Before I ever did my first inspection back in October 2001, my attorneys, insurance providers, and I developed my inspection protocols to ensure that I was persistently consistent in how I went about inspecting a property so that I never missed anything, even if I got interrupted by something or someone.

Two protocols have served me well many, many times:

1. Always look under the sink to make sure there's a drainage pipe before turning on the sink faucet.
2. Always open the oven and broiler drawer to check for contents before turning on the oven.

At an inspection just a couple of days ago, #2 came in real handy:

Looks innocent enough, right? Just some paper there on the broiler tray. Take a closer look, though:

Yep. You're reading correctly. A full, unopened package of 48 Ninja firecrackers.

Now this was a foreclosure in an expensive area of town. One does wonder if they were left in that specific location on purpose, especially considering that firecrackers are illegal in the state of California.

Inspired by nature? Join the Inspired By Nature Group.

Classical music lover? Join the Classical Music Group.

Want to share a good book? Join the Active Rain Book Club.

Some of Russel's other blog entries

1. 12 reasons why I won't comment on your blogs
2. How a Seller can cancel the purchase contract during the home inspection
3. What do you do when deceit is obvious? (chapter two)
4. How to help your Clients' house burn down. 
5. That just ain't the way we do it out here, Sonny Boy
6. Not responsible for advice not taken
7. Sometimes it's just a question of semantics and definitions
8. A true real estate nightmare affecting hundreds of people
9. I purposefully burned a bridge yesterday
10. What part of that don't you understand? (Reading 101, English 101, & Spanish 101)
11. If I trip just one more time, I'll have a baker's dozen
12. Out of sight, out of mind, skip the work, charge for it
13. "How much will it cost?" "$399 plus a $100 aggravation surcharge."
14. In a home inspection, if the thing works, the thing works
15. What do you do when deceit is obvious?
16. Sometimes it really is that simple (electric again)
17. Sometimes it really is that simple (attic)