Nolan Kienitz

Real wood or synthetic? Next question: How wide is the framing below?

I had a seller call me and threaten a lawsuit because I had not set one of their three T-Stats precisely at some temperature (I believe he said it was to be at 68.5 degrees). Due to this it caused him and his wife undue stress, agony, harm and a number of other $25.00 words. It took them 4 days to figure out what was "wrong" in their Master Suite. I usually leave T-Stats at ~78 to 80 degrees in the spring/summer. Mind you my client (buyer) bought the house, it had closed and everyone had moved on ... I thought. Apparently the seller just didn't have enough to do. After the initial pit in my stomach settled down I asked the seller if he was truly serious and he was. I carried on the call with him for a bit and then offered him the contact information for the attorney at TREC, the location on their website for the required complaint form, etc., etc., etc.. During this time I had pulled up the report and was reviewing it and found that there were many items that were a hazard, unsafe and potentially life threatening in the home. IE: Broken pull-down attic access ladder, electrical with wire nuts (no junction boxes) in the attic and a few more such items. As the call was ending I asked the seller for his current address, full name, name of his attorney and such. He then provided me same and asked why. I replied by saying that I was going to call my attorney when we completed the call and have him prepare a lawsuit against him (the seller) for having such unsafe conditions that threatened my life and safety during the inspection. All of a sudden the T-Stat not being set at his 'required' temperature seemed to be a small issue especially after I told him that the pictures of the unsafe conditions had all been provided to the buyer in the inspection report that I'm sure he saw. Another day in the neighborhood. [:-wiltel]

Well ... having lived/survived in Manhattan in a prior life for ~10-years I've heard about most everything. Now ... on the other hand I've already learned from Kurt that it is very important to have an "agent abeyance tool" and that has already helped a lot. My flashlight with the sharp shroud!!

Gotta protect the zoids!!

Just did a lease on mineral rights to land we used to own and some we still own in NE Montana (Plentywood & Outlook, MT). About 90-miles NW of Williston, ND which is pretty close to or is the epi-center of the Bakkan Field. An oil boom for sure that is absolutely nuts. There are a bunch of un-intended consequences due to the work in the oil patch. Restaurants (that can serve the oilfield folks) shutting down as they can't get workers due to the workers getting gigs in the oil patch. Same for school bus drivers ... events canceled as the drivers are running the oil trucks at a big $$ and not working for the school districts. One elderly/retired lady has been in an apartment in Williston for the past 20-years and paying $700/month rent. As of 12/1/11 her rent goes to $1K and as of 4/1/12 her rent goes to $2K and she will have to also pay a $2K deposit. Apartment owner making a business decision to garner revenue while she can. Sucks for the long-term folks who don't have a lot of options My sister/husband retired and live in Bismarck and had sent me a large stack of local newspaper articles about a lot of the activity.

Without question Kibbel is the one to contact for best direction or as Mike O. suggested get him (Kibbel) to go and do the inspection for you. One of the absolute best for historical properties and respect for same.

They are only ~ $25.00 And available here: Sonic Screwdriver Click to Enlarge 6.07?KB

I'm not sure how it can go away when there are two distinctive lists: FHA Inspectors and 203k Consultants .... and they perform different functions. I perform both of those functions as I'm on both lists. Being on the 203k consultant list and NOT on the FHA Inspector lists does not allow one to do the FHA 'job completion' inspections and fill out the required forms. One has to be on the FHA Inspector list to be eligible to do that. Our government at work ... or maybe 'not' in this case.

They are likely not wired properly in that one GFI has to be reset before the one further down the food chain can be reset. Common on home-brew repairs.

The aliens (err ... folks, people ... whatever) on the other side had it locked from their side as well. They were not ready for you!! YET ! [:-bigeyes

Rob, It is a portal entrance to the "other side". [:-censore

Mike O., Rein in the horses there. YES there IS a list of FHA inspectors. I am one of those. I'm also a 203k Consultant, a TREC-licensed (Texas) inspector, an ICC certified inspector and many more. There are "certain" FHA-required documents that "have" to be signed off by an inspector on the FHA Inspector list. I've been doing those type of inspections for the past 5+ years. Here is the URL to the FHA/HUD page that allows you to select a search for either an FHA Inspector or a 203k Consultant. For the contact you talked with indicating that there is no such thing is a bit off the mark. FYI ... My FHA Inspector ID number is: J195 We are commonly called FHA Fee Inspectors. What I do as an FHA Fee Inspector has absolutely nothing to do with FHA Appraisers or Appraisals. Often an appraisal document will specify that an FHA Fee Inspector must do the final verification of the new home construction or remodel work being done. This 'inspection' (loosely noted by myself) is nothing more than a confirmation that the home construction is complete, has received CO and is move-in ready. Then I fill out the FHA/HUD 92051 document and provide to the mortgage company and collect my fee. My minimum for such a visit is: $350.00 plus r/t mileage. In past years I've done as many as 5-6 of those in a day ... before the bubble burst. They are excellent calender fillers and (for me) pay well. FHA Inspector & 203k Consultant search ... TWO different lines to choose

There are two different lists at FHA/HUD. One is for FHA inspectors and the other is the 203k Consultants List. I'm on both lists, have two different ID numbers and do different things. If you are on the 203k list you can't do the FHA-required forms, etc., etc.. Now ... as for FHA approved ... that question from the agent or client begs many more questions on my behalf to the agent/client as what are they wanting to get done? Sometimes the terminology floating about is confusing. Sometimes doing your regular State of WA inspection will far exceed anything FHA requires, but on the other hand if they are looking for a "certain" document to also be provided ... then that is another matter.

Some data for you: Helix Spiro Remedial Wall Ties Heli-Tie from Simpson StrongTie

Supposedly Eaton/Cutler Hammer is providing some documentation to some electricians about this situation. Douglas H. ... Any insight?

Anyone have any observations about Smart Meters and their RF signal transmissions tripping AFCIs? I did a few searches here at TIJ with no matching results. I've read a couple of posts over at Mike Holt's forum about PG&E having such problems and putting the old mechanical meter head back in place. Noted a posting on another forum of a similar occurance in SE Texas. So ... looking for any additional information anyone may have.

Be careful ... watch some attorney say all the above is circumstantial and not solid evidence/proof. []

I'm considering the purple one as well. [^] There is absolutely nothing wrong with my W90, but the shape of the WG-1 is intriguing from a grip-ability (new word) standpoint. I was able to get what I call the W90 "camera condom" from Pentax. It is a rubbery sleeve that provides some extra "grip" on the W90. The new shape and extra rubber bumpers on the WG-1 are likely a response to that from users. I'm kinda like Kurt and his flashlights ! ... I've not yet pulled the trigger on the Olight M20 and may hang loose and get the WG-1 instead. Can't say "why" for sure ... but it is giving me pause for concern/consideration. But then its like another hole in the head ... I really don't "need" it.

I'm a tad slow, but just came across information that the Pentax Optio W90 has been replaced with the Pentax Optio WG-1. Some improvements and hopefully the battery has a bit more life than the one for the W90. Regardless ... I really like my W90. Optio WG-1 Noted prices at a smidge over $200 ... not too bad.

Which Olight M20? They seem to have a couple of different names and I noted at the Olight site there is now an M21 ... not sure what the difference is, but I'm sure it is something I've not dug into yet.

Kurt, Where did you order your Olight M20 from? I'm considering adding another stick of light to my bag.

Great images.

Of the bikes or the babes [?]

[:-thumbu] I may be ditching the ranks soon anyways, or may just go to part time. I've just received a job offer that is tough to refuse-- still pondering. That will be a loss- you're bright and eager. Congratulations? Agree with what Chad noted ... best of luck in the consideration and ultimate decision. I can't even get an offer from WalMart, Sams or the big boxes. Too old and stubborn I guess. Not to forget more than slightly opinionated !!!

As opposed to an 8-inch, 12-inch, clay or brick-lined one? [] Badda - Boom! ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Cough, cough ... hack, hack ... Cough some more [:-bigeyes