The Importance of a Pre-Listing Inspection for the NJ Home Seller

Hiring a professional home inspector is a smart choice in your home-selling journey and it certainly offers the seller an advantage. We are Jersey Strong Home Inspection, based in Morganville of Monmouth County NJ and we proudly serve the home inspection needs of surrounding Middlesex, Union, Somerset, Essex, Ocean, and Morris county homeowners and sellers!

A pre-listing inspection enables the seller to learn the true conditions of their home and allows time to correct the issues prior to listing the property for sale. So better not to wait until the buyer conducts their home inspection, likely forcing a seller to rush to have the home repaired in an inconvenient time frame.

Issues identified by the buyer’s inspector often result in delays or even cancellation of the sale of the home. Place your property on the market with confidence; knowing that your home is priced and ready to sell.

Additionally, a pre-listing inspection may reduce or possibly eliminate negotiations due to repairs, saving the seller much time and minimizing stress.

What Does a Pre-Listing Inspection Cover?

The pre-listing inspection is the same as the inspection process for the buyer.  The structure, walkways, roof, attic, mechanical, plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC systems, water damage, major appliances, and many other areas are inspected and tested. Wood-destroying insect damages are checked and included in the report. Radon testing, tank sweeps, and other services are also available.

Some Common Issues Found During Inspection

• Electrical: Open junction boxes, improper or unsafe wiring, fuses, aluminum wiring, and corrosion in the panel.
• Exterior and Grounds: Exterior condition, poor grading, lifting walkways, damaged driveway.
• Basement: Mold or mildew, water entry, lack of a needed sump pump
• Roof: Damaged or aged shingles, too many layers, damaged sheathing, damaged gutters or downspouts
• Foundation: Cracks in the foundation, sloping floors, unsafe temporary floor supports, and water entry
  
• Plumbing: Leaks, water damage, corrosion on or aged cast iron drains, old leaking water heater

Major defects, non-functioning items, and safety issues will be inspected and detailed in the report.  Any issues can be discussed with the inspector. Some of the repairs or general maintenance issues could be addressed by the homeowner, while others will require a professional or licensed contractor to repair. With advanced notice, the seller has ample time to decide whether to repair or replace any areas of concern in the report.

Central NJ Pre-Listing Home Inspections by Jersey Strong Home Inspections

Conducting a pre-listing home inspection keeps you one step ahead as a home seller.

Identifying repairs that are needed prior to placing your home on the market, ensures that when prospective buyers conduct their inspection, there will be less stress, less negotiation, and an overall more positive experience for both the seller and the buyer.

Contact Jersey Strong Home Inspection today to see how we can help with all your Central NJ pre-listing inspection needs!

What Is Radon? | Jersey Strong Home Inspection Monmouth County NJ

Before we get into why radon testing is so important for the health of your home, let’s talk about what radon is, exactly. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. It forms naturally from the decay of radioactive elements, such as uranium, which are found in different amounts in soil and rock throughout the world. Radon gas in the soil and rock can move into the air and into underground water and surface water.

Radon is present outdoors and indoors. It is normally found at very low levels in outdoor air and in drinking water from rivers and lakes. It can be found at higher levels in the air in houses and other buildings, as well as in water from underground sources, such as well water.

Radon breaks down into solid radioactive elements called radon progeny. Radon progeny can attach to dust and other particles and can be breathed into the lungs. As radon and radon progeny in the air break down, they give off radiation that can damage the DNA inside the body’s cells. In many cases resulting in lung cancer.

For both adults and children, most exposure to radon comes from being indoors in homes, offices, schools, and other buildings. The levels of radon in homes and other buildings depend on the characteristics of the rock and soil in the area. As a result, radon levels vary greatly in different parts of the United States, sometimes even within neighborhoods. Elevated radon levels have been found in every state.

Radon gas given off by soil or rock can enter buildings through cracks in floors or walls; construction joints; or gaps in foundations around pipes, wires, or pumps. Radon levels are usually highest in the basement or crawl space. This level is closest to the soil or rock that is the source of the radon. Therefore, people who spend much of their time in basement rooms at home or at work have a greater risk of being exposed. Modern homes have been built better and are sealed better than old homes. Sealing, tight windows, insulation wraps, and less airflow also help to maintain higher radon levels. Old and new homes should be tested.

Is Radon Common in New Jersey?

New Jersey has high radon levels in many areas throughout the state. Some of which are extremely high and others are moderately high. In all counties, high levels (over 4pc/l) have been found. We have performed testing throughout Monmouth County and Central NJ and have found high levels in all types of homes, including in basements, crawlspaces, and even slab-build foundations. In my local area of Morganville (Marlboro), radon levels are high, even though we are in Monmouth County.

One in six New Jersey homes has elevated levels of radon, but only about 30 percent of households across the state have been tested, state officials say. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Nationwide estimates indicate deaths from Radon Gas exceed 21,000. About 2,900 of these deaths occurred in people who have never smoked. We highly recommend testing all homes while doing a home inspection or if the home has not been tested for radon.

List of Towns and general Radon levels (elevated levels have been found in all regions).

High

• Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bridgewater, Chester, Colts Neck, Hackettstown, Hillsborough, Holmdel, Hopatcong, Kinnelon, Little Silver, Long Valley, Marlboro, Morganville, Mendham, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown, Shrewsbury, Princeton Warren, Watchung, West Deptford

Moderate

• Barnegat,  Berkeley Heights, Butler, Caldwell, Chatham, Cherry Hill, Clark, East Brunswick, East Hanover, East Windsor, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fair Haven, Florham Park, Fort Lee, Franklin Lakes, Galloway, Gloucester Township, Haddon, Haddonfield,  Hasbrook Heights, Hillsdale, Livingston, Madison, Mahwah, Manahawkin, Manalapan, Manasquan, Maplewood, Matawan, Middletown, Millburn, Montclair, North Caldwell, New Brunswick, New Providence, Oakland, Parsippany, Ramey, Red Bank, River Edge, Rumson, Scotch Plains, South Brunswick, South Orange, Springfield, Summit, Wall, Wayne, West Caldwell, West Orange, West Windsor, Westfield, Woodbridge, Wyckoff

Radon levels can change with the time of the year, weather, soil density,  construction, and other factors in the area.  Personally, in my own home in Morganville, NJ my levels were low when I first moved into my house.  I recently retested just a few years later, and the levels were high at 6.8pCi/L. I had a mitigation system installed, and now the levels are below 2.0pCi/L.  Protect your family, and loved ones, and make sure you have your home tested for radon, and mitigated if the levels are high. Remember, levels above 4.0pCi/L have been found in all tiers, so be smart and safe, and hire our professional Morganville NJ radon testing service today.

WHY US? | MONMOUTH COUNTY NJ HOME INSPECTION SERVICES

Jersey Strong Home Inspection, LLC is a professionally licensed home inspector company offering the top Monmouth County NJ home inspections. Purchasing a new home is a huge investment and may seem overwhelming. As a local Morganville NJ Home Inspector, Jersey Strong Home Inspection offers experience and peace of mind by thoroughly examining both the structural and mechanical components of your prospective home or existing home. We are based out of Morganville NJ and perform home inspections in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, and Union County. Our goal is to provide you with a completely thorough evaluation of the property as if we were purchasing it for our own family. We offer home inspections, termite inspections, radon testing, and tank sweep inspections.

Wood Destroying Insect Inspections

A Wood Destroying Insect inspection is always recommended when purchasing a home or investment property.  Most attorneys and mortgage companies are requiring a NPMA-33 Wood Destroying Insect inspection form as part of standard procedure. It is always a wise decision to have this type of inspection done when buying a home or investment property. 

Jersey Strong offers a professional and comprehensive Monmouth County NJ termite inspection. Termites are the most common of the wood destroying insects, but other insects can also affect and damage a property, including carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles. Jersey Strong Home Inspection checks for any damage, current activity, past activity, or previous treatment. Our process includes evaluation of the exterior areas of the house, interior areas, attic, basement area and any visible and accessible sections of the property.

What Damage Can Insects Cause to Your Home?

If the impact of wood destroying insects is minor often it can be remedied through a standard treatment by a licensed exterminator, along with repairs by a licensed contractor.  Some examples are; minor damage to a deck, base of a door frame, around the base of the garage door, or entry door threshold. In other cases, the damage can be extensive and require damaged wood, supports or beams to be replaced/repaired as it can impact the structure or stability of the house.

Several examples of damage that are commonly found from our home inspections/wood destroying insect inspections in Monmouth and Middlesex counties in NJ follow.

Photos of Insect Damage

Termite damage to floor joists in the basement in Long Branch, NJ.  It appears that some repairs may have been done.  The house was never treated so activity may still exist.

Carpenter Bee damage to the wood trim and fascia boards in Red Bank, NJ. Typical repair requires replacement of the wood, along with treatment by a licensed exterminator.

This is a main support beam along with flooring joist in a South River, NJ multifamily basement. Damage was extensive, and the wood rotted. This may required complete repair or replacement to prevent the beams and joists from failing.

The house in Freehold, NJ had termite damage around the exterior door frame and threshold wood. This will require damage repair to this area along with a treatment to the house.

The beams in this Morganville, NJ farmhouse were built with timber that may have been from a local woods or field. Many of the beams were severely damaged from termites.

Not all wood destroying insect activity is always as obvious as shown in these photographs. On some of our inspections, the entry is hidden or just staining remains. Therefore Jersey Strong Home Inspection highly recommends a complete Wood Destroying Insect inspection with your home or property inspection.

WHY US? | MONMOUTH COUNTY NJ HOME INSPECTION SERVICES

Jersey Strong Home Inspection, LLC is a professionally licensed home inspector company offering the top Monmouth County NJ home inspections. Purchasing a new home is a huge investment and may seem overwhelming. As a local Morganville NJ Home Inspector, Jersey Strong Home Inspection offers experience and peace of mind by thoroughly examining both the structural and mechanical components of your prospective home or existing home. We are based out of Morganville NJ and perform home inspections in Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, and Union County. Our goal is to provide you with a completely thorough evaluation of the property as if we were purchasing it for our own family. We offer home inspections, termite inspections, radon testing, and tank sweep inspections.