see things that defy logic.  Often it's homeowner "fixes" that make you scratch your head.  On occasion it's a contractor who baffles me by their workmanship (or lack thereof).  When looking at and reporting on some things, I will often refer to the manufacturer's installation instructions. 

Some manufacturers have realized that people do not always read all of the instructions and will take extra steps to make sure that certain parts of the installation instructions are followed.  Usually if you see a large warning label, it is safe to assume that this is something that is more prone to failure which could cause serious injury (and lawsuits).  Some still, do not pay attention.

In this instance (pull-down attic stairs) the manufacturer clearly calls for a nail, yet the installer thought a screw would do.  Now, I'm no rocket scientist or big city lawyer, but seems to me that the manufacturer has spent many hours and many dollars to verify that their installation instructions meet the safety requirements in order to protect the consumer (and keep them out of court).  

Yet the installer knows better?

I don't know exactly why they specify a nail (I wasn't in on that meeting - darn!) - It most likely has something to do with the shear strength of a nail vs. a screw - but that's really immaterial.  They went the extra step to try to "idiot-proof" this particular part of the installation, and apparently failed.

In today's society, where spilling hot coffee on yourself can get you big bucks, why wouldn't you just follow instructions?

The CPSC released a recall today for certain Sony VAIO Laptops.  Seems some of the internal wiring can short out and cause a burn hazzard.  The recalled notebook computer models are the VAIO VGN-TZ100 series, VGN-TZ200 series, VGN-TZ300 series and VGN-TZ2000 series. Not all units are affected, so contact Sony if you have one of these models.

For the full report from CPSC, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08392.html

From sony's website: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?template_id=1&news_id=272

To get all recall notices direct to your email, sign up here

We have lots of CHOICES.  We are not a one-size-fits-all society.  Ironically, the "one-size-fits-all" label (common on baseball hats) has changed to "one-size-fits-most".  My 7 year old and his huge melon may be the reason for the change, but I can't be sure.

 Here are some everyday CHOICES that popped into my head:

Oil Change:  5W30, 10W30, 5W20, regular oil, synthetic oil, blended oil, perhaps just shaken or stirred?

Gym shoes: Tennis, basketball, walking, running, climbing, cross-training, jogging, marathon, hula-hooping?

Eggs: Large, extra large, jumbo, brown, green (with ham), farm raised hen, free-range hen, urban hen, suburban hen?

Ice cream: An entire concept was formed around choices.  Is it still 31 flavors? Or more like 31,000 flavors?

Cars: What type of "package": Standard, performance, luxury, sport, off-road, on-road, semi-sport luxury cruising with off-road capabilities?

At the bar: Stoli, Smirnoff, Ketel One, Grey Goose, Van Gogh, Sterling, Absolut...and don't even get me started on the flavors.  Hmmm, wonder if the ice cream people got into the vodka business too?

Cell phones (and plans): ...ok, you get the idea

Home Inspection: ???

Hmmm.  One home inspection for everyone?  Seems so 1975.

Many (most) home inspectors offer a single type of home inspection and expect that to fit everyone's wants or needs (one-size-fits-all).  *Note I'm speaking strictly of home inspections not other services (radon, mold, termite, etc)

There are some (albeit few) inspectors who realize that not everyone needs or wants the same inspection, and offer multiple CHOICES for their clients.  Keep this in mind the next time you are looking for a home inspector (or see a "one-size-fits-most" label) - ask about CHOICES

Questions about houses?
Contact Rick Maday
Owl Home Inspections
A Home Inspection the Way it Should Be.

I'm sure there are about 4,378 things you, as an agent, would rather do than attend a home inspection. (Doesn't the cat need a bath? Ooh, I need to catch up on C-SPAN).  Even though I consider myself a personable and witty guy, a few hours watching and listening to me opine about the wonders of forced air heating, AFCIs or TPR valves will quickly become boring for almost anyone.  Of course, if it's a house you're buying, you'd probably be a bit more interested, but I digress.

Please review this handy list of things to ensure the inspection will go off without unneeded delays.

Confirm that all utilities (water, electric and gas) are on, with gas pilot lights burning. This is especially true for any vacant/foreclosed homes.  If we need to make a return trip because the water heater is not lit, our clients will probably be none too happy, you'll have to get an extension for the inspection contingency and you just may have to put off that root canal another day.

Be sure pets won't hinder the inspection.  I love pets!  As much as I love them, they should be removed from the premises.  In a pinch, being secured outside is fine.  That is, as long as Bruiser won't try to rip my leg off while I examine the exterior.  Also, I would feel awful if Fluffy ran out the door during my inspection, so please, cats should be crated or removed.  Heck, I'll  even bring a kitty crate, if need be.

Replace burned out bulbs to avoid a "Light is inoperable" report that may suggest an electrical problem.  If a light doesn't work, it will be noted in the report.  I will recommend that the bulb be replaced first and if that doesn't do the trick, an electrician should be consulted.  No body wants the expense or time of having an electrician come out, so please, check the light bulbs.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries. Be sure that they are in the proper places.  Smokes: In each bedroom and on each floor.  CO:  within 15 feet of all sleeping areas (at a minimum)

Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely. A clean filter isn't the only thing that I'll look for in a furnace. If, however, the filter looks like it was last changed when $3.00/gallon gas was expensive, the furnace probably hasn't been maintained as it should be.

Remove stored items, debris and wood from the exterior foundation. These may be cited as "conducive conditions" for wood destroying insects. This also includes trimming plants and shrubs back to one foot from the home.  Vegetation in contact with the home is like providing a freeway for insects and moisture - and the home is exit ramp #1.

Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels, water heaters, attics and crawl spaces. Any box may contain extra blankets, a rare vase that is a family heirloom or a rare vase that is a family heirloom wrapped up in extra blankets.  Since I would feel awful if I damaged someone's irreplaceable item (and insurers would too) I don't move anything.

Trim tree limbs to 10' from the roof and shrubs from the house to allow access.  This is not only a good idea so that your friendly neighborhood home inspector can see everything he needs to; it's also good for preventing damage to roofs and keeping varmints from sneaking into the attic.

Attend to broken or missing items like doorknobs, locks and latches; windowpanes, screens and locks; gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.  Some of my inspection CHOICES include cosmetic items, some don't.  A single damaged knob or screen may seem insignificant, but 10 or 12 that are damaged will certainly increase the cost to replace and add another item to negotiate.

So, before your clients have an inspection, please communicate with the appropriate party to have the above items taken care of.  The cat bath can wait a couple more hours. ;)

Questions about houses?
Contact Rick Maday
Owl Home Inspections
A Home Inspection the Way it Should Be.

My clients know, I am quite the stickler for TPR valves and their proper drainage.  This is an area I spend a good amount of time to educate the client and make sure they understand the purpose, function and maintenance of these valves.  Some have said my findings in this area are "nit-picky".

What do you think? 

The pic is from a fellow inspector from an explosion in Arizona.
(Thanks, Dale!)
 
This is from a news article...

"While it's not officially confirmed what caused the explosion, video from NewsChopper 3 showed a water heater on the corner near a school yard a couple of blocks away from the house"

 How 'bout some video?
(A controlled experiment of a water heater explosion)

Questions about houses?
Contact Rick Maday
Owl Home Inspections
A Home Inspection the Way it Should Be.

How many people does it take to change a CFL?

CFL's - those energy saving, forever (or so it seems) lasting, "green" light bulbs that are to save us loads and loads of energy.  Yeah, you know 'em, you love 'em and you have 'em.

But what if they break? Or even (gasp!) burn out?

Well, because these little energy misers contain a bit of mercury the clean up (or disposal) isn't quite like your father's ligt bulb.  No half of a potato to get the broken base from the fixture, nope.  These require a bit more care.

If they burn out (and they eventually will) see http://earth911.org/ for a recycling center near you.  These bulbs SHOULD NOT go out with the regular trash.

If they break - well now you've done it!

You don't really need a HAZMAT suit, but you do need to take some precautions.  The EPA has guidelines for clean up on various materials - rugs, hard surfaces, bedding/clothing (throw it out!), etc.  I won't bore you with all the specific details - you can see for your self at http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#fluorescent. Let's suffice it to say that you'll not be picking anything up with your hands and you'll be setting up a 3 square block perimeter (or something like that).

But seriously folks, know that these are not your typical light bulbs and know that they need special care and precautions when they break or burn out.

***I re-posted this as I have had emails that others couldn't comment - although I did not check that box.  I will delete the original

***Still having trouble with comments - sorry I'm at a loss. :(