Raleigh Home Inspector Gary Gentry - Owner of Quality Residential Inspectons; Master Inspector By Review

The MIBR® designation is awarded to a Home Inspector who demonstrates superior home inspection skill and knowledge as judged by a panel of his or her peers.  In the Peer Review process, a panel of experienced Home Inspectors simultaneously inspect a home to assemble an extensive list of the items that, in the collective opinion of the panel, are items that are considered to be “must-find” items. Must-find items are those deficiencies that are judged absolutely necessary to be included in any proficient, professional Home Inspection report such as that provided to a paying customer.

Raleigh Home Inspector Gary Gentry, Owner of Quality Residential Inspections, is an ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI) and has earned the prestigious NCASHI Master Inspector By Review (MIBR) designation

The Peer Review pits the skill set and knowledge of a single Home Inspector against the combined skill and knowledge of a group of six to eight experienced Home Inspectors. The  Peer Review is conducted under conditions that are much more stringent and laborious than those encountered during a typical Home Inspection. The candidate is allowed only two hours to complete their assessment of the home. Failure to observe and report on even a single one of the conditions, determined to be a “must find” item,  is disqualifying.

While attaining the MIBR® designation is a highly regarded achievement,  it’s not really about attaining a new designation. The exercise is, and is intended to be, an educational tool to be used by a professional Home Inspector to better their inspection skills.

It is rare that a Home Inspector is able to gain direct input regarding their knowledge, inspection methodologies, and their reporting habits. “A Home Inspector, no matter how experienced or knowledgeable they might be, is always able to improve” says Mr Gentry. “And, with a dedication to improvement comes an increased real value for home-buyers or other clients who contract for their service. Who among professionals isn’t interested in providing a better value for their customers? This Raleigh Home Inspector is always willing to participate in any activity that might serve to make me a better Home Inspector. The NCASHI Peer Review program provides a most valuable learning experience for any North Carolina Home Inspector wanting to better themselves and their offered service. But it isn’t for the thin-skinned or the faint of heart…candidates are told to check their egos at the door because they will be closely, and sometimes harshly, scrutinized”. To learn more about the NCASHI and the Peer Review process, visit them on their website.

Should you be in need of a professional Raleigh Home Inspector, then contact Quality Residential Inspections at 919-848-4833 or schedule your Raleigh Home Inspection right here on this website. Quality Residential Inspections provides Home Inspection and ancillary testing services to the entire Triangle region of North Carolina.

…..and all of us here at Quality Residential Inspections want to wish everyone, and especially all of our valued clients, referring real estate agents, and business partners a very Merry Christmas and the very best of happiness and prosperity in the coming New Year.

We are most grateful to all of you for your demonstrated and continued confidence in our Raleigh Home Inspection services because you are the reason we have been able to remain successful in these trying economic times…Thank You So Much! We look forward to the opportunity to continue to provide the best Home Inspection and related services to the good people of North Carolina.

The Raleigh Home Inspector wants everyone to be a bit more energy conscious…to reduce your winter energy use and save some money in doing so. Who doesn’t want save a few dollars these days, right?

With winter just around the corner, our energy bills are likely to rise in correlation with the fall of the mercury of the thermometer. I can almost hear the cacophony of groans as the envelopes from the utility companies are opened on a monthly basis during the winter heating months. There are however, some common sense actions that are conducive to some savings on your utility bills…things that we sometimes ignore, or take for granted, or that we just haven’t considered as costing us a bit more money than we otherwise have to spend. And, as it has been said by the wise Mr. Benjamin Franklin, “A penny saved is a penny earned”.

Furnace/HVAC Systems

Keep your furnace well maintained. If your furnace is working at peak efficiency it will use less energy and cost less to operate.

Clean or replace the filter every 30 – 45 days – a dirty filter reduces the airflow and forces the furnace to work harder and to run longer to heat your home. When it comes to heating systems, its all about efficiency. When it comes time to replace an existing system, consider purchasing a new ENERGY STAR® qualified furnace with a variable speed motor. Each year, an average home can save over $500.00 in natural gas and/or electricity costs  when upgrading from a standard efficiency natural gas furnace to a 95% efficiency furnace with a high efficiency variable speed motor.

Programmable Thermostats Are Installed In The Home Of The Raleigh Home Inspector

  Thermostat

This one is really easy.. simply lower your thermostat by 7 – 9 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re sleeping at night and when no one is at home. The Raleigh Home Inspector has ones like the one shown installed, manufactured by the Trane,  in his personal home.

You could also install a programmable thermostat. You can save 2% on your heating bill for every 2 degree F. you turn down your thermostat. With a programmable thermostat to consistently lower your heat when you don’t need it, you could save up to $60 a year!

There is one caveat…to realize the potential savings, one must learn and understand how to efficiently operate the thermostat; some of the thermostats on the market can be a bit daunting to learn how to operate. But persevere…it will be worth it in the end!

Laundry

Start using cold water when doing your laundry. 85 – 90% of the energy used to wash your clothes is used to heat the water. By switching the dial to the cold water setting  on your washing machine, you help the environment, save energy, and save money.

Wash full loads.

Only wash full loads of clothes…I know, I know…you don’t want the washer too full. But operating the clothes washer once for a large load rather than twice for two small loads only makes good sense, right. It will cost you less to do so.

Weather-stripping

Apply weather-stripping to operable windows, exterior doors, garage doors, and doors that lead to the attic spaces that abut conditioned space.

Windows, door frames, sills and joints

Apply a sealant or caulk around windows, door frames, sills and joints. On a windy day feel for leaks or use a couple of incense sticks to help identify leaks around windows, electrical outlets, vents and exterior doors. As well look for spider webs – if there is a web there is a draft.

Make Sure exterior doors close and latch tightly against their weather stripping

Make sure the bolt of the hardware secures the door in a position that is tight against the weather stripping; if there is excessive air transfer around the door when it is closed, consider adjusting the strike plate to provide tight closure. This is a very common item observed by the Raleigh Home Inspector while performing a Home Inspection.

Basement

If you have an unfinished basement or crawlspace, check for leaks by looking for spider webs. Where there is a web, there may be a draft. A large amount of heat is also lost from/through an uninsulated basement.

Pipes, ducts, fans and vents

Plug gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents that go through walls, ceilings and floors from heated to unheated spaces.

Shower-heads and faucets

Install low-flow  and faucets; you’ll use less water and, especially, less hot water.

Dishwasher

Always wash a full load in your dishwasher and air-dry your dishes on the “energy saver” setting; this is akin to the principal of  “less is more” as with the operation of the clothes washer.

Fireplaces

Close the damper of drafting fireplaces (when not in use, of course) to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney, and ensure that the damper fits/closes properly and fully.

If you are in need of a professional Home Inspection…A Quality Residential Inspections type of Home Inspection…then contact the Raleigh Home Inspector at 919-848-4833. Our friendly office staff will answer any questions or concerns that you might have and make sure that your Raleigh Home Inspection is scheduled to your satisfaction.

Buying a home can be exhilarating…owning a home can be exciting; the Raleigh Home Inspector is able to routinely observe the excitement evident when a new home is being purchased. Investing in your own home is smart, too, for a number of reasons. For most of us, the financial investment is a considerable one. I haven’t heard of too many homes being given away lately, have you? And I’ve posted here  before on various considerations regarding Home Maintenance. So what can the prudent home-buyer do to protect that substantial investment? What does it mean to “protect your investment”?

1) First, you should arrange for the services of a professional Raleigh Home Inspector to inspect the home prior to your purchase so that you know the physical condition of the property. I am often surprised at just how little time a prospective buyer, who is already under contract to purchase the property, has actually spent at there. I have stated before that a Home Inspector is paid to be suspicious even when there is nothing particular to be suspicious about…and that’s what you need prior to plunking down a significant amount of money for that new home…someone who is suspicious and someone who is not “in love” with that beautiful new home. A professional Home Inspection will provide you with valuable insight as to the physical condition of the property without emphasis on the floor plan of the house or the colors of the interior walls or of the condition of the wall-to-wall carpet. Having a Home Inspection will be mostly invaluable to you in your purchasing decision because the Inspection Report will identify areas of concern that you may not have yet considered. Is there any indication of damage from past plumbing leaks? What about from roof leakage? Are there any obvious electrical hazards present that need to be corrected? Is that garage overhead door operating safely?  The Home Inspector should also teach you a bit about the home because homes don’t generally come with  Owners Manuals. Where is that main water shut-off valve located in case you were to have to turn off the water…..right now? What is the most efficient way to operate the heat pump system?

The Raleigh Home Inspector Suggests That A Good Maintenance Plan Can Go A Long Way Toward Protection Of Your Investment

2) So now you’ve made a really good and informed purchase…you’ve signed on the dotted line and now you are the home-owner. Not a home-owner…THE Homeowner. It’s yours. It’s your baby! Not just part of it but the whole enchilada. Your perspective of how to protect your investment has just changed. Now, you have to maintain the home and do everything that you can to make sure it’s value is maintained. And that is a tall order and one that is often taken lightly or outright misunderstood. The maintenance of a home requires a significant general commitment as well as considerable expenditures of both time and money. Home Inspectors routinely report on various conditions that are quite costly to correct and, often, these issues could have been prevented with a good maintenance plan and some affirmative action. Anything to do with water is a recurring and prominent theme with a home. Keeping the exterior well maintained is important…the siding and wood trim need to be periodically prepared and painted to prevent deterioration. Plumbing leaks, and roof leaks, need to be discovered as quickly as possible to prevent damage…there’s that water “thingy” again.

And what’s going on in those spaces of the home …those places into which most people rarely venture. What’s happening in that crawl space or attic space? You need to know what’s happening, and to know, you have to go there or have someone else check it out for you. Having your cooling and heating systems serviced is important to their well-being and to their longevity. And the list goes on.

3) At some time in the future, you are going to decide you want to sell your home. Maybe you need to upgrade to larger spaces or maybe you’re in need of down-sizing. Irrespective of your motivations, you’ll want to be able to fetch the most amount of money that the market will bear. Right? So pay attention to the way the home looks. Pay attention to how it presents itself. Drag out that dusty ole’ home-buyers hat, put it on, go out to the street, and take a good long, hard and unbiased look at your home. Walk around the exterior. What do you see? Do you see well-manicured shrubbery or scraggly bushes brushing up against the exterior walls? Do you see blinds hanging askew in the windows? Do you see “stuff” around the perimeter of the exterior? While a Home Inspector doesn’t pay too much attention to cosmetic items, you can bet your hard-earned money that your prospective buyers are doing just that. Do you remember how the home looked the first time you saw it? So spruce up the exterior. Clean and tidy up the interior. Know that, just as you did, your prospective buyer will form a first impression and that you want that first impression to be a positive one. Protecting your investment begins with your due diligence prior to purchase and doesn’t end until you have sold your investment for the fair price that you deserve. Hopefully, and with a good maintenance plan, that price will be one that is profitable for you.

For more articles related to homes, home-buying, and Home Inspections by the Raleigh Home Inspector, Gary Gentry, visit his Expert Author page at e-Zine Articles.

While the identification and reporting of such things is outside the scope and Standards of Practice of a Raleigh Home Inspection in North Carolina (unless the Raleigh Inspector happens to be appropriately licensed), Home Inspectors are in a position to…”notice” …evidence that there may be issues with any particular home regarding pests. I mean, after all, we are the ones crawling around in the Crawl Spaces where most fear to tread. Most clients are aware that we are in an area where termites are a potentially major issue. Now there’s a word that strikes fear into home-buyers…but what about the other myriad of bothersome pests that might be present?

There are often some mostly obvious signs that there is, or has been, an issue. Many times, we’ll discover bait traps, rodentcides, glue blocks, and any number of readily available “systems” designed to rid an area of pests. Are those types of treatments effective? Maybe so and maybe no. But based on our experience, nothing beats the work of a professional who knows exactly what they are doing and who has all the right tools and methodologies to identify and correct most any problem.

A Glue Trap Observed In A Crawl Space During A Raleigh Home Inspection

A Bait Trap Observed During A Raleigh Home Inspection

Another Type Of Glue Trap Observed During A Raleigh Home Inspection

A Rodentcide Pellet Pack Observed In A Crawl Space By The Raleigh Inspector

In any event, your Raleigh Home Inspector may notify you, either in your Home Inspection report or verbally during the Home Inspection, that the house might have an issue with pests.  In that instance, it might be prudent to contact a licensed Pest Control Operator to determine what issues might be present and what might be the best way to remedy the problem.

If you are in need of a professional Home Inspection, we recommend you hire an Inspector that is certified by the American Society Of Home Inspectors (ASHI)…one that is a member of the North Carolina Chapter of ASHI (NCASHI).

Call Quality Residential Inspections at 919-848-4833 and schedule your Home Inspection today! Or Schedule Your Home Inspection right here on our website…

The  Holidays are just around the corner, and for many families (including the family of the Raleigh Home Inspector), that means dragging out the ornaments, decorations, and light strings that will adorn the house. Both electric lights, and  the  ladders typically  needed to install them,  present  some specific and very real safety hazard…you might be surprised at just how many people are actually injured (or worse) while up on a ladder hanging those Christmas lights.

There are a number of specific tips that can make the effort of decking your halls with boughs of holly and other such ornaments:

• First, use a high quality ladder and make sure it is both rated for your weight and appropriate for the task at hand; if hanging electric lights, a wood or fiberglass ladder is more appropriate
  

  The Raleigh Home Inspector Uses a High Quality Ladder Similar To This One Manufactured By Little Giant

• Ensure that the ladder is stable and in good condition…Check the ladder for cracks and missing or bent hardware, particularly if you haven’t used the ladder in some time.
• Always work within an arms distance away from you while you are on the ladder; don’t reach, lean, or stretch out to reach far away items; you can lose your balance and fall!
• Carry all your needed material in a tool belt as you climb a ladder; at the very least always keep one hand for you and one hand for what you need to be carrying (both hands for you is always better).

See a previous post from the Raleigh Home Inspector regarding electric lights and holiday safety.

For more information regarding the use of ladders and ladder safety, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Visit the Little Giant website for information on the the very best ladders made…a not-so-humble opinion,  of course.  The one used by the Raleigh Home Inspector was purchased over 15 years ago, is used daily, and remains in great condition…that’s a pretty good testament to their quality!

Be safe this Holiday season…the Raleigh Home Inspector and Quality Residential Inspections wish you the very best of  Holiday cheer!

If you are in need of a professional Home Inspection such as those routinely accomplished by Quality Residential Inspections, your Raleigh Home Inspection firm, then give us a call today at 919-848-4833.

Of course, says the Raleigh Home Inspector, there’s always the food at the NC State Fair. I mean, who goes to the fair and doesn’t imbibe themselves…right?? The stand-by “staple foods” (for myself at any rate) are the London Broil sandwiches (with cheese, mushrooms, and a touch of hot sauce)… and the roasted corn…and the eclairs from the Gingerbread house…and…oh, never mind!  It’s always interesting to see what kind of… bizarre… food they’ll being serving up. Last year it was the Krispy-Creme Burger. And this year, they actually had deep-fried butter…yep, a stick of butter…deep-fried. And no, I didn’t partake of that particular

The Raleigh Home Inspector Still Isn't Sure About Deep Fried Butter...But..err,...To Each Their Own

debauchery though I am, somewhat hesitantly and sheepishly, willing to admit that I did indulge in the consumption of one of those Funnel Cakes….with cherries and a bit of powdered sugar, of course.
We always enjoy the animal exhibits…and this year we took in a couple of the equestrian shows.

To me, one of the most interesting, and entertaining things at this years fair was that we were able to   catch a glimpse of DiVine, an 8+ foot tall animated vine that was simply mesmerizing to watch.

Actually, DiVine is Kirsten Heinrich, a classical and modern ballet dancer who has toured with the San Diego Ballet…her skills, strength, grace, and athleticism are all readily apparent; and her abilities to stay upright on those stilts as well. All of us felt quite fortunate to be able to see her perform. When our attention was initially drawn to her sudden but fluid movement, my first thought was “What the heck is that?”…and it just got more and more enjoyable to watch after the initial surprise. DiVine was truly  awesome to watch.

DiVine Blends Right In

What "DiVine" Talent....!

If you are in need of a professional Raleigh Home Inspector to assess the property that you are considering purchasing, then give Quality Residential Inspections  a call today at 919-848-4833… If the home will require Radon In Air testing, then we can schedule that for you as well.

When Mr. Joe Ruffing needs a professional Raleigh Home Inspection, he calls Quality Residential Inspections…listen to Joe as he tells you why that is…..

So there you have it…you see, Joe hired us the first time to inspect his own personal home. Then he hired another local Home Inspector and realized that our service was superior. Thank You, Joe, for your your kind words and for sharing your opinion with us!

We invite you to come visit us on the Raleigh Inspector YouTube Channel…where you can watch some of our videos pertaining to the topic of Home Inspections.

When you need a superior, professional Home Inspection in the Raleigh, North Carolina and Surrounding areas, then give us a call today at 919-848-4833. We look forward to hearing from you and to providing you with the best services possible! And, should you need ancillary testing services e.g. Radon-In-Air testing, water testing, etc., then we can take care of those needs for you as well.

Recently, Mr. Gibbs Smith wrote to us and said:

“Thanks Gary! Enjoyed meeting you and working with you! Appreciate the detailed and quality report!”

You won't be disappointed with the service of Quality Residential Inspections...Your Preferred Raleigh Home Inspection firm

We are constantly and consistently striving to provide our clients with an inspection experience that they are glad to a part of…one that they later reflect upon and sincerely believe that they received exceptional value for their expenditure.
Mr. Steve Lester, a repeat client, wrote and said:

“Hi Gary,
Thank you for another great job!”

And Mr. Chris Wykle  simply said:

“Thank you for the very thorough report!”

You can preview a copy of the type of Home Inspection Report that you can expect from us right here on our website.

To peruse more comments and reviews of the Raleigh Home Inspector, please visit our Quality Residential Inspections Google Places page where many of our satisfied Home Inspection clients have posted their thoughts for the whole world to see….and we really do appreciate their having taken the time to do so.

We invite you to come visit us on the Raleigh Inspector YouTube Channel…where you can watch some of our videos pertaining to the topic of Home Inspections.

If you are in need of a top-of-the-line, professional Home Inspection in the Raleigh, North Carolina and Surrounding areas, then give us a call today at 919-848-4833. We look forward to hearing from you and to providing you with the best services possible! And, should you need ancillary testing services e.g. Radon-In-Air testing, water testing, etc., then we can take care of those needs for you as well.

Get The Most Bang For Your Energy Buck

(ARA) – With demand for electricity and natural gas rising along with energy costs, American homeowners can easily spend hundreds of dollars a month on utility bills.

“From air conditioning larger homes to powering today’s high-tech electronics, we are using more energy than ever and that is certainly hitting many homeowners in their pocketbooks,” says Victor Gonzalez-Maertens, an energy efficiency expert with Lennox Industries – a leading manufacturer of home heating and cooling equipment. “But there are ways to stretch your dollar further by evaluating how you spend money on energy and learning how to control those expenses.”

Gonzalez-Maertens explains that there are four key areas of energy consumption for the typical household: heating and air conditioning, appliances, water heating and lighting. Here is his advice for getting the most bang for your energy buck in these areas:

Heating and air conditioning

Heating and cooling accounts for about 46 percent of the average home’s utility bill and is typically the largest energy expense. To cut down on climate control costs, be sure to schedule annual routine maintenance on your heating and cooling system to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible.

If the air conditioning system is more than 10 years old or the furnace is more than 15 years old – the average life spans of cooling and heating units – consider replacing them with a new, Energy Star-qualified system that will be more energy efficient and can help lower utility bills. For example, by replacing an old 10 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) cooling system with a Lennox 21 SEER system, which is twice as efficient, homeowners can save more than $1,500 over a five-year period.

The Raleigh Inspector knows that installing a programmable thermostat is one way to be efficient when it comes to your homes HVAC energy consumption

Programmable thermostats are another way to maximize energy efficiency. These devices automatically control the temperature to use less energy at certain hours of the day, such as nighttime or when homeowners are away from home.

Household appliances and electronics

Household appliances and electronics, such as refrigerators, clothes washers and computers, are responsible for about 28 percent of a home’s energy bill, according to Energy Star. Make sure appliances are clean and free of dust and lint to ensure proper ventilation and to increase their efficiency. In addition, check refrigerator and freezer doors to ensure they are sealed tight to prevent cool air from escaping.

When washing dishes, use the air-dry setting on automatic dishwashers rather than heated drying to conserve energy. Finally, be sure to unplug TVs and other digital devices when not in use, as they consume energy even when they’re turned off.

Water heating

Heating water is another major energy expenditure and accounts for about 14 percent of a household’s energy bill, according to Energy Star. Consider insulating the water heater with a water heater jacket that can be purchased at most hardware stores. Homeowners also can lower the temperature setting on the water heater to save energy. Some water heaters come from the factory already set at 140 degrees or higher, but a setting of 115 degrees can provide comfortable hot water for most uses. Finally, consider replacing a water heater if the existing one is more than 10 years old, as the average life span of a water heater is 10 to 15 years.

Lighting

Twelve percent of the energy budget for an average household goes to lighting, according to Energy Star. Switching out traditional incandescent lights with more efficient fluorescent lighting is a quick and easy way to save on utility bills. In fact, by replacing 25 percent of lights in high-use areas with fluorescents, the California Energy Commission says homeowners can save about 50 percent on lighting-related energy expenses. Energy Star-qualified fluorescent lamps also last six to 10 times longer. For exterior lighting, be sure to use compact fluorescent or high-pressure sodium fixtures – which are more efficient – and consider motion sensors that operate lights automatically.

For more information about how to stretch your energy dollar further, visit www.itpaystolivesmart.com, www.energystar.gov or www.lennox.com.

Call Quality Residential Inspections for all of your Home Inspection and ancillary testing needs.