Today I have a scheduled Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) inspection with the City of Rochester on my two-family home in the City.

As I was thinking about this appointment, a thought came to me: “Why not require all homes to have regular C of O inspections?”

The main focus of the C of O inspections is for the City Inspector to look for areas that are unsafe for the tenants in rental properties.  They will be looking for handrails on stairs, broken stairs, adequate lighting, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, broken windows, storm windows, debris, and the list goes on.

Why wouldn’t this be a good thing for all homes, both single-family and rental properties?  I can’t tell you how many homes I have been in while showing homes that are for sale that have unsafe conditions existing there.  And there is no C of O required since it was built and inspected.

So, what’s your opinion on this?  Inspection or no?

2010 July Heat Wave in Rochester, New York

As we headed into the July 4th weekend, we were all hopeful that we would have good weather to celebrate! Little did we know tha it would be this sunny and this HOT!

We are heading into our 4th day in a row over the 90 degree mark and everyone is feeling it. People who don’t have air-conditioning are heading to the lakes and swimming pools to cool off. The City of Rochester has a cool down program where in designated areas they will open the fire hyrants for the children and some adults to run through.

The Red Cross handed our 250 fans to seniors who had no air-conditioning to help them survive the heat wave. They were gone in 30-minutes! It appears that the entire country is going through this weather pattern and is trying to cope.

The weatherman is telling us that there is relief coming on Friday with a thunderstorm.

As a Realtor, I am inside showing homes more than I am outside, but even so, I can hardly stand these temperatures! For my buyers, a house with no air-conditioning is an immediate cross-off the list! I don’t know how people work outdoors in these temperatures! And of course, it becomes an easy conversation subject to bring up!

Here are some thoughts about how you can cope with this intense heat and help others.

1. Stay out of the sun!

2. Go to a movie.

3. Go to the library.

4. Slow down, avoid strenuous activity.

5. Drink plenty of fluids.

6. Limit the intake of alcoholic beverages.

7. Keep shades down on the windows toward the sun.

8. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

9. Wear a wide brim hat.

10. Never leave pets or children in a closed vehicle.

11. Check on elderly family members.

Until the weather breaks,  RochesterREguy says keep cool!