REO's and health concerns

[Mike Boyd]

First thing is to never wear a stupid white shirt to an REO. Jeans, old shoes, long sleeve older shirt. Inspecting an REO is not the time to try and impress the bankers. And besides, everybody knows that white shirts attract most bugs like fleas and ticks.

Given some of the places I've been in my life, here and over seas, I seriously doubt there is that much to be fearful of during a brief visit to an REO. I do get a reaction to certain mold but just about everybody does. It is not going to kill you. (No such thing as "toxic mold")

So dress the part, move as little as possible in gathering data, take thousands of pictures and get out of Dodge if this kind of thing bothers you. If it really bothers you, don't accept any more REO assignments.

I didn't know that about white shirts. However, I never wear a white shirt anymore except to funerals.

Actually, I think I have done as many "unhealthy" privately owned and owner occupied homes that were in gawd awful condition as I have REOs. Sanitary wipes are a very good idea even after visiting a clean looking home. I have been to two drug stores and KMart looking for them. I have found "wet wipes" as well as those with chlorine bleach in them for use in cleaning sinks and other things, But, no "sanitary wipes." I did not feel the Clorox infused wipes would be good for my tender and dainty skin (or eyes).

 

[Bearslide]

Mike Boyd;1646209]I did not feel the Clorox infused wipes would be good for my tender and dainty skin.

I have this mental picture.................nevermind.

I haven't seen sanitary wipes, either - but they do sell small containers of anti-bacterial hand cleaner that does not require water. Walmart, Kmart, Bath & Body, etc. Purell is one brand, there are others. Handy stuff to keep in the car.

 

[Eli Weiss]

Mike, talking about those "Clorox infused wipes" you reminded me of story...

A friend of mine who suffers from hemorrhoids, asked to use the facilities at his friends house, not paying attention he grabs the pack of wipes sitting next to him and used it...
Oh did he jump off that seat while screaming in pain, he then grabs that pack of wipes to inspect whats wrong with them, and all he sees is Mr. Clean smiling at him.....(true story)

 

[Mike Boyd]

I have this mental picture.................nevermind.

I haven't seen sanitary wipes, either - but they do sell small containers of anti-bacterial hand cleaner that does not require water. Walmart, Kmart, Bath & Body, etc. Purell is one brand, there are others. Handy stuff to keep in the car.

Good idea. I'll look for it.

 

[Mike Boyd]

Mike, talking about those "Clorox infused wipes" you reminded me of story...

A friend of mine who suffers from hemorrhoids, asked to use the facilities at his friends house, not paying attention he grabs the pack of wipes sitting next to him and used it...
Oh did he jump off that seat while screaming in pain, he then grabs that pack of wipes to inspect whats wrong with them, and all he sees is Mr. Clean smiling at him.....(true story)

Does that qualify as a "dirty joke?" Ow ow ow ow ow

 

[Dan/Fla]

Eli you do not want fleas to get in your car, fleas in car are a pain to kill or get out, if you think the home had fleas, open trunk get out flea spray at least spray from waist down, which I guess brings up other rule never were shorts. I keep can in car when one is empty I replace. I also if I think I see fleas in building or yard but not sure I drop a small piece of blank paper and come back as i finish to see if I can spot them on it later.

Mike sanitary wipes I know BJs has them, I have also found them at Sams, or Costco, they come in 100 count or more boxes, they are individually wrapped so you can carry a couple in your pocket, some in trunk and glove box.. They are also great for cruise ships. To be honest that is what we bought them for but I started to carry. My wife gives them as an added gift to anyone having a baby. For people to use before handling new baby.

 

[Edward OConor]

Flea and tick collars around my pants cuffs. Then store them under the drivers seat to get the rest.

I wont go into a vacant house alone PERIOD!!!!

What would happen if you fell through the floor or you are attacked by a squatter?

 

[Eli Weiss]

I wont go into a vacant house alone PERIOD!!!!

Ed, I didn't go alone, but my REO buddy got the same reaction as me, he did tell me to go look for a new REO buddy now, since this bug story....
Oh he was so good, he was always 5 feet ahead of me to clear my way....

 

[Scott Kibler]

http://www.professionalequipment.co...veralls-with-hood-large-ty-14127-l/coveralls/

I usually have a number of these handy, mostly for crawl spaces during inspection assignments but they work well for general nasty house use.

 

[Betty H Church]

No Such Thing as Toxic Mold?

First thing is to never wear a stupid white shirt to an REO. Jeans, old shoes, long sleeve older shirt. Inspecting an REO is not the time to try and impress the bankers. And besides, everybody knows that white shirts attract most bugs like fleas and ticks.

Given some of the places I've been in my life, here and over seas, I seriously doubt there is that much to be fearful of during a brief visit to an REO. I do get a reaction to certain mold but just about everybody does. It is not going to kill you. (No such thing as "toxic mold")[/FONT]

So dress the part, move as little as possible in gathering data, take thousands of pictures and get out of Dodge if this kind of thing bothers you. If it really bothers you, don't accept any more REO assignments.

Contact 13 Follow Up: Mold Kills Health District Employee
When Dan Pauluk died, he had been literally eaten alive. Mold spores in his body caused exhaustion, confusion, trouble breathing and painful rashes as the toxins literally oozed out of his body through his skin.
http://www.ktnv.com/global/story.asp?s=8700382