As the weather gets cold outdoor animals such as squirrels are looking to make attics, chimneys,  basements and garages their home for the winter. Squirrels, rats and mice are well equipped to live outdoors, however, like humans they prefer warm, interior spaces. Our homes are ideal for protection from predators and a perfect place for them to reproduce, increasing their offspring's chances of survival. It's important for home owners to be proactive in effectively pest-proofing your homes in an effort to keep these creatures out.                                                                              Inspection Is The Key!Many articles are written on how home owners should walk in and around their homes and look for certain defects and make repairs such as sealing small holes, repa... 12/08/2016

Very often when I introduce myself as the home inspector and after an exchange of pleasantries, the  home owner will say ' the house is in great condition' or ' the house is solid through and through.' I always say to myself "how many times have I heard that before?" But I smile and say to the owner "that's great." For personnel reasons I always hope the house is in good condition, because if it is, that's less time I have to spend in writing the report and inserting pictures.                                                                                        It's Inevitable Over time any house is going to need a little TLC, it's inevitable - repairs, or replacements parts will at some point be needed. When making repairs there's only two approaches, the right way and the wrong way. ... 12/07/2016

Termites and carpenter ants are the most destructive insects of wood in structures found in the United States. Yet another insect that must be addressed are Carpenter Bees. Although not as destructive as termites, or carpenter ants, carpenter bees can do their fair share of damage to the exterior of structures. During the summer months, Home Inspectors and Pest Control Professionals (PCP) will be attentive to the damage that results from an infestation of carpenter bees.                                                                     Characteristics of Carpenter Bees                                                                                    Carpenter bees Closely resemble bumble bees in that they both have a stocky or robust build. The major difference in their physical char... 05/07/2016

   Wooden decks and porches if not properly cared for can be an all day breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet. Termites, the most destructive insect of wooden structures are opportunist with an unending appetite . They are masters of taking advantage of a neglected home. So how can home owners keep their outside recreational areas free from termite infestation? Well, there are three key ways. First, it's important to give a visual inspection of all accessible components of your deck and/or porch. The illustration above gives the names and shows the areas of the components you should inspect. The posts, beams, joist and face-boards are the areas you want to especially examine because they are closest to the ground where subterranean termites emerge from. In these areas look for mud-tubes th... 04/20/2016

One of the signs that a structure may have a Subterranean termite infestation is the presence of shelter tubs, most commonly called mud tubes. These tubes range in sizes, from a 1/4 inch or more in width. Instinctively wise, subterranean termites construct mud tubes to gain access to food sources and to protect themselves from the drying effect of open air and exposure to predators such as ants.Home inspectors as well Pest Control Professionals can find mud tubes in hidden spaces such as support post in crawlspaces. The picture below on the right shows an active mud tube on a support post in a crawlspace during a termite inspection. The subterranean termites are coming from a crack on the floor and making their way up in the post to the floor joist above. The picture on the left shows a... 11/13/2015

  So even though it's the middle of Winter with snow blankets surrounding Long Island, you can still get ready for the boating season at an indoor boat show.   Featuring the latest in watercrafts, plus information on marine electronics, accessories, fishing gear, jet skis and safety in boating.   Where: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York   When: February 27-March 1 2015  Show Hours Friday 4:00 pm- 8:00 pmSaturday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Sunday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm     Ticket Prices Adults $10.00 plus $1.00 Nassau Coliseum TaxSeniors $8.00 plus $1.00 Nassau Coliseum Tax Children 6-12 $3.00 plus $1.00 Nassau Coliseum Tax Children 5 and Under FREE For a $2.00 off coupon, go to http://www.nyboatshows/com/nassau   This local event information brought to you as a courtesy by Real Estate Agents Law... 01/29/2015

Most home owners give little or no thought to their roof shingles and flashing. Little or no thought is given to them because they are out of sight out of mind, until the roof leaks. Roof coverings are the first line of defense against the outside elements. They are also the most exposed components of a buildings exterior envelope.Roof cover materials such as shingles, roll roofing, slate, whatever one may have should be inspected and maintained just like any other building material. Since the proper installation of the roof cover is essential in keeping the interior dry, it's helpful to understand how they work and the condition they should be in to work effectively.                                                                    Types of Roof Systems   Flat roofs and sloped roofs a... 09/13/2013

Shims are an important building material used in construction and a number of interior and exterior installations. Most often shims are used when installing windows and doors to make them level and balanced. Shims are also used extensively on stair carriages and stringers. They are also used to give support and strength to other building materials. Shims are versatile and very useful to the tradesmen. When you see an excessive amount of shims however, likely it's an indication that something is seriously wrong. At a recent home inspection, I noticed the living room floor sloped significantly. Some of the windows were hard to open and close, and some doors didn't close properly. Since the house was unoccupied it had the smell of mold, so I thought there might be some rotting floor joist ... 08/16/2013

Out of the mouth of babes, a phase coined well over two thousand years ago is still applicable today. Recently when I was doing a home and termite inspection the owners young son, around seven or eight years old was about to enter the house through the back door. Before he went inside he said to me " there's termites over there." Now I just inspected the entire exterior part of the house. I saw no traces of termites, no shelter tubes, no shed termite wings, no dead termites, nothing. All entry points were nicely sealed, and windows caulked. In fact the perimeter of the house had a good slope allowing rain water to drain away and not pool around the foundation and attract wood destroying insects. The gutters and downspouts were in good shape as well. So I entertained the young boy and as... 08/03/2013

    Regularly inspecting and changing your air filter is a sure way of keeping your unit running smoothly, avoiding costly repairs and down time, and keeping money in your pocket. When should you replace and inspect your air filter? Here are some factors to consider. If you look at the graphic above (courtesy of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) notice that the condenser unit is located under a tree and surrounded by grass and shrubs. Depending on the size or your garden and how often you work it, such as tilling soil, planting, pulling weeds, lawn mowing, using herbicides and pesticides, and even watering mean that dirt, chemicals and condensation can be pulled into your home’s ventilation system. Even though the condenser unit is at the proper distance from ... 04/30/2013

Regular home maintenance is essential for the smooth operation of the many systems and components in and outside of your home. There are some tasks that if left unattended, can lead to a home system that’s inefficient and overworked, which can result in problems and expenses. One such task is changing the filter of the home’s HVAC system. Changing the filters is really quick, simple and inexpensive, and changing them regularly can mean the difference between maximum comfort or unavoidable repairs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ... 04/25/2013

 Ceiling fans are a cost effective way of keeping the interior of your home or business comfortable throughout the year. They come in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes and can add to the elegance of any room. How and where they are used as well as the most common problems are things home owners should be aware of.   Uses and Parts  Air conditioners are made to cool the air within a room, fans however do not actually cool the air, which is why they merely waste electricity when they circulate air in an unoccupied room. A safety cable on heavy fans are required to hold the fan in place in case the support housing fails. Be sure to read the instructions carefully. Industrial fans typically have three blades, while residential models have four or five. The blades are made from metal, w... 04/23/2013

What you should know about thermal windows when buying or renovating a home is that according to the U.S Department of Energy, heat gain and loss through windows account for up to half of a homes heating and cooling needs. Gas Fills, as well as other efficient or green window features, such as low-E coatings help plug "thermal holes" in the building envelope. When used in conjunction with low-E coatings, gas-filled windows can yield incredibly high R-values, so they make a good choice for retrofitting a home to enhance its overall energy efficiency. This means that good quality windows are essential in keeping your home comfortable and more money in your pocket.                                                                                    What are Gas Fill Windows? Most manufacture... 04/19/2013

Weeks after hurricane Sandy hundreds of homes and businesses are still without power and in many cases without heat. Homes in and around the east coast had to have drywall, carpet and furniture removed due to flooding. Flooding from hurricane Sandy resulted not only with damage to interior structures, but also brought in contaminants such as raw sewage, oil, and salt which is corrosive and dangerous to the electrical system. In most cases people have had to deal with hurricane Sandy and mold. Sanitizing floor joists, studs, crawlspaces and basement walls will help prevent the spread of germs and disease. The use of a power washer is a good way to clear out the contaminants and salt from the systems and components. However when sanitizing the interior of your home or business, caution is... 12/01/2012

Pre-game Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets tonight at Nassau Coliseum This is a treat for Long Island locals and New Yorkers alike to view the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets before the official  Basketball season begins. Did you know? The coliseum used to be home to the Nets. Yep, it's true.  Long Island used to have a pro basketball team from 1971-72 through 1975-76 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Game starts at 7:30pm eastern time.  For more information please visit Nassau Coliseum Tickets    Feng Shui LI *Carole Provenzale was a Certified Feng Shui Consultant who graduated from the Country's very first School for Feng Shui Studies that was licensed and accredited in 1997. Her Daughter, the second generation of Certified feng Shui consultants provides on site Feng Shui Consultation... 10/24/2012

  The Silver Lining Chronicles - AGING IN PLACE - A PREFERRED OPTION FOR MANY I came across this Aging Acronym put out by the Senior Care Society. Seniors, for whom aging in place is an option, should pay attention to the following recommendations for a successful experience: 1) Access support. Family members, friends and community are essential.2) Guidance. People with experience can ease the burden of coping with change. 3) Independence. Begins at childhood and is devastating when lost.4) Navigate. Resources are available when help is needed. 5) Garner safety. Ensure that the environment will not produce a fall or injury.   When given a choice, most elderly people will choose to live out the remainder of their years at home. Support in this decision may well be the most important fact... 04/27/2012

Attic spaces are useful in a variety of ways. Some people use it for storage and some turn them into habitable living space. They are often used to run electrical wires, as well as duct work for A/C units. What I mostly find is some contractors and diyer's use them to hide their shoddy attic work. An example is an inspection I did in a condo, the attic was used as a venting space for the bathrooms and clothe dryer on the first and second level. The picture below shows the bathroom vent just short of extending through the roof. Why cut the hole for the vent if its not going to be used? All the warm moist air from the bathroom can result in mold growth on the roof Sheathing and other wood supports. Also if some one walks on the roof, lets say for repairs and they step on the cut out area ... 02/03/2012

          Fire extinguishers can give a measure of safety in the work place and even in the home for those who have them. Inspecting them monthly is a must to ensure they work properly if needed. In the previous post I wrote that one of the first things when inspecting a fire extinguisher is identifying its location, and making sure it is easily accessible. The picture to the left is an example of a clearly visible and easily accessible extinguisher. Not knowing where one is when its needed can be costly even deadly because any delay could sadly result in loss of life and/or property.                                     How To Use Them      Knowing how to use an extinguisher is just as important as inspecting them. To keep it simple, remember the word PASS. Remembering this four letter ... 01/24/2012

Real Estate Appraiser Appraisals Uniondale NY We are a quality orientated  real estate appraisal firm serving Uniondale, Nassau County, Long Island, New York; extremely experienced in appraising one and two family homes in Uniondale and throughout Southern Nassau County. I grew up in  Wantagh NY very close to Uniondale  And returned to live in Wantagh for many years  and am extremely knowledgeable about Uniondale neighborhoods  and real estate market values in  Uniondale NY I have appraised or reviewed appraisals of hundreds of homes in Uniondale over the years. I offer a somewhat short desktop (but still comprehensive) form type report which represents a significant cost savings over traditional narrative and even typical residential form reports, while essentially providing the same l... 01/09/2012

BRIAN BUFFINI'S SUCCESS SEMINAR   This morning, I was excited to attend Brian Buffini's Success Seminar held, close to home, at the Marriott in Uniondale. Although, it was a gray and rainy day, there was a large turnout and the crowd was eager to hear what he had to say. If you've never had the pleasure of hearing Brian Buffini teach, then I can attest to the fact that he's a dynamic, motivational speaker with a noticeable Irish accent and a terrific sense of humor. Time moved very quickly during the program. The audience was riveted to the front of the room while Buffini delivered his practical, no-nonsense approach to success in this New Era of Real Estate. As Buffini spoke about the opportunities in today's market: less competition rockbottom prices low rates he pointed out common pi... 09/23/2011