Author: oi_admin

Spotlight on Radon: November is Radon Action Month in Canada

Posted on October 30, 2023 by - News

Health Canada estimates that 1 in 14 homes in Canada has an elevated level of radon. Prolonged exposure to unsafe levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer; in fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Any home can have a radon problem – old or new homes, well-sealed or drafty homes, homes with or without basements. There is real risk in not knowing if a home has a high level of radon.

WHAT IS RADON?

Radon is a naturally occurring odourless, colourless, radioactive gas formed by the ongoing decay of uranium in soil, rocks, sediments, and even well or ground water. While radon that escapes into the atmosphere isn’t harmful, dangerously high concentrations can build up indoors, exposing occupants to possible health risks.

HOW DOES RADON GET INTO A HOME?

Radon can migrate into the home in several ways. Openings or cracks in basement walls, foundations or floors are common avenues. Sumps, basement drains, and spaces between gas or water fittings can also allow radon into the structure. Other entry points can include gaps in suspended floors and cavities within walls.

HOW CAN I MAKE SURE MY CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AREN’T AT RISK?

Testing is the only way to measure radon levels. Your Pillar To Post Home Inspector will set up monitoring equipment and report on the results. If an elevated level of radon is detected, steps can be taken to reduce the concentration to or below acceptable levels inside virtually any home. Professional mitigation services can provide solutions for a home’s specific conditions.

Request radon testing when you book your next home inspection with Pillar To Post Home Inspectors.

Ultimate Home Inspection

Posted on October 30, 2023 by - News

Future home owners and realtor listen to the professional Home Inspector's report.

The Ultimate Home Inspection has more for you and your clients!

Pillar To Post Home Inspection Packages have technology-led features that bring more information and engagement to the inspection itself and our industry-leading report. These innovative features save you time, get you to closings faster and have quickly become agent and client favorites.

Standard with every Home Inspection:

PTP360, Interactive 360° Visual Inspection Summary*

PTPEstimates, a third-party cost estimate for Inspection Summary items

Also included with our Premium and Prestige Packages:

PTPFloorPlan, a measured floor plan of the entire home

PTPHomeManual, the digital owner’s manual for the home

Technology coupled with deep knowledge allows us to provide an exceptional home inspection delivered within a seamless brand experience. This experience, and the people who deliver it, has made Pillar To Post North America’s largest home inspection company.

Learn how technology, innovation and exceptional service come together for the Ultimate Home Inspection.

Read More

*Where available. Not all services are offered by every office. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Fall Maintenance 101

Posted on October 2, 2023 by - News

Tackle these recommended tasks now to ensure your home is in good shape for fall and winter, and help protect your investment, too.

HEATING AND COOLING

  • Clean or replace furnace filters
  • Lubricate fan and motor bearings (only where indicated)
  • Vacuum dirt and dust from around the unit
  • Have the system serviced prior to the start of the season

DOORS AND WINDOWS

  • Inspect caulking for deterioration at the openings and joints between dissimilar materials (e.g., wood and masonry), especially at the top
  • Check weather stripping and replace if necessary
  • Remove screens if possible, clean and store in a dry place

FIREPLACE & CHIMNEY

  • Have the fireplace and chimney professionally inspected
  • Have chimney cleaned if needed
  • Use binoculars to check chimney for loose, deteriorated or missing mortar or bricks
  • Have gas fireplaces serviced

FOUNDATION AND EXTERIOR

  • Clear gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris
  • Check for moisture or leaks in crawlspace or basement
  • Check grading for proper slope away from the foundation
  • Inspect wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure
  • Check brick and stucco surfaces for cracks

Keeping up on maintenance is key to preventing or minimizing damaging conditions that can worsen over time.

Pillar To Post Newsletter, Vol. 23, No. 5

Posted on September 18, 2023 by - Post Notes

Pillar To Post blog post
logo

postnotes

REALTOR SAFETY ISSUE

Holding a Safe Open House

Safety during open houses is a concern for all real estate agents and their teams. Use these tips to stay safe:

  1. Always try to have at least one other person working with you at the open house.
  2. Have all open house visitors sign in with their full name, address, phone number and e-mail.
  3. Upon entering a house for the first time, check all rooms and determine several “escape” routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.
  4. Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape from the backyard. Yards with swimming pools or hot tubs often have high fences.
  5. Check your cell phone’s signal strength on the premises before the open house. Add emergency numbers to your phone’s contact list.
  6. When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say, for example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you.
  7. Avoid attics, basements, and getting trapped in small rooms.
  8. Notify someone in your office, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to call you.
  9. Don’t assume that everyone has left at the end of an open house. Check all rooms and the backyard before locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.
Sources: Washington Real Estate Safety Council; City of Mesa, Arizona; Nevada County Board of REALTORS®; Georgia Real Estate Commission
Home Inspector showing a married couple their home inspection results on a tablet

Showing Empty Properties

Take these smart steps to protect and empower yourself against attack or theft.

  1. Be sure to use the lockbox property–key procedure that has been established to improve real estate agent safety so that keys don’t fall into the wrong hands.
  2. Show properties before dark. If you must show a property after dark, alert or bring along an associate, turn on all lights as you go through, and don’t lower any shades or draw curtains or blinds.
  3. Check in with someone on your team once an hour to let people know where you are.
  4. Prepare a scenario so that you can leave, or to encourage someone who makes you uncomfortable to leave. Examples: Your cell phone went off and you have to call your office; you left some important information in your car; another agent with buyers is on his way.
Sources: Louisiana REALTORS® Association; Washington Real Estate Safety Council; City of Albuquerque, NM; Nevada County Association of REALTORS®; City of Mesa, AZ
  1. When showing a property, always leave the front door unlocked for a quick exit while you and the client are inside. As you enter each room, stand near the door.
  2. Lock your purse in the car trunk before you arrive. Carry only non-valuable business items (except for your cell phone), and do not wear expensive jewelry or watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money
  3. Park at the curb in front of the property rather than in the driveway. It is much easier to escape in your vehicle if you don’t have to back out of a driveway. And while parked in a driveway another vehicle could purposefully or accidentally trap you.

Additional Resources

For more personal safety information, tools and resources please visit:

nar.realtor/safety
beverlycarterfoundation.org

The Ultimate Home Inspection
Gets Rave Reviews from Agents!

Technology coupled with deep knowledge allows us to provide an exceptional home inspection with unique and innovative features, all delivered within a seamless brand experience. This experience, and the people who deliver it, has made Pillar To Post North America’s largest home inspection company.

“The inspection reminded me exactly why I love Pillar To Post. The inspector took his time and did a great job. He took time to go over every page with my buyers and answered many questions that gave my buyers the confidence to proceed with the purchase. They got to take home their report and their PTPEstimates for repairs was returned before we left the inspection. It was that fast and gave a really reasonable estimate for the needed repairs that made it easy to share back to the sellers agent for review. I will continue to recommend them!”

“Our inspector was wonderful to work with, very friendly and professional, also funny! I also enjoyed the presentation and materials provided to my client – the photo walk through and printing out the report and presenting in a binder were very nice touches.”

“The inspector was amazing, professional and caring. He answered all of our questions and addressed all concerns. He explained each item in detail and made the client feel at ease. He did an amazing job and I would definitely recommend your team again!”

“I was very intrigued by the PTP360 summary and PTPFloorPlan that were offered. I recommended to my sellers that it would be a very good marketing tool to get all the inspections up front. It is phenomenal. Home inspection was very thorough as expected.”

“He did an excellent job with this inspection. Extremely thorough. Very easy to ask questions and get further explanations. The best part was his delivery of the inspection summary with the clients. Didn’t make them panic about things that needed addressing, but explained what the issues were completely. I would definitely use Pillar To Post again.”

Experience the Pillar To Post Difference. Schedule a home inspection today!