• 20Feb

    To Hire or Not to Hire a Home Inspector by Dave Park

    Home Inspection, Home Inspectors, Home Warranty, Homeowner, Realtors, The Maverick Builder, Uncategorized, You Have A Choice Campaign Comments Off

    Many people read “do-it-yourself” books and think they now know everything about construction, home improvement, and even home inspections. But that’s not really the case. With his firm Advantage Inspection based in Raleigh, Dave Park serves the entire Triangle area of North Carolina, and talks here about why it’s important to hire a professional home inspector to carry out your next home inspection, instead of trying to do it yourself…

    We know first-hand moving can be time-consuming and stressful. Get your free in-house or reliable over the phone quote, then sit back and relax as Fox removals takes away all the stress with the most reliable door to door service. Specializing in home, office, heavy and fragile moves while also coming with comprehensive insurance their teams practice strict furniture protection policies to care for your belongings as if they were their own. These History articles helps you to the history of the home financing.

    Every year the number of home inspections rises. Every year the price of home inspections rises. Every year the “do it yourself” subculture rises. The “do it yourself” subculture is here and is here to stay.  Home improvement stores have commercials that tell you to save money and just do it yourself. And an assortment of television shows pride themselves on showing the average person how to fix it or renovate it or replace it. And at bookstores, shelves are devoted to the weekend warrior. Still there are some cases when renovations are not obligatory. For example, if you plan to sell your home in the Central Valley fast, you can do it without renovation. All you need to do is call Strategic REI and they will handle the rest.

    Planning іѕ thе key tо a successful renovation thаt іѕ completed оn tіmе аnd оn budget. Ideally, уоu want tо set уоur expectations іn advance ѕо thаt уоu саn avoid аnу problems аѕ thе renovation progresses. Yоu nоt оnlу want tо consider уоur оwn style аnd vision, but basic elements thаt wіll impact уоur renovation. Here you can view more information about home improvement and renovation. Fоr example, аlwауѕ consider lighting bеfоrе уоu make changes tо windows, tаkе careful measurements оf rooms ѕо thаt уоu know уоur renovations саn bе accommodated аnd coordinate style elements fоr particular rooms thrоughоut уоur entire renovation. If you want to get more about the Home Renovation Company for a home renovation, do visit.

    The irony of the do it yourself media, both video and written, is that it carries a disclaimer that warns clients not to get in over their heads. So please just “do it yourself” –  and call in a professional home inspector. Pest Control of New York, for example, will make sure that you are moving into a pest-free home. Fоr mаnу, аnt pest controls аrе nоthіng mоrе thаn home remedies thаt fail. Althоugh thеrе аrе mаnу home remedies thаt work wonders, nоt аll оf thеm wіll work fоr getting rid оf ants. Fоr true аnt control, іt іѕ important thаt уоu саll іn thе professionals from pest control companies tо handle іt. Evеn іf уоu prefer tо uѕе natural methods tо treat thе dangerous ants, thе professionals аrе thе best wау tо gо.

    At first blush, it might appear that these tools of education and instruction in professions or school where students get help with school using chemistry tuition found online for this. business. But, do not worry as you need to consider what all this has all provided for the profession:

    1. They have raised consumer consciousness about the need to have a home inspection.
    2. Sure, people like to be educated, but the DIY culture has made people realize that deep down, they want to hire a professional.
    3. It takes a professional with years of experience to inspect a home in two to three  hours. How long would it take an amateur guided by a book?
    4. People are more aware now of liability: Who wants it and who has it?
    5. Tools. Home inspectors have them, and they know how to use them. Those DIYers do not.
    6. Objectivity. Home inspectors have it. Homeowners can’t have it: That’s why they leave it up to us.
    7. Nobody to blame but yourself. Saving $400 just cost the do-it-yourselfer $4,000 on something that was missed.

    This interview was conducted by Wendy Sloane, writer with Yodle.

    Advantage Inspection Raleigh

    . . .  performs the Nation’s Best Home Inspection and provides the Nation’s Only “No Denied Claims Warranty” available in the industry. For the last 18 years, Advantage Inspection has been the deciding factor for the people we serve:  Buyers, Sellers, Real Estate Agents and Home Inspectors.  Advantage Inspection Raleigh serves Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle area.

    Dave Park

    Advantage Home Inspection Raleigh
    “    more than just an inspection company!”
    www.adrdu.com

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  • 17Feb

    The “Paine” of Common Sense – Money in the Bank!

    Energy Savings, Home Inspection, Home Inspectors, Home Warranty, Homeowner, Strategy, The Maverick Builder 6 Comments

    Thomas Paine

    Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It was first published anonymously on January 10, 1776, during the American Revolution. Common Sense, signed “Written by an Englishman”, became an immediate success.

    Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood; forgoing the philosophy and Latin references used by Enlightenment era writers, Paine structured Common Sense like a sermon and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people.   Historian Gordon S. Wood described Common Sense as, “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era”. Consumer protection laws let you hold debt collectors, mortgage companies, and credit reporting agencies accountable for the harm they cause you. If we file a lawsuit on your behalf you don’t pay anything, if we win the debt collector, credit reporting agency or mortgage company pays our fees and your damages.Get the facts of Chicago consumer protection attorney here.

    One of the major concerns in the world today is depletion of energy. As concerned citizens all of us must make a concerted effort to be conscious citizens and save electricity. Electricity has become integral to life but imagine having to live without power.

    Conservation of electricity benefits you personally as you will pay lower bills.

    Consider these “Paine-fully” Simple Common Sense Tips:

    1.            Doing an energy audit. This will tell you how and when you use energy and where the wastage lies. You will be able to make an “energy savings plan” by pinpointing exactly how you can cut back on energy consumption. Some ideas may be as simple as don’t leave the coffee machine on at all times.

    2.            Think about resetting the thermostat ten degrees lower during the night. If you can do this for say approximately eight hours a day you will save 10% on electricity without sacrificing comfort with Nest learning thermostat. Insulate the home in winter by drawing shut the drapes.

    3.            Check all insulation in the house. If you increase attic insulation to around 12 inches the electricity consumption will reduce by 20 percent. Click here more more information  https://www.insulation4us.com/insulation-materials/owens-corning.html.

    4.            Plant more trees around the house these will cool the house in summer and insulate the house in winter. Studies show that a green cover benefits in many ways and if you a proper maintaining like for example you can do tree trimming Boise and with this you will make your garden look beautiful.

    5.            Have all electricity wires and outlets checked for leakage. Check all fuses and appliances.

    6.            Fluorescent light bulbs are energy efficient. They use 75% less energy than ordinary light bulbs. These have a longer life and contribute to great savings.

    7.            Use energy efficient appliances. These use less energy and believe it or not a high efficiency refrigerator uses less electricity than a light bulb. For any refrigeration issues, contacting reliable and affordable residential refrigeration services should be the first thing on your mind.

    8.            When you are away even for a few hours or days you should turn off and unplug  all electrical appliances and turn settings on the thermostat, water heater, and refrigerator to   the lowest setting. Even the best water dispenser in the market needs turning off.

    9.            Ensure that you use a water-saving shower head. Water heating costs for a family can be lowered by at least US$ 250 a year.

    10.          Weatherize your home. This helps reduce heating bills by 20% and cooling by at least 10 percent. Even when building a home or decorating it use weather friendly materials—those that are not good conductors of heat and cold. Install windows and glass panes in the roof in such away that you use sunlight to light up the rooms during day light hours. Make an effort to switch off lights and fans when leaving a room. Ensure that the filters in air conditioners and heaters are always cleaned and free of clog and dust.

    Common Sense

    If you live an energy efficient lifestyle you will see the numbers on the energy bill actually reducing. The power to cut energy costs is well within your control. It is as simple as only washing full loads and that to in cold water. Use the hot wash option only for very dirty clothes.  Cook food only just before you are ready to eat that way you can save reheating costs as well as refrigerating costs of storing the food. Turn the thermostat of the refrigerator to minimum in cold or cool weather. Switch off freezers if they are not in use. Small contributions can all add up to significant amounts of power saved. And, power saved means money in the bank.

    Advantage Inspection Raleigh

    . . .  performs the Nation’s Best Home Inspection and provides the Nation’s Only “No Denied Claims Warranty” available in the industry. For the last 18 years, Advantage Inspection has been the deciding factor for the people we serve:  Buyers, Sellers, Real Estate Agents and Home Inspectors.  Advantage Inspection Raleigh serves Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle area.

    Dave Park

    Advantage Home Inspection Raleigh
    “    more than just an inspection company!”
    www.adrdu.com

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  • 10Feb

    Home Warranty Interview with Dave Park

    Can I Get A Witness, Home Inspection, Home Inspectors, Home Warranty, Homeowner, Realtors, Sales, Strategy, Tactics, Technology, The Maverick Builder 1 Comment

    What is a Home Warranty?

    Often the words “home warranty” used with homeowners not having a clue about what they mean. Well, you can learn a thing or two from Dave Park. He owns the home inspection company Advantage Inspection in Raleigh, North Carolina, and here answers all your home warranty questions.

    What is a home warranty?

    A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of many of the most frequently-occurring breakdowns of home system components and appliances.

    Why do I need a home warranty?

    Your home is most likely one of your biggest investments. Unexpected repair or replacement costs can easily strain your budget and bring down the price of the house during it’s future sale to a home buying company like 2nd Chance Investment. Adding to the property like new appliances or rooms, like if you Get a stunning new bathroom in London best design company. Plus, finding an approved and insured contractor to solve your problem can be stressful and inconvenient. A home warranty cannot prevent systems or appliances from breaking, but it can help make covered repairs or replacement easier and less costly. Appliance repair near me provides repair services promptly without delay. Factory authorized and certified technicians are licensed to service and repair all models and makes of washers, stoves, dryers, freezers, ovens and refrigerators, heaters, microwaves, and dishwashers. The single press of this button should be brief and firm. Do not hold this button down. If you do, it erases all of the programming in the machine and you’ll have to re program all the remote controls that you have, and that’s not a fun process. Cabinet repair near me is a great route if you have a limited budget and your cabinets look relatively decent then a good carpenter might just be what you need. This is especially true in the case of really old cabinetry made of solid wood which has the older type of hinges and fixtures. Unless the wood is rotting or defective, most of the kinks in solid wooden cabinetry can be worked out with sanding, fillers, replacing the hinges, fixtures etc. So you are tired of the way that your kitchen looks and feel the need to spruce it up. What better way than to change the way your cabinets look. Here are four options available to you: Repairing, refinishing, refacing or replacing. To pick the right option for you, you will need to know what each one means and what are the steps and considerations involved in each step. Ultimately the option that you pick will depend on the current condition of your kitchen cabinets, the material that your kitchen cabinets are made of and your finally your budget. Refinishing your cabinetry is an option that is only available for cabinets made of hardwood or, at the very least, are covered with a thick hardwood veneer. Even though refinishing does not improve the functionality of the cabinets, it does greatly change the look of the cabinets. Refinishing is actually a process in which the surface of a wooden cabinet is first stripped, then sanded and finally resealed. This process basically reveals a new layer of the wooden surface thus removing the older stains and improving the look of the existing cabinets.

    Is everything in my home covered by a home warranty?

    No. While not everything is covered, coverage is, as mentioned, predominantly for many of your home system components and appliances that break most frequently. You need to be up to date with investing news from homebusinessmag.com to review a sample contract for specific covered items, terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions.

    How many times can you use a home warranty?

    Usually a home warranty is unlimited during your contract term.

    What if I have an appliance that just can’t be fixed?

    If the home warranty company determines your covered system component or appliance can’t be repaired by a service contractor, it will be replaced. See contract for details.

    What out-of-pocket expenses will I have?

    For each service request, you will pay a Trade Service Call Fee to each contractor of a different trade (such as plumber or electrician) who visits your home to diagnose a problem or perform a service. Additional costs may be associated with the repair or replacement of covered items. Details will be included in your contract. Advantage Home Warranty has the lowest Trade Service Call Fee in the business at $40. See contract for details.

    How do I know my service contractor is qualified?

    Advantage’s comprehensive network of approved and insured contractors are consistently monitored and graded on their performance through our customer satisfaction survey program.

    Is the Advantage Home Warranty (AHW) renewable?

    Yes, warranty holders may renew their AHW coverage (at the option of AHW). We will notify the homeowner prior to the expiration date and will offer a variety of convenient payment plans.

    Is there a limit to the number of repairs Advantage Home Warranty covers?

    No. AHW allows an unlimited number of covered repairs.

    I’m in the market for a home. What’s the benefit of buying a home protected by an Advantage Home Warranty?

    An AHW helps provide confidence during and after a home purchase. An unexpected breakdown can be devastating to your budget. Enjoy your home without the hassles of worrying about breakdowns. When a covered system component or appliance breaks down, call one number to request service. There’s no need to get back in touch with the real estate agent or track down the previous owner.

    I’m selling my home. Why would I want an Advantage Home Warranty?

    An AHW helps give buyers additional confidence in the real estate transaction. They’ll know that AHW stands behind the covered systems or appliances in the house. An added benefit is that we can also protect your home while it’s on the market, which can help you avoid surprises and additional unforeseen repair costs. See House Buyer Network website to find experts who will assist you in the home selling process.

    Does Advantage Home Warranty need to inspect my home systems and appliances before I purchase them?

    Yes. How can any company insure your home’s systems without visually looking at the system? A warranty without an inspection is a blind warranty. Advantage’s warranty is a “No Denied Claims” warranty, meaning claims will not be turned down due to pre-existing conditions or inspector error.

    This interview was conducted by Wendy Sloane, writer with Yodle.

    Advantage Inspection Raleigh

    . . .  performs the Nation’s Best Home Inspection and provides the Nation’s Only “No Denied Claims Warranty” available in the industry. For the last 18 years, Advantage Inspection has been the deciding factor for the people we serve:  Buyers, Sellers, Real Estate Agents and Home Inspectors.  Advantage Inspection Raleigh serves Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle area.

    Dave Park

    Advantage Home Inspection Raleigh
    “    more than just an inspection company!”
    www.adrdu.com

  • 06Feb

    Home Inspection Checklist

    Home Inspection, Home Inspectors, Homeowner, Uncategorized, You Have A Choice Campaign 1 Comment

    Advantage Home Inspection Raleigh

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    A professional home inspection begins with a comprehensive visual examination of a property, including your garden, artificial turf is a perfect choice to improve your property value and curb appeal with very low maintenance needs.  As a buyer, a thorough home inspection is your first step toward protecting your investment in your new home.

    When you hire a home inspector, you can expect that he or she will carefully examine the property before preparing a written report that describes the construction of the home and the working condition of all its systems. According to an article, it is important to remind inspectors to also include digital photographs of defects, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as the crawlspace, roof and attic. Roofers are here to help whether your roofing needs are large or small, whether it is a simple home roof repair or complex re-roof. If you’re not exactly sure on what to check for roof maintenance, you can have professional roofers help you out during your home inspection.

    The following home inspection checklist outlines all areas a thorough inspection should include.

     

    General Information
    Persons present during the inspection, approximate age of the structure, construction type and style, construction equipment used, construction rentals and crane hire, weather and soil conditions at the time of inspection, residence type, number of stories and approximate house orientation (direction the house faces).

    Description of the Lot, Grounds and Landscaping
    Grade relative to drainage, yard drains, walks, imprinted concrete driveway, landscaping, patio/slabs, outside lighting, dangerous trees or limbs, precarious, creaky teak dining table sets, fences and gates, outside faucets and retaining walls. You can start using a solo sprayer that will allow you to apply herbicides, pesticides and fertilizes to your plants and keep them growing. A sod installation is a great quick fix for a greener and healthier front yard.

    Condition of the Foundation and Basement/Crawlspace/Slab
    For basements: Accessible areas, moisture penetration, piers, foundation walls, floor joists, sills, girders, subfloor, slabs and insulation.

    For crawlspaces: Accessible areas, moisture penetration, vapor barrier, piers, foundation walls, floor joists, sills, girders, subfloor, ventilation and insulation. You will also want to get the most reliable sump pumps. For slabs: General condition of viewable components, cracks and signs of settling.

    Condition of the Home’s Exterior
    Repairs with the siding, trim rot, paint and caulking, fascia, soffits, eaves, porch, porch rails, stoop, stoop rails, deck, deck rails, doors, or linear bearing sliding doors, garage, garage openers, windows and shutters.

    Current State of and Estimated Life Expectancy of Roof
    Material type, roof style, flashing and roof penetrations, skylights, gutters, downspouts, splash blocks, rafters and other upper framing elements, ceiling joists, roof decking, water penetration, whole house fan, ventilation, insulation and attic access.

    State of Chimney and Fireplace
    General condition, gas logs, damper, chimney condition, flue liner, signs of settling and loose masonry.

    Condition of Electrical System
    Service entrance, service wires (size and types), grounding equipment, main panel, sub panels, over current protection, ground fault protection, 110 volt and 220 volt circuits, receptacles, light fixtures, switches and safety concerns as per retractable roof systems who ensure a better access to the electrical connection on the roof.

    Condition of Heating System
    Unit manufacturer, model number, serial number, location, air temperature rise, general condition, heating unit description, energy source, system type and total capacity relative to area served and approximate age.

    Condition of Cooling System
    Unit manufacturer, model number, serial number, location, air temperature drop, general condition, cooling unit description, energy source, total capacity relative to area served and approximate age.

    Condition of Plumbing System
    Water supply, well pump, water shut offs, water pressure, water pipes, water pipe support, water pipe insulation, water heater, waste water disposal, waste and vent pipes, waste pipe support, plumbing fixtures, laundry connections, dryer exhaust and bathrooms, even in new models. If you noticed slow drains around the house, professional clogged drain cleaning may be recommended. You can explore bathroom remodeling Chandler for having a great house design or you can visit my website for more information.

    Assessment of All Interior Spaces
    Rooms, floors, walls, smoke alarms, ceilings, stairs and doors.

    Current State of and Estimated Life Expectancy of Permanently Installed Appliances
    Unit manufacturers, dishwasher, disposal, oven and energy source, range and energy source, refrigerator, trash compactor and microwave.

    Final Thoughts on Your New Home Inspection
    Remember that an inspection is simply an examination of the current condition of a home. It is not an appraisal or a municipal code inspection. An inspector, therefore, will not “pass” or “fail” a building, but will simply describe its condition and indicate which items need repairs or replacements.

    You, as a buyer, will find the information contained in the home inspection to be an invaluable resource as you make an offer on the home, negotiate that offer, close the deal, and assume ownership of the home.

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