Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, WA Home Inspector (King of the House)

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Window Window On The Wall

One component at new houses that is sometimes "iffy" is the mechanical operation of new vinyl windows. On many occasions, I have found that the windows do not track properly. They stick or do not latch or, somewhere along the way, they bind.

 

This is usually not a big deal with new windows, appropriate adjustments can be made, but it sure is a good thing to discover this problem in advance so the builder can deal with the "fiddling factor" instead of clients who usually know nothing about windows and window installation.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

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Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

7 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 30 2010 11:31PM

Wood Destroying Organisms Everywhere

At Bellingham Technical College, in the fundamentals of home inspection course the day students learn about wood destroying organisms, it is accurate to say that there are signs of wood destroying organisms everywhere.

Between the BTC collection of damaged wood, and a few pieces that are brought along by ace troubleshooter Dan Suomi -- Washington State Department of Agriculture -- we really do have a smorgasbord of damage.

I took a shot of a few of the samples of damaged wood during a break the other day. Everything, board after board, was piled one on top of the other, so it made an interesting sight. 

That wood pile includes teredo damage, anboiid beetle damage, buprestid beetle damage, cerambycid beetle damage, lyctid beetle damage, carpenter ant damage, termite damage and our old friend wood rot.

Wouldn't you know it? During the course of the lecture we had to take a break in class because my old nemesis, inspector Charles Buell, called from Shoreline with an urgent question for Dan. He knew where to find Dan that day. Since the question involved Charlie's secret stash of rare ants, Dan was the man to call.

Here we have a photo of Dan, talking on my phone, and. obviously,  nodding off as Charlie goes on about his ants.

Had it not been for the call from Charlie, poor Dan would not have gotten any rest and relaxation that day.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

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Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

6 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 30 2010 09:01AM

Don't Procrastinate: Schedule The Home Inspection Sooner and Not Later

I do not understand it but I would say that at least half of the buyers who call me are hoping to have their home inspection scheduled and completed the next day or within two days.

Often, if that time-line cannot be met, then the job goes to another inspector because the buyer put off scheduling the inspection and, per the contract, they are out of time. I do not understand a buyer being a tortoise, a procrastinator about the process.

Sometimes, depending on my work schedule, I can fit-in rush jobs. But, more often than not, my schedule is such that I have to pass on to someone else an inspection that requires such quick turnaround time.

The main point of this article is to suggest that, when a buyer's offer is accepted, the agent, if it is at all possible, should encourage the client to immediately make contact with the home inspector of his or her choice. Delaying that call, until the last minute, almost always assures the buyer that he or she will not being working with the inspector of his or her choice. The better-known inspectors, who more clients choose to work with, are the busiest inspectors and the ones who are least able to be on-site eight hours after the phone call is made. We want to be there to help clients, we really do, but sometimes it is just not possible to help.

Buyers: Please call with more lead time. Don't wait till the last minute, one day left till the ship springs a leak, unless you absolutely have to.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

GeoLogo207

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

1 comment • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 29 2010 12:57PM

That Kinky Summer Forty-Four Years Ago

I was meeting a friend for coffee downtown today -- something I do not do enough of anymore. But, in going to town, I followed the familiar path that I used to tread as a kid living at my folk's house. If you know Bellingham, they lived in the Cornwall Park neighborhood. In those days, Cornwall Avenue was the main drag into town and it took you directly to the central business district. By the way, Cornwall still takes you to the same place, except much of the business district is now out at the mall.

From my folk's house, Bellingham High School was about half way to town and, back then, it looked much like it does today.

 As I drove by Bellingham High today, my thoughts were not on having gone to school there. Instead my mind wandered to a day 44 years ago this month. I was a kid running my own neighborhood radio station from my bedroom. And on that hot day, I had walked to town -- too young to drive -- and I had just bought a great warm weather song that was a big hit in July 1966.

Bellingham High School plays into the story because, on the walk home on that sweltering hot day, a next door neighbor picked me up in front of Bellingham High and gave me a ride home. If you are around my age, I am wondering if you remember this classic hot weather song by the Kinks who were part of the British Invasion groups

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #207

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

14 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 28 2010 04:00PM

Real Estate Agent Tool -- Washington State Find A Home Inspector, Structural Pest Inspector or FHA/Hud Inspector

I receive many contacts from real estate agents asking me how to find a Washington State "licensed home inspector" or change that to read "licensed structural pest inspector" or "HUD/FHA registered inspector".

The government, at all levels, tends to have search tools for locating such information. However, sometimes, finding the correct search tool is way too much hassle. For the convenience of everyone, including myself, I have put together this simple combined search tool for locating the three most common inspector designations in this state.

This makes it all easy, and I am going to bookmark and keep this link to send to others.

If you click on the logo below for the State Department of Licensing, you will be taken to their search tool. Under license type simply put in "home inspector" and any other information you wish to use to better refine the search to your city or county. That process will locate a state licensed home inspector.

 

 

If you are looking for a licensed structural pest inspector (and many home inspectors also carry this license) then you need to go to the search tool provided by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Click on the logo below, then near the top, center on the tool -- "single licensee, pesticide or structural pest inspector". Then fill out the city, county, license number, whatever you choose.


 

Lastly, below is the search tool for locating a FHA/HUD registered inspector. Simply click on the HUD logo and fill in the state, county, zip code to better refine your search.

 

Keep track of this combined search tool, or bookmark it, so finding a qualified inspector is easier the next time you are in the market for an inspector who is licensed and qualified to serve the specific needs of your client.

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

 

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Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

6 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 27 2010 11:35PM

Do Not Call 360-200-5197 -- Scam in Bellingham, WA

I was on my cell phone today with a client. I got this little musical tune that I get when a text message comes in. In my case, that is about once a month -- I hate text messaging.

I have an account at Northcoast Credit Union, a well-respected local financial institution. So, it got my attention when the text said: 

MsgID4_65NDWUBG@v.w NORTH COAST CU NOTICE: Your card has been DISABLED. Please call 360.200.5197.

It ends up that this is a phising scam. If you call the number, then a woman's voice says that they need to lookup your account and ask for the account number. Of course, when you do so, they get your info. In my case, I entered a fake number because I did not know quite what to think.

Afterwards I called Northcoast and, sure enough, it is a scam. Now, Northcoast told me that this has been going on for a couple weeks now and that they have had over 1400 reported instances of problems.

Since the return telephone number is so plainly visible, I cannot figure out why the authorities, read that as police, working with the cell phone companies cannot figure out the "root" of this problem and shut it down.

Anyway, this type of thing is bound to be a problem in our wired and wireless society. But, if you live in this area and get such a text, then provide no numbers and call the financial institution. I imagine that when they are done with Northcoast, they will move to another well-known local bank or credit union.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

GeoLogo207

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

13 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 26 2010 11:37PM

Whatcom County's Favorite Son -- Ferndale's Jake Locker

Sports and athletics is big in Whatcom County. And it tends to be an even more important way of binding communities together in the smaller cities.

I cannot remember a local athlete who has created the excitement of Jake Locker, who was a star football quarterback at Ferndale High School a few years back. Jake led his team to the state championship.

Then, when he was recruited by the ever popular, and historically strong, University of Washington football team, well that was big news.

Jake is in contention for the Heisman Trophy and he was back in his hometown of Ferndale yesterday for the parade and kickoff to the 115th annual Old Settler's Picnic.

To read more on this bit of Americana, I will direct you to the Bellingham Herald article. Another famous resident from this area is Hillary Swank, the Academy Award winning actress.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

GeoLogo207

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

2 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 25 2010 12:17PM

Bellingham Home Inspection (King of the House): Moisture Ants

It seems that everyone I have run into has heard of carpenter ants. Next to termites, carpenter ants are an infamous wood destroying organism.

Another ant, tends to be smaller, that can really raise havoc is the moisture ant, or cornfield ant. These ants are not as aggressive as carpenter ants. Carpenter ants will move into sound, non-distressed, wood.

The moisture ants move into wood that is extremely wet, soft and rotten to begin with. Below is a photo of what is called moisture ant "carton" and it is below a toilet that was leaking in Point Roberts, WA. Replacing damaged lumber and repairing a leak should take care of this pest. If you want to see a list of all of the wood destroying organisms found in this region, you can check out my recent video.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

GeoLogo207

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

7 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 25 2010 11:59AM

Wood Destroying Organisms in Bellingham and Whatcom County, WA

Over the years, I have had any number of local inquiries from individuals who wanted to know the names, and the various species, of wood destroying organisms that might be found in Bellingham -- not Eastern Washington, but in Bellingham and Whatcom County.

This narrated slideshow will, in detail, provide that localized information to inquisitive real estate professionals and to buyers and sellers. Simply click the start button, center of the video link below, to see the presentation.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

GeoLogo207

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

9 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 25 2010 01:19AM

Rat Proliferation - They Wouldn't Dare!

Recently I wrote about the proliferation, or population explosion, of rats here in the Pacific Northwest. You can read that here. I will tell you right now, that this increase in rats is not a problem at my house.

First off, inside the house we have the three boys. And while they look a bit lazy in the photo, they are real animals when it comes to anything that looks like rodents -- even toy rodents.

In fact, the boys are actually the second line of defense. They are from feral stock in the neighborhood orignally and, while we managed to get most of their family members on the outside neutered or spayed, the boys have a number of other family members, including mom and dad, who are still mainly feral and they live in the backyard.

I would give someone a better chance of breaking into Fort Knox than a rat getting through this gauntlet of felines.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steven L. Smith

GeoLogo207

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

9 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • July 25 2010 12:11AM