There are a few things that can
be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life
saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do
with it:
1.
Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of
the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112,
and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency
number for you. Interestingly, this number, 112, can be dialed even if the
keypad is locked. Try it out.
2. Have you locked your keys in the
car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. If you
lock your keys in the car, and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home
on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from
your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding
it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from
having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds
of miles away, but if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your
car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out, and it unlocked our car over a
cell phone!"
3. Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#
Your cell will restart with this reserve, and the instrument will show a 50%
increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell the
next time.
4. How to disable a STOLEN mobile
phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your
phone: *#06#
A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your
handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. If your phone gets stolen,
you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be
able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone
will be totally useless.
You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole
it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in
people stealing mobile phones.
5. Free Information Calls
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information
calls when they don't have to.
Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this
situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information
option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any
charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.
I just completed training on a new program offered by Moisture Free Warranty
(http://www.moisturefreeroof.com/) that allows their Certified Inspectors to
offer a free 90 No-Fault roof warranty to their clients. There are no catches
but the roof deficiencies and issues identified during the inspection must be
either repaired or are exempt from the coverage. At the end of the 90 free
warranty, clients are then able to purchase extended coverage depending on their
desires:
Plan: Advantage ($295, an additional $125 for roof >4000 sqft)
Term: 2 Years
Material Defect Leakage Coverage: Yes
Roofing System Leakage Coverage:
Yes
Installation Failure Coverage:
Yes
Disposal Costs:
Yes
Unlimited Transferable Protection:
Yes
Claims Management:
Yes
Plan: Premier ($395, an additional $125 for roof >4000 sqft)
Term: 5 Years
Material Defect Leakage Coverage: Yes
Roofing System Leakage Coverage:
Yes
Installation Failure Coverage:
Yes
Disposal Costs:
Yes
Unlimited Transferable Protection:
Yes
Claims Management:
Yes
Plan: Premier Plus ($495, an additional $125 for roof >4000 sqft)
Term: 7 Years
Material Defect Leakage Coverage:
Yes
Roofing System Leakage Coverage:
Yes
Installation Failure Coverage:
Yes
Disposal Costs:
Yes
Unlimited Transferable Protection:
Yes
Claims Management:
Yes
The plans are transferable with no paperwork, the policy stays with the
property. It is important to note that a typical homeowners insurance policy
won't cover leakage from normal wear and tear, failing shingles, missing or poor
flashing, skylights, vent penetrations, or improper installation. This roof
certification/warranty covers all of this at a very reasonable cost to the
client!
What are your thoughts about this coverage? Is there a need/demand? Would this
help make your job as a real estate agent easier and more successful? Please
give me some feedback here?!
MEDIA
CONTACT:
Pillar
To
Post
Margaret
Skillicorn
530-550-7578
Margaret.Skillicorn@dibollandassociates.com
Hayman
Residential Engineering
Services
Gale
Johnson
605-381-2254
Gale.johnson@hayman-res.com
Pillar To Post and Hayman Residential Engineering Services Launch Foundation
Inspections for Manufactured Homes
The partnership seeks to facilitate successful home loans for buyers and sellers of manufactured homes. The rapid issuing of a certification – that verifies a compliant foundation – expedites the loan approval process and close of the home sale. Starting immediately, home buyers and sellers of manufactured homes in the U.S. who use Pillar To Post professionals for their home inspections will have access to foundation inspections in 41 states. For a list of states, visit http://www.hayman-res.com/default.htm.
Pillar To Post is the leading provider of home inspection
services to home buyers and real estate professionals in North America.
Operating more than 450 franchises in the U.S. and Canada, Pillar To Post offers the most
comprehensive inspection program available to residential buyers and sellers and
real estate professionals.
Hayman Residential Engineering Services, Inc was founded by Paul W. Hayman, P.E., an engineer with over 20 years experience in the residential construction industry. Noting the difficulty that many lenders had in finding engineering resources in rural areas, he created the company to focus on the needs of the manufactured housing and mortgage industry. Hayman RES is now the largest engineering company of its kind offering services from coast to coast. For more information, visit www.hayman-res.com.
I wanted to take a few minutes and speak about the importance of third party verification in two specific areas.
Obtaining permits for work performed (basement finishing, roofing, furnace installation, etc.) - many of the inspections I have conducted throughout the last few years are riddled with homeowner repairs and installations. I am well aware that I am paid to be the bearer of bad news, however an outstanding real estate agent will help prep their client and let them know how important it is that large scale projects are completed correctly and safely. Homeowners might have the know-how and skill to finish their own basement, however without the independant verification from the county code enforcement there is no verification that plumbing joints were done correcly, plumbing vents were added as necessary, electrical wires were routed correctly, etc. The list is seemingly endless. If a large scale project was not permitted, expect your inspector to call the sellers on it. The implications are many but some of the larger ones are insurance issues and the possible costs of obtaining a retro active permit.
When it comes to repairs made, based on deficiencies identified by a home inspector, the seller needs to either provide a receipt for the completed work or compensating the buyer by adjusting the price of the home. I am by no means a Realtor, nor do I want the job - I refuse to step on the toes of my client's agent. Not my job. Although I will be candid with my clients and let them know what they are up against. All too often I have seen sellers have their cousin vinny (who has the time life book series on how to wire a bird house) come down and fix the double tapped breakers in their panel. Not only does this lack professional accountability if something goes wrong, but the sellers should have a warm and safe house to move into.
My advice to the real estate community is to let buyers know that a good inspector will most likely be able to identify installations and repairs that were not professionally performed. If things weren't done correctly, someone should pay to bring the situation back up to par. The buyers deserve it!
Happy hunting! As always, please feel free to call me if you have any questions or concerns!
Regards,
Tom, Pillar To Post
This question is for all the real estate professionals out there: Does vehicle signage, brand affiliation, logos, etc. influence your decision of what home inspector you use? The reason I ask is simple, as home inspectors we have to keep our name and brand ever-present through vehicle lettering, branded shirts, branded inspection reports, etc. I for one spend a lot of money on my advertising, roughly ten percent of my yearly gross revenue is dedicated to advertising on some level.
I am about to make the leap and get my vehicle wrapped with our franchise logo and I want to see how well this is generally received among the real estate community. I am under the impression that a strong brand and logo that is simply everywhere leaves an image of permanence - something that is supposed to be valuable in this industry.
Your thoughts are very much appreciated.
Regards,
Tom
Below is what a fellow Pillar To Post franchise owner in Arvada - Thanks Scott for being my guinea pig!
Pillar To Post is a professional home inspection company. We provide thorough and accurate home inspection reports. They are always printed and reviewed on-site and include color pictures. Call us!
“It is my pleasure to recommend Pillar to Post. I used the company both to inspect the house we were purchasing and to do an inspection on the house I was putting on the market. The inspection on the house to which we were moving reassured us that we had made the right decision. The in-depth information was extremely helpful. We still refer back to the packet when making decisions about updating the house. The checklist included is also very helpful. I chose to have Pillar to Post inspect the house I was selling in order to avoid any surprises during the sale. Because of this inspection, I was able to correct a few problems that might have slowed down the sale of the house. I have recommended the company to both family and friends, and I will continue to do so.
-Terri F.
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"Pillar to Post did an absolutely outstanding and thorough inspection of the home I bought. Tom is incredibly thorough in his ability to identify issues and suggest their solutions. I trust Pillar to Post and Tom Recke and would certainly recommend them to any home buyer in this area."
- George G.
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“This was my first home buying experience, and I'll admit I was nervous about the inspection. Tom was great, though. He was incredibly thorough, noting everything from the slant of the land around the house to the vents in the attic roof. He checked every outlet and all the plumbing, and I really appreciated the time he spent explaining the foundation and concrete damage to me. I also am grateful that he went so in depth with regard to my wiring and fuse box--he had a lot of info on the manufacturer that wasn't in his inspector training.
I know he has a passion for what he does--it shows in all the research he does into the products used in the homes he inspects. He even gave me insight about the trees in the yard and how much they contributed to the value of the property. In the end, Tom left a binder with a detailed report, recommendations, and CD on home repairs. I would not hesitate to recommend Tom and Pillar to Post to any of my friends buying a house.”
- Liz v.
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“We have owned other homes and undergone different home inspections. Pillar to Post is by far the best home inspection agency we have used. Tom was very thorough. He looked at everything (even though we were buying a brand new home). He found a few minor problems which were promptly corrected. More importantly, he conducted a radon test, which showed our brand new home had high levels of radon.
Armed with the detailed information he provided, we were able to get this situation corrected quickly and to our satisfaction. Tom is a very detail oriented person, who provides all the answers to your questions about your home. We would never buy a home without Tom to do our home inspection”
- Doug V.
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"Pillar to Post was recommended to me by a friend, to perform an inspection on what would later come to be my first home. Not only did Tom patiently explain things to me as he went through and checked everything out, but he also provided recommendations on things I should do if I ended up buying the house in order to make it safer and more secure. A year has passed in this house, and no big surprises have come up, and I'm pretty confident there will not be any. I would definitely recommend Pillar to Post to anyone."
- Sarah H.
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“Mr. Recke inspected the prospective home that I wanted to buy. He was very professional and thorough. He took the time to explain everything that was inspected and the results; as well as, answered each and every question that I had. He explained things to me in "layman" terms so that I would know exactly what he was talking about. He also supplied me with a notebook that explained everything inspected the results of the inspection and photographs of the areas of concern.
The notebook also contained extremely informative "fact sheets" concerning everything from roofing to the expansive soils, a seasonal maintenance checklist and a section to organize and record dates and costs of home improvements, property taxes, heating costs, water usage, etcetera. I read all of the information contained in this notebook and find it an invaluable tool; as well as being extremely informative.
I would recommend Mr. Recke to any of my family and friends that wanted a thorough and high quality home inspection.”
- Valerie W.
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“Thomas did an exceptional job with our home inspection. He was knowledgeable and professional. I appreciated all of the information that he offered and was impressed by the detail and follow-up that he provides. I have already recommended him to a friend that is buying a home and will continue to do so in the future. “
- Ben A.
love working with first-time home buyers! I feel blessed to be included in their home buying process and I don't take this responsibility lightly. The ability to connect with people is a huge asset in this profession. I take pride in my knack for treating each client as if they were the my only client on the planet! I have seen inspectors show up wearing jeans, smoking a cigarette, and actually using profanity in front of their clients. This isn't the way I choose to run my business. How I operate my home inspection business is crucial to my family and the people who continue to refer me!
I am a member of ASHI (The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), founded in 1976, is North America’s oldest and most respected professional society of home inspectors. ASHI’s goals have always been to build customer awareness of the importance of a quality home inspection and enhance the professionalism of home inspectors. ASHI is a non-profit organization!), the Denver Better Business Bureau, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, MoistureFree Warranty, the Exterior Design Institute, and the Aurora Association of Realtors.
Pre-Purchase Inspections for Buyers
The professional home inspector visually examines the readily accessible systems and components of a home and operates those systems and components utilizing industry (ASHI) Standards of Practice. The client is encouraged to attend the entire inspection. Areas to be inspected include:
Upon completion of the inspection, a computerized Inspection Report including digital pictures of defects is printed on site and presented in the Pillar To Post Inspection Report Binder, which also includes a seasonal maintenance checklist, home file system for important papers/receipts and a Living With Your Home CD.
We inspect residential single and multi unit homes, townhomes, apartment buildings, and commercial office/retail buildings.
Pre-Listing Inspections for Sellers
In preparation of listing a home for sale, the inspector will visually examine the readily accessible systems and components of a home and operates those systems and components utilizing industry Standards of Practice. At the completion of the pre-listing inspection, ten individual "Feature Sheet" packets will be generated consisting of an outline of both the GOOD ("Asphalt roof covering appears to have been installed within the last three years. The entire roof system appears in good shape and functioning as designed with no evidence of deficiencies or differed maintenance issues." and the bad ("Hot water heater is nearing the end of its typical life expectancy. Budget to replace the unit in the next few years.") - BOTH the good and the bad points will be summarized with the accompanying digital photographs and placed in a high quality folder with your business card! Ten of these "Feature Sheet" packages will be generated and left with the seller in addition to the full inspection report as outlined above. After the inspection is complete, a tasteful yard sign will be left with the property indicating a pre-listing inspection has been completed - and that the seller is committed to ensure NOTHING stands in the way of an offer!
Indoor Air Quality Testing
This valuable service will provide the client with important information about the air they will be breathing! Multiple air samples will be collected from inside the subject property in addition to a control air sample from the property exterior. These samples will then be sent to an AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association) Accredited lab for full analysis to include; mold spore count (ALL Fungi), pollen, rust, insect fragments, dead skin cells - pretty much everything floating around in the air. I use a local AIHA lab so test results will typically be available within 72 business hours of sample collection.
EIFS/Stucco Testing & Evaluation
Following a strict EDI (Exterior Design Institute) and Moisture Free Warranty (www.moisturewarranty.com) inspection protocol, the subject property exterior system will be fully inspected and evaluated for moisture penetration concerns. The inspection combines both non-invasive and invasive testing techniques (wall scanning for moisture and physically probing through the exterior covering to the sheathing beneath the stucco material). Based on the findings of the EIFS Inspection, maintenance and correction recommendations will be made in a detailed computer-generated report including digital photographs of the problems identified. The detailed EIFS/Stucco inspection report is typically avaliable within 72 hours of the inspection.
Radon Testing
Testing is performed using EPA protocol for home sellers and buyers. A continuous radon monitor (CRM) is placed in the home for a 48 hour minimum testing period by a trained radon tester. A Sampling Report is issued with the radon levels by hour and an EPA Overall Radon Average for the sampling period. The radon gas report is typically emailed the day of collection (at the end of the 48 hour testing period) unless earlier arrangements are made and I can set up the test before the inspection, in which case I can collect the monitor and print out the results at the home inspection.
Limited Mold Sampling (air/swab)
The purpose of Limited Mold Sampling is to detect the presence of mold in Client defined areas of the Subject Property. Mold samples will only be collected from requested areas; no screening services are employed with limited sampling.
Re-Inspection
A visual examination of areas to be determined by the client designed to evaluate whether work requested in a contract addendum has been completed in a satisfactory manner. A copy of the contract addendum and the client, or the clients, representative must be present during the re inspection. A re-inspection report will be issued at the conclusion of the re-inspection.
Proudly Serving Aurora and Centennial East of Parker Road in addition to Bennett, Byers, Strasburg, Deer Trail, Foxfield, and Watkins.
Pillar To Post is Aurora’s ONLY FULL SERVICE inspection firm offering a complete line of residential and commercial building inspections, pre-listing inspections for sellers, EIFS/Stucco inspections, radon gas testing, water quality testing, EDR Neighborhood Environmental Reports, Indoor Air Quality/mold testing, Manufactured Home Foundation Inspections (throughout Hayman Residential Engineering Services), lead paint testing, and asbestos testing. As the owner and only inspector for Pillar To Post Aurora I strive to stay on top of the latest and greatest training, technology, and techniques to ensure you receive the best possible home inspection that money can buy. With no home inspector licensing in Colorado, professional affiliation and the proper insurance coverage is imperative to ensure your assets are protected. I am a member of ASHI (the American Society of Home Inspectors) and I am fully insured. I am also a member of the Denver Better Business Bureau, the Exterior Design Institute, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, the Aurora Association of Realtors, and last but not least the Metro Denver Realtor Foundation.
Top notch customer service is what sets Pillar To Post apart from other local inspectors – I am always available to answer your questions before and after the inspection and if a roof is covered with snow I won’t charge you to come back and inspect it when the weather clears up. Outstanding customer service is just part of the standard full service package – which is anything but standard this day-in-age! You have a LOT on your plate – you don’t need to worry about babysitting your home inspector. You want someone with impeccable attention to detail and integrity that will lay all of the cards on the table, you want Pillar To Post representing you in your real estate transaction!
My wife Tamara, a Colorado native, and I have been married for four years and are enjoying a very active life here in Colorado. We have two children – our five-year old son Csaba and our year old daughter Emersen. The Recke family plays an active role in our EFCA church and we enjoy serving our community and others around the world on behalf of our faith. For fun, my family likes to camp, hike, and ski, practically anything Colorado really!
A fourth generation military man, I served honorably in both the US Navy (USS San Juan – SSN-751) on a 688(I) Fast Attack nuclear submarine ported out of Groton Connecticut, and then once again in the US Army as an Infantryman (Charlie Company 3/172d Infantry (Mountain)) where I served a fourteen-month tour in Iraq. My experiences in the military have served to cultivate my integrity, attention to detail, fortitude and flexibility.
In combat, each team needs to be brought together to complete the mission – my mission now is ensuring that you know everything about the home you are about to buy! I look forward to earning your business and adding you to the long list of my very satisfied clients!
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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