Submit a free online press release.   Its free marketing.  

 

 <a href="http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/ways-ease-home-seller-frustration-todays-real-estate-market">Ways To Ease Home Seller Frustration In Todays Real Estate Market </a>

 

Question:

What is Carbon Monoxide and why do I need a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

 

Answer:

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and potentially dangerous gas produced when fuel burns without enough air for complete combustion. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, coughing, irregular breathing, paleness and cherry red lips and ears.

 

If symptoms are noticed, it is advised that you immediately open windows and doors to ventilate the home or structure, call 911 and get outside into fresh air. Later, have appliances checked carefully by a qualified heating contractor.

 

Purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home and near sleeping areas, in rooms over or near a garage, in the basement or other isolated area, and in rooms where space heaters are used. Detectors that have been verified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and have been manufactured after October 1995 conform to minimum alarm requirements. Those marked UL 2034 or IAS 6--96 have met the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines. Follow the directions for installing and using the detector carefully.

 

To help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

•Ø      Have your chimney and flue cleaned every year.

•Ø      Get a qualified inspector to check appliances and heating systems each year.

•Ø      Be sure all home appliances have adequate ventilation.

•Ø      Don't rely on carbon monoxide detectors as a substitute for maintaining appliances, furnaces or chimneys.

•Ø      Be sure burner flames in appliances and heating systems are blue, not orange.

•Ø      Never use a gas range for space heating.

•Ø      Never run an automobile or gasoline engine in an enclosed space.

•Ø      Never use a charcoal grill indoors.

 

For More information visit us online Http://www.ahi-nc.net

If You Let the Warranty Expire On Your New Home Without an Inspection There's a
Good Chance You're Throwing Money Away

While prevention is best cure, experience tells us that most major construction defects go
unnoticed for 3-5 years. As the first-year anniversary of your new home approaches, your
homebuilder warranty is about to run out. Most of these defects go unnoticed by the
untrained eye until it is too late and damage has occurred.  Are you prepared to go it
alone? If you do not address problems within one year of your closing date, your builder will
no longer be responsible for problems. But you will!

A Warranty End Home Inspection can save you thousands of dollars

in out-of-pocket costs.

A national survey showed that 95% of all new homes built between 2000-2002 had a
major defect that cost the new owners time and extra money, some even had to move into
a hotel room for a period of time while that "New Home" was being repaired!

To address the needs of new homeowners like you, AHI Inspections is pleased to offer our
End of Warranty Inspection.  We'll do a thorough inspection of your home before your
warranty runs out, and we'll supply you with a customized detailed report identifying the
problems. As an impartial, third-party inspector, AHI Home & Building Inspection Services
does not perform corrective work nor do we work for the builder, so we have no vested
interest in discovering or concealing problems. We simply present our findings based on
our experience and knowledge. We're There For You!!

When a home is being built, the builder or site superintendent is seldom on site for more
than 60-90 minutes a day (sometimes they never set foot on the site). During that time,
they are dealing with all types of problems and details. Many sub-contractors are used as
are many vendors. Each has their own specific job and time schedule to work on. And
that's all that they care about.  It is up to the builder or superintendent to check and ensure
the home and all its complex systems are in proper working condition.  

Our inspection covers over 400 items and includes testing of all systems and
components.   All visible defects will be noted including but not limited to manufacturer
and/or contractors flaws, not visible to the untrained eye until it's to late.   This "last
chance" inspection, is essential in providing you with the peace of mind you
deserve.


An inspector typically spends a minimum of 2.5 hours or more (depending upon the size of
the home) evaluating a home, and may recommend further evaluation if problems or
symptoms are discovered. AHI Inspections strongly encourages you to accompany the
inspector so that you can ask questions and learn even more about your home.
Do not miss this exceptional opportunity to have your new home professionally evaluated
while it is still under the builders warranty. You will gain peace of mind in knowing your
investment in a new home will last many years into the future, well past the limitations of
your builders own short-lived warranty. Call us today, and enjoy your new home!


Thank you for considering AHI Inspections for your residential home inspection needs.

North and South Carolina Cites Served!

Charlotte NC | Concord NC | Cornelius| Fort Mill SC | Hickory NC | Lake Norman NC | Huntersville
NC | Davidson NC | Matthews NC | Mint Hill NC | Mooresville NC | Indian Trail NC | Waxhaw NC |
Weddington NC | Lincolnton NC | Cornelius NC | Troutman NC | Statesville NC | Denver NC |
Ballantyne | Conover NC | Gastonia NC | Kannapolis NC |

North and South Carolina Counties served:  

Mecklengburg, Iredell, Lincoln,Gaston, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, York, Lancaster, Alexander,
Cleveland

For More information visit us online Http://www.ahi-nc.net

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR HOME BUYERS

Question? Why should I even get a home inspection?

The purchase of a home is probably the largest single investment you will ever make. You should learn
as much as you can about the condition of the property and the need for any major repairs before you
buy, so that you can minimize unpleasant surprises and difficulties afterwards.
Of course, a home inspection also points out the positive aspects of a home, as well as the
maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. After the inspection, you will have a much
clearer understanding of the property you are about to purchase.

If you are already a home owner, a home inspection may be used to identify problems in the making
and to learn preventive measures which might avoid costly future repairs. If you are planning to sell
your home, you may wish to have an inspection prior to placing your home on the market. This will
give you a better understanding of conditions which may be discovered by the buyer's inspector, and
an opportunity to make repairs that will put the house in better selling condition.

HOW TO SELECT A HOME INSPECTOR?

• Make sure your home inspector meets the requirements of all laws and regulations in your
  state.
  
• Your home inspector should have proper training or experience.
  
• Ask if the inspector is a member of a professional Home Inspection organization.
  
• If your state or province does not require a license for home inspectors, it is important that
  the home inspector belongs to an association and abide by a set of standard practices and
  code of ethics that require professionalism in the industry. National home inspector
  organizations like the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), National
  Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), and similar state or province level
  organizations require their members to adhere to strict standards of practice and continuing
  education.
  
• Ideally, he should be referred by someone other than your real estate agent.
  

The best home inspectors are often labeled by some agents as "Deal Breakers." Someone
with this reputation is likely to provide a comprehensive home inspection.

What else can I ask a home inspector to help me make a decision?

• What type of report do you deliver?
  

A home inspection should include a report that describes what was inspected. The best reports are
created using home inspection software that include pictures and comments specific to your home.

• When and how do you deliver the report?
  

Inspectors using home inspection software can often deliver the report on site or at least deliver the
report thru the Internet for quicker delivery. Internet report delivery is often important for out of town
clients instead of messy faxes or costly overnight shipping.

• Can I see a sample home inspection report?
  

Request a copy of a sample report to make sure it is detailed and easily understood. If you cannot
understand the report or if you lose interest in reading the ton of extra, useless information some
reports contain you probably will not read your own report and maybe miss important information.
Who is the cheapest? Inspectors all look at the same things right?
Every inspector is different and comes with strong points and weak points. You may save $50 by
choosing a cheaper inspector and he could miss $1,000 in problems. Usually, the best inspectors are
not the cheapest.  If you want to save money, possibly thousands, then don't choose the cheapest
inspector. A thorough and experienced home inspector is the best route to take.

North and South Carolina Cites Served!

Charlotte NC | Concord NC | Cornelius| Fort Mill SC | Hickory NC | Lake Norman NC | Huntersville
NC | Davidson NC | Matthews NC | Mint Hill NC | Mooresville NC | Indian Trail NC | Waxhaw NC |
Weddington NC | Lincolnton NC | Cornelius NC | Troutman NC | Statesville NC | Denver NC |
Ballantyne | Conover NC | Gastonia NC | Kannapolis NC |

North and South Carolina Counties served:  

Mecklengburg, Iredell, Lincoln,Gaston, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, York, Lancaster, Alexander,
Cleveland

 

For More information visit us online Http://www.ahi-nc.net

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION (also called phase inspections)

Very often, purchasers of newly constructed homes believe that there is no reason for their
new home to be independently inspected at the pre-drywall stag and / or just prior to closing,
by a competent private sector professional building inspector. After all, new homes are so
beautiful!

Buyers may believe, due to the local building inspection department having inspected the
house on multiple "mini-inspections" during its construction, that nothing could have been
missed. Or, they may feel that because the builder or developer is providing some type of
warranty, that it will cover everything. Unfortunately, this is not always true....and when it is
true, it usually costs more time and especially frustration to repair a defect if your furniture
and other possessions are already in the home.   And....If the defect is a structural,
plumbing or a roof leak......well, you don't even want to think about it!  Although local
building department inspectors usually have your best interest in mind, they neither catch
everything nor do they inspect the roof, per our experience and research. You should also
know that manufacturer warranties do not cover every component for every condition which
might affect them. The simple fact is that a new home should be in new condition! We
are here for your peace of mind!

Usually, builders and developers have a greater incentive to make repairs or corrections
before closing. An independent inspection by AHI Home Inspection prior to closing will help
you find defective components, improper installations or other new construction issues and
will also provide you with very valuable maintenance information to help you manage
maintenance costs and help you better understand the workings of your home for years to
come.

Below are some of the conditions and defects that have been found while
conducting these phase inspections and new finished home inspections:

· Missing attic insulation or no attic insulation (See Pictures Below)

· Improper wiring; defective GFCI's or electrical outlets

· Roof leaks; damaged roofing; improper flashings; damage shingles (See Pictures Below)

· Damaged or loose plumbing components; plumbing leaks (See Pictures Below)

· Reversed hot and cold water lines

· Poor installation of stud walls, siding and or structural components

Damage to structural components by sub-contractor is common!  (See Pictures Below)

· Windows installed incorrectly; damaged windows; seal issues (See Pictures Below)

· Gas fireplace exhaust flue installed upside down & not connected; gas leakage

· Loose stair railings; improperly constructed stairways

· Improper soil grading

· Missing hardware; incomplete trim work

· Improperly secured cabinets; damaged cabinets

· Leaking appliances

 

Framing Issue

This is not a complete list of the conditions that we have found in newly constructed homes,
nor do we find most of them in every new home we inspect. In fact, we are only human and
may not see things in new or older homes that were not visible at the time of the inspection.
However, we provide our services by adhering to the ASHI Standards of Practice for
Professional Home Inspectors and our Clients have been consistently very satisfied that
inspection items are found prior to the time they signed off on their new home. Keep in mind
that most builders and developers do their best to build a quality home for their Clients. The
conditions found by Assure Home Inspection are typically the result of the complex logistics
of new home construction and the time constraints put on city building inspectors. There are
a large number of trades people (subcontractors) involved in the construction process and
they often work on the home at different intervals, rather than all at once. When the
inspection issues are brought to the builders attention, they typically will simply add them to
their own "punch list" of final detail work and they will be taken care of by the appropriate
subcontractor.


NORMAL AHI PHASE INSPECTION "CHAIN OF EVENTS"

1) Client (or Realtor) calls Assure to ask questions and schedule an inspection. Hopefully,
this is at least a couple of weeks prior to the preferred inspection date (but if not, we'll do our
best and can usually accommodate!).

2) Assure provides to Builder any reasonable paperwork they require upon request.
(Usually, this is only requested for pre-drywall phase inspections.)

3) Assure helps coordinate the inspection date and time between Home Buyer, Building
Superintendent, Realtor or others involved.

4) Home buyer is not required to attend the inspection, but we do recommend at least
attending near the end of the inspection to go over a summary, sign the inspection
agreement and make payment for the inspection. Assure accepts checks, cash and Visa,
Mastercard and American Express cards for payment. Credit card payments can be
completed by phone, and we do perform a lot of inspections for Clients who cannot attend,
or prefer not to attend. By State guidelines, any inspection agreement should be signed by
the end of the inspection. The agreement is accessible on our website (home page, "forms"
button) to view and print, sign and fax to Assure, if necessary.

5) Your AHI Inspector will complete the on-site inspection, provide the on-site verbal
summary if Client attends, then will provide the inspection report within 24 hours to Client
(and Builder, if so required). The reports can be accessed from our website, or faxed to the
Client and Builder. On-site inspections usually last between 2-4 hours, depending on the
size of the home and other factors. Most of our inspections begin around 9am or 2pm, but
again...we're flexible! We're here for your peace of mind.

NEW CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION CHECKLIST FOR BUYER

AHI Home Inspection recommends that all purchasers of newly constructed homes obtain as
much of the applicable information outlined below as possible from their builder or developer:

· Blueprints

· Engineering documents

· Soil reports

· Well or septic documents, if applicable

· Copy of the Certificate of Occupancy (after home finished)

· Copy of signed-off permits

· Warranties for the following:

· Water heaters and heating system components

· Fireplaces and components

· Air conditioning equipment

· Kitchen appliances

· Plumbing fixtures and fixture trim

· Electrical devices and fixtures

· Cabinets and counter tops

· Windows and doors, including garage doors and garage door openers

· Floor covering materials and installation

· Roof covering materials and installation

· Surface finishes; wallpaper, paint, stain, etc.

· Siding and veneers

· Masonry work

· Security systems

· Landscape irrigation systems and materials

· Builder's warranties

Your Builder may be able to provide you with many of the items listed above (and probably
will have already done so) or can provide you with the names of the manufacturers so that
you can write and obtain any specific warranty information on any products in your home
that you do not have.
Keep all of these documents together and in a place where you can locate them. They may
be helpful to you and to the next buyer of your home!

CALL FOR PHASE INSPECTION PRICING

North and South Carolina Cites Served!

Charlotte NC | Concord NC | Cornelius| Fort Mill SC | Hickory NC | Lake Norman NC | Huntersville
NC | Davidson NC | Matthews NC | Mint Hill NC | Mooresville NC | Indian Trail NC | Waxhaw NC |
Weddington NC | Lincolnton NC | Cornelius NC | Troutman NC | Statesville NC | Denver NC |
Ballantyne | Conover NC | Gastonia NC | Kannapolis NC |

North and South Carolina Counties served:   Mecklengburg, Iredell, Lincoln,Gaston,
Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, York, Lancaster, Alexander, Cleveland

If you're like most home sellers, you have probably lived in your home for more than 5 years. It
is in these last 5 years some major changes have occurred in the sale process of a home.

1.        Sellers Disclosure.
The biggest change is the requirements of providing a "SELLERS DISCLOSURE." You the home owner must list all the
known defects in the home.
2.        Home Inspectors.

The home inspector is usually hired by the Buyer and arrives at your property after a contract is negotiated to inspect
and list any defects, questionable areas, upgrade suggestions and maintenance.

When significant problems are found by the Home Inspector the buyer may:

• terminate the contract.
  
• or ask for inflated amounts to have the problem fixed.
  
• or be so alarmed by the defect found, will terminate the contract without giving you the
  chance to fix it.
  

Either way your house is back on the market and the problem is still there for the next buyer to find.

How easy is selling a house with a Seller's Inspection?

If a seller's inspection is performed and significant damage or defects are found.  There will be
disappointment, but no hysteria or regret. No deal about to go sour. The agent will discuss the
problems with the Seller and will determine if this listing is "AS IS" with full disclosure, or if any
repairs need correcting to expedite the sale. The Seller then corrects any problem areas, and calls for a
re-inspection of the home.  The home inspector returns a clean report.   Next, a Buyer enters a
contract agreement with the Seller. The Buyer will choose to trust the home inspection or will have
another.   No major problems should be found by the second inspection. The deal coasts downhill to
closing. Everyone is happy.

Twenty real advantages to the seller:

1)  The seller can choose a ASHI inspector rather than be at the mercy of the buyer's       
choice of inspector
2)  The seller can schedule the inspections at the seller's convenience.
3)  It might alert the seller of any items of immediate personal concern, such as radon          
gas or active termite infestation.
4) The seller can assist the inspector during the inspection, something normally not             
done during a buyer's inspection.
5) The seller can have inspector correct any misstatements in the inspection report           
before it is generated.
6) The report can help the seller realistically price the home if problems exist.
7) The report can help the seller substantiate a higher asking price if problems don't              
exist or have been corrected.

A seller inspection reveals problems ahead of time which:

8)    Might make the home show better.
9)  Gives the seller time to make repairs and shop for competitive contractors.
10)  Permits the seller to attach repair estimates or paid invoices to the inspection report.
11)  Removes over-inflated buyer procured estimates from the negotiation table.
12)  The report might alert the seller to any immediate safety issues found, before agents      
and visitors tour the home.
13)  The report provides a third-party, unbiased opinion to offer to potential buyers.
14)  Seller inspection permits a clean home inspection report to be used as a marketing tool.
15)  A seller inspection is the ultimate gesture in forthrightness on the part of the seller.
16)  The report might relieve a prospective buyer's unfounded suspicions, before they walk
away.
17)  A seller inspection lightens negotiations and 11th - hour renegotiations.
18)  The report might encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
19)   The deal is less likely to fall apart the way they often do when a buyer's inspection
unexpectedly reveals a problem, last minute.
20)  The report provides full-disclosure protection from future legal claims.

Advantages to the real estate agent:

1)    Agents can recommend certified ASHI inspectors as opposed to being at the mercy of
buyer's choices in inspectors.
2)    Sellers can schedule the inspections at seller's convenience with little effort on the part of
agents.
3)    Sellers can assist inspectors during the inspections,  something normally not done during
buyer's inspections.
4)    Reports help sellers see their homes through the eyes of a critical, third-party, thus making
sellers more realistic about asking price.
5)    Agents are alerted to any immediate safety issues found, before other agents and potential
buyers tour the home.
6)    Repairs made ahead of time might make homes show better.
7)    The reports provide third-party, unbiased opinions to offer to potential buyers.
8)  Clean reports can be used as marketing tools to help sell the homes.
9)  Reports might relieve prospective buyer's unfounded suspicions, before they walk away.
10)  Seller inspections eliminate buyer's remorse that sometimes occurs just after an inspection.
11)  Seller inspections reduce the need for negotiations and 11th - hour renegotiations.
12)  Seller inspections relieve the agent of having to hurriedly procure repair estimates or
schedule repairs.
13)  The reports might encourage buyers to waive their inspection contingencies.
14)  Deals are less likely to fall apart the way they often do when buyer's inspections
unexpectedly reveal problems, last minute.
15)  Reports provide full-disclosure protection from future legal claims.

Advantages to the home buyer:

1)  The inspection is done already.
2)  The inspection is paid for by the seller.
3)  The report provides a more accurate, third-party view of the condition of the home prior to
making an offer.
4)  A seller inspection eliminates surprise defects.
5)  Problems are corrected or at least acknowledged prior to making an offer on the home.
6)  A seller inspection reduces the need for negotiations and 11th - hour renegotiations.
7)  The report might assist in acquiring financing.
8)  A seller inspection allows the buyer to sweeten the offer without increasing the offering
price by waiving inspections.  

Common myths about seller inspections:

Question? Don't seller inspections kill deals by forcing sellers to disclose defects they otherwise
wouldn't have known about?

Answer.  No. Any defect that is material enough to kill a real estate transaction is likely going to be
uncovered eventually anyway.  It is best to discover the problem ahead of time, before it can kill the
deal.

Question?  Isn't a home inspector's liability increased by having his/her reports be seen by potential
buyers?

Answer.  No.  There is no liability in having your seller permit someone who doesn't buy the property
see your report.  And there is less liability in having a buyer rely on your old report when the buyer is
not your client and has been warned not to rely on your report, than it is to work directly for the buyer
and have him be entitled to rely on your report.

Question? Don't seller inspections take too much energy to sell to make them profitable for the
inspector?

Answer.  Perhaps.  But not when the inspector takes into account the marketing benefit of having a
samples of his/her product (the report) being passed out to agents and potential buyers who are
looking to buy now in the inspector's own local market, not to mention the seller who is likely moving
locally and in need of an inspector, plus the additional chance of re-inspection work being generated
for the inspector.

Question? A newer home in good condition doesn't need an inspection anyway.  Why should the
seller have one done?

Answer. No. Unlike real estate agents whose job it is to market properties for their sellers, inspectors
produce objective reports.  If the property is truly in great shape the inspection report becomes a
pseudo marketing piece with the added benefit of having been generated by an impartial party.

For More information visit us online Http://www.ahi-nc.net

 

Word of mouth referrals rank #1 among business owners when asked where they prefer new business originates. That comes as no surprise. What's interesting is most professionals believe this type of referral happens only with time, experience. and  luck. While that statement carries some truth, betting on luck to grow your business is downright risky and most don't have the financial resources to stand the test of time without experiencing incremental growth in the meantime. So what's the solution to this problem. The answer is Referral Partners. A Referral Partner is any business that does not directly compete with, but has the same customer as your business. For example, the patient that visits the Chiropractor's office may benefit from Massage, therefore if the Chiropractor networked with a reputable Massage Therapist, together they could  refer patients to one another. Or, a Realtor needs a mortgage consultant to provide loans for home buyers. On a regular basis both would be connecting with potential home buyers and could easily and predictably refer to the other. There are dozens of other businesses with synergistic relationships that are rarely utilized to their full potential.

These Referral Partners are also known as Referral Alliances. Within a structured networking environment, like BNI, five Referral Alliances are present: Home Services, Financial Services, Personal Services, Health and Wellness, and Business Services. And the goal of each one of these sub groups is to have between 5 to 7 business people that represent non competing products, yet target the same customer. Currently, applications are being accepted for the following business classifications:

•  Commercial Realtor                                                                                     
•  Builder                                         
•  Dentist
•  Photographer  
•  Event Planner
•  Handyman
•  DJ
•  Property Manager
•  Printing Company
•  Home Stager

 

 Over the last 3 months the group has generated $1,000,000 in new business for it's members. Every sale, every new business contact was created by word of mouth referrals and nothing else.

If you know a professional in any of the classifications listed above, please reach David Johnson with AHI Home & Building Inspection, or visit the Cornelius Family Restaurant at 12:30pm,  located on Catawba Rd. Then judge for yourself!

Don't Let Your Dream Home Become a Headache !




75 % of homes sold today are inspected; Unfortunately, Some home inspectors appear to be blind
when it comes to knowing what to look for during a home inspection or just in a rush to get the
inspection done (It is our belief that this is the major culprit for missing inspection items). Warning:
most large inspection firms hire Associate Home Inspectors.  And many of these associates are out in
the field without being supervised.  What this means to you, the home buyer, is that in many cases
items go undetected.  The best reason for a home inspection is to avoid a money pit, just make sure
your inspector knows what to look for WE DO!.



Make Sure you hire a home inspector that is going to look out for your best
interests.

• Home Inspection Services:
  

Standard Home Inspection - A visual check and test of all major systems

                                 & components in the home.    

• Pre-Purchase Home Inspections for Buyers
  
• Pre-Listing Home Inspections for Sellers                                        
  Know the faults, if any, before you put  your house on the market.                      
  See Reason to get a Pre-Listing Inspection.
  
• New Construction Phase Inspection                                         
  Make sure it's done right the first time!
  
• End of Warranty Inspection                                                     
  Don't let the 1 yr warranty expire on your new home without making sure all
  covered items are working properly.
  
• Annual Maintenance Inspections for Homeowners                  
  Annual inspection can help identify any potentially serious or costly problems.
  

 

• Indoor Air Quality Services:
  

• Radon Testing - Testing is the only method to know your exposure to health
  related issues, such as Cancer..
  
• Mold Inspection - Moisture and Mold problem analysis and testing.  
  

 

• Competitive Prices: Check out Our Fees
  

• Ease of Scheduling: On-line scheduling of home inspection - reserve your
  appointment now.  You will receive an confirmation email and a same-day follow up
  phone call.
  

Check Schedule availability and Book
Appointment                                                                                                              
Weekend or Evening appointment available only by phone - Call us!

• Experienced: Check us out ! Learn more about us and Our Services.
  

North and South Carolina Cites Served!

Charlotte NC | Concord NC | Cornelius| Fort Mill SC | Hickory NC | Lake Norman NC | Huntersville
NC | Davidson NC | Matthews NC | Mint Hill NC | Mooresville NC | Indian Trail NC | Waxhaw NC |
Weddington NC | Lincolnton NC | Cornelius NC | Troutman NC | Statesville NC | Denver NC |
Ballantyne | Conover NC | Gastonia NC | Kannapolis NC |

North and South Carolina Counties served:   Mecklengburg, Iredell, Lincoln,Gaston,
Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, York, Lancaster, Alexander, Cleveland

Kick-out flashing

Another blog pointed out the importance of flashing; this blog will be concentrated on one particular type of flashing, commonly known as 'Kick-out' flashing. Most buyers (and realtors) give me a 'deer in the headlights' look when I inform them that the kick-out flashing is missing.

Kick-out flashing is needed to prevent water from entering a wall. This picture is a classic example; note there is nothing to prevent rainwater from entering behind the stucco.

 

 

Now, here are two pictures of a different building that was in the process of installing Kick-outs after the construction.

 

So, next time a home inspector mentions 'Kick-out' flashing, remember these photos.

 

 

 

New Construction

3 Things Buyer's Of New Construction Need To Know BEFORE Their Builder's Warranty Expires!

Over the years we hear Buyers of New Home Construction repeat the same three reasons over and over again as to why they didn't get a Home Inspection. Unfortunately they realize this after it's too late. Here's what they think:

Reason #1:  I Trust My Builder! 

The reality today is that most home builders don't even have tools and equipment.  The fact is most new home builders are financiers and occasionally job site managers. Who actually builds your new home are the sub-contractors that the builder hires to do the work.  So whether your new home is built correctly and complies with the current building code strictly depends on the knowledge and skill of the sub-contractors.   And speaking candidly, the quality of the sub-contractors varies greatly. 

Even though all of the parts of the house you come in contact with each and every day appear fine, there's a lot more to your house than meets the layman's eye.

Here's the real issue; were the mechanical and structural components of the house put together properly.  And truthfully, most homeowners don't have the knowledge or skill to judge that aspect of a new home.

So here's what happens in many cases.  You go to sell your new home sometime in the future.  The buyer hires a home inspector to evaluate the property for them.  And low and behold the buyer's home inspector finds lots of things that were done improperly by the sub-contractors and now the buyer wants you to make the necessary repairs.

 So I'll ask you again, why should you pay for someone else's mistakes? 

So here's the long and short of the matter:  You Need An Independent Evaluation Of The Property By Your Professional Home Inspector To Protect Your Interests!  

www.ahi-nc.net