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.

Posts Tagged ‘home inspection’

Are you selling your home?

posted by admin @ 3:24 PM
Thursday, November 7, 2013

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!

A FREE Home Radon Test

posted by admin @ 1:34 PM
Sunday, August 25, 2013

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: 

 

Dennie-Edwardsr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“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

 

EPA Radon Site

 

Read more about radon health risks

 

View the EPA Public Service Announcement

“A Citizen’s Guide to Radon”

 

 

* Not available in all areas. Call toll free to see if we have an A-Pro inspector near you.

10 Things Home Sellers Should Do to Prepare for Home Inspection

posted by admin @ 1:59 PM
Sunday, July 28, 2013

From The Home Inspector

 

 

 

 

A home inspection can be a stressful time for home sellers. Most people are proud of their house, and don’t want someone pointing out imperfections in the home they love.

 

In addition to being stressful for the seller, a home inspection can also be a hindrance to the sale itself. In most cases, even if there is a sales contract it is usually contingent on an inspection.   Buyers may be experiencing “buyer’s remorse” that has started since signing the contract.  They may be hypersensitive to negatives about the home, both real and perceived.  As the seller, you want the buyer’s inspection experience to be low-stress and your home to be inviting and comfortable.

 

Here are 10 tips for the home seller to prepare for home inspection. 

 

  1.  Make repairs to your home in advance of the inspection.  Make any repairs to the home you are willing to make before the inspection. Fix leaks under the sink, replace smoke detector batteries, fix leaky faucets and perform other minor home repairs that you may have been putting off.   When buyers and inspectors see several components that have lacked routine maintenance, it raises concerns about whether there may be major problems.  For major repairs, or if you hire a contractor, keep the receipts and leave them on the kitchen counter.  Disclose the items you’re not willing to repair.  
  2. Consider preventive maintenance.  “PM,” or routine servicing is a great way to impress the inspector. Professionally clean fireplace chimneys and heating and cooling equipment.  Change HVAC air filters and clean roof rain gutters. Again, display receipts.
  3. Tidy up your house.  Don’t put seeds of doubt in the buyers mind because of something as simple as cleanliness.  A buyer feels much more confident purchasing from someone they perceive as neat and who has taken good care of the home they are about to possess.  Clean your home at least as well as you would for any other showing.  In fact, the inspector will show your buyers areas they probably did not see during the initial visits to the home, so remember closets, cabinets, and under sinks.  Of course, don’t leave dishes in the sink, empty the dishwasher, clean toilets and pick up laundry.
  4. Remove pets. Some people are allergic to (or frightened by) pets, and you want to make the inspection as pleasant as possible. Even crated pets can be a distraction (barking and crying) and can be the source of unpleasant odors and allergens that can diminish the home in the eyes of the buyer.
  5. Leave during the inspection.  Even though you may think you need to be there to answer questions, you really don’t have a roll in the inspection process, and despite what you may think, you really don’t want to be there. For one thing, in the course of a normal inspection, many sellers feel uncomfortable when the inspector does things like climbing on the roof, getting in the attic, running the heat and A/C full blast, running water at fixtures, and the like.  But even more importantly, this is a time for the buyer and inspector.  They may feel that you are somehow interfering with that time.  Know that the inspector’s findings are confidential. Buyers are paying the inspector hundreds of dollars and want to be able to speak with the inspector candidly, without fear of insulting the seller.
  6. Make items accessible.  Provide access to areas such as the attic, crawlspaces, access panels, electrical panels and HVAC equipment prior to the inspection. This may mean moving stored items and clothing.  Be sure to leave keys for detached garages and locked doors.
  7. Turn on utilities.  The inspector will need to operate plumbing fixtures, electrical components, and gas appliances.  Be sure the gas is on, the propane or oil tank is full, all breakers are on, and all gas pilots are lit.  If vacant, be sure the home is not winterized. Inspectors will not turn on shut off valves or light pilots for reasons of safety and liability and failure to have the home prepared can require additional trips to the home, resulting in additional fees and delaying the report.  It’s also nice to set thermostats for the heat or air conditioning to comfortable temperatures so the buyer feels more at home when arriving for the inspection.
  8. Turn off home burglar alarms. You don’t want the buyers to meet your local police department. Even if the alarm is not monitored, be sure it is turned off.  Going through an inspection with an alarm going off is very stressful, and we want this process to be as pleasurable as possible. 
  9. Certified Pre-owned Homes. Don’t be caught off guard by the inspection and don’t let it jeopardize a sale. Have the inspection work for you rather than against you.  Getting your home professionally inspected and listed as a Certified Pre-Owned home by A-Pro Home Inspection Services prior to listing the home for sale will eliminate virtually all of the problems that can arise when a buyers bring their inspector.  Learn more at Certified Pre-owned Home
  10. Be patient.  It may take a few days before you hear from the buyers regarding the inspection, depending on your contract.  Don’t contact the inspector directly because their findings are confidential. The inspector does not decide what repairs the buyer will ask for and can’t speak on their behalf, so it’s best just to wait for everything to be presented in writing.

 

By Todd Tuvell, CHI, PHI

Licensed Home Inspector

 

Senior Inspector Tuvell is the owner/operator of A-Pro Home Inspection Wilmington and A-Pro Home Inspection Kansas City has been personally performing professional home inspection services since 1995.

Doing Home Renovations?

posted by admin @ 1:01 PM
Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Home Renovation Inspection…

Be smart, Be protected have your renovations A-Pro Inspected!

 

home renovation

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!

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home Inspection vs. Appraisal

posted by admin @ 1:30 PM
Friday, September 28, 2012

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.

 

 

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Home Buying 101 – Get a Home Inspection

posted by admin @ 1:20 PM
Friday, September 14, 2012

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Accept the property as it is and buy it, knowing that you will have to make the repairs yourself.
  3. 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.

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Vacuum Your Refrigerator Coils Regularly

posted by admin @ 1:05 PM
Thursday, September 6, 2012

It’s important to clean the coils on your refrigerator a couple times each year. This will help your refrigerator from overrunning. It will also help it use less electricity, be more efficient, and will help contribute to its longevity.

Refrigerators have a compressor that forces a cooling substance called -refrigerant through the coils. Evaporator coils in the freezer eradicate heat from inside. This heat is emitted into the exterior through the condenser coils.

The coils are thin tubes, some with connecting fins like a radiator on an automobile. A number of coils are supported at the rear of the refrigerator. Others are located under the refrigerator, where a fan ventilates air across the coil. When you stand next to the refrigerator you can feel a breeze by your feet, the is a indication the condenser coil and fan is working.

As the exterior condenser coils become dirty, they are not as efficient at transferring heat. You will be shocked at how much dust has collected on the coils.

To clean the coils, first locate them.

  1. First, unplug the refrigerator and pull it out and away from the wall (on built-in models, turn the circuit breaker off).
  1. On older-model refrigerators, the coils are exposed on the back. On newer models, the coils are under the refrigerator, hidden behind a cover panel or kick plate.
  1. The next step is to remove the cover or kick plate. On some models it’s held in by spring clips; on other models there may be a couple of small screws.
  1. It’s best to use the long, narrow attachment of your vacuum to clean any build up and dust on the coils. If you have the an older model clean the back-mounted coils with the upholstery brush vacuum attachment. If you don’t have such an attachment you can even buy a coil cleaning brush at a hardware store. For any stubborn build-up use warm water and dish soap to remove any dust using a soft cleaning brush.
  1. When finished, simply replace the cover panel or kick plate, then slide the fridge back into place and plug it in (or flip the circuit breaker to on position).

 

As you can see, cleaning is simple.

 

Tip: If you have pets, you need to clean the coils at least every 120-days.

 

Any questions at all, just call your A-Pro inspector today.

 

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Why have a foreclosure home Inspection?

posted by admin @ 1:07 PM
Thursday, July 19, 2012

Why was the home foreclosed in the first place?

Did the home have hidden defects or flaws that weren’t discovered until after purchase? At A-Pro, we think so,  Greg Mangiaracina, President of A-Pro Home Inspection Service “those that did not undertake an inspection before purchase would be the first in the foreclosure line,” He went on to say “because they would spend their life savings on a down payment and have no money left for necessary repairs. And that they would eventually lose interest in the home.”

Also keep in mind that if a homeowner is not paying their mortgage, chances are that they are not paying for repairs or maintenance either.

Hire, a certified home inspector before placing a bid on a property so that you know how much to offer and don’t end up with unexpected repairs that are not budgeted for.

At A-Pro we take out the guesswork. Our “CHI” certified home inspectors will help you make a wise decision so that you and your investment is protected. Our inspectors are licensed, insured and bonded and stand behind their work with a 120-day ironclad “if we don’t report it, we repair it” guarantee. That way, you the real estate agent and everyone is protected. Be smart, be protected, have your foreclosure home A-Pro inspected.

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