It's a great day here in Orem! Spring has arrived here in Northern Utah. We have warmed up to the mid 60's and the sky is blue and the plants are green and blossoming. To celebrate, the Leavitt family found themselves skiing last Friday at the Brighton ski resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. It was a lot of fun, but it was quite a chore getting the equipment and accessories together for four children. The last thing I wanted to hear when I pulled into the parking lot was "Dad, have you seen my socks?" Luckily we made it through the event without forgetting anything.
Published Wednesday, March 14, 2001
Appraiser Donald Pelton has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in inflating the value of dozens of properties sold by a flipping ring. Pelton, 44, of Shoreview, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Doty more than 14 months after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and failing to file a 1996 tax return.
Pelton's inflated appraisals were a key factor in getting lenders to make loans to buyers for more than properties were worth. Flipping is the purchase and rapid resale of property for a big gain in price, and it is illegal if based on fraudulent documents such as inflated appraisals.
Federal prosecutor Mark Larsen said Pelton performed about half of the appraisals for more than 100 properties flipped by Michael A. Meehan of Minneapolis. Meehan's flipping ring is the largest that operated during a wave of flipping from 1995 to 1998 in the Twin Cities, primarily in north Minneapolis. Meehan was sentenced last month to almost four years in prison.
Pelton faced a potential sentence of more than four years. But Larsen asked Doty to reduce the presumed sentence. He said Pelton's cooperation with investigators helped to broaden the number of defendants who were prosecuted for flipping-related fraud.
Pelton's appraisal license earlier was revoked by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and he was fined $50,000 for violating professional standards.
http://webserv6.startribune.com:80/stOnLine/cgi-bin/article?thisSlug=CBRF14&date=14-Mar-2001&word=pelton
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I would like to take some time to invite, and welcome everyone, to the Spring Conference. Thanks to Betty Buckley, our Executive Director, we will have a GREAT lineup of speakers on various topics. If you have not received the seminar schedule, and have not sent in your enrollment fees, please contact Betty as soon as possible.
The reasons to attend the Spring Conference are many, the educational seminars and speakers allow you to maintain your Continuing Education credits, as well as allowing us to improve our business and our inspections for our clients. This is what sets us apart from other inspectors in the business. The interaction with other Home Inspectors is invaluable. Having the opportunity to visit with and discuss our business with other inspectors, assists me in dealing with situations that come up in my business and again allows me to improve my service to my clients. Everyday we face new challenges in our inspections and our business. Stay ahead of the pack by attending the Spring and Fall Conferences.
I will be contacting some of you in the near future to fill some of our remaining committees. We have positions available on the Membership Committee, Chapter and Membership Development, and Public Relations Committee. Please contact me at (406) 388-9890 if you would be interested in serving on these committees. Our organization is only as good as the people who lead and serve our organization.
I look forward to seeing all of you at the Spring Conference . Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions, input or suggestions on improvements to our organization.
Good Inspecting!! Bill Schwahn
Many of the MMM readers are converting over to the handheld Windows Pocket PC machines due to their small size and ease of use. The main drawback is getting the custom information into the machines on homes that are in need of high maintenance. I previously reported on the GoType keyboard for the Casio unit, but have been frustrated that there has not been an equivalent for the iPaq models. Although GoType has still yet to release their iPaq model, the Stowaway company has come out with theirs.
Stowaway has produced their folding keyboard for the Palm users for a few years now, but this is their first venture into the Pocket PC arena. They produce a unit for both the HP Journada and another for the Compaq iPaq. They are light and easy to use. But the strongest point is that you do not need to have the cradle or any cables to connect to the handhelds. This was always the strong point of the GoType for Casio, because the last thing I wanted was to have to lug around additional cables or cradles to use the keyboard.
The Stowaway unit is "priced" anywhere from $95 to $125 on the internet and many places have them on back order. If you want a hot tip....... I was in Comp USA last Friday and they now carry the Stowaway for the Journada and the iPaq for $99. They always carried the Palm accessories, but this is Comp USA's first venture into Pocket PC accessories.
From the http://www.goipaq.com website.......
"Introducing the new the Stowaway Portable Keyboard that will allow people to quickly and comfortably enter text into the iPaq device, without having to carry around a full-size keyboard. The Stowaway product is a full-size keyboard. The Stowaway is an essential add-on for any user, enabling these devices to live up to their full potential-on the road, at home or away from the office. Now you can type e-mail, take notes, and enter data anytime, anywhere!"
If you think that you can do inspections without these keyboards, think again. They make typing in large amounts of text extremely easy and they truly should be considered an essential "must-have" for Pocket PC owners.
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I have been spending countless hours in the past few weeks improving my form sets for the Power PC machines. Many Inspectors have been inquiring about them and taking the plunge into the Pocket PC world. I know that many long-term, 3D users are also interested in upgrading their existing form sets to newer CE compatible forms. If you are one of those Inspectors who has an older set of forms and you want to see what the newer forms are like, just CLICK HERE for a trial download.Those wishing to purchase a new set of 3D residential and condominium form sets can do so for $305.00. Those of you who already own older Leavitt Report form sets can upgrade for $50.00.
Last week I shared the Top 10 Sparky responses from Douglas Hansen of Code Check. Ken Ives responded.....
This is the stuff that I treasure. Very informative and useful. Doug is not only the top resource, but say's it in mostly laymen terms. Love the quote..."What do you care about the cost. It's important, time to open the checkbook".... I'll remember that one!!!! Ken Ives, CA
I grew up with one of these. It was designed to burn hard coal and the ashes were good driveway material.....This furnace was designed to burn coal and was converted to oil. I expect that it is past its safe life-- recommend immediate removal by qualified personal. Suspect the wrapping on the ducts could be asbestos. Roy Cooke - Brighton, Ontario
Appears to be an oil furnace with gravity-fed heat ducts. Nathan Buckley - Klamath Falls, OR
Exposed wiring needs protection. Extension cord used as permanent wiring. Possible asbestos on air ducts. Should be tested by qualified lab. Rust/deterioration at furnace exterior. Has system been serviced within past year? Combustible material located behind furnace?? (hard to identify in photo). Tom Burnham - Ashland, OR
This oil-fired, "gravity" fed, hot air system appears unsatisfactory based on both the age and the general appearance of the heat exchanger. Most heat exchangers have a 20-year life expectancy, so if this unit is not planned for replacement, install carbon monoxide detectors throughout the property, as recommended by the unit's manufacturer.
Since this is also a converted coal-to-oil system, chances are very high that there is excessive dust and debris inside the antiquated galvanized steel ducts, which are also not insulated. This dust can lead to very serious health issues for dust, mold and mildew susceptible people, such as me.
Note: There appears to be some suspected asbestos-containing materials around the exterior duct work joints, which will not be addressed by this inspection. Recommended both a new furnace and new duct work, at which time a central humidifier and central filtration system are also recommended.
Note: Access to a basement clean-out for an internal inspection of the chimney flue does not appear possible due to the furnace location. (An ash pit clean-out did appear present, for what is likely the fireplace and therefore a furnace clean-out is needed). Therefore, consider a follow-up chimney sweep servicing of the chimney. Ron Hungarter - Kingston, PA
Last week I posted this picture and not one of you even took a stab at identifying the white water Home Inspector. I'll give you a hint..... He currently is inspecting in Oregon........
Your Name: Please include your name or else I don't know who it is from.
NEWS from CPSC * U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jade Recall Hotline: (888) 607-5694
March 20, 2001 * CPSC Contact: Mark Ross * Release # 01-107 (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1188
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa, is recalling about 14,800 Maytag and Magic Chef gas ranges. The vent flue insulation can be out of position on these ranges. Using the broil or self-clean functions on these ranges can cause scorching or burning of the cabinetry around the range, posing a fire hazard.
Maytag has received two reports of fires resulting in minor damage because the insulation was out of position on the ranges. There have been no reports of injuries.
The recall involves Maytag and Magic Chef gas ranges. They have model numbers CGS1230, CGS1740, CGS3760, MGS5770 or MGS5870. They also have serial numbers ending in WU, WW, WY, WZ, YB, YF and YH. The model and serial numbers are located on a plate just behind the front of the roll-out storage drawer. "Maytag" or "Magic Chef" is on the front of the range.
Department, appliance and specialty stores nationwide sold these ranges from September 1999 through April 2000 for between $400 and $1,300.
Consumers should stop using the broil and self-clean functions of these ranges immediately. Notices will be mailed to consumers whose ranges need to be inspected, and they will be repaired free of charge if needed. For more information, call Maytag Customer Service at (800) 544-2538 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's web site at www.maytag.com.
March 20, 2001 * CPSC Contact: Mark Ross * Release # 01-108 (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1188
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Jade Products Inc., of Los Angeles, Calif., is recalling about 3,300 Dynasty gas ranges. The igniters are too far from the burners, which can cause a delayed ignition of gas. The large amount of gas released can cause fire to escape from the oven, putting consumers at risk of burn injuries and house fires.
Jade Products has received three reports of minor burn injuries when consumers have opened the oven door just as the gas ignited and flames escaped from the oven.
The recalled Dynasty gas ranges are model numbers DGRSC and DGR(c), with serial numbers from 050198-A through 280200-Z. The serial plate, which contains the model and serial numbers, is located under the right burner grate support on model DGRSC, and under the left burner grate (on the left side wall) on model DGR(c). Consumers must remove the burner grill to see the serial plate. The range is 30-, 36-, 48-, or 60-inches wide. "Dynasty" is printed on the lower right corner of the oven door.
Department and appliance stores sold these ranges nationwide from January 1998 through February 2000 for between $2,900 and $8,900.
Consumers should stop using these ranges immediately and call Jade Products toll-free at (888) 607-5694 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
I saw this tank in the attic of a 1909 house in West Seattle. The house had a newer gas boiler with radiators in the rooms for heat. The tank is vented horizontally and vertically through the roof and no longer used. Is this how the older boiler systems used to vent? Mark Daughtry - Redmond, WA
Can any of you boiler specialists offer any explanations to the expansion tanks or vent tanks on boiler systems???
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