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Oct 29

House Sellers get “MoveInCertified” Home Inspections

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moveincertified

If you are a home seller or real estate agent, would you like to see a home sell faster and with less headaches? You can get your home pre-inspected and certified ahead of time, before unexpected problems arise. With one phone call you can have your home inspected and listed as a Move-In Certified™ home. As an InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector®, I’m qualified to do this for you. This certification means that, at a minimum, you can confirm that there are no major systems in need of immediate repair or replacement, and no known safety hazards. There are at least 10 benefits of suggesting a Move-In Certified™ Seller Inspection:

1. Instead of addressing repairs later, jump starting the inspection process will most likely speed up the sales process in the long run.
2. Many clients today won’t even look at a home that is not in good condition with immediate move-in quality.
3. You only have one chance to make a good first impression on selective buyers.
4. It’s easier for agents to sell when they are confident about the product they are selling.
5. This step by the home seller demonstrates a good-faith willingness to be more straightforward and pro-active in the sales process.
6. There will be added peace of mind knowing that no unpleasant surprises could be waiting around the corner that might ruin a prospective sale.
7. The seller inspection will likely more than pay for itself when the final contract price comes within close range of the full asking price.
8. The report will be posted at www.FetchReport.com and will be easy to download for both the seller and agent.
9. Requesting this service will set your property apart from all the others and make it more appealing.
10. Being pro-active in helping to determine the condition of the property up front helps to mitigate against any possible legal non-disclosure claims that might arise from the seller down the road.

Most safety problems are extremely easy to fix. For example, changing electrical outlets near sinks to GFCI safety outlets costs only a few dollars. But the value of having your home checked out and certified can be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Don’t miss out on this real estate trend that can give you a competitive edge in the market as a seller. If you are interested in this service, contact Richard Warden of Southampton Home Inspections (SHI) at 631 377 2046.

Tags: SHI Hamptons seller home inspection, SHI certified seller home inspection, move-in certified home inspections, benefits of seller’s Move-In Certified™ home inspection, how to sell a home faster and better, how to stand out in real estate, trends

Aug 04

Free Book with Every Home Inspection

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InterNACHI’s ultimate home maintenance manual is free to all home buyers who use the services of Southampton Home Inspections. InterNACHI is the foremost home inspection certification organization and, as a member, SHI is grateful for the opportunity to offer this helpful free book with every home inspection. The book, Now That You’ve Had A Home Inspection, is available in English and Spanish (libro gratis con inspección de la vivienda en español). This link offers a short video description of the book. Call SHI today for your inspection: 631 377 2046.

Tags: free book with every home inspection, free home inspection book, free home maintenance book, home inspector free book, best home maintenance book, Hamptons inspector free book, libro gratis con inspección de la casa, español habla inspector de viviendas

May 28

Should Brokers and Agents Recommend Home Inspectors?

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There are a number of questions regarding the recommendation of home inspectors by agents and brokers. Is it a good idea? Are there any preferred methods? Are there any concerns? Certified by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors

First, it can be considered a valuable time-saving service to provide the name of a home inspector or a list of local licensed home inspectors. Real estate professionals basically earn their fee by helping their clients, so this can be seen as a helpful plus. A key to business growth is to never stop improving. Supplying some references of local home inspectors is a positive feature.

Second, there are a few methods for recommending home inspectors. One Southampton real estate agency offers an online list of local home inspectors to choose from. Another agency chooses to recommend one home inspector. And yet another chooses to print out and hand a list to clients.

Third, there can be some underlying concerns when it comes to recommending just one home inspector. The home buyer may be wondering, “Should I use a home inspector that has been recommended to me by a broker or agent?” The underlying issue relates to the objectivity of the inspector and the report. There are plenty of brokers and agents who regularly recommend one home inspector and there is nothing unethical about this if the report is objective. However, some clients may feel more confident if they are presented with a list of recommended licensed and insured home inspectors to choose from.  This option may be presented to a client. Some clients prefer to find their own home inspector on the Internet.

As a home inspector, I have both training in home inspection work and an architectural degree. I also have a lot of various construction work experience. These experiences add to my abilities as a home inspector. I’m licensed and insured and can offer a number of references. If you are interested in an objective and thorough report, you may recommend Southampton Home Inspections to your clients with confidence.

Tags: Should brokers recommend home inspectors? Real estate and home inspections, should a home buyer use a recommended home inspector, how to find a home inspector

Mar 17

The Montauk Man Who Died From Mouse Bacteria

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It’s almost spring again. Whether you are getting ready for some spring cleaning or preparing for a serious home inspection, be careful. Basements and crawl spaces can be deadly. Cancer-causing asbestos crumbs are sometimes found falling off of old heating pipes. Rare and malicious killer molds may be found slowly meandering throughout crawl spaces in the moist ocean air. And, last but not least, fatal fumes from deadly mouse microbes may be lingering in the air unnoticeable by the human eye. The following video clip outlines some tragic stories of Long Islander’s who lost their jobs. Dr. David Hartstein’s case is particularly sad because he also lost his life after he lost his job and his house.

It wasn’t very long ago, June 2011, that Dr. Hartstein was infected with a rare but deadly virus that was disseminated from infected mouse waste that was inhaled in a home crawl space in Montauk, NY. A CBS report of the incident states that the virus is deadly, but rare. ” NYC Health notes, “There have been two cases in New York State residents, both due to exposures on Long Island.”

“The disease is fatal in 38 percent of all cases, but it’s so rare there have been only four in New York in the past 17 years. Health officials said the virus was first identified in the Southwest in 1993. Nationwide, there have been only 568 cases.”

The symptoms aren’t particularly unique, and could apply to a lot of possible viruses:

“Symptoms of hantavirus include high fever, muscle aches, coughing and headache — which may appear between one and five weeks after exposure to the virus.”

If you have business to do in a basement or crawl space, the following advice is offered:

“Health officials said the best way to prevent exposure to hantavirus is to avoid contact with rodent droppings or urine, prevent infestation in the home and set traps inside empty containers to prevent contact with possibly contaminated materials… Wear gloves and a mask and aerate where you are,”

What’s particularly tragic and heart-wrenching about David Hartstein’s situation is the context. He was a 35-year-old husband and father of three who had been unemployed, was cleaning out his house due to foreclosure, and then to top it off he became infected with a deadly virus. When interviewed about her husband’s death and how it became a part of an HBO-televised documentary film, “Hard Times: Lost on Long Island”, David’s widow Heather emphasized the importance of optimism in life: “I want people to take away from our story [and the film] the realization that when you think you’ve hit rock bottom, you make a conscious decision to be joyful and not get swallowed by a sense of helplessness. . . .” The trailer to the film is at this link:

Tags: Montauk killer disease, Montauk mouse virus killed man, home safety, Long Island Hantavirus, David Hartstein, documentary of hard life on Long Island, basement & crawl space hazards

 

Feb 15

CAD Freelance Hamptons, NY

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Perhaps you are a local architect in need an existing building to be measured and drawn on CAD. Or maybe you would like to design a new home addition and need drawings for the process. We can help you you with these types of drafting needs. Call us for a free estimate at 631 377 2046.

Hampton_CAD_Drafting_B&W_Final

 

Tags: CAD freelancer Hamptons NY, AutoCAD on Long Island, Hamptons NY. Vectorworks Hamptons NY, drafting services Hamptons NY, drafting design Hamptons NY, freelance drafting, Hampton CAD Drafting, architectural design / drafting

Feb 08

Why are Photos Critical in a Home Inspection?

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Along with the report text, SHI offers on average approximately 25-35 referenced photo pages (2 photos per page) for smaller homes and 35-55 photo pages for larger homes. Most home inspectors offer a few photos here and there scattered throughout the report. But there are some pretty good reasons why photos are critical in a professional home inspection report and there should not be a shortage.

Asbestos on Pipe

Asbestos on Pipe

  1. Photos document serious conditions. What does a serious asbestos condition look like in a house? A picture is worth a thousand words.
  2. Photos identify technical items. Do you know what a TPR valve extension looks like? One photo does the trick.
  3. Photos convey valuable knowledge. When we recommend a repair, we can choose from a variety of photos and articles to outline what is needed. And, let’s face it, there is a reason why dictionaries, encyclopedias and science books contain a lot of images.
Signs of Termites

Signs of Termites

Believe it or not, many home inspection companies do not offer photos with their reports. At SHI, we don’t just give cookie-cutter home reports, we give a brief but insightful education on the important aspects of your new house. Your house (whether first, second, or third) is likely one of the largest investments you will ever make. Your home inspection report should be as thorough and detailed as possible. Photo pages allow for top-quality reports and informed home buying decisions. Call SHI today for a comprehensive home inspection that includes referenced photo pages – 631 377 2046.

Tags: Photos in home inspection reports, best home inspection reports, quality inspections, compare home inspection reports, home inspection companies Hamptons NY,

 

 

Oct 18

ABC’s of Home Inspection Training and Experience

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When buying or selling a home, there are at least three dominating factors that come into play when considering the training and experience of your home inspector. Ask him or her about each before choosing the one who will evaluate what will likely be the biggest investment of your life, your home.

 

A. Architectural or engineering degree.

If a person takes a course and passes a test or two, he or she can become licensed and certified as a home inspector in just A FEW WEEKS. Obviously, having a four to five year degree in architecture or engineering would add a lot more knowledge and experience. I have an architectural degree from Cooper Union in NYC.

B. Thorough home inspection training.

There are home inspectors who are licensed architects or engineers who do NOT have any specific training AT ALL in how to inspect electrical systems, plumbing, and HVAC components. I was trained with certification courses by professional organizations such as InterNACHI and the Building Performance Institute (BPI) as a Building Analyst (BA) and as an Envelope Professional (EP). The standards of BPI are very high and relate to aspects of HVAC systems and energy saving techniques.

C. Construction experience.

Even though a person may have specific training and a related degree, practical hands-on experience in construction contracting and various building trades adds a whole new level of valuable experience that is invaluable during home inspections. Another “C” point to consider is certification. As a home inspector, I am certified with the foremost home inspection certification organization in the US, InterNACHI. Click this link to verify my present standing as a member.

I’ve written these three points down because I’ve noticed how some clients will negotiate down to the dollar for inspection fees while at the same time not comparing apples to apples when comparing home inspectors. The following is a list of some basic subjects covered in a standard home inspection licensing course:

100 Classroom Hours plus field experience
Basic Home Inspection Licensing Subjects
Module 1: (Structure, Exterior, Roof)
Module 2: (Interior, Insulation, Ventilation)
Module 3: (Heating, Cooling, Plumbing Systems
Module 4: (NYS Licensing Law/Report Writing)
Module 5: (40 HOURS of Field Inspections)

In addition to these classes and training, I have a five-year degree from Cooper Union in architecture and years of hands-on construction experience in a number of trades. This is why I can sincerely claim that my services provide the best value for the home-inspection dollar.

Call today for immediate service at 631 377 2046!

Tags: Home inspection qualifications, what experience should a home inspector have? Choosing a home inspector, best home inspector, how to choose a home inspector

Jul 16

Recent EMF Radiation Inspection in East Hampton

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I recently performed an EMF radiation inspection for a land purchase in East Hampton where there are some high voltage power lines. Not the huge metal towers, just thick, typical-looking power lines running down the street. Some of the EMF readings in the area came in over 100mG, which is pretty high considering that Sweden settled on 2.5mG as a safe limit after a 25-year study on the subject. In this post I’d like to give a little background on the issue and offer some reasons why you should probably know what the EMF readings are both in your home and in your yard. I know, I know, another thing to watch out for.

100 mG EMF reading in East Hampton NY

Background

EMF (or ElectroMagnetic Field) is a broad term which includes electric fields generated by charged particles, magnetic fields generated by charged particles in motion, and radiated fields such as TV, radio, and microwaves. Electric fields are measured in units of volts per meter or V/m. Magnetic fields are measured in milli-Gauss or mG. The field is always strongest near the source and diminishes as you move away from the source.

High levels of EMF air pollution can dramatically influence property values. Southampton Home Inspections (SHI) always offers EMF testing in conjunction with home inspections and will also perform independent EMF test services. In my recent inspection I took readings at 16 locations around the property and vicinity as a basis for an objective report on the conditions.

The manufacturer of the meter I use states that it, “Measures AC electric fields rapidly, such as from overhead power lines or improperly grounded equipment. Measures major RF/microwave sources such as leakage from microwave ovens, or the field near cell towers.” The meter manufacturer describes an error factor of 20%. EMF radiation from power lines is often referred to as an ELF, an extremely low frequency condition.

Reported “Possible” Health Issues

As far as reported health effects of EMF are concerned, A 2009 EU update confirmed the opinion of a previous 2007 EU report: “The previous conclusion that ELF magnetic fields are a possible carcinogen, chiefly based on childhood leukaemia results, is still valid.” Other potential health problems have not been considered as significant. In 1995, a major law suit was filed against a Texas Utility company regarding 8 cases of children diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia who lived near high voltage power lines. The suit was filed by Joseph Jamail, one of the most successful—and richest—trial lawyers in America.

When I first began testing the microwave oven in our home and ones in other homes, we quickly decided not to allow anyone in the kitchen when the microwave oven is on. No matter how new the model, the radiation is usually high within 5 feet. Bedside alarm clocks, electric blankets (still selling at the Bridgehampton K-Mart) and, yes, cell phones also emit radiation that has not been emphatically proven to cause cancer. Yet, as recently as this past May, there is news that India will ban all cell phone sales of units that are not properly labeled. I’m not referring to the fine print in the box, but the cell phone itself. As noted, “The SAR value, which is the radiation emitted by a cellphone, will have to be displayed on mobile handsets.”

The US government presently does not regulate EMF levels in such things as power lines. However, the Office of Technology Assessment of the Congress of the United States recommends a general policy of “prudent avoidance” with respect to EMF. Prudent avoidance would mean measuring the levels, determining the sources, and acting to reduce exposure. Using an EMF meter, it is possible to know where the sources of EMF are in your everyday world and how strong these sources are.

If you are considering purchasing a home, land, a microwave, or a cell phone, I highly suggest that you do some research and learn what the EMF values are, if available. If you would like SHI to perform EMF tests for you, that would be a pleasure.

Tags: Hamptons NY EMF radiation testing, EMF survey, update of EMF health effects

Jul 07

Free Termite Inspections are Usually not Guaranteed!

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Often, home inspectors will offer “a free termite inspection” included with their home inspection price. Almost always, home buyers aren’t aware that such termite inspections come with no guarantee whatsoever! When a licensed pest inspector prepares an inspection report, the inspection is also usually not guaranteed, so that if termites are discovered after the home is purchased, the purchaser is not protected against paying for related repairs. They usually will, however, guaranty most houses if they are treating them with pesticides. Unless, for example, there is no moisture termite barrier on the foundation top under the sill plate.  Newsday published an article on this subject and outlined how real estate lawyers in many states will recommend an independent termite inspector:

“The engineer found no termites, but when he wouldn’t give a guarantee, I suggested [the buyers] bring in a licensed pest controller,” Minella said. With a written guarantee, buyers would be protected against paying for repairs in case termites were found after they moved in.”

In some of my home inspection cases, separate licensed termite inspectors found infestation problems and these reports were used as negotiation tools because the buyers wanted the houses regardless. The slightly higher cost for a separate termite inspection may be worth it for a number of reasons. Pest applicators that offer WDO (wood destroying organism) termite reports are usually competitively priced because the inspectors anticipate that some of these inspections will lead to work down the road. As a matter of fact, this gives them an incentive to make an extremely thorough inspection in order to find infestation. In one case, a termite inspector found a clean house but found infestation under a log right next to the house. In this situation, treatment was recommended in the report.

I became certified through InterNACHI to inspect for termites and other WDO (wood destroying organisms) that I offer for free along with a home inspection, using a separate WDO inspection form.

(Revised 12-07-16)

Termite photo by Scott Bauer

Tags: Long Island termite inspections, Home inspectors offer termite inspections, Hamptons NY termite inspectors, pests

Apr 30

Hamptons Designer House Market Update

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200px-Cuckoo_clock_by_Pascal_Tarabay1Last week, 27East reported how Hamptons Cottages & Gardens magazine hosted a panel discussion that featured discussions by a variety of professionals related to the real estate industry in the Hamptons and, with regard to creativity and real estate, the situation is a bit paradoxical. In one sense, it’s a designer’s market:

“Mr. Collé, who said that today’s buyers are “less interested in cookie-cutter houses” and more passionate about custom-designed homes, said that he has been seeing more and more demand for “bigger and better” residences. That means more and more teardowns of existing older homes on ideally located properties, he reported.”

And yet, in another sense, the population of creative artists and designers that helped to give the Hamptons a sense of mystique seems to be on the wain:

“The artists and writers are being squeezed out by the hedge fund managers, she paused. “And the people clipping the hedges.”

Like SOHO in NYC and Red Hook in Brooklyn, the Hamptons seems to be following a similar pattern for artists and writers.

In March, Deal Book reported how hedge fund titan Steven A. Cohen paid $60 million for an oceanfront home on Further Lane in East Hampton. But this is chump change. The day before the home purchase news has it that he purchased Picasso’s “Le Rêve” for $155 million from the casino owner Stephen A. Wynn. This was apparently one of the priciest private art deals ever transacted. The art of the deal.

The HC & G Hamptons real estate update and forum included Builder Jeffrey Collé, NYC&G features editor Carmela Ciuraru, HC&G contributing editor Heather Buchanan and author Steven Gaines joined HC&G publisher Pamela Eldridge.

Image of designer cuckoo clock by Pascal Tarabay is courtesy of Creative Commons.

Tags: art and real estate, Hamptons designers, Hampton real estate update, buy designer home Hamptons NY