North Carolina Licensed Home Inspector, Edgar M. Roberts, Jr., in conjunction with National Autism Awareness Month, is holding the 2nd annual Inspecting for Autism fundraiser. Inspecting for Autism is designed to recognize local preschool programs dedicated to providing individualized treatment for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
During the month of April, Roberts will donate a portion of proceeds from each home inspection performed through his home inspection service, Altamont Inspections, LLC, to Helping Hand Developmental Center, Inc. East Flat Rock, NC.
Helping Hand Developmental Center, Inc. is a private, nonprofit, 5-star rated preschool program providing individualized services such as speech, occupational and physical therapies for children in Henderson County who are physically, emotionally and educationally challenged, including those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Autism Society of North Carolina describes Autism Spectrum Disorder as a brain disorder that impacts communication, social interaction and behavior. It is the second most common developmental disability following Mental Retardation and is more common than childhood cancer, Cystic Fibrosis and Muscular Sclerosis combined. It is estimated that up to 1 out of every 150 children born today has some form of ASD.
Altamont Inspections, LLC provides licensed home inspections, NEHA-NRPP certified radon gas testing and well water testing for home buyers, sellers and owners throughout western North Carolina. This area includes Asheville, Hendersonville, Lake Lure, Brevard, Black Mountain and surrounding mountain towns.
Roberts is a member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), the North Carolina Licensed Home Inspector Association and the Hendersonville, NC Board of REALTORS.
For more information about Inspecting for Autism, contact Angela K. Roberts, Altamont Inspections, LLC Office and Marketing Manager, at 828-654-0033 or visit the company's NACHI award-winning website at www.AltamontInspections.com.
The Autism Society of North Carolina is gearing up for the 3rd Annual Western North Carolina Run/Walk for Autism on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at Carrier Park in Asheville, NC.
This year the featured events include a 5K Run/Walk, a One-Mile Fun Run/Walk and a Tot Trot for children 6 years old and under.
According to the Autism Society of NC, Autism spectrum disorder is the second most common developmental disability following mental retardation. ASD is more common than childhood cancer, cystic fibrosis, and multiple sclerosis combined. It is estimated that up to 1 out of every 150 children born today has some form of ASD. This means that approximately 1.5 million Americans (children and adults) have ASD today, and that more than 15 million Americans (loved ones, caregivers, educators, and healthcare professionals) are directly impacted by the disorder. In the state of North Carolina alone there are over 50,000 individuals living with ASD.
For more information on how you can take part in the 3rd Annual WNC Run/Walk for Autism, visit www.wncrunwalkforautism.com.
Cleaning Your Gutters. A Simple Chore that Could Save You Thousands.By Edgar M. Roberts, Jr. - NC Licensed Home Inspector, owner of Altamont Inspections, LLC.
When I was a kid, one of the most dreaded chores around the Roberts house was cleaning the gutters. Back then I didn't know why it was so important to dig out every soggy leaf or pluck out every stuck twig, I just knew Dad said, "Grab a ladder and get to it!" Now I know why. Having clean gutters is a homeowner's best defense against serious water damage.
Most homeowners know that gutters catch rainwater runoff from the roof and route it away from the house, but many don't know why that's necessary. Water is one of a home's worst enemies. If clogged gutters keep water from being properly channeled away, the water spills over the gutter, damages the fascia and soffits and seeps into the home's structure. Once inside, water can cause walls and floors to warp, mold and mildew to form, door and window frames to swell and decay and provide pests with a direct entryway. Outside, misrouted water can cause leaking basements, cracked foundations, sagging driveways and damage to landscaping. Luckily, prevention is simple. Keep your gutters clean.
Here are some sure signs your gutters need cleaning:
* Water spills over the gutter edges when it rains * You can see little weeds sprouting in the gutter * The gutter edges are dark or discolored (caused by overflowing rainwater)
When tending to your gutters, be sure your downspouts funnel water well away from your house. If necessary, add downspout extenders that carry the water away from the foundation. Also consider using splash blocks. They should be slightly sloped and extend at least four feet away from your house.
Gutter cleaning may never be a glamorous job, but its one that certainly deserves more respect.
Edgar M. Roberts, Jr. is a North Carolina Licensed Home Inspector. As owner of Altamont Inspections, LLC, Mr. Roberts provides home inspections, radon gas testing and water testing for home buyers, sellers and owners in the Asheville, Hendersonville and Lake Lure areas. Visit www.AltamontInspections.com to learn more about his home inspection service.
North Carolina Licensed Home Inspector, Edgar M. Roberts, Jr., in conjunction with National Autism Awareness Month, launches Inspecting for Autism, a fundraiser designed to recognize local preschool programs dedicated to providing individualized treatment for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
During the month of April, Roberts will donate a portion of proceeds from each home inspection performed through his home inspection service, Altamont Inspections, LLC, to Helping Hand Developmental Center, Inc. East Flat Rock, NC.
Helping Hand Developmental Center, Inc. is a private, nonprofit, 5-star rated preschool program providing individualized services such as speech, occupational and physical therapies for children in Henderson County who are physically, emotionally and educationally challenged, including those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
"Early intervention is the key for children with Autism. We cannot cure Autism, but we can teach children alternate ways to communicate so they can function and succeed in this world," says Susan M. Deans, Helping Hand Developmental Center Executive Director.
"There is no doubt that the speech and occupational therapies our daughter has received since being diagnosed with ASD have not only helped her become more aware of her surroundings, she's also learning how to communicate with us more effectively on a daily basis. Inspecting for Autism is just one way my family can express our appreciation to those educators who make a difference in the lives of special children here in the mountains," says Edgar M. Roberts, Jr., NC Licensed Home Inspector and owner of Altamont Inspections, LLC.
The Autism Society of North Carolina describes Autism Spectrum Disorder as a brain disorder that impacts communication, social interaction and behavior. It is the second most common developmental disability following Mental Retardation and is more common than childhood cancer, Cystic Fibrosis and Muscular Sclerosis combined. It is estimated that up to 1 out of every 150 children born today has some form of ASD.
Altamont Inspections, LLC provides licensed home inspections, NEHA-NRPP certified radon gas testing and well water testing for home buyers, sellers and owners throughout western North Carolina. This area includes Asheville, Hendersonville, Lake Lure, Brevard, Black Mountain and surrounding mountain towns.
Roberts is a member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), the North Carolina Licensed Home Inspector Association and the Hendersonville, NC Board of REALTORS.
For more information about Inspecting for Autism, contact Angela K. Roberts, Altamont Inspections, LLC Office and Marketing Manager, at 828-654-0033 or visit the company's NACHI award-winning website at www.AltamontInspections.com.
Drive down nearly any road in western North Carolina this time of year and there they are. Next to the beautiful blooming yellow-bells, For Sale signs grace the yards of eager homeowners hoping for a smooth sale. While home sales typically increase during the spring and summer months, that doesn't mean its time for home sellers to rest on their (mountain) laurels. Home sellers need to be one step ahead of their competition. A Seller's Inspection from Altamont Inspections helps sellers tend to concerns in their home early on so there won't be any negotiating stumbling blocks later.
NC Licensed Home Inspector Eddie Roberts says, "Most homeowners don't venture into their crawlspace or attic. Right before closing is not the time to discover an unwanted surprise."
Seller's Inspections are also positive marketing tools that can be used to attract potential buyers. Savvy home sellers who make their inspection reports available during the selling process can provide peace of mind to prospective buyers. Altamont Inspections' reporting software enables Real Estate agents to link the inspection report to the seller's online MLS listing, creating an informational marketing tool and making the home more attractive to the growing number of online home shoppers.
But, there are even more benefits to having a Seller's Inspection.
1. It allows homeowners to see their home through the eyes of a critical third-party.
2. It avoids closing delays.
3. It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency; therefore, speeding up the sale.
4. It may alert homeowners to items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or bacteria in the well water.
5. It reduces homeowner liability by adding professional supporting documentation to the disclosure statement.
6. It may alert homeowners to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour the home.
In a hot market like Asheville, Hendersonville and Lake Lure, North Carolina, the key to selling a home is early preparation.
Debra and her husband have had their house on the market for more than six months. Their beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath chalet sits on top of a mountain near Lake Lure, NC, but it seems to be invisible to potential buyers. They have only had a couple of calls and just one showing. Debra was discouraged and asked me if I had any ideas on how to get their home noticed. I asked, "Have you had a Seller's Inspection?"
A Seller's Inspection (also known as a Pre-Listing or Listing Inspection) is the critical first step in the home selling process. Altamont Inspections, LLC's Seller's Inspection reveals the current condition of the home and allows the seller time to make repairs before the home is shown to potential buyers. A Seller's Inspection Report can help sellers increase the value of their home, improve the likelihood of a sale and eliminate buyer renegotiations.
Altamont Inspections, LLC's Seller's Inspection Reports can be "Hot Linked" to their real estate agent's online property listing, showing potential buyers the seller is confident in the home's condition and improving the home's marketability. The report is written in HTML and can be viewed over the Internet instantly.
Debra and her husband wasted no time and decided to have a Seller's Inspection. The report was "Hot Linked" to their agent's listing two weeks ago and the home has been shown several times since. Debra says she wished her agent had told her about the benefits of a Seller's Inspection months ago.
Want more information about how our Seller's Inspection Package can help you sell homes? Log onto www.AltamontInspections.com and click on the For Real Estate Agents page.
written by Angela Roberts, Altamont Inspections, LLC of Western NC - Inspecting Your Investment
You have an offer on your home... congratulations! Now, the buyer's agent says the home inspector is on his way. Don't stress. There are a few things you can do to help speed up the process.
1. Be sure that water, electric and gas service are on. Make sure all gas pilot lights burning. Many inspectors have insurance policies, etc. that prohibit them from turning these on themselves.
2. Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels, water heaters, attics and crawl spaces.
3. Unlock areas the inspector must access - attic doors or hatches, electric service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces. Return trips caused by lack of access can be costly.
4. Replace burned out bulbs to avoid an inspection report comment that may suggest an electrical problem.
5. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries, if needed.
6. Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. Be sure they fit securely.
7. Remove stored items, debris and wood from foundation. These may be cited on a home inspection report as "conducive conditions" for termites.
8. Trim tree limbs to 10' from the roof and shrubs from the house to allow access.
9. Repair or replace broken or missing items like doorknobs, locks and latches; windowpanes, screens and locks; gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.
10. If you have a pet, make sure it won't hinder the inspection. Ideally, pets should be removed from the property or secured outside.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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