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Michael Almeida - Licensed New Jersey Home Inspector

Slowing up the Sale...

Water Heater Safety & Relief Valve Discharge

Overlooking the simple installation of an approved safety valve discharge pipe may slow down you sale!!!!!

I always encourage agents that we work with to take a walk around their new listing. If you see this call us. We all have didigtal phones with cameras now a days. Just take a pic and send it off to a reliable Home Inspector. We provide free consultation to all agents we work with over the phone.


Check this photo.

Proper Relief Valve & Discharge Pipe Installation

Safety and relief valve discharge pipes shall be of rigid pipe that is approved for the temperature of the system. The discharge pipe shall be the same diameter as the safety or relief valve outlet. Safety and relief valves shall not discharge so as to be a hazard, a potential cause of damage or otherwise a nuisance.

The discharge pipe needs to be long enough to be within typically 6 inches of the floor. If the pipe is undersized or made of an inappropriate material, it will need to be corrected. Another common issue that home inspectors find is that the pipe has been capped as a result of the heater leaking from the relief valve. This is also unacceptable and requires immediate correction.



Scheduling an Inspection in Hudson County

We can schedule a condo inspection on-line or by phone: Here is a brief list of the towns we cover:

ZIP

CITY AND STATE

COUNTY

AREA

07302

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07303

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07399

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07096

Secaucus, NJ

Hudson

201

07094

Secaucus, NJ

Hudson

201

07099

Kearny, NJ

Hudson

201

07097

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07395

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07304

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07307

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07306

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07305

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07310

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07311

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07308

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07309

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07032

Kearny, NJ

Hudson

201

07030

Hoboken, NJ

Hudson

201

07029

Harrison, NJ

Hudson

973

07047

North Bergen, NJ

Hudson

201

07093

West New York, NJ

Hudson

201

07087

Union City, NJ

Hudson

201

07086

Weehawken, NJ

Hudson

201

07002

Bayonne, NJ

Hudson

201


Homeowners should save their major remodeling projects (and budget) for their new home, not the one they are about to sell, but implementing some of the steps above can increase the appeal to prospective buyers without a huge investment of time or money.

Michael Almeida
Home Inspector Lic.#24GI00058900

201-998-9823

http://www.pillartopost-sbergencounty.com


Condominium Inspection in Hudson County

Condominium Inspections????

I find it odd that some people do not feel it's important to conduct inspections on condominiums.


Check this photo.

Electrical Hazard in a Condominium

The above referenced photograph was taken at a NJ condo inspection we just performed. As you can see the scorching to the wire is of particular concern. An electrician was called in and found that the complete replacement of the panel was required. Cost - $1,550.00

This was a recent condo conversion. It appears that the electrician doing the conversion accidently loosen some fitting during the process that caused the scorching and deterioration to the wiring.

This panel was located near the entrance. Should a fire have started at the panel, the occupant could not readily leave the unit. All buildings undergoing a conversion should have their electrical inspected for such reasons.

Scheduling a Condo Inspection

We can schedule a condo inspection on-line or by phone: Here is a brief list of the towns we cover:

ZIP

CITY AND STATE

COUNTY

AREA

07302

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07303

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07399

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07096

Secaucus, NJ

Hudson

201

07094

Secaucus, NJ

Hudson

201

07099

Kearny, NJ

Hudson

201

07097

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07395

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07304

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07307

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07306

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07305

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07310

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07311

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07308

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07309

Jersey City, NJ

Hudson

201

07032

Kearny, NJ

Hudson

201

07030

Hoboken, NJ

Hudson

201

07029

Harrison, NJ

Hudson

973

07047

North Bergen, NJ

Hudson

201

07093

West New York, NJ

Hudson

201

07087

Union City, NJ

Hudson

201

07086

Weehawken, NJ

Hudson

201

07002

Bayonne, NJ

Hudson

201


Homeowners should save their major remodeling projects (and budget) for their new home, not the one they are about to sell, but implementing some of the steps above can increase the appeal to prospective buyers without a huge investment of time or money.

Michael Almeida
201-998-9823

http://www.pillartopost-sbergencounty.com


HOME REPAIRS BEFORE SALE CAN ADD VALUE

HOME REPAIRS BEFORE SALE CAN ADD VALUE

Many homeowners often overlook easy and relatively inexpensive fixes that can add real value to a home’s selling price. While major remodeling is costly and may not address the needs and tastes of prospective buyers, these repairs and maintenance suggestions have universal appeal and may help a home sell more quickly – and for more.

INTERIOR

  • Bathrooms and the kitchen should be given a deep cleaning. Homeowners should consider hiring a cleaning company that offers “move in / move out” cleaning services to do the job.
  • If kitchen cabinet surfaces are in bad shape, refacing may be an option. Far less expensive than new cabinetry, refacing can give old and worn cabinets new life and can visually update a kitchen.
  • Consider replacing kitchen or bathroom counters with a neutral colored laminate surface if the current material is badly worn or stained. This gives everything a fresh look and prevents buyers from focusing on an eyesore. 
  • Fresh paint on the walls and ceilings will do wonders for all rooms in the house. Stick to neutral colors so that buyers aren’t distracted by the color. They’ll be able to imagine themselves and their furniture in the space much more easily.
  • If carpet is covering hardwood floors, consider having the carpet removed to expose the hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors are desirable, so they should be shown off. If carpet is to remain, it should be thoroughly cleaned.

EXTERIOR

  • If the entire exterior needs painting, it should be done. Buyers notice if paint is faded and peeling. If the paint is in good shape overall, renew the doors and trim with a fresh coat.
  • Clean the windows inside and out so they sparkle. It’s amazing what a difference this can make in a home’s appearance. Hiring a professional window cleaning company is the easiest and safest way to get the job done on a multi-story home.
  • Clear clutter from the yard, keep the lawn mowed, and trim any overgrown shrubs that are detracting from the home’s appearance. The home should look well maintained even at first glance.
  • Plant some bright, colorful flowers along an entry path and doorway to add a welcoming touch.

Homeowners should save their major remodeling projects (and budget) for their new home, not the one they are about to sell, but implementing some of the steps above can increase the appeal to prospective buyers without a huge investment of time or money.

Michael Almeida
888-800-8086
michael.almeida@pillartopost.com
www.pillartopost.com/sbergencounty

Pillar To Post please click here to UNSUBSCRIBE .


SEASONAL MAINTENANCE FOR EVERY CLIENT IN EVERY HOME

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE FOR EVERY CLIENT IN EVERY HOME

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A stitch in time saves nine. Wise words indeed - and especially true when it comes to home maintenance.

At Pillar To Post® we understand the importance of following a systematic approach to home maintenance, and we are pleased to provide the attached Seasonal Maintenance Checklist for you to offer to your clients.The lists provides simple steps that can be taken in and around the home to help prevent common maintenance issues from becoming major problems. Early action can save homeowners money and mean less disruption from substantial repair work that might otherwise have been needed.

Your clients will appreciate this easy-to-use tool, which will help them keep their home comfortable, safe, and in good repair.

Click here to download the checklist!

THE PILLAR TO POST ADVANTAGE

  • The Pillar To Post Inspection Report is generated on site at the completion of the inspection, so your client won’t have to wait for the results
  • Our inspection reports are also available on line from the Pillar To Post web site, providing easy access for clients out of the area.
  • All Pillar To Post inspectors carry E&O insurance to protect the referring agent
  • As North America’s leading home inspection company, Pillar To Post is committed to providing the highest quality service to real estate professionals and their clients
  • For more information about home inspection or to schedule a home inspection, click here to find your local Pillar To Post office.

Michael Almeida
201-998-9823
michael.almeida@pillartopost.com
www.pillartopost.com/sbergencounty

Pillar To Post

RESOLUTIONS FOR THE HOME

RESOLUTIONS FOR THE HOME

Whether you are making an addition to your home or remodeling your bathroom cabinets, eco-friendly choices can help you conserve resources and reduce your impact on the environment. As the demand for green building materials grows, major manufactures are expanding their affordable sustainable options, so the green choice may also be the less expensive one. Here are some green guidelines to consider during your next remodeling project.

  • Consider renewable sources for cabinetry. Choose wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which will be harvested from sustainably managed forests. Spruce, eucalyptus or reclaimed wood are durable, sustainable options from sources that rapidly replenish.
  • Use eco-friendly paint. Most paints release toxic fumes called VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can be inhaled even after the paint is dry. They are potentially carcinogenic and contribute to indoor air pollution. But now low- or no-VOC paint is readily available for use. Most paints rely on petroleum based solvents, but eco-friendly paints are water based and are offered in all forms including primer, finish, sealer, wax and stain.
  • Opt for durable sustainable materials when replacing your floors. Linoleum is made from all natural ingredients (linseed oil) and has a life span of thirty to forty years. It resists damage and is easy to clean. Other popular choices include concrete, which can be decoratively embellished, and bamboo and cork flooring, which are both FCS endorsed. Recycled-content carpet not only produces fewer emissions during manufacturing and less off-gassing in the home, it can also be recycled when its useful life is up.
  • When replacing appliances, select models that exhibit the Energy Star label. This means the item meets or exceeds international guidelines for energy efficiency. The more efficient the appliance, the more energy and cost savings you will have over the long run. You may get a rebate on your purchase as well; check with your utility company.
  • The less material in our landfills the better, so consider what to do with your remodeling waste. Can any of the materials be reused in another project? Can items be donated or sold? Consider donating your deconstructed material to industrial recyclers so it can be reused in the product stream.

For additional resources, please contact your local Pillar To Post office.

Michael Almeida
201-998-9823
michael.almeida@pillartopost.com
www.pillartopost.com/sbergencounty

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