Author: oi_admin

November: Radon Action Month in Canada

Posted on October 31, 2022 by oi_admin - News

Any home can have a radon problem – old or new homes, well-sealed or drafty homes, homes with or without basements. 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. 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.

The Ultimate Home Inspection Featuring PTPFloorPlan

Posted on October 3, 2022 by oi_admin - News

PTPFloorPlan is one of 4 innovative new features of The Ultimate Home Inspection including PTP360,* PTPHomeManual and PTPEstimates.*

PTPFloorPlan is an accurate floor plan of the entire home and includes room measurements.

Helps buyers understand the flow of space throughout the home
Use to determine furniture fit and placement for a smooth move-in
Share dimensions with contractors to get accurate estimates for painting, flooring and more

PTPFloorPlan is included with our Premium and Prestige Home Inspection Packages.

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

Pillar To Post Newsletter Volume 22, No. 5

Posted on September 12, 2022 by oi_admin - Post Notes

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

postnotes

NEWS AND INFORMATION

VOLUME 22, NO. 5

REALTOR SAFETY ISSUE

Showing Empty Properties

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

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.

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.

Check in with someone on your team once an hour to let people know where you are.

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 call your office; you left some important information in your car; another agent with buyers is on his way.

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.

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 or watches, or appear to be carrying large sums of money.

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 while parked in a driveway another vehicle could purposefully or accidentally trap you.

September
is Realtor
Safety Month

The safety of Realtors is paramount to all of us at Pillar To Post, so this issue of Post Notes reminds brokers, agents and their teams how to stay safe.

Additional resources:

Please visit these websites for additional safety information, tools and resources:

www.nar.realtor/safety

www.beverlycarterfoundation.org

Sources: Louisiana REALTORS® Association; Washington Real Estate Safety Council; City of Albuquerque, NM, Nevada County Association of REALTORS® City of Mesa, AZ

Top 10 Tips
for Personal Safety

Touch base. Always let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return. Arrange for your office to call you to check in.

Don’t get lost. Always know the exact address of where you’re going. If you use a navigation app, pull over and stop in a safe place if you’ve made a wrong turn.

Sense your surroundings. Is there questionable activity in the area of a property you’re showing? Is anyone loitering? Follow your instincts if you feel you should leave. Leave!

Don’t go it alone. Have an associate or other colleague host open houses with you.

Limit the view. If you’re working late, use window coverings so that you’re not visible to passersby or a potential attacker.

Go on the defense. Learn some self-defense skills. Many health clubs, martial arts studios and community colleges offer basic classes.

Choose flight over fight. Self defense is a good idea, but the primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help.

Park for protection. Always park in a well-lit, visible location whether you’re parking at your office, an open house, or an empty property.

Make calling for help easy. Program important numbers into your cell phone, including your office, roadside assistance and 911.

Know who you’re dealing with. Ask for ID, take a photo of a client’s license plate. A criminal won’t be comfortable with this and may be thwarted.

Source: NAR Realtor Safety Resource Kit.

Office Safety Action Plan

Personal safety in the office is important to everyone. Here are some elements to include in your office safety action plan.

Initial meeting with clients
Hold the first in-person client meeting in or just outside your office rather than at properties or at home. It’s also a good idea to introduce them to a colleague on-site.

Client ID
All first-time clients must provide a driver’s license, state ID or other official photo ID. The office will retain a copy of the ID for security purposes. You can download a Client Profile Form at www.beverlycarterfoundation.org.

Distress code
Implement a verbal distress code—a secret word or phrase that can be casually worked into conversation if you feel threatened and the person you are with can overhear your conversation.

Buddy system
If you’re uncomfortable meeting with clients alone or hosting open houses alone request another agent or employee to accompany you.

Privacy first
Keep personal information private. Don’t discuss where you live, after-work, or vacation plans in front of prospective clients, new colleagues, or anyone with whom you’re not comfortable.

Limit access
Make sure all doors other than the main entrance are secured and have a clear exit route from the front desk to the door.

Solo security
If you encounter a stranger while working late or alone, say something like “My supervisor will be right with you.” to give the impression you’re not there alone.

Know your business neighbors
Get to recognize the staff of other nearby businesses and be aware of their schedules. This will benefit everyone.

Sources: Beverly Carter Foundation

The Ultimate Home Inspection Experience^SM

Pillar To Post Home Inspection Packages include even more exclusive and innovative features than ever. These new services deliver speed, ease and convenience, getting you to closings faster, saving you time, and delighting your clients.

Standard with every Home Inspection:

PTP360*

Interactive 360° Visual Inspection Summary

Brings the inspection report to life
Includes every room and the exterior
Accessible any time

PTPEstimates*

Cost estimate for Inspection Summary items

Learn what recommended repairs will cost
Estimate based on local costs
Request an estimate with just a click

Also included with Premium and Prestige Packages:

PTPFloor Plan

An accurate floor plan of the entire home

Use to determine furniture fit and placement
Share dimensions with contractors for estimating

PTPHomeManual

The digital owner's manual for the home

Download user manuals/warranty information
Find safety recalls on appliances
Indicated age and useful remaining life of systems

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

Experience the Pillar To Post difference. Schedule your next home inspection today!

It’s Realtor Safety Month: 8 Tips for Personal Safety

Posted on August 29, 2022 by oi_admin - News

Touch base.Always let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return. Arrange for your office to call you to check in.
Don’t get lost. Know the exact address of where you’re going. If you use a navigation app, pull over and stop in a safe place if you’ve made a wrong turn.
Sense your surroundings. Is there questionable activity in the area of a property you’re showing? Is anyone loitering? Follow your instincts if you feel you should leave.
Don’t go it alone. Have an associate or other colleague host open houses with you.
Park for protection. At open houses, park on the street instead of the driveway so you can get away quickly if necessary.
Go on the defense. Learn some self-defense skills. Many health clubs, martial arts studios and community colleges offer basic classes.
Choose flight over fight. While self-defense is a good idea, the primary goal in any threatening situation is to escape from immediate danger and call for help.
Know who you’re dealing with. Ask for ID, take a photo of a client’s license plate. A criminal won’t be comfortable with this and may be thwarted.

Source: NAR Realtor Safety Resource Kit.

The Pillar To Post Difference

Pillar To Post

Phone: 1-800-294-5591

pillartopost.com