Ultimate Insulation Home Inspection Guide | Is My Home Properly Insulated?

The insulation inspector follows a strict protocol when inspecting a home. They start by measuring the thickness of the walls and ceilings with specialized equipment, which looks like an oversized pistol that fires infrared beams to measure heat flow through different materials. If you want your new house inspected before winter arrives, contact one now!
As the inspector goes through your home, he or she will be looking for insulation. This is often used to keep houses cool in summer and warm during winter. The cement has a moisture meter that detects any water seeping into it from rain, melting snow, humidity – whatever may cause damage due to wetness.

Insulation is the process of minimizing heat transfer to or from an object. There are three main types: fiberglass, foam, and polyurethane spray foam insulation (SPF). SPF provides increased thermal efficiency in a building structure and reduces energy consumption by up to 50%. This can be done with existing structures as well as new construction without any adverse effects on its appearance. The attic is hands down the most important place in your home to ensure you have adequate insulation. In the winter, warm air rises and can escape through a poorly insulated or sealed attic at alarming rates. Examining that the average U.S. family spends almost $2,000 a year on heating and cooling bills; that 20% is about $400 that could be in your bank account instead. When inspecting, you want to make sure that there is plenty of insulation in your attic. If you can see the ceiling joists, you don’t have enough insulation, or your old insulation has settled over time. Lofts should have at least 12 inches of insulation, but 15-20 inches is even better.

A home that is not properly insulated will not only feel drafty, but it will also have some pretty hefty heating and cooling bills. If you suspect your home is under-insulated, it may behoove you to do your homeowner insulation inspection. Several areas are relatively easy to inspect. The insulation pros at Villa Home Inspections will walk you through the basics so that you can live worry-free knowing your home is adequately insulated and will protect your family from unwanted injuries in the future.

Insulating your home will help keep the heat in during winter and cold out in summer.
Insulation is vital for keeping your Hudson County house warm all year round, reducing heating bills, and saving you money on cooling costs too!

 

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What Is Asbestos? Asbestos Home Inspection?

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals composed of soft, flexible fibers that are heat-resistant. Asbestos is still used in hundreds of U.S. consumer products. Its use is allowed as long as it accounts for less than 1% of the product. Exposure to asbestos causes cancers and other diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Asbestos is a dangerous substance, which can cause serious illness. Homes in Bergen County are commonly old, and many may contain asbestos.

 

Many houses from the ’40s are riddled with this toxic material used before it became outlawed by law due to its harmful effects on both humans and their home environment. These homes often present themselves as potential buyers’ dream houses, only for them later to find out they need expensive repairs or even an entire renovation because of how much damage has already occurred inside thanks to these materials being all over the place!
Some homeowners are being faced with a tough decision: renovate their old house, or risk the health of themselves and their family by living in an asbestos-laden home.

Some people find that they can’t afford to stay afloat financially while maintaining such costly renovations as replacing floorboards, so instead, they choose to live in an unsafe environment for fear of going bankrupt from remodeling costs. However, if you do decide it is worth your time, then please make sure not only yourself but all workers who will be doing any work on the property wear protective gear at all times!

 

Types of Asbestos

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 legally recognizes six types of asbestos that fall into two categories: Amphibole and serpentine.

Amphibole Asbestos

Amphibole asbestos fibers have a straight, jagged shape. There are five recognized types:

  • Crocidolite
  • Amosite
  • Anthophyllite
  • Tremolite
  • Actinolite

Serpentine Asbestos

Serpentine asbestos fibers are curly. There is only one kind: Chrysotile, which is also known as “white asbestos.”

  • Chrysotile

 

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First-Time Home Buyer Tips! Everything You Need To Know As A First Time Home Buyer

Are you a first-time homebuyer in New Jersey? Have you been looking for homes and apartments that are ready for an inspection to make sure they’re safe, good quality, and worth the money? If you’re interested, read about our home inspection tips to ensure you get the perfect home inspector for your NJ home.

With so many places to choose from, first-time homebuyers in Bergen County or Hudson county are spoiled for choice. Their options range from affordable apartments and homes go to villahomeinspections.com to put in the accurate dimensions and components to your future home to receive a free quote from my team and me.

Whether you are interested in a townhome, apartment, condo, or home we are here to give you the best pricing for your home inspections. Real estate can be substantial in New Jersey and New York, which is why Villa Home Inspections is here to make the process as easy as possible with flexible times and rapid reports.

If you’re looking for a place to call your own on the West Coast of America, consider checking out fantastic new properties in Hudson County, New Jersey! We’ve got everything – both apartments with plenty of space as well as private single-family houses waiting just for you!

No one wants to live in a city filled with cockroaches, bed bugs, or mice. In New York City alone, there are an estimated 1 million rats! To avoid these critters from making your home their own, you’ll want to schedule a home inspection from Villa Home Inspections. Schedule an appointment today with one simple phone call or go to our website to input the property criteria of your real estate and get your home inspected as soon as possible in New Jersey; bergen county, Hudson county, Essex county, etc.

 

Steps to buy Your First Home:

  1. Establish your budget and research the market.
  2. Research and choose a type of home loan.
  3. Get pre-approved by a lender.
  4. Find an experienced New Jersey real estate agent.
  5. Begin the house hunting process.
  6. Get your home inspected by Villa Home Inspections
  7. Make an offer and, if necessary, negotiate with the seller.
  8. Close the deal and get the keys to your new house.

 

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Best Bergen County NJ Home Inspector

Feel confident knowing you’re getting the most thorough home inspection possible when you hire a board-certified, Master Inspector. We conduct more in-depth inspections than any other company while providing our customers with detailed reports that are unlike anything else out there!

Feel assured hiring an experienced professional to inspect your NJ or NY property because we offer top-of-the-line services and unparalleled professionalism – which is why so many satisfied clients rely on us for their next purchase.
What is the best way to find a qualified home inspector that will provide you with peace of mind? Do not hesitate – call me today. I am a certified New Jersey home inspector in Bergen County; Closter, Demarest, Alpine, Tenafly, Dumont, Fort Lee, Ridgewood Paramus, Teaneck. Also, Villa Home Inspections cover Hudson County; Hoboken, Weehawken, West New York, Seacaucus, Jersey City. Call me at your earliest convenience for quotes on my services, or check out more info about us by visiting our website!

With new developments come significant risks. A few places, such as Edgewater, New Jersey, have been developed over toxic land and soil. It is still vital to get an inspection before signing on and getting your feet wet with any potential property you may want to buy or rent. Edgewater, New Jersey apartment complexes are reported to develop on the ground laced with heavy metals and most prominently arsenic and lethal poison that is deemed unsafe above 20 parts per million in soil.

 

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Beware of These 4 Mistakes When Hiring a Home Inspector in New Jersey

Getting a home inspection is an essential part of the home buying process. You must determine if the potential property is a wise investment, and more importantly, a safe place to live for you or your family.

The typical home inspection includes a check of the home’s structural and mechanical condition, from the roof to the foundation, as well as providing home buyers with important information about the home they’re buying.

Depending on the seriousness of what the inspection uncovers, the buyer can walk away from the deal or negotiate with the seller for the necessary repairs.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when deciding to hire an NJ home inspector.

1. Thinking a New Construction Home Doesn’t Need Inspecting

It sounds obvious enough, but this is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of a home inspection. Often times people assume that because a house has passed all the local codes and ordinances that it’s in good shape, so they don’t thoroughly inspect the new construction.

The easiest way to avoid this is to simply do your due diligence and inspect every area of the home. Don’t assume the home builder did everything correct just because the house passed code.

An inspector is your last defense against any major problems that could be devastating to your new investment.

2. Choosing a Home Inspector for the Wrong Reasons

Picking the right inspector can be as important as selecting the right doctor. The professional you choose will give a full physical checkup to one of the biggest investments you will make in your life. It’s imperative to choose someone who is knowledgeable, trustworthy, and thorough.

One big mistake that many first time home buyers make is going with the cheapest option, or the one recommended by their realtor. Just like anything in life, you get what you pay for; the least expensive person is often the one with the least experience.

If you do decide to take a recommendation from your realtor, make sure you ask for at least two or three options to choose from. Check scope of work by using Yelp and Google Reviews. You never know what helpful information you might find about an inspector or inspection company. It’s also good practice to ask the inspector about licensing, professional affiliations, credentials, and insurance.

3. Not Attending the Home Inspection

It’s very important to tag along on the inspection, so you can visualize how minor or severe a problem is. The written report from the inspector alone is not enough to give you a clear picture of the condition of the house. Buyers who don’t go along on the inspection can be overly critical of a minor defect, or even worse, they might not realize how serious something is. You really need to go with the inspector, ask questions, take pictures, and listen to what they have to say about the condition of the house. Taking the time to do this now can save you thousands in the long run.

4. Not Following up on the Home Inspector’s Recommendations

Sometimes buyers just don’t follow up with the items discovered during the inspection before they close on the house. You might not realize the severity or cost of a problem. Inspectors will often recommend that buyers get an issue evaluated further, but the buyers will wait until after they close. Buying a home is obviously a long and tedious process, but waiting to get everything thoroughly looked at can make an enormous difference.

You should always get several estimates on repairs before you close, and be willing to discuss these with your inspector. The inspector can better explain the costs from the contractor, and help you decide what your next step should be.

Taking the time to ensure your home is safe structurally, free of destructive pests, and without hazardous gas leaks can save you thousands of dollars, and keep your family safe. A home inspection is not something that you want to rush though. Take your time, call the right people, and welcome yourself to a safe new home.

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home inspections hudson county nj

NJ Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers

If you’re about to buy a home in New Jersey, this home inspection checklist will help you understand what a home inspector is looking for during the inspection.

Included are some basic things we look at while inspecting a property. Use this home inspection checklist as your guide:

  • Attic: Adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof.
  • Basement: Water leakage, musty smell.
  • Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Loose pieces, drywall that is pulling away
  • Doors and Windows: Loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weather-stripping
  • Driveways/Sidewalks: Cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains
  • Electrical: Condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room.
  • Exterior Brick: Cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks
  • Foundations: Cracks or water seepage
  • Furnace/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating; Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs.
  • Garage: Exterior in good repair; condition of floor—cracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism.
  • Insulation: Adequate rating for the climate
  • Plumbing: Poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation.
  • Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot.
  • Roof: Age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts
  • Siding: Dents or buckling
  • Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating.

*Important: Using a checklist is not a suggestion for you NOT to hire an experienced and certified home inspector. You should always hire a licensed and professional NJ home inspector to conduct your property inspection.

At Villa Home Inspections, it’s our goal to provide your with the most comprehensive inspection.

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NJ Home Inspector Reveals How to Survive the Home Inspection

A home inspection is one of the most important steps on the way to home ownership.  Here’s how to use your inspection to determine if your dream house is filled with problems or just needs some basic maintenance and attention.

You’ve made an offer on a house, and the seller has accepted it. You have only a few short weeks to reassure yourself that it’s the right house for you and make sure you haven’t agreed to sink your life savings into a money pit.

And while you need to investigate the neighborhood, the zoning, the schools, and other concerns, the biggest piece of what the real estate people call “due diligence” will be the physical inspection of the house.

Much of your decision on whether to go ahead with the sale, and a large part of your plans for fixing the house after you buy it, will be based on the home inspection report.

An inspector will look at the building’s systems and components and let you know if they are functional and when or if they might need upgraded.

A home inspection may not cover absolutely everything, things like swimming pools, septic tanks, or burglar alarms will probably not be covered, but this will vary per inspector.

Find Your Own NJ Home Inspector

Real estate agents will often refer you to one, but you may want to find one on your own to ensure you’re getting what you want from the evaluation.

Your real estate agent will typically refer you to their favorite NJ home inspector, but buying a home is such a large, life changing decision, that it’s important to make sure you have an inspector you’re comfortable with.

Any inspector you hire in NJ should carry both general liability insurance and errors and omissions insurance, and the contract should spell out what will or won’t be covered in the inspection process..

A larger or more complicated property may cost more and take longer. A $99 inspection with a checklist is probably not the best spend for your money.

Be Present at the Home Inspection

You should make sure the inspection includes a narrative written report in addition to whatever the inspector will tell you verbally during the inspection. This information from the inspector is leverage to use in negotiations with the realtor.

How much an inspector will look at varies; some will climb on the roof or go into the attic, while others will opt for examining hard-to-reach spots with binoculars.

Many general contractors also perform inspections, but remember, you want someone who is experienced and trained in inspections because knowing how to build a house is not the same as knowing how to inspect one.

Nationally, the cost of an inspection ranges from around $300 to $700, and it should take three to four hours. A good inspection should cover both the interior and exterior of the house and its operational systems like the plumbing, heating, and electrical.

This doesn’t mean that every single electrical outlet or window will be tested, but the major stuff should be looked at.

A good inspector should have tools like moisture meters, electrical testers, screw drivers and flashlights. Be aware that even the best inspector may not find everything, but a thorough inspection is still your best option. 

Even a brand new house will have a few things wrong with it, and an old house is likely to have lots of things wrong.

Some will be in the category of annoying rather than life-threatening, like broken doorbells, missing screens, or faulty outlets.

No matter the house, be prepared to fix or replace at least a few items.

Hopefully the inspector finds very little wrong with the home, but it’s best to be prepared for anything. Even the smallest defects can cause large problems down the road.

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