Nolan Kienitz

Zoid in the Houston market sent me this link today.

Be sure to check out the taxes tab.

DanMar Manor ... The Woodlands, TX

Anyone have the magical decoder ring (err file) for the new Carrier systems?

All the data sheets I have don't address the BTUs/tonnage and other such numbers in the new 2010 systems.

I've attached a couple data plate images from two Carrier systems at today's HI.

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Brian,

I can only echo the very good words by everyone here at TIJ.

Please do try and carve out some time and stir things up here for all of our education.

My best wishes to you as you step forward in the new venture.

Another appraiser running amuck into the "inspection" arena.

I was told today that an appraiser made note of a crack/gap between a window frame and veneer and declared there was a foundation failure and that a PE was required.

I did the "inspection" of this property three weeks ago and I saw the same "gap" (with images in my files) and it was due to old caulk/sealant and needing replace/refresh.

This type of thing has been happening more and more this past year or so since the Feds got involved with new rules concerning appraisals.

There are many now that are making some blatant "inspection type" comments and causing serious headaches.

How the world turns ... !!!

Trying to figure out exactly what a bureaucrat will want or even understand on the application is a task that will likely remain unresolved.

My first application was rejected as the person reviewing my application had it in her mind that I HAD TO BE an architect. I was denied because I was not a licensed architect.

I had all the bases covered from breakfast to dinner and then some, BUT ... I was not an architect.

I appealed and was again denied because I was NOT an architect.

I even called and tried and appeal ... NOPE ... I was NOT an architect.

So you can see where the mindset (at least for this staffer and supervisor) was locked in.

So ... I just put the application in the file and let it sit for ~3-months. I pulled it out, dusted it off, refreshed some letter/document dates and resubmitted.

No word at all from FHA/HUD (I under the Denver POC) and about 2-weeks later I happened to look online and there I was ... on the HUD 203k Consultant list.

A paper letter indicated same showed up a week or so later.

Now ... go figure. No changes to the application. It is a matter of who looks at the document.

Obviously ... different interpretations from various guvment staffers.

There's always someone cheaper and there's always someone who wants cheaper.

Very true. Seems to be more prevalent in the past year whatwith the economy the way it is.

Last year, Jess Aronstein presented new (very convincing) material to CPSC in an attempt to get them to revise their original report on the issue, and thanks to Bill we get to see their cautiously worded revision.

Douglas Hansen

Douglas - Is the material that Jess Aronstein presented available for sharing among our HI world?

Local D/FW TV station (KDFW Channel 5) had a piece on the FPE panels the other day.

Interesting in our market as the Dallas Morning News had an article a couple of months ago about them as well.

At the least ... a little visibility of the dangers of them.

The inspector interviewed is known for being 'zoid' friendly and his comments were rather milk-toast.

Federal Pacific Panels .. KDFW-TV

Actually, I'd be interested to know if that's the case with the other database-driven systems such as Home Gauge, Palm Tech, 3-D, & so forth.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

JK - & so forth ... can include Whisper Reporter from Whisper Solutions. Any and all such editing can be done with no problem. Whisper's focus is on the application and functionality ... NOT the boilerplate. The application comes with some very limited sample boilerplate, but that is it. It is up to the inspector to develop their own.

Have listened to it several times and it is amazing each and every time.

I agree that we continue to "arm twist" Randy for a Webinar ... at least for a "feet on the ground" view of the 203k ... IE: basic processes, procedures, etc..

Understood that he can't speak for HUD and the 203k program.

I know I've bugged him more than once over the past year or so with some questions.

FYI ... I got a message this morning from another inspector in the Houston market just advising that there have been a number (count un-defined in message) of lawsuits involving many 203k re-habs in the Gulf Coast/Galveston area. Don't know the time frame or any other details.

Now that snippet is just that (a snippet out of context) ... lawsuits are possible with any discipline/profession ... inspections are no different and that would also include 203k consulting.

Possible "indoor" booster antenna for cellular service?

Richard -

You post (as Marc noted) also gives me an additional boost.

I've lost 25 pounds over the last 4-months and still have about 5-8 more that I'm targeting to shed.

Has helped management of my Type 1 diabetes to say the least.

Uumm, Uumm ... Good!

That might work [?]

I continue to have questions about details of what the 203k Consultant is required to do. In that some of the items (depending upon interpretation) can run up against other State Agencies in Texas.

203k Consultant has to comment about "termites" ... you must be licensed by the Texas Dept of AG to perform a WDI inspection/report. As a licensed "home inspector" (I'm not a pest inspector) I have to be very careful of what I say in my reports about such WDI items.

203k Consultant has to perform a "home inspection" and advise of adequacy of certain items. That falls into the territory of control of TREC and one has to have a Professional Inspector's license to do such an inspection. Then we have to use the TREC-mandated inspection template.

Granted what we look at from the TREC view is far more detailed than what HUD 203k is looking for, but then there are other things they are needing that TREC does not touch on.

Bottom line is that any property sold in Texas and if someone needs/wants an inspection ... the inspector HAS to have a TREC license.

I'm seeking clarification with the Denver HOC so hope to hear from them yet today.

I'm gonna apply to be on the 'K' roster. It doesn't cost anything and makes my credential lineup look better. If I get work from it, I'll go ahead and wrestle with them there lenders as I've been doing that already for the past 5 years as an FHA fee inspector.

Marc

Marc,

Don't be surprised or dismayed if some guvmint staffer in an office far, far away stamps your application as "not acceptable" for maybe (in their view) that you are not an "architect". My application was so stamped and denied as "according to her" I was not capable of doing the job as I was not an "architect".

I more than exceeded any and all of the requirements, but this particular staffer had "architect" locked in her gray matter. I appealed and was again denied.

So ... I put my paperwork in a folder in my file cabinet. I dusted it off, changed the dates and resubmitted 3-4 months later and was put on the "K" consultant list without a speedbump.

Guess it was a "different" guvmint worker in the Denver office who processed the package as I didn't change a thing ... save for the application dates.

Go figure.

And this morning it is "smoking fast" ............

Congratulations Bruce for providing the direction for your young men to follow. As noted above ... it sets an excellent path to continued good habits for the future growth.

Last one I did was ~ 2 years ago. 9 months of headaches for $600 and the lender refused to pay for last two draws.

The lender kept demanding more and more paperwork asking for the same questions that had been answered multiple times, but it appeared they wanted it in different "dialects" as best I could determine. I kept trying to educate them (lender), but they could not seem to grasp the learning that was being given to them.

Lender was some 3rd rate organization that may not even be in business anymore.

I've had a few calls from some folks asking for consideration of a 203k job, but when I quoted even the outdated fee schedule rates they gagged and said I was "too expensive" and that they would only pay $XXX.xx which would not even cover the cost of me starting my truck and backing out of the driveway.

The "k" product was quite popular several years ago and a number of us local inspectors were doing them, but they seemed to have dropped in such popularity over recent years and I'm one a few who has kept the HUD 203k designation active, but I don't do them anymore ... or at least actively pursue them.

I've talked with local WF and BofA folks here, but trying to get through to the folks who actually know something about the "k" is a challenge and even then most work with the 'streamline' package which technically doesn't require a consultant.

As Randy noted he is pretty well plugged in with the "k" product up in the PNW and has developed his forms/platform to satisfy the product's needs.

If interested in software (kind of pricey) I suggest looking into the Corporate Niche product. Developer provides very good support and is located in my home state of Montana. I did not get his package, but in hindsight wish I had, but seeing as how I don't pursue the "k" product it is a non-issue for me currently.

I maintain an Excel Inspection Log with various data and that includes R/T mileage derived from Google Maps or Mapquest as I plan the route.

Excel formulas total monthly/annual values and then port to tax data for CPA.

I've been experiencing some slow response times for TIJ over the past week or so.

I've been attentive to making sure that I keep my system fresh (rebooted every so often) from the PC to the local router, etc., etc..

It may just be me, but thought I would float the question as it seems particularly slow today.

[?]

When those guys call me I ask, "how did you get my number?"

They usually respond with, "found you on the internet"

"oh yeah?" I say. "then my seo must be working good so thanks and goodbye"

I have used your response three times since I read this last week.

Thanks!

Kinda reminds me of the old Seinfeld bit for telephone solicitors.

I do similar, but try and force the caller (usually the SEO hype-sters) to provide me with a property they must be buying and want an inspection for.

Why else would they be calling my number?

I reply then along the lines noted above and again ask for the address of the property they want inspected.

They pretty much very quickly hang up on me.

Love it.

Visual of stairways and treads from the 2006 IRC ....

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Don't hesitate to call the Goodman corporate offices in Houston, TX. They have been most helpful when I've reached out to them. I might also have an e-mail address for one of their upper level folks if you like.

I had my complete HVAC system replaced 1-1/2 years ago with their Amana line. I'm very pleased with their product and it's performance.

Since they took the company back "private" they cranked up QC seriously and bend over backwards. As noted they have one of the best warranties in the group of HVAC companies these days.

John B. - That condenser should not be quite that loud. About 5+ years ago thee was a series of units off the production line that was crazy loud on start-up. The debugged the problem, fixed it and were fixing units in the field, but the homeowner needed to call the local installer and it was incumbent on him (installer) to follow through. Some did and some did not. The local installer is key to any of the HVAC installations and maintenance.

I guess it would be silly to even wonder if ASHI would launch a campaign against Holmes for all the misinformation that he's spewing out about out industry. We are taking a hit, you know. We'll have to correct all the misunderstandings later. I've already fielded a question involving his practices from a student in a homebuyers class a while back.

Marc

Last year's ASHI president met with Holmes and/or his team toward the end of last year. Have no idea what the meeting was about or any result thereof.