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home: Foreclosure Inspections; Why Didn't They Have the Gas On? - 03/06/09 08:26 PM
Many Realtors and Mortgage brokers have written articles on short sales and foreclosures.  One point the haven't touched on is what is necessary to prepare a foreclosed home for inspection.  When banks own  the home they often (usually) have them winterized and often allow propane tanks to empty.  Other utilities are usually left on.  It is understandable that they would want to protect their investment as much as possible.  Unfortunately, this protection makes it impossible to do a thorough home inspection.
When buying (or selling for you Realtors out there) a foreclosed home, it is very important to insist that the … (13 comments)

home: FIRE! Waiting to happen! - 02/14/09 02:21 PM
 
This post is about solid fuel burning appliances and potential chimney fires.  Solid fuel appliances are usually wood burning fireplaces or stoves, including inserts.  The chimney serving these appliances should be cleaned every year.  The picture below shows a chimney with major creosote buildup.  The very next fire in the stove could be the one to set off a chimney fire; and chimney fires often burn houses down!
 
 
Creosote What does all this mean for  a home buyer?  It certainly means you would need to have the chimney cleaned before ever lighting a fire in the stove.
The National … (8 comments)

home: Fire Hazard - 07/19/07 10:45 AM
I think a while back a colleague did  a post on chimney's and their problems.  I thought I'd show this one to illustrate why it is important to get chimneys inspected and cleaned annually.  Creosote buildup can burn your house down.  And it can happen fast.
This is a chimney fire just waiting to happen.  I'm surprised it hasn't happened already.  Fortunately, the buyers of this home had a home inspection and were advised to have a level two chimney inspection/and cleaning done.  If this were the winter, and the wood stove being used, it could have ended very poorly.
Thanks for looking.
David … (23 comments)

home: Unique Home, Is It a Hobbit? - 06/25/07 10:31 AM
Went to a party Saturday evening at an old friends home.  He lives on the side of Blanchard Mountain in the most interesting home I think I've ever seen.  The pictures I am showing are only of the outdoors of the home.  The inside is every bit as interesting as the outside.  The builder is an old hippy who truly shows his roots in his work.
As you can see, much of the home is done in materials that reflect the site.

This pond is what you see out the front of the house.  There are several streams and numerous small waterfalls that … (17 comments)

 
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David Helm, Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp

Bellingham, WA

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Helm Home Inspections

Address: 4186 Rural Avenue, Bellingham, Wa , 98226

Office Phone: (360) 739-5751

Cell Phone: (360) 739-5751

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My blogs offer a wide range of topics, from home inspection to cooking to woodworking to gardening to local area information and photos. I love talking about Bellingham, Washington and its surrounding area. Home inspection is my work; life is my passion.


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