Category: Post Notes

Pillar To Post Newsletter, Vol. 24, No. 1

Posted on January 15, 2024 by - Post Notes

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NEWS AND INFORMATION

VOLUME 24, NO. 1

HEALTHY HOME

Is Radon Putting Your Client's Health At Risk

Any home, anywhere, can have a radon problem. While some geographic areas are more prone to elevated radon in general, radon can and does occur
everywhere and levels can vary from home to home, even within the same neighborhood.

Why test for radon?

  • Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking
  • Colorless and odorless, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels in the home
  • Testing is the only way to know if radon is present and at what level

Your local Pillar To Post Home Inspector uses continuous monitoring technology to conduct the test, then will report on 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. These measures can be as simple as installing a radon vent pipe that can prevent radon from entering the home in the first place.

Request radon testing with your next Pillar To Post home inspection for your clients’ health and peace of mind.

INSPECTION INSIGHTS

Pre-listing Inspections For The Win

In a challenging market, it’s more important than ever to give your listings every possible advantage. A Pillar To Post pre-listing inspection is a smart choice for you and your sellers. Here’s why:

  • Homes with a pre-listing inspection sell for more
  • Opportunity to make recommended repairs
  • Prevent condition issues from cropping up during the transaction
  • Get to closings faster
  • Gain seller confidence that they’re getting the best price

The inspection report is a great tool you can use to market your listings with greater confidence.

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

PTPEstimates

Powered by BOSSCAT

Now your clients can easily learn “How much will these repairs cost?” With PTPEstimates they can request a third-party estimate to repair items called out in their Pillar To Post home inspection report. PTPEstimates is included with their home inspection and is just a click away.

  • Repair estimates are based on local costs
  • Estimates are provided within approximately 24 hours, helping your transactions stay on track
  • Saves you time and delights your clients
  • Adds even more value to your service offerings

There’s no additional cost to your client to request their easy-to-access estimate. Contact us to book your next inspection!

*Where available. Not all services are offered by every office.

Homebuyers give Pillar To Post Home
Inspectors their highest praise!

“I highly recommend Pillar to Post. Our inspector was more than thorough and answered every question we had for him. I walked into the inspection feeling uneasy and walked out educated and excited about our new home purchase. I was especially impressed with the PTP360 video inspection summary and PTPFloorPlan. Well worth every penny we spent for peace of mind. Thank you.”

“Pillar to Post was extremely thorough in their inspection and provided quality, easy- to-understand feedback, which, as a first time homebuyer, I greatly appreciated. In addition, the PTP360 video, PTPEstimates and the PTPFloorPlan were extremely useful as we made preparations to move in. I would highly recommend using their services!”

“The entire process was seamless from booking to completion of the inspection. Our inspector was absolutely wonderful! He took his time explaining every detail of the inspection and answering all of our questions. We were very impressed with the timeliness of the report and enjoyed sharing the PTP360 video with our family.”

“We were able to request a no-cost third-party estimate for fixes recommended in our report. I don’t know any other home inspection company offering anything like PTPEstimates.”

“Great experience! The inspector was super thorough, reached out to us as soon as the inspection was done, walked us through all the issues (small and large), and provided a professional report and PTP360 video of the house. Would be more than pleased to use Pillar To Post again.”

“I am a first time buyer and was referred to Pillar To Post by my agent. I had an excellent experience with Pillar to Post, from my initial intake and options discussion to the actual inspection and the timely follow up I received. Our inspector was extremely thorough and made sure I understood every aspect of the inspection and what each of his findings meant. I found the inspection report – as well as the PTP360 Video and PTPFloorPlan – to be extremely helpful tools to solidify and confirm my eventual home purchase. Highly recommended!”

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

Pillar To Post Newsletter, Vol. 23, No. 6

Posted on November 13, 2023 by - Post Notes

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postnotes

NEWS AND INFORMATION

VOLUME 23, NO. 6

HEALTHY HOME

Carbon Monoxide: Keep Your Family Safe

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is caused by fuel-burning sources such as furnaces, water heaters, generators, stoves and fireplaces. Very high levels of CO can lead to incapacitation or death, with victims sometimes never having been aware they were being poisoned. Take these precautions to help prevent a tragedy in your home:

  • Place CO alarms according to the manufacturer’s directions. This is the most important step you can take to keep your family safe from CO poisoning.
  • Learn what to do if the CO alarm activates. If anyone in the home experiences symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, or confusion, everyone should leave immediately and seek medical attention. If no symptoms are felt, open doors and windows immediately and shut off all fuel-burning devices that may be potential sources of CO. Be sure to check on pets, too.
  • Make sure the furnace, gas-powered water heater, gas dryer and range are properly installed and vented to the outdoors.
  • Don’t use a gas stove or oven to heat the home, even temporarily.
  • Never use camp stoves or charcoal grills indoors.
  • Generators must only be used outdoors and kept at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and vents. Do not operate a generator in a garage.
  • Never start or idle a vehicle in the garage, even if the door is open.
  • For wood-burning fireplaces, have the chimney professionally inspected and cleaned annually.

Thousands of people are accidentally poisoned each year by carbon monoxide, and hundreds die. Taking these steps will help lower the risk to yourself and your loved ones.

SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

PTPHomeManual

Powered by Centriq

PTPHomeManual puts information about appliances, systems and more at your clients’ fingertips with a convenient and easy-to-use app.

  • Pre-loaded with existing appliances and systems
  • Safety recall monitoring on all appliances
  • Add new items anytime
  • Start a home insurance inventory
  • Download user manuals
  • Access how-to videos
  • Maintenance reminders
  • Indicates age and remaining useful life of systems
  • Included with our Premium and Prestige Packages

PTPHomeManual is yet another way Pillar To Post helps to ensure confident home ownership.

*Where available

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Protect Your Home From Water Damage

Water damage can lead to mold and odor problems, and worse. If left unmitigated, it can eventually cause structural damage, which can mean significant costs to repair and can affect a home’s value.

Prevention is the first line of defense. Here are some basics on preventing water damage and its effects:


  1. Water supply lines and connections to and from washing machines and dishwashers should be regularly inspected for cracks and leaks. Replace the hoses every five years or so. If the laundry room is located on the main floor or above, damage to the floor and ceiling below can be especially problematic.


  2. Over time, tank-style water heaters can rust out and release the contents of the tank. An overflow valve will conduct leaking water to a pipe that drains either to the outside or to an appropriate interior drain. Homeowners should check with a plumber who is familiar with local codes for this type of overflow pipe.


  3. Another common source of water leaks is the icemaker supply line; this should be regularly checked as well. Consider shutting off the icemaker and the supply line if leaving home for more than a few days.


  4. Check gutters and downspouts to ensure that water flows away from the home’s foundation. Make any needed adjustments, and check the flow again using a garden hose.


  5. Leak detectors can be installed at floor level near water heaters, washing machines and interior air conditioning units. Simple, inexpensive wireless models are widely available and will sound an alarm or alert you via an app when water is detected on the floor near these appliances.

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

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

Posted on September 18, 2023 by - Post Notes

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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

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!

Pillar To Post Newsletter, Volume 23, No. 4

Posted on July 17, 2023 by - Post Notes

roofing
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NEWS AND INFORMATION

VOLUME 23, NO. 4

virtual open house

SELLER’S ADVANTAGE

The Virtual Open House

The Pillar To Post Virtual Open House is a high-quality, affordable way to showcase your listings in a 360° virtual format. It transforms your listing into a navigable virtual walk-through, helping to increase visibility and impact.

  • Include in your MLS listings
  • Reduces the need for in-person showings, saving you time
  • 24-hour turnaround
  • An average of just 15-20 minutes needed inside the home
  • Includes every room and the entire exterior
  • A measured PTPFloorPlan can also be requested with your Virtual Open House

Unlike other virtual tours, the Virtual Open House allows potential buyers to explore the home at their own pace using navigation hot spots. It’s the closest thing to being there in person!

virtual open house
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SERVICE SPOTLIGHT

PTPEstimates: “How Much Will These Fixes Cost?”

Your clients will have this inevitable question after reviewing their home inspection report. With PTPEstimates the answer is just a click away. PTPEstimates enables your client to request an estimate to repair items called out in their inspection report.

  • Repair estimates are based on local costs
  • Great negotiating tool
  • Buyers can plan and budget for future work
  • With their pre-listing inspection, sellers can decide what repairs to address
  • Estimates are provided within approximately 24 hours after request

PTPEstimates is included with all Pillar To Post home inspections, so there’s no additional cost to your client. All they need to do is request their estimate from within the digital version of their inspection report.

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

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AROUND THE HOUSE

6 Smart Garden Tips To Use Now

Whether you’re growing a farmstand’s worth of fruit and vegetables, have flowers galore or a combination of everything, keep the bounty going all summer by staying on top of these garden tasks:

  1. Continue to water thoroughly as needed, especially if very hot weather is expected. Container plants normally dry out faster than plants in the ground, so you may need to water them daily in very hot and/or dry conditions. Use an inexpensive moisture detector from the hardware store to check on thirsty plants.
  2. Deadhead faded blooms and prune out dead or wayward growth. Removing dried flowers keeps your plants looking good and can help certain types reflower.
  3. Pick up fallen fruit and vegetables to discourage pests and improve your garden’s appearance.
  1. Practice smart pest control. Familiarize yourself with both harmful and beneficial insects and worms in your area so you know who to target and who to leave alone. Some offending insects, like aphids, can simply be washed off with a blast from a garden hose.
  2. A 3”- 4” layer of natural mulch helps keep weeds down, promotes moisture retention in the soil and makes your garden look clean and neat. Avoid synthetic mulch. Keep mulch at least a few inches away from the base of your plants to allow for good air circulation.
  3. Do your flower beds have bare spots? Fill them in with summer-to-fall annuals or natural mulch to keep things looking fresh.
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summer fun

SUMMER FUN

Pool Safety Basics

Have a pool? Follow these safety guidelines to ensure your family and friends get the most enjoyment out of it.

  • Anyone using the pool should know how to swim. An experienced swimmer should always be present if anyone is still learning to swim.
  • If younger children are present, an adult should be at the immediate poolside at all times. Tragically, injuries and drownings can happen within moments.
  • Fencing around the pool should be a minimum of 4’ high. Gates should self-close and self-latch, with the latch inaccessible to small children. Local requirements for pool enclosures may be stricter and/or have additional specifications.
  • To avoid possible injury, keep children away from pool filters and drains. Walk, don’t run, near the pool to avoid slips and falls.
  • Keep rescue equipment nearby and easily accessible. For added peace of mind, consider having family members learn CPR skills.

Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!

summer fun
pool safety basics

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