John LoMonaco's Blog

Stroudsburg Pocono PA Home Improvement

John LoMonaco (Affordable Home & Bldg Inspections) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:53:13 -0700

Affordable Home & Building Inspections

Update

2008 Law Passed in PA

The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act

In 2008, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. The law requires that all contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year register with the Attorney General's Office.

We have worked to ensure that the registration process is as quick and easy as possible. Registration may be completed online or by mailing an application to our office. We encourage you to complete your registration online, as you will receive your registration number and a printable temporary registration certificate instantaneously.

As of July 1, 2009, consumers in Pennsylvania will be able to verify your registration with our office by visiting the List of Registered Contractors or by calling our toll-free hotline, 1-888-520-6680. In the coming months, our office will encourage consumers to use registered contractors when deciding to invest in home improvements.

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Professional Home Inspection Services

§ Home Inspections

§ Radon Testing

§ Septic Inspections

§ WDI-Pest

§ Water-FHA/ VA

§ Roof, Foundation and Septic Certifications available for FHA/VA loans

Customer Service is #1

Call or email for further information

570-470-9410

affordableinspections@hotmail.com

Stroudsburg Pocono PA Fogged Windows

John LoMonaco (Affordable Home & Bldg Inspections) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:45:38 -0700

Affordable Home & Building Inspections

No More Fogged Windows…

Stroudsburg Pocono PA Fogged Windows

The Window treatment uses a patented process for removing moisture in windows. The process has been successfully used on hundreds of thousands of foggy windows and doors.

Our process re-engineers the window or door to allow the moisture in the failed unit to escape. During the process, we are able to clean the inside of the glass surfaces using patented processes. Once the moisture has escaped, our patented valves prevent moisture from returning

Once the unit has been re-engineered, the R value will be permanently recovered and our service is backed by a 20 year warranty.

Windows fail for a variety of reasons:
1. Flaws to the window during manufacturing. This includes voids and separation of seals and the spacer bar.
2. Damage caused during transportation and installation.
3. Exposure and building pressure.
4. Day to Day atmospheric pressure.

Radiant Heat caused by atmospheric pressure is by far the most destructive.

During the day as the sun rises, the air molecules between the panes of glass are heated. As the space is heated, this causes the window glass to expand apart.

As the sun sets in the evening and temperatures drop, the molecules between the two panes of glass cool. This causes contraction of the air space resulting in the panes of glass contracting in towards each other.

This process of heating and cooling of the airspace is called Solar Pumping. As the air between the glass cools, it cannot hold as much water vapor as warm air. The result is water droplets in your window. This is the same process that creates dew on the grass.

Our process re-engineer the window or door to allow the moisture in the failed unit to escape. During the process, we are able to clean the inside of the glass surfaces using patented processes. Once the moisture has escaped, our patented valves prevent moisture from returning.

Once the unit has been re-engineered, the R value will be permanently recovered and our service is backed by a 20 year warranty. All for a fraction of the cost of replacement!

Call or Email Now!!! For Further Details

Affordable Home & Building Inspections

570-470-9410

affordableinspections@hotmail.com

Greening you Pocono PA Home - Tax Credit

John LoMonaco (Affordable Home & Bldg Inspections) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:21:45 -0700

Greening Your Home can Earn You a Tax Credit

(ARA) - Spring is here, summer’s just around the corner and it’s time to break out of that winter funk. With Americans spending more time at home these days, many are investing in home upgrades. Americans spent $170.8 billion on home improvement projects in fourth quarter 2008, exceeding new home investment, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Today’s savvy homeowners often opt for remodeling projects to improve the enjoyment and usability of their living spaces. As household budgets tighten, consumers are cutting back on going out in favor of entertaining at home. And that means renovations like kitchen and bath makeovers or finishing basements to add living space are priorities on many “to do” lists. From enjoying more home-cooked meals to movie nights and “staycations,” the family room may be the most popular hangout this year.

When it comes to remodeling, the desire to add more natural light and cutting the time and cost of maintaining a home remain high priorities. Although some consumers have less “green” to spend today, green remodeling is growing in popularity and is less taxing thanks to a growing number of environmentally-friendly options.

Just in time for home improvement projects, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes qualifying tax credits for energy-saving home improvements like high-efficiency windows and doors, heating and cooling systems, water heaters and insulation.

Under the economic stimulus plan, American homeowners can claim a tax credit up to 30 percent of the cost of qualifying energy-efficient replacement windows and doors, not exceeding $1,500 for units installed in 2009 or 2010.

So where do you start? Pella Designer Series windows and patio doors which feature triple-pane glass are rated No. 1 for energy efficiency among top national brands. New, energy-efficient ENERGY STAR-qualified windows like wood or vinyl options from Pella keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter to help cut utility costs while adding style and comfort.

Now’s the time to tackle a home improvement project to add to the enjoyment of your home. Window replacement helps save energy and creates a better view of your world. Visit your local Pella Window & Door Showroom for ideas, log on to www.pella.com to schedule an in-home consultation or call (888) 84-PELLA (888-847-3552) for details on how to get started.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Affordable Home & Building Inspection 570-470-9410

www.poconoinspections.com

For Sale By Owner Pocono PA Home Inspection

John LoMonaco (Affordable Home & Bldg Inspections) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:39:44 -0700

Make Every Dollar Count When Selling Your Home

(ARA) – No matter how bad the real estate market seems to be these days, home sales do happen because people will always need a place to live. In fact, more than four million homes were sold in 2008. But with home values falling, today’s sellers are finding out every dollar counts when it comes to keeping as much of their home’s sales price as possible.

Many are deciding to sell their home themselves instead of hiring a real estate agent. Recent studies from Northwestern and Stanford Universities have found that “by owner” sellers are as effective as agents in maximizing a home’s sales price. After commissions are factored, the studies reported, these sellers are able to retain more of their home’s equity than those who sold with an agent.

Furthermore, Consumer Reports magazine found that “for sale by owner” (FSBO) sellers are more likely to get their asking price while agents deliver, on average, a sales price that is $5,000 less than the original asking price.

“In a market where prices are falling, people should really consider selling their home themselves,” says Greg Healy of ForSaleByOwner.com -- the nation’s leading for sale by owner Web site. “Selling a home through an agent means giving up 5 to 7 percent of the sales price in the form of real estate commission fees. Selling your home without an agent offers an immediate savings of at least that much.”

Since it is a buyer’s market where there are plenty of homes available, it’s important to be aggressive and make your home stand out. Healy offers some tips to help you sell your home “by owner.”

Price it Right
When you’re not paying a sales commission, you can afford to price your home more aggressively. In this market, buyers are looking for the best deal possible so the more competitive you can be at pricing your home, the quicker it will sell. Homes that go on the market priced above similar homes tend to take longer to sell. So make sure you price your home right to move it fast.

Remember, the market dictates the price of your home, not what you think it should be worth. Use the Internet to research the sales amount of similar homes recently sold in your neighborhood. Get an online appraisal to give you a solid idea of where your home should be priced.

Make a Great First Impression
Today’s buyers are attracted to open, clean, spacious and updated homes. Remove personalized items such as family photos and clear all clutter from countertops, closets, tables and floors. Simple improvements like fixing broken tiles, cleaning carpets and repainting walls in neutral colors can greatly enhance the appeal of your house. If you’re having an open house, remove all evidence of pets (dog kennels, cat boxes, hamster cages) and make sure the house smells great by baking a batch of cookies or lighting a scented candle. If ever there was a time for a thorough top to bottom cleaning, this is it!

Get Help and Market the Home
Using a service like ForSaleByOwner.com helps you avoid paying commission to an agent while still getting support every step of the way. The site is one of the largest and fastest growing real estate websites with thousands of buyers visiting it each day. Using ForSaleByOwner.com also allows you to advertise your property on Realtor.com, the country’s most popular real estate website with more than 5 million monthly visitor.

It is also wise to hire an experienced real estate attorney to help you evaluate complicated offers, act as an escrow agent, review contracts and handle your home’s closing process. Unless you’re significantly experienced in the home selling process, having a real estate lawyer on your side ensures that someone is looking out for your best interests. A lawyer will only cost a few hundred dollars and, as Healy advises, is money well spent.

For more tips on how to save money and sell your home on your own, visit http://www.ForSaleByOwner.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

forsalebyownerhomeinspection.com

Sellers Home Inspection pocono pa homes

John LoMonaco (Affordable Home & Bldg Inspections) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:23:56 -0800

Are you a seller? There are many reasons to have a Pre-List Inspection performed on your house and with the market slump it makes more sense than ever. In today's "buyers market" it's more important than ever to have an unbiased eye inspect the structural and mechanical systems of your home before putting it on the market…… Your home seems perfect. After all, you have been living there and haven't had any problems. However, to the buyer it's just another of the dozens of homes on the market. A Pre-List Inspection makes your home stand out from the rest of the 'For Sale" homes on the block It shows the potential buyer that you have exercised due diligence in offering a home for sale that has had an independent, unbiased review and report on a home's systems, components and their condition. It says: "I have nothing to hide." A Pre-List Inspection can reduce problems at closing You've had your home on the market for months, and finally you get an offer that sounds right. You go through the negotiations and set up a closing date and you just want the whole thing to be over…. But the buyer's inspector finds a structural, electrical, or mechanical problem. Like most problems it can be corrected inexpensively but have you ever tried to get a reputable contactor to do a job in the next few days? This problem could have been found during a Pre-Listing Inspection and corrected. Your buyer may even forgo their own inspection and further speed the closing process. We are so confident in our work; we are willing to back it up with a Home Warranty! Free of charge! Affordable Home & Building Inspections Mold, Radon, Home Inspection Services Greentown, PA 18426 Phone: 570 470-9410