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🎙️EPISODE SUMMARY
Welcome to Commercial Connections, where I help property owners and investors make smarter commercial real estate decisions with confidence.
I’m René Nelson, CCIM, a broker and advisor dedicated to helping Oregon apartment and retail property owners build wealth, avoid costly mistakes, and create long-term stability.
In this episode, I sit down with Doug Palmer, veteran commercial inspector, former electrical contractor, and founder of Palmer Property Inspections. With over 20 years of experience inspecting apartments, office buildings, and mixed-use properties across Oregon, Doug brings a practical, no-nonsense look at how small oversights can become major liabilities.
Together, we cover: ⦿ How a “routine” inspection uncovered raw sewage beneath a property and saved a deal from collapse ⦿ Why proactive presale inspections protect sellers from costly surprises ⦿ The $48K electrical repair that didn’t add a dime to NOI, and how to avoid the same mistake ⦿ What insurance companies are flagging in today’s tighter underwriting environment ⦿ How recalled heating systems, outdated panels, and old plumbing create unseen fire and safety risks
If you’re looking for clear, actionable insight to strengthen your investment strategy, this is where it all begins.
đź“ť EPISODE THEMES
00:00 – Intro & premise, what commercial inspections reveal before a sale
01:22 – Doug’s background, from electrical contractor to full-time inspector
03:10 – First impressions at the curb, age, maintenance, and property condition clues
05:02 – Raw sewage discovery, when galvanized pipes fail and no one knows
06:48 – Methodical inspections, Doug’s process for multifamily buildings
08:40 – Mold vs. mildew, what’s really behind “black spots” and tenant complaints
11:15 – Venting myths, why 1960s and 70s exhaust fans often lead to attic damage
14:57 – The Portland case, leaks, moisture, and a deal nearly lost to crawlspace issues
18:54 – System updates, electrical panels, heaters, and what insurance requires
20:42 – Recalled cadet heaters, unseen fire hazards still in active use
23:04 – Tenant safety, how small oversights create major liability
24:18 – Insurance inspections, what carriers now require and how to prepare
26:35 – The $48K Springfield case, costly electrical upgrades and shrinking coverage
28:12 – Wiring and fire risk, why old panels and shorted circuits are a deadly mix
30:26 – Smoke detectors, maintenance responsibility, and property owner liability
34:08 – Water leaks and neglect, how small issues signal bigger system failures
36:44 – Brand-new property surprises, faulty shower valves and moisture tracking
38:20 – The sulfur water problem, lessons from a 45-unit complex in Keizer
40:03 – What buyers should check during due diligence, from tanks to asbestos
43:02 – The $48K contamination story, real costs of ignoring buried risks
44:58 – Lessons in persistence, ownership, and long-term property stewardship
45:35 – Closing thoughts, proactive maintenance as wealth protection
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