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Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc. |
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MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER |
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Message prepared especially for Members of the American Institute of Inspectors® as well as Home Inspectors abroad |
GOOOOOD MORNING, A.I.I.....
It is a great day here in Orem, Utah! As you are probably aware we are gearing up for the onslaught of foreigners to arrive for the Olympics here in northern Utah. Word on the street is that our industry will be sitting on their duffs with the remote control in hand while the games are taking place. There is supposed to be no action taking place in the real estate market and as a result things may get pretty tight financially. Only time will tell, and I hope that the opposite is true.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm getting pretty tired of the extra work that is involved in performing wintertime inspections. I would prefer warmer weather and the ability to see the roof surfaces. I have tired of trying to get the circulation back into my fingertips when it is 16 degrees at the start of the inspection and warming up to 22 degrees by the time I am all done with the inspection. I also tire of showing up to bank owned properties only to learn that the power and water are shut down. This means that the heater could be working IF the power was turned on. I also tire of the agent who is sitting in his warm office when I discover the 33 degree interior of the home and they respond "What do you mean the power is shut off?" I'm guessing that I need to change my outlook. I need to look for the positive. I need to find the rose. I need to look for the silver lining. Let's see if it is possible........
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4 year-old Aaron playing with our newest family member Joey in the doghouse.
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I am so thankful for those people who call to schedule inspections. I am glad that I get to leave the home to go out to work each day. I'm so glad for the credit card machine that keeps the client that shows up without his checkbook from being able to indefinitely delay payment for my product. I am so glad for the size 15 Sorel winter boots that help to keep my toes warm as I trudge through the deep snow. I am so glad that the snow has fallen so frequently that NBC and the other Olympic sponsors will recoup tenfold their investments. I am so glad for cell phones so that I can call those agents sitting in their nice warm offices to hear them say "What do you men the power is shut off?"..... Oops! I knew I couldn't keep up the positive attitude. Oh well, I guess life could be worse...... I'm starting to get depressed and sound a lot like Eeyore the donkey in Winnie the Pooh.
On a similar note, it reoccured to me that success will only come to those who put forth the effort. So what effort have I been putting forth? What goals do I have set for myself this week to increase my business success? Am I resting on my laurels, or am I going to get out there this week and do something to market myself? Or will another week come and go and I will not accomplish a single marketing dream? I urge each of us to get off our duffs this week and do something to better market our businesses. Please contact me privately via e-mail and let me know what marketing goals you accomplish this week........ Or will it just be too cold outside to do anything to market ourselves? The choice is ours. We have complete control. We can either market ouselves to bring success, or we can do nothing and bemoan our failure......... Let's get out there and make it a great week!!!
BACKING UP FILESLast week I asked the question...... What steps do you take to back up your computer files?
Every 1st and 15th of the month, I backup my file by "burning" a CD. At a cost of only 50 cents a CD, it's very cheap insurance. David Dionne - W. Seneca, NYI use a Palm Vx organizer. It automatically backs up the computer each time I put it in the cradle and sync it with the desk top. It goes both ways so if I loose one the other will back the lost one up. Ron Cloyd - Klamath Falls, OR
Nobody should respond to such questions before they have their morning coffee. I back up inspection reports on CD but that's all, and count on the restore feature of Windows 2000. By the way I bought a new laptop yesterday (Sony VAIO) came loaded with Windows XP the 3-D software version 4.0 loaded right up, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. Hopefully it will work OK,because a computer in my hands is a dangerous thing. Thanks Richard Stewart -Corvallis, OR
Michael, It's very hard to make computer people be "proactive" when it comes to backing up "critical information". This information could be address books, accounting records or even inspection reports.
After you have lost any of these files...you tend to be more aware of just how valuable (critical) your data files are. Not to mention the time spent restoring your computer to its original state.
The first thing I do is to assemble all my software CDs into file folders. I take a marker and mark the folder name on each one...i.e. SW101, SW102, SW103. I write up an index in pencil and insert it into SW100 folder. If you have employees, be sure to lock your software CDs up. Many times...companies go to the files to reload the software, and find the CDs missing. Software adds up quick ($$$)!
As for myself...having two computers, a Sony laptop and a HP laptop. My laptop has a network connection, so I can easily transfer files to my desktop. When it comes to backing up data, ....it is now only necessary to backup the directories that contain my "critical" data files. My software for my rewritable CD does this very easily. A CD will hold up to 600 meg of information.
The reason I like CD...should my system fail.. its easy to pull the latest backup from the file cabinet and restore the data.
You asked about address books...I would suggest that you move away from using Outlook or any other similar type email program to store your email addresses. They are always under attack by computer viruses. I can't count the people I know that have had problems. Look at using a Contact Management Program, such as ACT! (www.act.com). It's a great program to use and will protect your greatest asset...your contact list.
Should you have any questions....just ask!
David Dionne Buffalo, NY
MOTLEY FOOL'S INSPECTION ADVICEMy Father-in-law passed along this advice from the Motley Fool column. I like reading these types of consumer tips because they always spark questions in my potential client's minds. I end up dealing with the questions several times in the weeks that follow. I always try to preformulate my responses so that I am not caught off guard by an off the wall question. My favorite question to respond to is, "Do you belong to _______?" Fill in the blank with ASHI, NAHI or any other organization. The question arises from the press releases from the National and State organizations pushing their own agenda. I believe that there is good in all of these organizations and that the real questions should be "Do you belong to any inspection organizations? Which ones and why?" I believe that potential clients need to know which organizations an inspector belongs to and which set of SOP's they follow. This is a much better approach than the "if you don't belong to this organization I won't use you" approach. There are good inspectors everywhere and 4 times as many lousy inadequately trained inspectors. Membership in an organization is only one piece of the successful inspector puzzle. So let's read the Motley Fool's advice for the week.......
Q. What do I need to know about home inspectors when buying a house?
A. First off, don't use one referred by a traditional agent, as the agent is aligned with the seller of the house. If you're using a buyer broker, it's fine to go with a referral from her. But, also get references from the inspector. (If he's reluctant to provide them, say sayonara.)
Check out whomever you plan to use with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) (gesundheit!) to make sure he's got sufficient training and experience. Find out what will be covered in the inspection -- in detail.
Make sure that you can accompany him on the inspection, and do accompany him, observing what he does. If he's good at his job, he'll be able to suggest solutions for minor imperfections that may turn up. In addition, you want him to carry "errors and omissions" insurance, which will cover you in the event that he goofs and misses something costly.
Today, often for just a few dollars, you can purchase or ask the seller to provide a "home warranty" -- insurance that covers unforeseen repairs for the first year or so after you buy the house. Most of these policies are contingent on a home inspection being performed by an inspector the insurance company trusts, but they offer great peace of mind. Many real estate agents and sellers are offering these policies as part of the sale to reduce liability for missed problems and to entice buyers. If they don't mention this, ask about it.
You can learn more about home buying in our Home Center -- we've even got some good deals on mortgage rates for you there.
This question and answer is adapted from The Motley Fool Money Guide: Answers to Your Questions About Saving, Spending and Investing. For answers to this and 499 other common money questions, check it out -- it's a handy resource.
OREGON SMOKE DETECTOR LAWI have been reading this discussion with some interest. There is no question that an inspector should report on the presence or lack of smoke alarms and their location. I am also of the opinion that if the smoke alarm locations are not in conformance with the latest industry standards an inspector should recommend the upgrade or repair so that there are functioning alarms in the appropriate locations. This should be universal regardless of what state an inspector works in.
I will be interested to see how the State of Oregon interprets this all as it relates to home inspectors. My personal opinion is that an inspector's responsibility ends with verifying the location of the alarm. Any action that requires opening the device goes beyond a visual inspection. If they are required to open one, they will need to open them all. That may mean bringing an extension ladder into the home. Evaluating the operating system and internal components of an alarm with regard to a fire code seems to venture into the realm of adequacy. I wonder what the insurance carriers would say about an inspector passing judgement on the adequacy of an alarm. Seems like high liability to me.
In California the Realtors have become the water heater strapping police due to the state's requirement that water heaters be strapped prior to the sale of a home. I wonder if they will be the smoke alarm police in Oregon. As we all know, not every home sold gets inspected. Jon Gudnason - Placerville, CA
I believe that Jon's questions and concerns are right on the money. His thoughts are my thoughts and I believe that the Oregon inspectors need to discuss this and come to an agreement BEFORE the State meeting where the decision is made. I believe that you need to take a proactive stance so that they do not turn the inspectors into the "Smoke Alarm Police" to verify the type, location and battery within each unit. I believe that the Oregon inspectors need to voice their opinion's to Betty Buckley so that when she attends the decision making meeting that she will be representing your views.... Just my thoughts. Michael Leavitt
Just for what it is worth: I ran into my favorite realtor the other day. Top Producer. Real neat, lovely lady. (Not just because I get all of her referrals) She had a box of about five of the new required smoke alarms. She is going to (for a while any way) give her clients the smoke alarms to smooth the deal. Cost her about $100.00. Its things like that that make a realtor sell over 9 million. Ted B. Harris - Oregon
CPSC NIGHTLIGHT RECALLFor Immediate Release January 16, 2002 Release # 02-084 CPSC Contact: Scott Wolfson (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1189 Nightlight Recall Hotline: (800) 391-4555
CPSC, Intermatic Inc. Announce Recall of Nightlights
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Intermatic Inc., of Spring Grove, Ill., is voluntarily recalling about 156,000 electroluminescent nightlights. The nightlights can short-circuit, posing shock and burn hazards to consumers.
Intermatic has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury. The recalled Electroluminescent Night Lights have model numbers GN172 and GN165, which are molded on the back of the lights. 
The model GN172 lights are gray in color and are about 1 1/2 inches square by 1/4 inch thick with two metal electrical prongs. The model GN165 lights are gray in color and are about 4-3/8 inches in height, 1-5/8 inches wide and 1/4 inch thick with two metal electrical prongs. Also molded on the back of the nightlights are the words, "Intermatic Inc." and "Made in Taiwan."
Hardware stores and electrical distributors nationwide, including True Value Hardware Stores, sold these nightlights between January 1999 and December 2001 for about $4.
Consumers should stop using these lights immediately; if the nightlights are plugged in, turn off the power, and remove them from the wall socket. Consumers should return the nightlights to the store where they were purchased for a full refund or mail the lights to Intermatic Inc. at 7777 Winn Road, Spring Grove, IL 60081, Attn: Larry Kubisiak for a full refund or a replacement nightlight of equal value. Intermatic will also send consumers $2 for shipping and handling. For more information, consumers can call Intermatic at (800) 391-4555 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or log on to the company's website at www.intermatic.com.
To see a picture of the recalled product(s) and/or to establish a link from your web site to this press release on CPSC's web site, link to the following address: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml02/02084.html
PHOTO CHALLENGE #87 FEEDBACK
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I dont know michael, is an outlet considered a combustible? If so then it must be greater than 6 in. from the opening. Chris Burkhart - Sandy, Utah
DH: Interesting idea. The fireplace does not count as "wall space" in terms of receptacle placement, so I wouldn't want to see this one substituting for a required receptacle. It looks like you have a window going to the floor right next to the fireplace. The fixed glass does count as wall space that would require a receptacle to serve equipment such as lamps placed next to that wall. The receptacle must be within 6 feet of the fireplace structure. The normal way to supply it is with a floor receptacle no further than 18 inches from the wall. I wouldn't accept the fireplace receptacle as a substitute.
I share your concern that a cord plugged into this outlet could get toasty. I don't see the toast issue as something that is anticipated or prohibited by any codes. Douglas Hansen - Palo Alto, CA
It may be that there was no fireplace or sliding glass door when the condo was built and it was added into a blank wall. Since the outlet was there and a door was also installed, the outlet was kept rather than cap the wires inside the wall......?? Jim Corbin - Bow, WA
Michael, I didn't respond because I was waiting to hear the answer to your question. I had the same knee jerk reaction. Sorry you're not here New Orleans. Geez! Bob McGovern
ML: BTW...... Are you telling me that any outlet located on the front or side walls of the fireplace do not count in the six foot rule?
DH: I don't really know. I had a kind of knee-jerk response to this. You probably know what I mean - when it's something you've never seen before the first assumption is that it's gotta be wrong.
ML: The picture that I shared is a basement room with a concrete slab and floor to ceiling glass. This leaves the only logical place for the outlet on this wall is somewhere on the bricked fireplace. This is common, but usually the outlet is placed on the side wall and not the face wall of the chimney.
DH: Looking at 210-52(c) it appears the important thing is that a lamp anywhere along that glass wall space can be within 6 feet of a receptacle. The fireplace doesn't need a receptacle, though nothing appears to prevent it from being on the side. Maybe we should be concerned about how close it is to the fireplace opening. We need 8 inches or 12 inches clearance, depending on the size of the opening. Thanks Mike. All the best to you and Shelly
PD: Douglas, I would've rejected it on entirely different grounds.
It may still be a kneejerk reaction on my part, but I would've argued the point that the plastic faceplate (and backbox?) violate the hearth extension requirements for the fireplace itself. Whatever the size of the fireplace, I'm sure that the this plastic material is too close to the firebox. Peter Drenan - North Carolina
CPSC SPACE HEATER WARNINGFor Immediate Release January 15, 2002 Release #02-083 Media Contact: Ken Giles (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1184
CPSC Offers Tips to Prevent Home Fires Caused by Space Heaters -- Devices Associated with 21,800 Fires and 300 Deaths Annually
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As fire departments across the country battle winter home fires, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds consumers to demonstrate care when purchasing and using space heaters. CPSC estimates that space heaters, including both fixed and portable heaters, are associated with about 21,800 residential fires every year.
About 300 people die each year in fires started by these heaters. Fuel-burning space heaters also can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and indoor air pollution, because of improper venting or incomplete combustion.
"We're still seeing too many space heater fires," said CPSC Acting Chairman Thomas Moore. "While CPSC has worked hard with industry to improve safety standards for space heaters, consumers must exercise care in their purchase and use."
Consumers should be aware that older space heaters might not meet the newer safety standards. The CPSC has worked to upgrade the industry standards on electric, kerosene and unvented gas space heaters. An automatic cut-off device is now required, which turns off electric or kerosene heaters if they tip over. More guarding around the heating coils of electric heaters and the burner of kerosene heaters also is required to prevent fires. CPSC worked to upgrade the industry standard on unvented gas heaters, as well, to provide an oxygen depletion sensor to shut off the heater if the oxygen level drops too low.
Here are some CPSC safety tips for buying and using space heaters:
Consumers who would like more information can receive a free CPSC booklet, "What You Should Know about Space Heaters," by placing a request at www.cpsc.gov or by sending a postcard to: "Space Heater Booklet," U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207.
PHOTO CHALLENGE #88
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QUOTABLE QUOTE: "To be successful, you must decide exactly what you want to accomplish, then resolve to pay the price to get it." Bunker Hunt |
HAVE A GREAT WEEK! Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc. The Most Qualified Inspector in Northern Utah! |
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