Solano Real Estate Scene: Jim Porter
Article By: Jim Porter – July 3, 2026
First of all, I have no idea what the electrical panel does in my home or where it is even located, because my wife manages all the electrical, plumbing, HVAC and general construction projects at our house, but I recently heard that some electrical panels can be dangerous.
One home inspector called a Zinsco electrical panel a ticking time bomb. Insurance companies will not insure a home if they find out the electrical panel was made by Federal Pacific, Zinsco, aka Sylvania/GTE, Pushmatic, Challenger, and certain older Murray or Square D panels.
Nowadays, insurance companies are much more careful about what they insure and use drones to fly over homes to make sure there are not any large visible holes in the roof or large burn pits in the yard.
The other day, a Realtor told me his clients’ insurance got cancelled 30 days after the close of escrow because the insurance company did an in-person home inspection and found a Zinsco panel, which is known for breakers that melt or lose contact with the main bus bar.
The best thing to do if you are concerned about the safety of your electrical box is to ask your family Realtor what licensed electrician they use for replacing electrical panels. My family used Vine Electric in Vacaville in the past and loved the service.
Have a Happy Fourth of July.
Jim Porter, NMLS No. 276412, is the branch manager and senior loan adviser of Solano Mortgage, NMLS No. 1515497, a division of American Pacific Mortgage Corporation, NMLS No. 1850, licensed in California by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the CRMLA / Equal Housing Opportunity. Jim can be reached at 707-449-4777.
Jim Porter, NMLS No. 276412, is the branch manager of Solano Mortgage, NMLS No. 1515497, a division of American Pacific Mortgage Corporation, NMLS No. 1850, licensed in California by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the CRMLA / Equal Housing Opportunity. Jim can be reached at 707-449-4777.
