Not everything is evident, upon first glance.

At first glance, this would appear to be a lovely rose... but when you look toward the bottom of the frame, you'd see what appears to be a pair of panty hose, and a pair of tiny little high-heels?

What?

Looking back at the rose, it's now possible to see the embracing couple.

Well, inspections are much the same.  On first glance our electric panel, with circuit breakers looked just fine.  No double-taps, and all wires were the proper size for their breakers.

Until our inspector happened to notice a little area of "rust" inside the box.  Now rust doesn't belong inside the electric panel.  Rust is an indicator of moisture.

This mote of rust caused our ever-vigilant inspector to pull a couple of breakers... and in doing so... he found that all of the breakers have rusted contact points.

Rusted contact points, he said, are indicator of more than just casual moisture in the box.  Rust creates resistance, resistance causes heat... and heat can cause breakers to overheat.

Not a good thing.

When questioned, the seller's agent told us that they DID have water that had poured directly into the circuit box... but the leak has been fixed, since.

Rust, by any other name, would still behave like rust.

 

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com
Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate • Licensed in Illinois

   

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17 Comments on a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet.

MAY
31
2009
1,908,368 Points 384 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Alan, I would think that when they did whatever to address the water in breaker box issue, they would have checked all of the breakers and connections.  And yeah.  Keep the water in the bath tub.
2:22pm • #1
1,327,135 Points 188 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

On closer inspection Alan, things DO look a lot different than at first glance. That's why very good inspectors need to be good with details and have a sharp eye.
2:53pm • #2
878,197 Points 223 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Patricia - they did check the breakers.. but didn't "remove" them to note the rust... or perhaps the rust hadn't yet formed at the time...

Gary - I would never have the patience to be an inspector... I don't have that eye for detail.
7:28pm • #3
460,506 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Oh wow.  How deceiving my eyes were until you explained it.  Very interesting.
9:14pm • #4
842,598 Points 85 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It is interesting.  Never quite "saw" things the way you explained here.  Very good call out.
10:05pm • #5
434,022 Points 32 Featured Posts Outside Blog

A deeper look will always find thing that were overlooked at a glance.
10:49pm • #6
179,253 Points

Alan - Keep that inspectors name front and center on your "Purchase Process" list. I love the picture you used , wow today sure has been a racy day on AR. Realtors are working waaaaaay too much !!
10:56pm • #7
JUN
01
2009
324,296 Points 32 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Alan, I have done many Can You Spot This? in my childrens younger days with Highlights Magazines but this was a bit more interesting.  You are of course right about inspections.  I would never allow a client to buy without a strong recommendation for inspection.  It is worth the cost. 
6:31am • #8
905,565 Points 93 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

And that my friend is the reason I insist that my buyer clients hire a professional, licensed home inspector...

Whenever thay tell me they have "a guy" that can do it, my first question is, "Is he licensed?"

I wouldn't want to even think of the horrors that could have taken place had that moisture/ water in the electrical box still been active and not found by an inspector.

 
6:39am • #9
145,364 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Alan, the licensed home inspector is our friend! They keep us out of trouble and I applaud them! Better to know the problems up front than to be called out on them after the property closes. Then whose problem is it......ours and the sellers and anyone else who had a hand in the sale!
7:25am • #10
171,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Morning Alan, First of all glad you have a trusted Home Inspector. Secondly, pantyhose? I think they may be stockings, a bit different. I know not the point.
8:52am • #11
171,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Oh forgot to ask Alan, who is the adorable cutie in the red headband? That looks like my facial expressions whenever a camera is pointed at me. I can relate.
8:54am • #12
878,197 Points 223 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kristin - oh, yes, the eyes have been known to "deceive".

Larry - I see what I saw

JL - a deep look will always bring out something new... so true.

Laura - it's an inspector whose work I respect... I will keep his name front & center

Paddy - i remember those from Highlights... also Goofus and Gallant.

Craig - you are correct sir.... that is why we hire professionals.

Caren - the licensed home inspector is definitely our friend

Cynthia - you are correct... they appear to be stockings... a throwback to a simpler time...  the "adorable cutie" in the red headband, with the sour look on her face, is my younger daughter Elizabeth.
12:03pm • #13
JUN
02
2009
171,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Alan is it me or does JL sound very Yoda like in his comment? Or maybe he has been reading too many fortune cookies, not sure :)
7:35am • #14
878,197 Points 223 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Cynthia - hold on... let me replay it, in my mind, using the "Yoda" voice... ( "A deeper look will always find thing that were overlooked at a glance." ) ... no... all the verbs and direct objects are in the right place.

if he were saying it as Yoda it would be more like [in Yoda voice]  "Find, you will, things that were ovelooked at a glance, when deeper you look.... mmmmmm... yes"
8:01am • #15
171,489 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

LOL, you are right once again Alan! Have a productive day today..I'm out the door but had to stop by your blog this morning.
8:27am • #16
878,197 Points 223 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

thanks for the drop-by, Cynthia.  Your visits are always welcome.
8:49am • #17


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Alan May, Coldwell Banker Realtor® Evanston, Illinois & Northern Suburbs

Evanston, IL

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Address: Attn: Alan May, Realtor®, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL, 60201

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