Because I work sometimes as a home inspector in California, which has no substantive licensing of the industry, much of what I do is dictated by my business advisors, that is, my attorneys in real estate law, tax law, and corporate law; and my insurance companies providing me with life, AD&D, GL, and E&O insurance.

Interestingly, they make a differentiation between "home inspector" and "consultant." Consequently, when I'm doing what could easily be called a "home inspection," I'll work as a home inspector under (courtesy of my attorneys and insurance companies) "generally accepted standards of practice for the home inspection industry in San Diego County."

When I'm doing other things, I'll work as a "property consultant" since a "consultant" can do virtually anything s/he darn well pleases, and have insurance to protect him.

Thus, as a "home inspector," I don't walk on roofs because if I fall off and injure myself, or die, there is no insurance to provide for me or my family. As a "property consultant," I will walk on roofs because I'll have insurance, and because I know how -- I was a roofing contractor in Texas many years ago -- alright, many decades ago -- LOL.

At a recent job as a "property consultant," this was the roof that I was to look at:

Of course, we removed the tarp and proceeded to look around. This is one of the things we found:

Hope everyone is having a "HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR!"

What's the most interesting thing you've found on a roof? Maybe even, "What's on your roof right now? Inquiring minds want to know!"

Scroll down for links to my Top 25 blog posts.

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Russel's Top 25 blog entries.

1. ActiveRain success story -- ActiveRain Feature
2. All God's creatures great and small -- ActiveRain Feature
3. An open letter to Realtors -- ActiveRain Feature
4. Just because they sell it doesn't mean you should buy it -- ActiveRain Feature
5. 12 reasons why I won't comment on your blog entries -- ActiveRain Feature
6. What happens when two home inspectors show up at the same time at the same property -- ActiveRain Feature
7. ActiveRain tags are very powerful. Here's how to use them effectively
8. Cracks on our properties and in our homes -- seven lessons
9. Did you take a shower today?
10. Go for the GOLD: How to use your time wisely
11. Hey! We have fall colors in San Diego
12. How my Clients got $17,800 from the bank on an "as-is" foreclosure
13. How sellers can prepare for a buyer's home inspection
14. How to trip, fall, and break an arm more efficiently
15. I purposefully burned a bridge yesterday
16. Is your dishwasher dish washing?
17. Out of sight, out of mind, skip the work, charge for it
18. The Client is always right, right?
19. We're three strange men. May we babysit your children?
20. What are you thinking? Yes, you! (electrical extension cords)
21. What are you thinking? Yes, you! (sink cabinets and chemical storage)
22. What part of that don't you understand? (Reading 101, English 101, & Spanish 101)
23. Which trees cause the most damage to our properties? -- five lessons
24. Would a foreclosed seller purposefully leave an explosive device behind?
25. Would you like what's behind Curtain #1, Curtain #2, or Curtain #3?