HAZARDOUS HOME INSPECTION - BE SAFE

As an REO Listing REALTOR® in the Hemet - San Jacinto Valley portion of South West Riverside County in the Inland Empire Region of Southern California I come across some pretty strange things when I take possession of a property.

This weekend I approached a former homeowner who lost their home to the foreclosure process and now the bank wanted me to offer a cash-for-keys opportunity to help relocate the family from the bank owned REO home in the shortest time possible.

The basic rule is that the homeowner has to leave the home ‘broom clean' and all trash has to be removed from the house and yard. We also need to make certain that the appliances stay behind and that there is no additional damage to the property. This means I have to inspect the home, when we agree to the terms, which will establish a base line so when I return on the designated date with the check, the home is a similar - but clean condition.

INSPECTIONS CAN BE HAZARDOUS...OR HOW DO PEOPLE LIVE LIKE THAT?

OK, it is not my job to judge anyone - I'll leave that up to God according to His perfect timing. However, I am never amazed anymore.

The interior of the home was far from perfect, but all and all in tact. I made my notes on the clipboard, as I toured the home with an ah-ha and ummm at the appropriate moments. Again, when I am in this position it is all a delicate balance of empathy and establishing control.

I could not believe what I saw when I entered the 3-car garage.

First, the direct interior access garage fire door had been breached with a doggy-door for their pet German Sheppard. The whole purpose of that door is to stop a fire from spreading into the home. Not sure which is first or second but between the garage and the kitchen you have the source of at lest 90% of all home fires.

OK, it is no surprise, I'm sure that there were German Sheppard size land mines across much of the garage floor. I did comment that this would have to be cleaned out prior to their departure. "No problem", I was told.

On a workbench, located on the back wall of the garage, occupying all of the space between the interior garage door and the hot water heater in it's alcove, were numerous containers of household chemicals as well as solvents that could be used in a garage or shop environment. I did see some wood working tools as well as gardening power tools.

Unfortunately, not all of the containers were closed tight, as there were caps on the workbench. So this means these toxic and flammable chemicals were ventilating into the garage space. Under the work bench were a pair of 1-gallon gas cans. One of them had a dirty rag jammed into the spout.

I pointed this out as a safety hazard and was told that it's OK, there is plenty of ventilation. I looked surprised and did see a small vent on the side wall with daylight coming through it - but that was about it.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

There are three important lessons here - four if you talk about the dog - but that is another story we'll save for another time.

First - the direct access door from the living quarters to the garage is a fire door and by code it has to withstand a fire for at least 20 minutes. The moment you open it up with a hold for any size pet you have added fuel to the fire and allowed it an easy path to the living space of the home.

Second - all household chemicals should be stored in sealed containers. Retail packaging is fine, so long as it is kept closed when not in use. Storage of these chemicals and solvents (paint, too) should be in a cool dry place and NOT a foot or two from a hot water heater with a pilot light!!!

Third - Gasoline should never be stored in a container with a rag in it. Can you spell D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R...How about F-U-S-E? A couple of other words enter my mind, but I am reminded that it is Gods place to judge and not mine - please forgive me.

Just for the record, gas cans should never be stored completely full - about 95% is fine. The fumes need a place to expand. Gas cans should never be in a hot environment over 80 degrees - that means the hot metal storage container on the side of the house - not a good idea in the Hemet - San Jacinto CA Summer where we have consecutive triple digit weeks in our summer.

So please, be careful.

Until Next Time, Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR®