Athenia Home Inspectors, LLC

Phone: (404) 447-4677
FAX: (800) 503-9952
PO Box 3644 
Alpharetta, Ga. 30023

Click here to see a sample report



Its That Time Of The Year. Time To Get Your House Ready For Winter


Its that time of the year, time to get fire wood for the fireplace and wake up the old furnace after its summer of hibernation. Now if you’re like most of use, you won’t think a thing about this. It’s kind of a yearly ritual, so not a lot a thought goes into it. However, we should take some precautions. Here are a few suggestions.

Filters should be checked monthly and maintained as necessary. For the best result seek HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. Although more expensive than regular filters, these will help clean the air while your system is running. A good HEPA filter can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers (µm) in diameter from the air you breathe. This type filter will pick up mold spores, and many air born allegiant. This is the time of year you and your family will spend a lot more time indoors.

For more information goto http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEPA

If you have a smoke and or Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector, test them now. The process is not very complicated. Most detectors have a self test feature. Follow the manufactures suggested testing procedure. It will not take long to do. While you’re at it replace the batteries. Remember Murphy’s Law!

For more information go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pyfff/smkalarm.html

Don’t forget the carbon monoxide detectors.

If you want to know more about carbon monoxide detectors goto;

http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/466.html

If you don’t know what it looks like and you have a security system. Ask you alarm vendor, if you don’t have any ask about getting some installed. If you have one installed Ask Your Vendor How To Check It

Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. It is odorless, tasteless, has no color and kills by robbing your red blood cell from their ability to absorb oxygen. Results, you’re organs are gradual suffocated. Your brain is the most sensitive organ to oxygen depravation. So how does that affect you? You start feeling tired and sleepy. Be warned, This does not mean that every time you feel sleepy or tired you have CO poisoning. But to be on the safe side you need to have a CO detector or monitor.

You do not need a security system to install a CO monitor. Lots of plug in models are available. These are installed on a 110 VAC receptacle and do the job required. Check at Lowes or Home Depot. Make sure you get one that has a battery backup. In the event of a power failure your fireplace may be your best friend. Your fireplace can produce CO emissions in rare occasions or power could be lost to the monitors but not the furnaces. CO monitors are very in expensive for the work they do and the lives they can save.

When you buy one, follow the manufactures recommendation on where best to place them and how to test them.

Something most people forget is the fireplace. Get your fireplace ready by having it inspected. Cresol can build up in the chimney. Cresol is a resin that can build up in the flute. It’s a by product of burning wood. Make sure that damper works and make sure the damper when closed, seals. You would be surprised how may people forget to close them. Remember nine out of ten people in Atlanta are not from Atlanta. Fireplaces are common in Georgia but not every where else.

Something else you may want to do in preparation for the really cold weather is the garden hose spigots. Do not wait for the freez warning. Take advantage that your on a mission and turn them all off. Most houses have a spigot shut off valve on each spigot. Look under the sinks, you may find some valves there. Remember what our science teacher told us. Water is the only substance found in nature that expands when it freezes. This can cause pipes to burst in the walls. This can be an expensive repair, especially if your not home when it happens. So, close the valve and drain spigots.

Another thing you may want to look at is the grade of the soil around the house. All summer you have been putting down pine straw. It makes the landscape look good. Unfortunately it hides the ground so you don’t know if it has been changing. The grade should always be away from the house. Get a stick and probe around the house. Next to the wall of the foundation it should have the highest soil, as you move away in a perpendicular line from the house the ground should fall. If it’s not happing, call your landscaper and have him check it and if needed, have him build up the grade. This is a particular situation for new houses. The reason new house have this situation is the ground is excavated to prepare for the foundation and the molds used to pour the foundation. Once the concrete for the foundation cures, the forms are removed and the soil is retuned. The problem is the soil is sometime not re compacted to its original density. This sold will erode a lot quicker than the surrounding soil. This softer soil will erode and create a negative grade toward your house. Don’t worry, the problem is fixable with more dirt.

During the summer some of our feathered friend will have found your home as attractive as you and my have made their nest in your vents. Now that there gone, remove them. Don’t worry, next year they will build new ones. The problem is that these vents are for your bathrooms, drier and fireplace.

Now is a good time to trim those shrubs away from the house. The shrubs should be at least 12 inches from the house. Shrubs are attractive, but like all plants they give off moisture and cover the house from the sun. This slows the drying process of the house and can cause algae or mold to form. Remember you’re on a mission.

This time of year is also a great time for long hot showers. So if you want to enjoy a longer hot shower, drain off some of the sediment that accumulated at the bottom of your tank. It acts like an insulator. How do you do it, follow the manufactures instructions. Another way is turn off the Hot water heater, ( before you do that make sure you know how to light the pilot light, ) If you know how to light the pilot light of have a good friend who does. Consume all the hot water and then connect a hose to the bottom of the tank and open the valve at the tank and let some water out. You do not have to drain the entire tank. The initial surge should remove most of the sediment. Drain a few gallons, check and make sure the water is coming out clear. then close the valve, reignite the pilot and your ready for your next hot shower.

By now lots of leaves have fallen. Make sure the Air Cooling Compressors are free of leaves and organic debris. These units are designed to shed water. Some organic material will produces acids as they decay and can cause damage to the units. You can cover them, but all that is really needed in our mild winter is maintaining them free of debris and they should be ready when the heat comes back.

Hello, my name is George Font, and I am an ASHI certified home inspector I hope this information is helpful, I wish you all the very best in these coming holidays and may Gods blessing be with us all.


Do you know that nine out of ten people in Atlanta are not from Atlanta..? Do you know that houses in Atlanta and Georgia are not constructed to resist or support heavy snow loads as in the north east. Do you know that in Atlanta, houses do not need to be constructed to resist California type earthquakes, wild fires or hurricane winds like in Florida and the gulf coast States or hail impact like in Texas? Construction in Atlanta and the State of Georgia can be very different than other parts of the United States and other parts of the world. Do you know that a four sided brick house may not necessarily be a brick house.? Do you know that a Stucco covered house is not a concrete structure. That Louisiana Pacific siding is not necessarily a bad thing. Plastic plumbing is not bad. But do you know what Polybutylene is?? Please be aware that this does not mean that houses in Georgia are defective or bad, it just means that they may be different than what you are accustomed to and there is a lot you need to know.

The growth of the last ten years has made it necessary for mass production techniques to be used in the construction industry to meet growing demand. This has resulted in house construction that can vary from excellent to not so great. The variance in construction can be due to the county the house was constructed in, the workmanship, the knowledge of the construction crew, materials used, age of the house or code in effect in the county or city at the time of construction. Some additional factor that effect a house is the geography, lot drainage and how the owner or owners took care of the property. So how does a buyer know what they are getting into? Someone has to help.

One more thing of importance, after the civil war, the south was and is being invaded by people called carpet baggers. These were people that came to the south to make a fortune and they did not care how they did it. Unfortunately in todays world they are still here and still coming to the south. More than ever you need to know. Laws have been enacted to protect consumers, the few that exist have not been well enforce. The south is not as heavily regulated or guarded as some of the older northerns states.

That is the reason I established Athenia Home Inspectors, LLC. This allows me to do something that is needed and that allows me to continue with my passions for helping people. This is why I became a home inspector.

Why a house inspector?

The only people that can help you are well trained and experienced home inspectors. Are you aware there are over 158 counties in the state of Georgia and some of those counties have various cities, each with its own construction ordnance and code enforcement office? Are you aware that in 2007 the first law requiring a contractor to be license was passed and many of the old contractors where grand fathered. Do you know the only requirement by law for home inspectors is the inspector must produce a written report? The law does not state how the report should be laid out or what the report should include. I know people that have received a piece of paper with a written OK and a signature and charged $300.00 for a 30 minuet inspection.

My name is Jorge I Font, my friends call me George. I am an ASHI certified house inspector. http://www.homeinspector.org/membershipdirectory/details.aspx?id=9QJ6r42TriU=

Why ASHI??

Well first let me tell you a bit about professional home inspections. Home inspections were first performed in the mid 1950s, and by the early 1970s were considered by many consumers to be essential to the real estate transaction. The escalating demand was due to a growing desire by home buyers to learn about the condition of a house prior to purchase. Meeting the expectations of consumers required a unique discipline, distinct from construction, engineering, architecture, or municipal building inspection. As such, home inspection requires its own set of professional guidelines and qualifications. The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) formed in 1976 and established the ASHI Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics to help buyers and sellers make real estate transaction decisions based on accurate, objective information.

ASHI Standards of Practice

The ASHI Standards of Practice were created to guide home inspectors in the performance of their inspections. Subject to regular review, the Standards of Practice reflect information gained through surveys of conditions in the field and of the consumers’ interests and concerns. Vigilance has elevated ASHI’s Standards of Practice so that today they are the most widely-accepted home inspection guidelines in use and are recognized by many government and professional groups as the definitive standard for professional home inspection performance.

Code of Ethics

The ASHI Code of Ethics stresses the home inspector’s responsibility to report the results of the inspection in a strictly fair, impartial, and professional manner, avoiding conflicts of interest.

Selecting the right home inspector can be as important as finding the right home and realtor.

To be certified, as an ASHI certified home inspector we must pass the National Home Inspector Examination.
http://www.homeinspectionexam.org/test_policies.php This is the same examination used by many States to license state home inspectors. This exam is taken in a proctored environment with only a few pieces of paper and a pencil. This examination is paid for by each inspector. This is not part of our ASHI membership fee. In other organizations a person can take an exam at home, on the web, open book and as many times as needed to pass without any additional cost beyond membership.

In addition to all this, in ASHI we are required to pass a code of ethics and standards of practice examination. The ASHI code of ethic and standards of practice are the principles used by all ASHI certified members. Many States have used this Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice to establish their own State professional standard, ethics and licensing requirements. The ASHI code of ethics and standard of practice are open to everyone to review; http://www.homeinspector.org/docs/standards.pdf

Since passing an exam only verifies and validates knowledge, ASHI requires that an inspector have a minimum of 250 paid inspections to assure experience. No one can be certified by ASHI unless they have had over 250 paid inspections. Of these 250 minimum inspections, ASHI will request a random 50 inspections which are verified by an committee of senior ASHI judges to assure the inspector is following ASHI standards of practice. An inspector will not be certified until the reports meet ASHI standards. Being an ASHI certified house inspector assures our clients, a minimum experience, the highest level of knowledge and a high standard of professionalism.

As an ASHI Member having performed no fewer than 250 fee-paid inspections in accordance with the ASHI Standards of Practice. We have passed written examinations testing our knowledge of residential construction, defect recognition, inspection techniques, and report-writing, as well as ASHI’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Just paying the fee will not do. We must take a minimum of 20 hours of additional training every year. Membership in the American Society of Home Inspectors is well-earned and must be maintained.

In addition to our high professional standards, we strive to work and protect our Clients and Real Estate professionals. To do this we keep liability and error and omission insurance. We have Supra lock box key access which requires the inspector to be sponsored by a Real Estate Broker. We have been trained on all the International residential code and hold membership with the International Code Council(ICC). The ICC are the people that publish the building code we in the United Stated and Canada follow when constructing houses and buildings.

At Athenia Home Inspectors we are school trained and continue training. As ASHI certified inspectors we are required to take a minimum of 20 hours of continued educational training, yearly, to maintain certification.

Regardless of all this, our inspectors are not in a hurry to leave. Remember a good house inspection should take no less three hours, anything less is not a complete house inspection.

If you want a home inspection, call some one else, if you want and excellent home inspection, call us at Athenia Home Inspectors, our number is 404-447-4677, we have a passion for what we do. For us, this is not a job, it’s an opportunity to help someone and gain a friend. There is no greater pleasure than helping someone and making a life long friend.

Why is the Company called Athenia Home Inspectors?

Athena is the goddess for whom the Greek capitol city of Athens was named after. She was the goddess that symbolizes wisdom, craftsmanship, justice and righteous warfare. This is what we believe. We believe that a well crafted and maintained house will last forever. We fight for our client and seek justice by giving our client the information needed to make an educated decision to by.

WHAT IS A HOUSE INSPECTION?

A house inspection is a visual inspection of the structure and components of a home to find items that are not performing correctly or items that are unsafe. If a problem or a symptom of a problem is found the home inspector will include a description of the problem in a written report and may recommend further evaluation. All inspections in Georgia, by Georgia law, require a written report. Do not settle for less.

To see what a home inspection is all about go to this the American Society of Home Inspectors web site ; http://www.ashi.org/customers/vhi_tour.asp

If you want to know more, please read on

WHY IS A HOME INSPECTION IMPORTANT?

Home Buyers:
Emotion often affects the buyer and makes it hard to imagine any problems with their new home. A buyer needs an impartial home inspection to find out all the problems possible before signing a 30 year mortgage obligation. There can be many things in the house that can be going bad or be at the end of its useful life. Finding these now can give you the opportunity to get them repaired, replaced or ask for adjustment of the sale price and or closing cost. A good home inspection pays for itself by saving you money. Money that you will not have to spend because you found the defects before you signed.

Home Sellers:
More house sellers are choosing to have an inspection done before or when they first list their home for sale for obvious reasons. You should have a home inspection for full disclosure. With a full disclosure you will have demonstrated that you did all you could do to reveal any defects within the home and what you did to correct it. Buyers are concerned with the I DO NOT KNOW on the disclosure form.

The second reason is simple. The inspection will help you make a higher profit on your sale by saving you money, problems and the time it takes to close on the sale. Remember, the longer the house takes to sell, the less profit you will make. Every month the house is on the market the flags go up and people wonder why. Each month is one more mortgage payment you will have to make and not get back.

The knowledge of defects gives you three choices. You can repair, replace and or disclose. This decision is yours and it will give you time to shop around for good contractors to repair and or you can determine what you can do yourself, saving you time and money. With the repair quotes you can decide to replace if the repair is too costly or you can decide to lower the price and disclose.

Remember that if the buyer has to find a contractor to make repairs or replace items the cost can sky rocket and your sale price can see a significant drop or the buyer can walk away and recover his or her earnest money, leaving you to wait for the next buyer, how many more months away? How many more mortgage payment away. Remember, once you put down a sale price you can not change it to recover the additional mortgage payments.

The cost of some repairs and the inspection combined can be less than a monthly mortgage payment.

WHAT IF THE REPORT REVEALS PROBLEMS?

All homes (even new construction) have problems. Every problem has a solution. Solutions vary from a very simple fix of the component to adjusting the purchase price. Having a home inspection allows the problem to be addressed before the sale closes or the buyer looses interest.

WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTION INCLUDE?

At Athenia Home Inspectors we follow ASHI standards and code of ethics. A home inspectors report will review the condition of the homes heating system, central air conditioning system (temperature permitting), interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic, and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement, and visible structure. We will offer additional services not included in a typical home inspection, such as mold and radon. All reports include diagrams of how things should be and lots of time, photos of what was found. For the handy man at heart, our report include links to web sites with additional information and how to do it sites.

WHAT SHOULD I NOT EXPECT FROM A HOME INSPECTION?

A home inspection is not protection against future failures. A home inspection is like a snap shot in time. Things breakdown in time, components like air conditioners and heat systems can and will break down. A home inspection tells you the condition of the component at the time the component was inspected. The age is given on many items so you can determine how much time it may have left in its life expectancy. For protection from future failure you may want to consider a home warranty.

A home inspection is not an appraisal that determines the value of a home. The home inspector will not tell you if you should buy this home or what to pay for this home.

A home inspection is not a code inspection, which verifies local building code compliance. A home inspector will not pass or fail a house. Homes built before code revisions are not obligated to comply with the code for homes built today. The home inspectors will report findings when it comes to safety concerns that may be in the current code such as ungrounded outlets above sinks. A home inspector thinks "Safety" not "Code" when performing a home inspection.

SHOULD THE BUYER OR SELLER ATTEND THE HOME INSPECTION?

It is often helpful to be there so the home inspector can explain in person and answer any questions. This is an excellent way to learn about a home even if no problems are found. We will be happy to tell you where things like. We will be happy to tell you where the main power, main gas and main water shut off is. We can tell you about some of the safety devices the house may have and suggest some that will be good to add. But be sure to give the home inspector time and space to concentrate and focus so he can do the best job possible for you

REAL-ESTATE AGENT CONSULTANT, AGENT OR BROKERS, CONSIDER THIS.

Why Get A Home Inspection?

When listing a home do you ever dread what is going to be found at your listings home inspection? Why do you risk this? Why not have the home inspected by the seller to avoid those bad surprises? Get the full information on our Sellers Inspection Program. This program is designed to get you to closing faster with fewer problems.

Buyers:

You are making a big investment and are depending on your agent to help you through this process. After finding the right home, the best thing you can do is make sure you get a home inspection. This is the only way to know what is happening or has happened the house. Remember the home owner and your real estate agent are not trained in house construction or building standards for this you need a house inspector.

Below are examples of some real inspection findings you can review to show why a professional home inspection is so important.

New Construction, Did you know that roof trusses can be damaged when they are field modified?



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New construction - Defective roof rafters





New construction - Incorrectly Installed Water Heater are a safety hazard





Poor foundation repairs





Disconnected flute are a fire and carbon monoxide hazard.




Foundation cracks can be the beginning of something worst and more expensive or nothing.






Polybutylene plumbing is a time bomb, sooner or later if will fail





Moisture damage to floor sheathing can be a sign of worst things waiting to happen.




Damaged floor sheathing






Badly cut floor joist weaken floor structure and can eventually fail




Loose toilets can cause a slow leak that can gradually rot the floor and the supporting joist.






Damaged rubber vent boots can allow water to enter the attic.






Can you determine if the stain on the roof sheathing is from and recent water leak or an old leak? We can.







Foundation that have been undermined by improper excavation can eventually fail causing major damage to the house





Natural gas leaks can be a hazard because it is both poisonous and explosive, do you have the tools to detect the problem? We do.





Roof damage may not be visible to the untrained eye






In Town Houses, the firewall may mean the difference from your house suffering damage in the unfortunate event your neighbors house has a fire






Insulation is extremely important in keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Do you have the correct thickness?








How are the gutter and downspouts? They play a very import function in keeping the foundation of your house strong by moving the water away from the house







Bad remodeling[/left]

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And the list goes on!

Should newly remodeled homes be inspected?

Remember when ever you update a system or a room you must bring that room or system up to Code standards. An example of this are GFCI.


Another advantage of an Internet sellers inspection is it can be use as an Internet sales tool!!

Our sellers inspection report enables the real estate agent to create a "Hot Link" at their web site listing that will take the prospective buyer straight to the home inspection report with no diversions. The report is written in HTML and can be viewed over the Internet instantly.

A sellers inspection will virtually eliminate all the problems a buyers inspection can find and cause:

1. No more renegotiation.
2. No more deals that fall through when the home inspector finds a problem.
3. No more does the Seller have to deal with inflated cost estimates that cost him or her money.
4. The agent no longer has to spend countless hours and dollars in energy and advertising to get a contract that is "that will not close" because of surprise defects.

Knowing what defects are present at the initial listing creates benefits:

1. It will allow the agent and the Seller to discuss what items should be fixed and what should not.
2. It will substantiate your price, or may convince a Seller to rethink the asking price.
3. It will be full disclosure protection for the Seller and agent.
4. It will allow the Seller to shop around for the best price to repair (not an inflated price that a Buyer would use to make sure all is covered.
5. It streamlines the process.

How easy is selling a house with a sellers Inspection?

After the listing is signed, a sellers inspection is performed. If significant damage or defects are found, there will be disappointment, but hysteria or regret will be minimal or non existent. No deal about to go sour. The agent will discuss the problems with the Seller and will determine if this listing is "AS IS" with full disclosure, or if any repairs need correcting to expedite the sale. The Seller then corrects any problem areas, and calls for a re inspection of the home. The home inspector returns, cleans up the report, and uploads the revised report to the Internet for your web listing link. Next, a buyer enters a contract agreement with the Seller. The Buyer will choose to trust the home inspection or, will have another inspection performed. The transaction proceeds as planned. Everyone is happy.

_______________________________________________________________________
If you have any questions on the following topics, follow these helpful links;

You want to know more about Septic Tanks, go to:

http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/wye/personel/Miller/septic.html
or
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt9401.html

If you need further assistance

BASIC RADON FACTS

Below are basic radon facts that you can use to properly educate the public on the subject of radon.

What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that comes from deposits of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but can threaten human health when it accumulates in buildings. Radon is a radioactive decay product of radium, which in turn is a decay product of uranium. Uranium and radium are naturally occurring common elements in soil.



What are the Health Effects of Radon?

Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon causes 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the country each year. Radon can be inhaled into the lungs, where it undergoes radioactive decay. As it decays, radon releases tiny bursts of energy called alpha particles, which can harm sensitive lung tissue by damaging the DNA. This damaged DNA can lead to lung cancer.



Where is Radon Found?

The primary source of high levels of radon in homes is the surrounding soil. Hot spots include basements, first-floor rooms, and garages. Radon has been found in elevated levels in homes in every state, and EPA estimates that as many as one in 15 homes across the U.S. have elevated radon levels. No area of the country is free from risk.



How Does Radon Get Into My House?

Radon gas enters the same way air and other soil gases enter the home; through cracks in the foundation floor or walls, hollow-block walls, and openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps. The process begins when warm air in the home rises. When this happens in your home, it creates a vacuum in the lower areas of the house. Nature hates a vacuum, so something must rush in to fill it. In the case of your home, air seeps in from the soil around and under the house, and some air is sucked in through openings (cracks, doors, windows) on the lower levels.



How is Radon Measured?

Radon is measured in pico curries per liter of air (pCi/L), a measurement of radioactivity. The EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that homes with radon levels 4 pCi/L, or greater, be fixed.



How do I Find Out if My House has Elevated Levels of Radon?



Radon test kits that meet EPA guidelines can be obtained from a radon testing company or laboratory. Get a listing from your state radon office or local health department by calling [insert state radon or health department phone number here].They are available at local hardware stores and home improvement stores. Testing your home for radon is as simple as opening a package, placing a radon detector in a designated area, and, after the prescribed number of days, sealing the detector back in the package and mailing it to a lab.



What Does it Cost to Lower Radon Levels?

The cost of making repairs to reduce radon depends on how your home was built and other factors. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs, like painting or having a new hot water heater installed. The average cost for a contractor to lower radon levels in a home is about $1,200.



How Can I Fix My House if it has Elevated Levels of Radon?

A variety of methods can be used to reduce radon in homes. Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic part of most approaches to radon reduction. EPA does not recommend the use of sealing and caulking alone to reduce radon because, by itself, sealing has not been shown to lower radon levels significantly or consistently. In most cases, EPA strongly recommends installing pipes and fans to reduce radon. Radon reduction contractors may use other methods that may also work in your home, depending on its design and other factors. Look in your local phone book or call your state radon office to locate radon mitigators in your area.




_______________________________________________________________________
Hola, que tal, me llamo Jorge Font, mi amistades y familia me llama George. Llevo muchos tiempo en los Estados Unidos. Creci el en la cuidad de Nueva York. Tome los grados primario y segundario en esta ciudad. Luego estudie los grados universitario afuera. Soy veterano de las fuerzas almas de los estados unidos y llevo mucho tiempo viviendo en Atlanta, Georgia

En mi corta vida e tenido la suerte de haber viajado mucho por nuestra America, por nuestros paises, el caribe y conosco muchos de los estados de estados unidos, e viajado por Europa y Asia. Algunas, veces por placer, otras por necesidad. Esto me a dado el conocer mucho de la construccion y las diferencia que hay. Esto me a permitido entender las preguntas que hacemos los latinos y las personas de otros paises y estado. Esto me ayuda entender el desconocimiento que puede haber. Por eso es que tengo este local de la red.

Comprando o vendiendo una Casa

La compra de una casa es el compromiso economico mas grande que hace una persona o pareja. Para asegurar que la compra se buena, se necesita buena informacion. Buena informacion es critica e importante y sin fin. Pero nada puede ser tan importante como recibir informacion correcta y confiable en el momento que va asumir el compromiso economico. Despues que firme, la casa es suya y tambien los problems.

La casa promedio es un complejo de sistemas. Estos sistemas se componen del tierra, cemento, madera, clavos, tornillos, la zapata, la estructura de madera, la cobertura de las paredes, de pisos, techos, puertas, ventanas, sistema de califacion y enfriamiento, calentador de agua, electro domesticos, Aparatos de aseo e higiene personal, lavamanos, lavadora de ropa y secadora, lavadoras de platos todos interconectado por miles de metros de cables electrico y tubereria.

Para llegar a los estandares establecidos, la casa tiene que ser eficiente en el uso de energia. La casa tiene que calentar eficientemente en el invierno y enfriar cuando llega el calor del el verano humedo de Georgia. La casa tiene que mantener el agua afuera y los niveles de humedad altos en la epocas de lluvias y temporada de verano y sobre todo, nos tiene que mantener sanos y a nuestros bienes salvo del mundo exterior.

Las casas en Georgia son muy diferentes a lo que estamos acostumbrados en nuestros paises de origen. Esta casa aunque sean diferentes hay que cuidarlas. Estas casas, como a todo sistema, se le tiene que dar mantenimiento para que los costos de operacion sean bajo y el valor de venta alto. Pero como sabemos hacer todo esto? Como se con quien tengo que hablar? Como protejo mi inversion? Como se lo que le esta pasando a la casa que tengo o voy a comparar?

Cuando encuentre la casa correcta para usted, usted necesita llamar a un inspector residencial profesional que conoce el mundo de donde vienes para que le informe de la condicion de los sistema de esa casa. Recuerde que la compara se va pagar en 360 meses. No importa si la casa es nueva o la a vivido otras personas. Conocer, es saber, y para saber es que esta el inspector residencial profesional de Athenia Home Inspectors.

Como latino, igual que usted, no solo le quedemos ayudar saber en que estado esta la casa, tambien le podemos ayudar saber como puede cuidarla. Esta son preguntas comunes y sabias y le dan paz mental, llame a un inspector profesional para que revise esa casa antes de comprometerse o venderla.

Toda persona quiere tener una casa propia. Pero comprar una casa puede parecer muy complejo, una serie de pasos criticos que consumen mucho tiempo, con decisiones importante y sin fin. Pero nada puede ser tan importante como recibir informacion correcta y confiable de como esta el estado y funcionamiento de esa casa que a uno tanto le interesa y le va a costar.

La casa promedio es un complejo de sistemas. Estos sistemas se componen de la tierra, cemento, madera, clavos, tornillos, los cimientos, la estructura de madera, la cobertura de las paredes, de pisos, techos, puertas, ventanas, sistema de calefaccion y enfriamiento, calentador de agua, electro domesticos, aparatos de baño, lavamanos, lavadora de ropa y secadora, lavadoras de platos todos interconectado por miles de metros de cables electricos y tuberia.

Para llegar a los estandares establecidos, la casa tiene que ser eficiente en el uso de energia. La casa tiene que calentar eficientemente en el invierno y enfriar cuando llega el calor del el verano humedo de Georgia. La casa tiene que mantener el agua afuera y los niveles de humedad bajo en las epocas de lluvias y temporada de verano y sobre todo, nos tiene que mantener sanos y a nuestros bienes salvo del mundo exterior.

Cuando encuentre la casa correcta para usted, usted necesita llamar a un inspector residencial profesional que conoce el mundo de donde vienes para que le informe de la condicion de los sistema de esa casa. Recuerde, la compara se va pagar en 360 meses. No importa si la casa es nueva o la a vivido otras personas. Conocer, es saber, y para saber es que esta el inspector residencial profesional de Athenia Home Inspectors. Queremos ayudarle saber en que estado esta la casa, tambien le podemos ayudar saber como debe estar y como la puede cuidar. Estas preguntas son comunes y sabias. Para paz menta y ayuda, llame a un inspector profesional para que revise esa casa antes se comprometa a comprar una casa o venderla.

Compradores Solteros y nuevos al la compra de una Casa

Para las personas que por primera vez van a comprar una casa o para las personas solteras, comprar una casa le puede parecer una experiencia compleja y amenazador. La ayuda de un inspector profesional le alivia-a muchas de sus preocupaciones y contestaria muchas de sus inquietudes. Despues de la compra es muy tarde. Con el conocimiento adecuado puede saber si el precio es razonable o hay que renegociar el precio.

Cuando el inspector profesional revise esa casa que tanto le gusta, el examinara todos los sistemas del hogar para saber si todo funciona como debe. Si gusta puede acompañar al inspector, a nosotros nos gustaria tener la oportunidad de contestarle sus preguntas y enseñarle lo que se ve y explicarle como funcionan los diferentes sistemas que componen su casa.

A nosotros nos gustaria-a poder explicarle como funcionan los sistemas y componentes de la casa y le podemos decir como y cuando darle mantenimiento para que los sistemas le duren mucho tiempo y evite el costo de una reparacion o reemplazo prematuro.

Ellos pueden localizar y explicarle donde quedan y como funcionan todo los aparatos de seguridad. Cosas como los GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters), AFCI (Arc-fault Circuit interrupters), las alarmas de humo, o monoxido de carbono, y la valvula de seguridad de su calentador de agua. Hay muchos sistemas instalados en su casa que estan para proteger a la casa y las personas que la viven. Sabes cuales son y como mantenerlos o como saber si no funcionan? El inspector sabe.

Tambien como parte de su repaso de los sistemas de seguridad, el inspector le demostrara con mucho gusto donde se encuentran las llaves principales de agua y de gas y el interruptor principal de la electricidad. En caso de emergencia, esto puede salvar la propiedad o una vida.

Recuerde, los inspectores profesionales de Athenia Home Inspectors estan para ayudarle proteger sus familia y su inversion. Ellos trabajan para usted.
Inspeccion de Casa Nuevas

Que puede ser mas excitante que la compra de una casa nueva? La experiencia de una comunidad nueva, nuevos vecinos y amigos y posiblemente un perspectiva nueva de la vida claramente puede ser un evento muy estimulante.

Pero que pasa cuando la novedad y las excitaciones se han ido? Sorpresas pueden ocurrir que disminuyan el placer de ser titulares de una casa. Aqui- es donde los inspectores de Athenia Home Inspectors pueden ayudar reducir las sorpresas desagradables y a veces costosas despues de la mudanza. El conocimiento adicional de la propiedad que va a comprar le puede dar una ventaja para negociar las reparaciones o precio.

Los inspectores de Athenia Home Inspectors conducen una evaluacion detallada de la casa y le pueden ayudar entender la condicion presente de la casa que piensa comprar. Nuestros inspectores estan capacitados y certificados para alcanzar los niveles mas altos de nuestra industria. Nuestros inspectores son capacitando en esculas y pertenecen a la asociación de ASHI, American Society of Home Inspectors. Esta asociación certifica que el inspector certificado por ellos, llaman los requisito mas altos de la industria de inspecciones residencial profesional. Para ser certificado por ASHI el inspector tiene que tomas el examen el “Nacional Home Inspector Exam”. Este examen es dado por una organización independiente nacional, y la toma es supervisada para asegura lo resultados del exam. No se permiten ayudas o materiales ajenos al examen. Hay otras asociaciones donde solo se necesita un examen para ser certificados. Lo triste es que el examen es tomado el la casa de inspector, sin supervision y se puede tomar cuantas veces le guste al inspector para pasar y no hay pruba de etica o de experiencia. El "Nacional Home Inspector Exam", es el mismo examen que se da en muchos estados de los estados unidos para lograr la licencia de Inspector de ese estado. Y si esto fuera poco, ASHI requiere que se pase un examen de etica .. Este examen prueba, y el inspector firma que entiende y va seguir el canon de etica de ASHI y las normas de inspeccion de ASHI. Pero como los exámenes solo prueban que la persona sabe. ASHI require que los inspectores certifcado tengan experiencia y requieren que el inspector tenga mas de 250 inspecciones hecha para saber que tiene experiencia. Usted no se montaría en un avion donde el piloto se acaba de graduar de la escuela de aviacion. Bueno en ASHI esto es igual, despues de tener 250 inspecciones hecha hay que enviar los nombres para que ASHI escoja 50 inspecciones y las revise un comitee, que asegure la imparcialidad y que el inspector sabe lo que hace y sigue el canon de etica de ASHI. Hasta que todo esto no se logre no hay certificacion. Esto le asegura a usted, el cliente, que tiene trabajando para usted una persona de la mas alta capacidad, calidad y etica profesional en Georgia.

Con las inspecciones de casa de Athenia Home Inspectors conocer porque Athenia Home Inspectors ofrece paz mental a mas compradores que ningun otro equipo de trabajo. Llame al 404-447-4677 para programar la inspeccion la casa que horita tienes o la casa que piensa comprar

Con las inspecciones de casas de Athenia Home Inspectors se tiene paz mental. Si querre una buena inspeccion llame a otro, si quiere una inspeccion excellente, llame al 404-447-4677 para programar la inspeccion lo mas pronto possible.

INSPECCION DE LA CASAS QUE SE REVENDE

La compra de una casa depende del deseo y gusto que tenga el comprador con la casa y la confianza que tengan con el vendedor. Por esto mas y mas agentes de bienes raices profesionales estan aconsejando a los compradores que inviertan en la inspeccion profesional de las casa antes de cerrar la compra. A consecuencia de este incremento en las inspecciones de las casa, los agentes estan aconsejando a sus clientes que venden sus casas hacer un inspeccion antes de ponerla a la venta. La razon de la tendencia es simple, la inspeccion de casa es una situacion en la cual ganan todas las personas envuelta y evita los malos ratos y permite que el comprador se sienta en confianza y quiera comprar.

Recuerde, comprar una casa es la inversion mas grande que hacemos. Como vendedor la inspeccion PRE venta le puede ayudar ser pro activo, dandole tiempo para reparar las cosas que usted entiende que puede y debe arreglar y a su vez ayuda al comprador sentirse con mas confianza con usted y a gusto con su casa. Al inspeccionar la casa antes de ponerla a la venta, el comprador va sentir que usted querre ver y estar seguro que la casa esta en buenas condiciones y lista para la venta. Al inspeccionarla antes de la venta usted le dice a su cliente que a usted le importa la casa y la gente que viene a comprarla. Otra ventaja de Inspeccionar la casa antes de ponerla a la casa a la venta es que le puede ayudar acortar el tiempo que tienes la casa en el mercado y asi economizarle los pagos de hipoteca por cada mes que no la vende. Los datos no dicen que mientras mas tiempo toma la venta, menos dinero y ganancia va lograr por la casa.

Radon

La persona adulta promedio inhala 22,000 litros de aire diario. Radon es un gas radioactivo que produce cancer. No lo puedes ver, oler o saborear y puede ser un problema en su casa.

La EPA ( Enviormental Protaction Agency) estima que mueren 20,000 persona anual a causa de Radon. Esto pasa porque al respirar aire que contiene Radon usted puede adquirir cancer del pulmon. Esto a llegado al punto que el (U.S.,Surgeon General) Cirujano General de los Estados Unidos a dado la alerta que Radon es la segunda causa de cancer en el pulmon en los estados unidos. Solo fumar cigarrillo produce mas cancer del pulmon. Si fumas y hay Radon en su casa su probabilidad de contraer cancer son mayores.

Radon se encuentran por todo los Estados Unidos. Puede estar en el interior de cualquier tipo de edificio, casa, oficinas o escuelas y resultar en niveles altos de Radon. Desafortunadamente usted y su familia tienen la mayor probabilidad de recibir las dosis mas altas de Radon en su hogar. Si quieres saber si su casa tiene Radon, llamen a Athenia Home Inspector para una evaluacion de Radon. Esta es la unica-a forma que realmente pede saber. Para mas informacion www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/index.html

Moho y los Hongos

Estamos viviendo en casa que son mas eficientes, esto ha reducido el consumo de energia-a y el costo de calentar y enfriar la casa. Desafortunadamente estas casas eficientes incrementan la exposicion a bacteria, moho y hongos. Esta situacion ha emergido como un problema significativo de salud. Moho y hongos es el nombre dado a miles de especies de organismos filamentosos. Estos organismos activamente producen (sopores) y gases que se incorporan en el aire que respiramos. Estos organismos con cuerpos en forma de red se adhieren a las superficies y crecen. Algunos crecen dentro del pulmon, otros son toxico y otros son venenosa a los seres humanos. Estos organismos estan creando un problema de salud. En algunas personas se manifiesta con problemas con reacciones alergicas, otros tienen problemas de inflamaciones e infecciones de la via-a respiratoria. Dependiendo de la exposicion y la tolerancia de la personas se puede manifestar con sintomas que parecen refriado o dolor de cabeza. Para empeorar el problema, algunos hongos comen celulosa, el material que se encuentra en la madera y de la cual la casas estan hechas. Si hay una mancho por la pared o si padeces de alergias, problemas respiratorios, esta lactando, embrazada, sufre de un sistema inmunologico debil, se le aconseja que inspeccionen la casa para ver si hay hongos y moho toxicos. Si necesita saber lo que esta pasando, Athenia Home Inspectors tiene el conocimiento y las herramientas para investigar si tienen hongos o moho toxico en su casa. Llamen para que se le revise la casa y este seguro. El numero el 404-447-4677.

Sabes lo que es el Radon? El Radon, es un gas radioactivo que se encuentra natural en todos los terrenos del mundo.

El 13 de enero del 2005 en una rueda de presa, el cirujano general, de los Estados Unidos de Norte America, el Dr. Richard H. Carmona, le advirtiere al pueblo de los riesgos del Radon. El proposito del mensaje era advertirle a todos los estadounidense del problema del Radon y para pedir que todos el pueblo evitaran que este gas radioactivo se filtrara dentro de las casas y los lugares de trabajo. El Dr. Carmona dijo que el problema del Radon era muy serio. Mas de 21,000 personas estan muriendo anualmente a consecuencia de este gas invisible, que no tiene olor o ni sabor.

Uno de los problemas es que el gas no tiene consecuencia inmediata. La EPA, (Enviornmental Protection Agency) dice que uno de cada quince casas tiene niveles del gas a o sobre 4 pico curies por litro. Este es el nivel establecido por la EPA donde hay que tomar accion y corregir el problema. Las concentraciones del gas a este nivel incrementan las posibilidades de contraer cancer.

Segun los datos publicados en la literatura de la EPA, 402-K-02-001, con fecha de Julio de 2002, Guia del Radon Para el comprador y vendedor de viviendas. A los niveles de 4 piCi/L (pico Curies por litro) Si fuma, la exposicion de Radon incrementa su posibilidad de contraer cancer de 3 personas por 1000 para la poblacion total normal que fuma a 29 por 1000 para las personas expuestas. Esto es 100 veces el riesgo de morir en un accidente de auto.

El Cirujano general dice que Radon es la segunda causa de muertes por cancer del pulmon en los Estados Unidos y la primera causa de cancer del pulmon en personas que no fuman. Si pensamos que el adulto promedio respira unos 22,000 litros de aire al dia. Tenemos 22,000 oportunidades al dia-a para inhalar este gas radioactivo.

Segun los estudios y estimados del la academia nacional de ciencia sobre los efectos del Radon, la probabilidades de contraer cancer es de 73 en cada 10,000 personas que nunca han fumado y 62 de cada 1000 para los que fuman. Los numeros varian pero el problema y el resultado es el mismo. Cancer del pulmon.

Que es Radon? El Gas de Radon es completamente natural. Lo produce la naturaleza. Es parte del proceso de descomposicion de Uranio 238. Otro elemento que se encuentra natural en el suelo.

Donde se encuentra? Esto es el problema, sabemos donde estan las concentraciones pero no sabemos con exactitud cuales casa los tienen. Esto es la responsabilidad de cada titular de hogar. Pruebas a demostrando que dos casa, una al lado de la otra pueden tener diferentes niveles de Radon y ambas estar en una region con alta incidencia de Radon.

Para mas informacion de los niveles promedio en su estado o su condado vaya al Web site; http://www.radon.com/radon/radon_map.html
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Para informacion sobre tanques septicos use los links ;

http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/wye/personel/Miller/septic.html
or
http://www.montana.edu/www pb/pubs/mt9401.html



We use inspectors that are;
*ASHI Certified Members
*GAHI, ICC Certified Members
*National Home Inspector Certified
*Radon Certified by AARST
*Trained for Mold and Fungus testing
*ITA school trained
*Hablamos su lenguaje
*Lock box access
*Liability and E&O Insurance


Athenia Home Inspectors
Helping you protect your family and your investments

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