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Chris Livingston

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More Awesome Radon Info

11-10-08
Chris Livingston

I have to thank Salvador Del Cid with RE/MAX in North Portland for his excellent blog on radon over the last few days. His wife is also a reporter for KOIN 6 News and did a fabulous piece of the dangers of radon.

The link to the short story that was on the news Friday is:

http://www.koinlocal6.com/content/mediacenter/default.aspx?videoId=9024@koin.dayport.com&navCatId=156

There is also a longer 24 minute interview with Scott Burns, Professor of Geology, Department of Geology,Portland State University. It is better than some of the multi-day long classes I've taken on radon. The link to that one is:

http://www.koinlocal6.com/content/mediacenter/default.aspx?videoid=9012@koin.dayport.com&navCatId=3&articleID=9012

Salvador also has a great map by zip code for the Portland Area:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vE44wBSn8zM/SRRsqCS2uhI/AAAAAAAAAYY/MubgG0rpyvU/s1600-h/Portland_Radon_Risk_by_Zip_Code.png

50% of the houses in Portland statistically levels of radon over 4 by zip code but since zip codes are not geological boundaries it makes areas with higher levels look low. If the Alameda ridge area where its own zip code the maps would show that over 90% of the homes have high levels of radon.

Here is a link to Salvador's Blog as well:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vE44wBSn8zM/SRRsqCS2uhI/AAAAAAAAAYY/MubgG0rpyvU/s1600-h/Portland_Radon_Risk_by_Zip_Code.png

He is on ActiveRain but the blog isn't on here. Drop him a line and get him to re-post them here. :)

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Pillar To Post: Helping REALTORS Help Clients and Close Deals

11-04-08
Chris Livingston

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Pillar To Post: The Home Of Home Inspection - Helping REALTORS(R) Help Clients and Close Deals

Helping REALTORS® Help Clients and Close Deals

Pillar to Post is North America's foremost home inspection company and we are here to help you make the most of your client relationships even after the sale is complete. Our training, reporting, and professionalism are second to none in the industry; we are dedicated to helping REALTORS® close deals.

What We Offer*

•· Full Home Inspections including a Pest & Dry Rot Report

•· Pre-listing Inspections

•· Radon Inspections with results provided on-site

•· New Home Warranty Inspections

•· Manufactured Home Inspections

•· Manufactured Home Tie-Down Inspections for FHA & VA loans

•· Neighborhood Environmental Report

•· Energy Assessments

•· Asbestos Sampling

•· Stand-along Pest & Dry Rot Inspections for FHA & VA loans

How We Can Help You

Comprehensive Reports
Our customized report is generated on site at the time of the inspection making for a smooth and speedy transaction and is available online for easy access

CEU -Qualified Training
Our Continuing Education Program training modules help you meet your CEU requirements

E&O Insurance
Every Pillar To Post home inspector carries E&O insurance, protecting the referring agent

Convenient scheduling
Request an inspection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.pillartopost.com or call

(503) 682-3053

Added Value for Your Clients

•· Save your clients thousands of dollars with the Home Alliance Program. This exclusive program provides your clients with discounts and special offers on products and services for the home.

•· Our cost guide for residential construction and remodeling will provide your clients with valuable cost information if they are considering home repairs or improvements.

•· We sponsor Living with My Home, a CD and website which allow your clients to learn about the practical details of homeownership. We cover the basics of how things work, plus dozens of topics to help them stay safe and enjoy their homes.


For additional resources, please contact your local Pillar To Post office at (503) 682-3053 or online at www.pillartopost.com

*Additional services are not included in the cost of the home inspection.

See us at booth # 4428 at the NAR Expo and
find out about special offers for your clients!

PortlandWestSide@pillartopost.com
www.pillartopost.com

CCB #151008

(503) 682-3053

Mention this email while booking and bring it to your home inspection and recieve

$20 Off*

the cost of a full home inspection

&

$25 Off**

the cost of a radon test

*Offer expries 12/15/2008

*Valid at this location only

**if done in conjuction with a full home inspection
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Pillar To Post: Furnaces

10-27-08
Chris Livingston

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Pillar To Post: The Home Of Home Inspection - Furnaces

FURNACE EFFICIENCY, SAFETY & MAINTENANCE

SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY

Home heating can represent half of a typical home's winter utility expenses. Efficient operation can mean lower energy bills and a more comfortable home. For example, programmable thermostats can be used to automatically turn heat up or down at specified times, so that the temperature is lowered overnight or while no one is at home. Thermostats should be calibrated occasionally to avoid "off cycle" heat loss; a properly calibrated thermostat will result in more even heating between the on/off cycles, which is both more efficient and comfortable.

SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE

Safety is also an important factor in furnace operation. Gas furnaces can be a source of carbon monoxide if there are leaks or cracks that go unnoticed or unrepaired. The furnace flame should be steady and burn blue; if not, this should be addressed immediately. A qualified contractor or inspector can detect these types of problems and recommend needed action.

Simple furnace maintenance includes checking and replacing disposable air filters and cleaning permanent-type filters, as well as keeping dust, hair, and lint away from the burner compartment and air intake. No matter what type it is, a well-maintained furnace will not only last longer, but can save energy, money, and help a home's overall air quality and comfort.

CONSIDERING A NEW FURNACE?

If a new furnace is necessary, it is a good opportunity to evaluate the various types of furnaces now available and how well they might meet a home's specific situation. Furnaces are defined as conventional efficiency, mid efficiency, and high efficiency. There are advantages and drawbacks to each type, some are better suited to older homes, for example, and cost may be a factor in considering various types of systems. However, the ability of some new furnaces to reduce off cycle heat loss, eliminate the need for an always-on pilot light, etc. make replacing a furnace worth considering if a current system is in bad repair or functioning poorly. Your local Pillar To Post office can provide you with additional information on various types of furnaces.

Mention this email when booking and bring it to your next home inspection to receive $20 off a full home inspection

*Valuable Professional Discount*

$20 OFF!

Your next full Home Inspection booked with Pillar To Post®

*To be valid, MUST be mentioned when booking appointment & presented with payment*

Only valid at this location. Each office independently owned and operated.

Expires 12/15/08

(503) 682-3053

CCB# 151008

www.pillartopost.com

Ask About Our Continuing Education Classes for Agents
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Pillar To Post: Top 3 Rooms To Invest In

10-24-08
Chris Livingston
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Pillar To Post: The Home Of Home Inspection - Top 3 Rooms To Invest In
TOP 3 ROOMS TO INVEST IN
Homeowners are continually exposed to the latest and greatest in remodeling and renovation trends on TV programs, in magazines, and on home improvement web sites. It seems there isn't any place in the house that's off-limits to improvement, expansion, or updating. If a homeowner is planning to remain in their home for many years to come, they should consider projects that genuinely suit their own needs - the custom kitchen, a fabulous master suite, a new home office. But if the plan is to sell the home in the not-too-distant future, homeowners should focus on projects that will have the best chance of getting the highest return on their investment.

Let's take a look at the 3 rooms that rise to the top of the ROI list of midrange projects (our list does not include home additions or necessary repairs):
KITCHEN
Average ROI = 83% (minor remodel), 78.1% (major remodel)*

Even within a particular room, project costs can vary widely depending on the extent of the improvements. A major kitchen remodel -custom cabinetry, expensive surfaces, high-end appliances, and engaging a designer - may cost upward of $100,000 and, on average, get a return on investment of about 78%. A minor kitchen "facelift", on the other hand, averages a similar ROI in percentage terms, but will cost far less. This more-modest project may entail cabinet refinishing, replacement of countertops and flooring, and perhaps swapping out dated appliances for new but inexpensive models that improve the room's appearance.
BATHROOM
Average ROI = 78.3%*

Bathroom remodels consistently rank at or near the top in term of return on investment. Whether it's a powder room or a master bath, beautiful, updated surfaces, water-saving fixtures, and neutral tones are the minimal improvements that should be considered. Taking another step up, enlarging the room itself and adding luxurious "spa" elements such as a deep soaking tub, heated floors, and a double shower will obviously increase the budget and, likely, the appeal of a master bath.
ALL ROOMS - WINDOW REPLACEMENT
Average ROI = 81.2% (wood), 79.3% (vinyl)*

Replacing windows may not rank high on the glamour scale, but buyers appreciate the appearance and improved energy efficiency of new windows and are willing to pay for them. Insulated windows are a smart improvement for homes in any climate, and will make the house look better both inside and out.
Here are a few more thoughts to keep in mind:
Regional differences
While the above figures are average, what's most in demand in one geographical area may differ elsewhere. Do your homework before committing to a project.

Aim for universal appeal
Avoid highly unusual designs, strong colors, and unique custom components that can be polarizing to potential buyers. Remodeled spaces should look great to the widest possible audience.

Don't over-improve
Homeowners should be careful to keep upgrades and improvements within the range of similar homes in their neighborhood. The most expensive home in the area, however attractive, is rarely the easiest to sell.

*Source: 2007 Cost vs. Value Report (Remodeling Magazine and REALTOR® Magazine)
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Manufactured Home Tie-Down Inspections Now Offered by Pillar To Post

10-23-08
Chris Livingston

Loans for Manufactured Homes Made Easy - Pillar To Post - The Home of Home Inspection

Introducing Foundation Inspections for Manufactured Homes from Pillar To Post® and Hayman Residential Engineering Services


If you've ever been involved in securing an FHA backed loan on a manufactured home, you know what a hassle it can be to get the engineer's certification on the foundation necessary to close the deal. Finding a certified professional engineer who is willing, able, and familiar enough with government regulations to certify the foundation of a manufactured home - let alone someone who will provide the certification in a timely manner and at a reasonable price - can be a huge challenge.

Fortunately, there is now a way to simplify the certification process and get to closing with fewer delays and less frustration.

Hayman Residential Engineering Services, Inc. - Engineering Expertise for the Manufactured Housing Industry

Pillar To Post, the industry leader in home inspection services, and Hayman Residential Engineering Services (HRES), a nationwide engineering firm specializing in manufactured homes, are pleased to announce a strategic alliance. This new alliance will allow lenders, Realtors, and home owners from coast-to-coast to quickly and easily obtain foundation certifications on manufactured homes from a certified professional.

Home Photo

By working together, HRES and Pillar To Post have streamlined the certification process. Rather than wait up to 3 or 4 weeks for an opening in a local engineer's schedule, within two business days of receiving your call, a Pillar To Post home inspector will visit the property to collect the necessary measurements and photographs. This data will be passed along to HRES, where a dedicated team of professional engineers with special expertise in this area will either provide the certificate, or determine that the foundation does not meet FHA/VA criteria. The turnaround time on the certification is just 3-5 business days with a 24-hour RUSH service available.

As an added value, if the home does not meet the criteria for certification, HRES can recommend repair contractors who are FHA certified to make the necessary repairs. Neither HRES nor Pillar To Post make any commission in any form from these contractors. This is purely provided as a service.

Photo Montage


To learn more about Pillar To Post / HRES inspections for manufactured homes, call your local Pillar To Post representative at:

(503) 682-3053

or visit

www.hayman-res.com

www.pillartopost.com

www.livingwithmyhome.com


- Over 10 Years in Business with thousands of inspections in this office alone & tens of thousands in the NW
- Full Home Inspections
- P&D Only (FHA & VA Approved) & Single System Inspections
- Commercial Buildings
- Multi-Unit and Apartment Buildings
- Radon Testing with results on-site & Asbestos Sampling
- Home Energy Tune-Up Inspections

PortlandWestSide@pillartopost.com

CCB 151008

Mention this email and receive $20 off the cost off your next full home inspection


Valid only if mentioned when booking appointment and
only at this location. Each office independently owned and
operated. Offer expires 11/15/2008.
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