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    • New Construction >
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    • Mold Assessment
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    • Additional Services >
      • Complete Home Warranty
      • WDO/Termite
      • Water Testing
      • Well Inspection
      • VOC testing
  • About us
    • Reviews & Testimonials
    • Meet The Team >
      • Career Opportunities
    • Hope Gives Back
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        • St. Pete Inspectors
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Information on home inspections services, home maintenance, and more...

Difference Between 4 Point and Home Inspection

3/29/2023

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     This is the common question that is being asked by buyers when they learned what 4 Point Inspection covers. Both of these inspections have the same objective, which is to inform potential buyers of any problems or damage to the property. But what's their difference and is it worth spending additional dollar?
What is a 4 Point Inspection?
  • ​A four point is NOT a pre-purchase/pre-sale home inspection, which is much more comprehensive in nature. 
  • This only satisfies insurance carrier requirements of 4 particular home systems:
        * Plumbing
        * Electrical
        * HVAC
        * Roof
  • A 4 point report ONLY reports on specific items for these systems that the insurance companies need to verify if the home is insurable. ​
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​      Only these important areas are the focus of this visual examination. This is so because the home's HVAC system, electrical wiring, and related systems pose the greatest hazards. Especially in more aged structures.
What is a Home Inspection?
  • The home inspection looks at the physical structure and primary systems of the home to report on whether the components and systems are working as intended to on the day of the inspection.
  • This also reports defects that could negatively affect the value of the property and/or pose danger to someone.
  • It covers more ground than a 4-point checklist and will find most significant issues with a house. A thorough assessment looks at the following areas:
  • Exterior
  • Interior
  • Appliances
  • Grading and drainage
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical system
  • Doors and windows
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​     In conclusion, both the comprehensive home inspection and the four point inspection have their uses. A thorough home inspection is always advised in addition to the four-point inspection that your home insurance company mandates. There is some similarity between the two, but their functions are completely different:
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  • The comprehensive home inspection provides you information you may use to decide whether to buy a home
  • While the 4 point inspection gives you critical information on insurability of the home.
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How to Prevent Termite from Invading Your Home...

3/22/2023

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What is a Termite?

One of the most destructive pests in the world are called termites. These are insects that mostly consume dead plant material such as soil, leaf litter, rotting timber (logs), and woodchip.
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How Can You Prevent Termites From Invading Your Home?
  • Don't Let Dampness Get Near Your Foundation
​Moisture, which termites adore, is frequently present in the foundation and crawl space of your home.
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  • During Swarming Season, Keep Flying Termites Away
​Flying termites may swarm in the early spring to create new colonies.
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  • Plants Should Not be Near Your House
​While everyone enjoys having plants close to their homes. Some plants can act as a passage for termites. Moreover, plants might obscure the presence of termites that are consuming your wood siding or taking advantage of foundational fractures in your home.
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  • Fill up Cracks Left by Settling
​Wood, metal, concrete, and PVC all experience shrinkage and expansion at varying rates throughout time. This settling process could result in fissures and openings that give termites new points of access. You should close these holes as soon as you see them since termites can squeeze through openings as small as 1/32nd of an inch to get access to a structure.
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  • Get Rid of  Their Food Sources
Cellulose in wood and other paper products is consumed by termites. Making your home less appealing to termites can be accomplished by taking these actions to block access to their food source.
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DIY methods are ineffective for controlling termites. If you believe there may be a termite infestation in your home, get in touch with a qualified pest control specialist right once to assess the situation and get a recommendation for the best course of action.
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Fireplace Maintenance and Safety Tips at Home

3/15/2023

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      ​If you own a fireplace, you are already aware of how wonderful it can be throughout the winter. When it's freezing outside, there's nothing better than cuddling up next to it. However, if they aren't properly maintained, fireplaces can be dangerous. So here are are some safety tips that you might want to know.

After Burning, Leave a 1-inch Layer of Ash Behind

    Ash remains after a wood-burning fire has extinguished. Burning firewood can be facilitated by a thin covering of ash, which reflects heat back into the fire. Excess ash can be taken away when the layer of ash is deeper than an inch or so.
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Maintain Smoke Detectors' Batteries Fresh

​     In the event of a house fire, smoke detectors can save lives. To make sure that smoke detectors are still in working order, homeowners should check the batteries every three months.
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Fire Should Never Be Left Unattended

      Never leave a fire unattended. Gas fireplace owners simply need to turn their fireplace off before leaving the room. Owners of homes with wood-burning fireplaces must, however, wait until the fire is little before putting it out because water cannot do it.
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Only Burn Seasoned Wood

​    Wood that has dried out and cracked is seasoned wood. It is excellent for chimneys since it burns more cleanly and more easily than green wood. Homeowners with fireplaces that burn wood should always have seasoned wood on hand to use in their fireplace. Green wood cannot be burned until it has dried.
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 Sweep Your Chimney

​   To get rid of soot and debris, sweep your chimney at least once a year. A dirty or obstructed chimney will eventually start a house fire in addition to preventing Santa Claus from flying down to distribute presents. You can clean your own chimney if you have the appropriate equipment.
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​According to studies, some buyers are ready to spend up to $1000 more for homes that include fireplaces, so having a fireplace will benefit you if you ever decide to put your house on the market.
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Dangers at Home That Most Homeowners Are Not Aware Of...

3/8/2023

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​     Many risks exist at home that we might not be aware of because, in most cases, we take house safety for granted. We have no idea that this might result in serious catastrophes.
Some Home Dangers That You Might Not be Aware Of
Structural Damage
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Your home's structural supports are essential for maintaining the home's physical integrity. If the structural integrity of your home is compromised it can lead to a number of home risks and other difficulties.
Electrical Issues
​Absolutely nothing is wrong with owning or residing in a house that is more than a few decades old. The electrical system of the house must be modern, nevertheless. Electrical systems in older homes are frequently unground and/or underpowered to meet modern household demands.

Electrical systems that are improperly grounded can result in dangerous household dangers like fires, shocks, and electrocution. Flickering lights, power outages, and other issues can be brought on by inadequate electrical components.
Mold
​Mold is an extremely common organism to which humans are nearly constantly exposed. These tiny fungal species reproduce by dispersing minute spores into the air, where they flourish in damp, gloomy environments.

While the majority of mold species are completely benign, some hazardous mold species can have negative effects on health. Infections, respiratory problems, and other problems can result from toxic mold exposure.
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Plumbing Issues
The inspector will examine each drain pipe, spigot, and faucet in the residence. Before they finish their report, they should make sure there are no plumbing problems. This includes:

  • Functioning spigots, showerheads, and faucets
  • Proper drainage in showers, tubs, and other fixtures.
  • No plumbing leaks have been detected.
Pest Infestations
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Pests can pose a serious threat to your home even if you cannot see them or are unaware that they are there. A pest infestation can result in significant property damage as well as a number of health problems.

For instance, a termite colony can swiftly consume your home's structural supports, weakening the building as a whole. A house can be fully destroyed in one to two years under the correct circumstances.
Bad Foundations
​Your home's foundation is even more crucial than its structural supports. Your home's alignment will be impacted if your foundation is shifting.

Your flooring will eventually slope, sag, crack, and do other things. Moreover, the walls and ceilings may have cracks. Repairing foundations that have shifted is incredibly difficult and expensive.
Wood-Burning Fireplaces 
The significance of having a warm house during the chilly winters cannot be overstated. Even though our forefathers had to toil day and night to keep their homes warm, we take for granted having heat in our homes. Using fireplaces that burn wood was one of the ways they accomplished this.

Some contemporary residences still use this type of heating. Although it is typically safe (provided that the fireplace is installed properly), it is also one of the most frequent house risks.
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Benefits of Pre-Listing Inspection

3/1/2023

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When Should You Get A Pre-Listing Inspection?
     A Pre-Listing Inspection is useful because it allows the seller to be proactive in uncovering, understanding and repairing any issues with their homes or may not have been aware of. This is recommended at least 45-60 days before they intend to list their home on market so they can have enough time to conduct maintenance and make repairs.
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Benefits of Pre-Listing Inspection to Sellers:
1. Allows the Seller to make Pre-Listing Repairs
A Pre-Listing Inspection will identify issues that the seller may not know about, like leakage in their crawlspace, roof damage, insect or wood destroying organism infestation and many more, allowing the seller to make repairs before listing.
2. Ensures a Smoother Transaction
When issues are discovered during the inspection, the seller can either have them fixed ahead of putting the home on the market or choose to disclose ​the issues to potential buyers. Either choice will help the home sell faster because it will prevent the buyer and seller from becoming entangled in long negotiations after the buyer's full home inspection.
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​3. Helps the Seller Accurately Price the Home
Sellers who do not wish to fix the issues revealed during the inspection can factor the repair costs into the asking price of the home and explain to buyers that while the home has certain issues, they will be getting it at a lower price as a result. Conversely, sellers who decide to make repairs or who come up with a clean home inspection can elevate their asking price.
4. Saves the Seller Money
When issues are discovered during a buyer's home inspection, the buyer and seller will enter negotiations to determine who will cover the costs of repairs. In general, buyers tend to significantly overestimate the costs of these repairs and the seller loses far more money than he or she would have paid to have completed the repairs before listing the home. The seller can potentially save themselves thousands of dollars by making the repairs identified in the Pre-Listing Inspection ahead of time.
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5. Makes the Seller More Trustworthy
By disclosing any issues in advance , the buyers can feel confident they are making a deal with a trustworthy person who is not trying to hide anything.
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Benefits of Pre-Listing Inspection to Buyers

1. Gives Buyers Access to Information 
 A pre listing inspection gives buyers access to information about the home that they would not have received otherwise . It allows buyers to understand the full scope and condition of the home they intend to buy , giving them the ability to make an informed and educated decision . 
2. Inspires Confidence in the Home 
A Pre-Listing Inspection also gives confidence to buyers that the investment they are about to make is a sound one. Purchasing a home is the largest investment most people make, and they deserve the ability to be confident in their investment, pre-listing inspection provides to that.
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3. Emphasizes the Importance of Regular Inspection and Maintenance 
​Many buyers believe that their home only needs to be inspected upon purchase , but that could not be further from the truth . In fact , it's recommended that a home should be inspected once every three years in order to ensure safety and durability.
Benefits of Pre-Listing to Agents
1. Helps Them Market the Home 
Even when issues are revealed, it still helps the real estate agent market the home because they can be completely transparent with the condition of the home .
​2. Helps the Sellers Appreciate Them - and it May Even Legally Protect Them
If clients lose time and money that could have been saved with a pre-listing inspection, they may blame the agent for not telling them about the possibility . Conversely, sellers will appreciate an agent who takes the time to discuss every possible option .
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​3. Aids in Smoothly Brokering The Deal 
A Pre-Listing Inspection will eliminate this last minute rush as buyers , sellers and agents will be aware of issues far in advance of these negotiations. As a result, the deal is more likely to go smoothly and be closed in a timelier manner.
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