Pre-Listing Report Key to Smooth Sale

Monday, January 9th, 2012

More and more realtors are recognizing the importance of having their client’s home inspected BEFORE it’s listed.

In many cases, a C4U inspection will give the seller a clear marketing advantage: the ability to declare the house “pre-inspected” and know in advance what problems (if any) should be addressed before the home goes on the market.

A pre-listing inspection pays for itself – even if the seller decides not to make repairs. Knowing problems in advance allows the seller to disclose them before negotiations begins and creates an atmosphere of mutual trust. In some cases, the seller may want to provide buyers with an estimate of what repairs would cost.

A C4U Pre-Listing Inspection will:

• Help sellers see their home and its value more realistically
• Provide sellers with a clear list of repairs that could increase the value of their home
• Provide potential buyers with the information they need to evaluate a home effectively
• Enhance your credibility and that of the seller
• Reduce last minute surprises that could kill or delay the deal
• Reduce the chance a legal issue will arise after closing
• Reduce listing time for a faster sale
• Provide buyers with the confidence needed to make an offer
• Keep buyers emotionally attached to the house. How often is a “sure sale” derailed by an inspection that reveals defects in what seemed like “the perfect” house
• Make your job as a realtor that much easier.

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Marijuana Grow-Op and Drug House Testing Services

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Unwary real estate buyers need to be forewarned of former marijuana grow operations when buying a resale home. Former Marijuana grow-operation properties pose serious health risks to unwary home buyers, owners and occupants; especially infants and the elderly.

Once thought to be exclusive to low income housing, grow-ops now exist in most neighborhoods, regardless of location or value, including:

• small bungalows
• large two story homes
• townhomes
• apartments
• hi-rises
• industrial units

Marijuana Grow Operations on the Rise—Grow ops are thriving in the Okanagan.

As Monty Kwinter (former Ontario Minister of Community and Corrections Services) pointed out in a 2004 special report, “Indoor marijuana grow ops in Ontario are a billion-dollar-a-year business, one that fuels the trafficking of guns and hard drugs while threatening the health and safety of our communities.”

Health Hazards Posed by Former Grow Ops and Drug Houses

Former drug houses and Marijuana grow-ops pose serious health risks to residents living in them. Some of the more common health risks include:

• Poisonous gas and chemicals
• Biological contaminants
• Poor indoor air quality
• Formation of damaging mold and fungus
• Mould and mildew from intense condensation
• Greater chance of fires occurring

The problem is almost impossible to detect, as the lay person cannot tell a drug house by appearances alone. There are even cases of speculators purchasing a former ‘drug house’ at a significant discount, re-selling it at a premium, and not disclosing its former use to the new owner.

For those former Grow operations that were discovered by authorities, there will be a public record. If the Grow Op was never discovered, a record will not exist. Checking with the municipality will let you know if it was ever used as an illegal drug facility. In many cases, this is required before Banks and Insurance Companies will lend money or insure the home.

Indoor Environmental Assessments & Testing

Indoor environmental assessments and testing helps detect former Grow Ops.

Before buying your home, or if you suspect it has been used as a ‘drug house’, consider hiring a professional indoor environmental assessment & testing company to do a mold, yeast, bacteria – and other toxic substances – inspection. These contaminates are often associated with grow ops and meth labs and are health risks.

As Indoor Environmental Assessment & Testing Specialists, you should know that it is ‘home buyer beware’, and that testing for former Marijuana Grow-Op activity has never been more important.

Know what you are getting into. For Grow-Op & Drug House Testing Services Contact C4U Inspections (250) 768-8512

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Pre-Inspections

Sunday, April 10th, 2011

I did an inspection last week and found a problem with the main drain pipe it was leaking into the crawlspace. As my client has had problems with plumbing in the past which made  them very skeptical which lead them to opt out of the purchase.

Now if the vendor would of had a pre-inspection done they would of known about the drain problem.This would of given them a chance to repair it before hand which would of avoided the loss of this purchase. With a pre-inspection there should be no surprises when it’s time to sell and things will go smoother.

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Weatherizing Test

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Where your home can have air leaks!

If you want to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, you need to reduce your air infiltration. Your energy bill could be much higher than necessary if your house is too drafty. Call C4U Inspections and ask for a Weatherizing Inspection to determine the leaks in your home’s building envelope. At a cost of just $149.00

You can find out exactly where your air leaks are located and take the necessary steps to correct the problem areas before the winter winds begin to blow and your heating bills go up. Intro

Special $99.00

Call 250 768-8512 or visit www.lloydsweatherization.com

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Weatherizing Inspection & Blower Door Test

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Reduce Your Home Cooling Costs This Summer

Anyone can afford to cut their home cooling and energy costs.

• Get a Home Weatherization Inspection that can pinpoint areas of your home where you are wasting fuel and energy.
• Schedule a Home Weatherization Improvement and Repair Job that can provide dramatic reductions in fuel and energy waste.
• Get your money back quickly as Your Home Cooling and Energy Costs fall.
• Typical features include a full home inspection, installing window seals, replacing or adding door seals, caulking cracks, wrapping water heater or boiler, insulating openings

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Mold Inspection 101: Part 3

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Choosing a Mold Inspection Company

Mold Inspections are usually carried out by home inspectors, and some do a fine job of detecting mold; however, most are not Certified Mold Inspectors and may not adhere to Provincial, Federal and/or recommended Mould Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry.

A certified mold inspection company is specially trained in home mold inspection and detection services: Ensure that any company claiming to provide mold inspection services follows Health Canada’s Guidelines for Mold Inspections and can provide the following mold testing and inspection services:

• Toxic Mold Testing
• Carpet Sampling
• Construction Mold Problems
• Pre-Purchase Inspection
• Preventative Mold Treatments
• Household Moisture Assessment
• Moisture intrusion detection (Leak Detection)
• Mold Remediation

Call C4U Inspections for professional mold inspections (250) 768-8512.

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Mold Inspection 101: Part 2

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Mold is a fungus mostly related to damp and musty areas such as bathrooms, basements and attics.

Mold can grow and take hold within 24-48 hours following a water intrusion, can be difficult to identify, and if left unchecked, can result in property damage and health issues including:

• Allergic reactions
• Asthma
• Ongoing Respiratory Issues

Why Get a Mold Inspection?

There are number of reason you should consider mold inspection services. For example:

• Health – The existence of mold can cause serious health issues, especially for the young, elderly and those with existing respiratory problems. Professional mold inspection services can spot and prevent the further spread of mold, protecting you and your family.
• Real Estate Transactions – Regular home inspections may not detect mold growth behind walls, ceilings and insulation; humidity levels and differences from room to room that may cause hidden moisture problems; the moisture content of drywall, hardwood floors, window sills, and other mold-forming areas.
• Former Flooding – Regular home inspections may not detect previous flooding, known leaks, suspected leaks and/or the chance of re-flooding; all that may lead to mold growths.
• Drug Houses – Regular home inspections may not detect toxic mold caused by former residential ‘Marijuana Grow-Operation s’, many of which end up condemned.

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