Since 1994, A-Pro has been helping its clients make smarter, better and more informed decisions as they buy or sell a home. As one of the leading Home Inspection Springfield MO service companies, A-Pro not only offers you the best possible home inspection, service, and value, but also provides you with the peace of mind that your investment is protected through our iron-clad 120-day assurance guarantee.
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- "Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon"
- BBB article
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Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Inspecting Window Seals
Many newer windows have more than one pane of glass. The area between each pane is either airtight or filled with an insulating gas thus creating a temperature barrier. If the seal around the pane is “broken” it can allow air and/or moisture to enter and reduces the thermal efficiency of the window. Replacing the seal is a job for a professional window glass contractor; however, a homeowner can perform a quick window seal inspection a few times a year as follow:
- Carefully inspect each window visually for the presence of condensation or water spots between the panes. Windows with broken seals often appear foggy.
- On a cold day, touch the outside of each windowpane. If any of the panes feel warmer than the others, it maybe allowing heat to exit the home through a failing seal. Look closely for distorted or damaged neoprene (the synthetic material resembling rubber )around the edges of the pane.
As necessary, have a professional home inspector provide a second opinion before buying a replacement pane or window. Most units will require removal and replacement instead of permitting for an on-site repair.
When It Comes time to RESELL your home don’t forget make it a “CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED HOME”
A-Pro’s EXCLUSIVE SELLER’S PROTECTION
WE SAFEGUARD SELLERS FOR 120 DAYS WITH OUR UNPRECEDENTED “CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED HOME PROGRAM”
Today, home inspections are conducted in the interests of the buyer alone. But A-Pro has changed all that with our 120-Day Guarantee available to sellers.
Now, listed homes that are inspected by our CHI master inspectors carry the status “Certified Pre-Owned HOME,™” a meaningful designation that goes a long way in helping to ease the concerns of a potential buyer.
WHAT DOES “CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED HOME” MEAN?
As a seller, you want to make your home as attractive a value as possible.
Making it an A-Pro “Certified Pre-Owned Home” gives you a distinct selling advantage.
That’s because your home will have undergone a complete, 500-point inspection before it goes on the market, which means it’s guaranteed against hidden and undiscovered problems that might otherwise delay (or even kill) the sale transaction. The benefits of and A-Pro Pre-Certified Inspection help create a powerful marketing tool that can be used during the process of selling a house:
- No home inspections needed after the purchase agreement is accepted.
- No more last minute re-negotiations based on the home inspector’s findings.
- No more buyers walking away because there may be a problem that had not been previously mentioned.
- No more parade of inspectors through your home before a multiple-offer situation.
- Based on the home inspection, the real estate agent and seller can resolve any differences of opinion about the house before it goes on the market.
- Disclosing any flaws (no home is in perfect condition) up front allows you to reflect those imperfections in the listing price, rather than have to negotiate again later when issues are discovered by a home inspector.
- It justifies the selling price whether the repairs are made or not.
- It may also eliminate possible legal disclosure-related problems after the sale.
- It gives you the option of fixing any conditions identified in the home inspection report or simply reflecting the imperfection it in the purchase price. This removes it from the table as a disadvantageous negotiating point for you.
- It includes a report that becomes the buyer’s guide to home ownership for years to come. For example, the report includes all serial and model numbers of major appliances.
- You home is far more likely to sell faster… and for more money!
The Franchise
A-Pro Home Inspection Service was established in the New Orleans area in 1994 with a goal to serve the area’s need for affordable, professional home inspection services. Company founder Greg Mangiaracina, co-author of the book “How to Market and Operate a Home Inspection Business,” saw a pressing need in the Home Inspection Industry for a marketing system that better addressed the needs of real estate agents, vendors, and home-buyers frustrated by unexpected repair problems and costs in the home inspection process.
A-Pro’s idea was simple: deliver fast, detailed service that customers could rely on with confidence. This philosophy was echoed in the company’s unique warranty statement: “If We Don’t Report It…We Repair it.”™ From this idea rose concepts that revolutionized the home inspection industry, such as the “All-in-One”™ plan which guarantees both the “home inspection” and provides the client with a “no further evaluation” guarantee (most home inspectors find problems then tell you you need to get the house reinspected with another party, e.g. plumber, roofer, etc). The guarantee is free and provides protection for 120-days after inspection. A-Pro also taught’s the most comprehensive and professional reports in the industry, 24-hour/7-day-a-week availability, and other services designed to save customers time, money and aggravation.
The company’s unique home inspection system proved hugely successful, and soon A-Pro was handling thousands of inspections annually, in addition to training and certifying hundreds of new home inspectors. Through referrals and marketing programs, the company’s client base grew. A-Pro, which includes a staff of engineers, public relations, marketing, and administration professionals, is now the largest residential inspection company in Greater New Orleans. Today, company growth has allowed A-Pro to offer franchise opportunities to people who want to join the burgeoning home inspection industry with a proven company
A FREE Home Radon Test for
The Entire Realtor Community.
Dear All Agents:
As a real estate agent, you probably recommend radon
testing to your clients.
But have you ever had your own home tested?
Dennie Edwards — a real estate agent of 31 years —
never did.
That is… not until he discovered a 4.5 centimeter mass on
his left lung.
It was cancerous.
He would soon discover that the radon levels in his home
were nearly two and a half times the EPA’s recommended
level.
I just came across his story (at right) and as someone in a
strong position to do prevent this sort of thing from
happening… I decided I was going to do something about
it.
That’s why A-Pro is offering a free home radon
test to anyone in the local Realtor® community.
- No catch.
- No fine print.
As a home inspector, and someone whose business has been blessed and prospered at the hands of so many Month, Day 2007 agents in this community… it’s the least I can do.
I also think it’s a great way to increase awareness… and
ensure that real estate agents recommend radon testing
to their clients NOT just for liability sake — but because
radon exposure is as preventable as it is dangerous.
That goes for your home, too!
So call now for your free radon test, a $175 value,
and learn a bit more as I test your home for dangerous
levels of this invisible killer.
With kindest regards,
A-Pro Home Inspectors
P.S. It’s okay to pass this along to other Realtors in your
organization. This free radon testing is available for the
home of ANY local real estate agent in areas that A-Pro franchise owners serve.
Radon is an
invisible killer. Get
Tested.
Real Estate Agent
and Cancer Survivor
Dennie Edwards tells his story:
“In April of 2004, I had a
very bad cold, so my
doctor performed a chest
x-ray to check for
pneumonia. I’ve never
smoked, so you can
imagine how shocked I
was that he found a 4.5
centimeter mass in my left
lung.
Even though I’ve been a
real estate agent for 31
years, I had never
bothered to test my house
for radon. I always
informed my clients that radon testing prior to
purchase was an option
(to protect my liability),
but truthfully, I really
didn’t care if they
tested or not.
Now I had to wonder
whether my lung cancer
had been caused by radon
exposure. While the
doctor scheduled my
surgery, I scheduled a
radon test. The result was
10 pCi/l, (two and a half
times the EPA’s
recommended Action
Level). I had lived in the
home for 12 years…
Two days later I had
surgery. I thought I was
surely going to die. When I
woke up choking with
tubes in my throat, panic
set in. They had removed
my entire left lung.
I’m getting better. I can
walk up to a mile. But, I
can no longer dance, lift
things, or exert myself. My
clients now get a very
personal testimonial about
the importance of testing
for radon.”
Free Radon Test for Real Estate Agents
Call now for a free* radon test 1.800.793.2776 x 101
________________________________
Useful Links
More Radon Exposure Survivor Stories
Read more about radon health risks
View the EPA Public Service Announcement
* Not available in all areas. Call toll free to see if we have an A-Pro inspector near you.
Existing home sales highest since 2009 and the home inspection business is booming…
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Existing home sales rose in April to hit the highest rate since November 2009, pointing to an ongoing recovery supported by low interest rates and pent-up demand, according to data released Wednesday.
According to the National Association of Realtors existing-home sales rose 0.6% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.97 million,
With an annual potential of over 5 million transactions (translated into an estimated $1.8 billion in home inspection fees) the home inspection business is booming.
And now, you can profit from that boom by teaming up with A-Pro® – the most respected name in the home inspection industry.
A-Pro® Home Inspection Franchise is a family-owned company founded in 1994 by Greg Mangiaracina, a longtime home inspection professional, Past Vice Chairman of the Louisiana Licensing Board for Home Inspectors and co-author of the book “How to Market a Home Inspection Business.”
Call today 1.800.793.2776 x 101 and set-up a one-on-one meeting with Greg today– a true guru of home inspection marketing who built a million-dollar home inspection business from the ground up. He will mentor you all the way to the top as he did with dozens of others.
Home Renovation Inspection…
Be smart, Be protected have your renovations A-Pro Inspected!
I’m sure you have watched those television reality shows and know the nightmares that can arise from home renovations when done incorrectly. Subpar materials, poor workmanship or jobs left incomplete.
To the untrained eye it can be difficult to know if the renovation workmanship in done right.
Our Inspectors can assess a renovation job near completion to make sure everything is being done correctly.
This can save you time, money and a whole lot of hassle, if your contractor hasn’t completed your renovations properly.
Be smart, Be protected, Let A-Pro Inspect it! Let A-Pro Inspect It before you make that final payment!
Wall/ Ceiling Surface Cracks: Don’t be surprised if you notice minor movement of cracks owing to normal settling and shrinkage. But if your monitoring turns up dramatic movement, be alerted that repair may be in order.
Wood Framing: Insect infestation and rot are the two archenemies of your basement’s exposed wooden structural components. You can usually tell if these threats are present if the components are sagging.
Foundation Walls: A certain amount of dampness (owing to creeping moisture)—and thus some deterioration– is to be expected in older foundation walls. Be sure to fill any cracks and voids so that you can monitor any movement between twice-a-year inspections. Note: Make sure to provide access hatches to all crawl space areas.
Any questions at all, just call your A-Pro CHI certified home inspector today!
11 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector before hiring them
- Are you a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors, International Society of Home Inspectors or National Association of Home Inspectors?
- Are you a certified or professional home inspector?
- Do you have a current home inspectors license? Note: Inspectors are not required to be licensed in every state.
- Can you provide me a copy of your home inspection checklist of what you inspect?
- Do you carry professional errors and omission insurance?
- Do you provide any guarantees of your work?
- Do you inspect the foundation? If yes, how?
- Do you also inspect the built-in appliances, e.g., stove, oven, dishwasher, etc? Note: Most home inspectors do not include appliances.
- How long will the inspection take?
- How long will it take to receive the written home inspection report?
- How much will the inspection cost?
Sometimes buyers ignore the need for a home inspection because they don’t understand the purpose. Inspectors are confused with appraisers. The latter confirms the home’s market value to the lender but it offers consumers no protection in terms of the overall condition of the home.
Buyers shouldn’t let anyone convince them that they don’t need an inspection. Even people moving into new construction or foreclosure home should consider hiring a professional home inspector.
If an inspector identifies problems in either a new or an existing home, the seller could adjust the price or terms in the contract to the buyer’s benefit.
It doesn’t pay to try to save a couple bucks by having a friend with building experience walk through the home. Experienced inspectors know what to look for and how to classify the problems he or she sees. In some states, only licensed professionals can conduct inspections.
When your offer to purchase has been accepted, you usually have a period of time, as outlined in the purchase and sales agreement to complete the home inspection process. This is generally 7-10 days. If the findings demonstrate repairs are necessary or desired you have then you notify the seller of any unsatisfactory results.
There can be several parts to a home inspection, including the general home inspection, termite inspection, well inspection, septic inspection, radon testing and possibly environmental testing. Depending on the property, the market and your experience in home buying, you may want all but at the very least a comprehensive home inspection.
Home Inspection. The inspector will visually:
- Visually evaluate the physical condition of the structure, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems.
- Identify items that should be repaired or replaced.
- Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning), equipment, structure and finishes.
How Much Do Home Inspections Cost? Costs for home inspections vary, depending on the size and type of property as well as the number of inspections being performed. Expect to pay somewhere around $250 -$600+.
Also, keep in mind, that the inspector(s) may suggest that you ”further evaluated”. For example, an inspector may note that there is a foundation crack. The inspector will recommend that you have a structural engineer analyze the crack to determine if you should be concerned or not. This would be an additional expense to you.
Renegotiating the Contract. The buyer(s) should use the inspection to renegotiate the purchase price, if necessary. If there are any undisclosed problems found with the inspection, then it is perfectly acceptable for the buyer to request that the seller repair the items, reduce the selling price or ask for money in lieu of repairs being made. Getting the seller to actually do the repairs is completely out of the buyer’s control.
As-is Sales and What if the Seller Refuses to Make Repairs? If you’re buying a house as-is, that means that the seller is not making any warranties about the condition of the property. However, that does not mean the seller will not necessarily make repairs or offer to reduce the selling price of the property if a problem is discovered that is unexpected from the home inspection.
For example, a buyer hires a home inspector and the inspector points out that a furnace is aged and that it may have to be replaced. However, if that furnace is only a few years old, the buyer could reasonable expect that furnace to be in serviceable condition. Upon receiving the results of the home inspection, the buyer discovers that the furnace needs modifications and or servicing due to the fact that it was not running properly. The buyer can certainly request that the seller make repairs, although the seller may still refuse.
If a seller refuses to make repairs you requested, you have a few options:
- Continue to negotiate and possibly and or give them an ultimatum – if you don’t repair the furnace, we’re will cancel the contract. Only do this if you really are willing to walk away from the deal.
- Accept the property as it is and buy it, knowing that you will have to make the repairs yourself.
- Terminate the contract – you are within your rights to have a home inspection and with the report you will also have rights to terminate the contract as long as it’s done within the time-frame specified in the contract.
Contact your A-Pro Senior Inspector for further details or pricing for all your inspection needs.