Windridge Olen Exports Blog

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Shipping from Palm Beach to Home in the Bahamas

What You Need to Know About Shipping from Palm Beach to the Bahamas

That new residence you purchased in the Bahamas is beautiful but now you are faced with shipping your household goods and vehicles from your Palm Beach house to the Bahamas. If you have never attempted shipping internationally we hope you have the patience of Job. It's a tad more complicated than calling up Mayflower or Allied and getting a quote.

Without question you have gone through the moving experience before and you'll probably agree with the idea that the only thing worse than moving out of a home is moving into a new one. It's a time consuming but familiar procedure that you may consider an annoyance but one that you understand and can assess the value of the service.

And then there's shipping by boat…and landing in a foreign port…that's when you'll realize you're not in Kansas anymore.

Welcome to the Tax Free Island Nation of the Bahamas

The Bahamas really have no taxes; no income tax, no property tax, no sales tax, no capital gains tax. So when a nation doesn't have these traditional sources of revenue how do they run the government? Well in an island nation where nearly everything has to be imported, duty taxes, customs and tax stamps serve to keep the country afloat financially.

It's going to cost you about 42% of your property's assessed value to bring it into the Bahamas.

But that's after you get it there.

Your first step will be finding a shipping firm who sails out of the Port of Palm Beach. The list is pretty limited but all of them will have pretty much the same requirements, including prepayment, to get your property to one of two or possibly three ports of entry in the Bahamas.

The paperwork will be overwhelming including inventories, assessments, valuations of art or other high value items, specific marking on boxes and items, instructions to the shipper, and customs documents. Remember your goods are going to be loaded into containers not moving vans and that's a different animal.

The actual ocean voyage is about a day which means you have to hop a jet and meet the ship or, and more likely, you'll hire a broker to represent you at customs. This is another area that can cause significant frustration not to mention delays.

It's a mess. Your best bet is to hire a concierge service that has the experience, intimate understanding of local government protocols, and resources to take on your move from beginning to end. Windridge Olen Exports is just such a service. We will handle everything in Palm Beach and the Bahamas. Your only task will be to tell the movers where the furniture goes in the home.

Call us today at 954-658-6502 for details.

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Moving to the Bahamas 5 FAQs

Moving to the Bahamas 5 Frequently Asked

In our business of providing luxury concierge services to clients in the Bahamas we have heard our fair share of "if I had just known before moving here" comments. The Bahamas is a beautiful island nation that offers privacy and exclusivity to those who want it but it comes with challenges.

For starters it's an island nation meaning almost everything you consume or want needs to be imported. If you are considering one of the outer islands or a private island for your new residence, then transportation, electrical service, and skilled maintenance service (electrical, HVAC, etc.) also become  challenges that need to be overcome. If you are not prepared for life on the islands, life can become very complicated.

And that's where we come in. At Windridge Olen Exports we have been making life in the Bahamas simple for our private clients.

With that in mind we'd like to share some of the more common questions that people have when moving to the Bahamas:

What are the residency requirements? To obtain a permanent residency status is fairly simple. All you need to show is an investment of $500,000 (usually a residence) and have a clean criminal record. Guests from North America and most European countries do not require a visa if they have proof of nationality and are staying 3 weeks or less.

What is the tariff rate for imported household goods? The Bahamas does not collect a personal or corporate income tax, sales tax or capital gains tax as most nations do. So how do they get revenue? Import taxes. Nearly 65% of the nation's income is derived by import taxes. On average the tax is 30% to 35% of the assessed value of the import plus a 7% tax stamp.

How reliable is electrical service on the islands. As you might imagine electrical service is spotty on the islands. This year the government hired an outside power management firm to assist in improving reliability and lowering rates. However, the smart move is to have your own generators to ensure a steady supply of power.

How easy is it to deal with the government for permits, licenses, etc. The short answer is it's not. The government is a major employer in the islands and there is a vested interest in nurturing the bureaucracy. If you are new to the islands you will be in for a time consuming and expensive lesson in local law. Using a concierge service that is intimately acquainted with government protocols will save you both time and money.

What's the best way to shop for the things we want? The short answer is to call us. With the exception of some incredible seafood, you will have to look outside the islands for items ranging from gourmet delights to spare parts for your HVAC. The easiest and fastest way to get what you want is to use a proven concierge service. No hassle with customs, no excessive broker fees just the items you ordered delivered to your door.

Do you have a question you need answered? Give us a call or send us an email today and let our 25 years of doing business in the Bahamas work for you.

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Tips on Luxury Imports to the Bahamas

5 Tips on Importing Luxury Items to  Your Home in the Bahamas

Windridge Olen Exports is a luxury import concierge service catering to discerning clients in the Bahamas. The Bahamas are beautiful islands offering privacy and exclusivity to residents who value those characteristics highly however, that exclusiveness and remoteness also means that everything from automobile parts to gourmet foods need to be imported and that can be a time consuming, frustrating experience.

If you have a residence in the Bahamas then you have probably made the trip to South Miami to shop for items that are simply not available in the islands. You pay retail; arrange to ship the items through a broker, then fly back to the Bahamas and wait for your purchases to arrive. Of course when they do there are brokerage fees and customs and duty tax as well. It's exhausting and it's expensive.

But there is a better way.

Here's what I have learned over the past quarter century of import/export in the Bahamas.

Select one service, like Windridge Olen Exports to handle all of your import needs from simple domestic items to designer clothes to parts for your yacht. One company, one point of contact makes life in the     Bahamas simpler.

Forget the trips to Florida. A phone call or an email can relay to us what you need from  caviar, to Irish linen, to an emergency generator. No need to go to the time and expense of shopping and arranging shipment yourself. We have warehouses full of the most commonly requested items in our Fort Lauderdale center and networks that can deliver nearly anything you can imagine, and at competitive prices.

There's really no waiting for your items either. Based on weight and dimensions we can have them flown in in two days…same day in emergencies. I will  transport your items to Nassau and have them cleared with absolutely no broker fees at all

Having a luxury concierge service that is intimately familiar with Bahamian customs and import law which can be exceptionally confusing will save you time and money.

Extensive experience in the Bahamas counts! I’ve been doing business in the Bahamas for over a quarter century now and can expedite the often confusing and sometimes frustrating challenges that may confront international visitors and businesses alike

If you would like more information on our services or you are ready to place an order, call or email me today and let's chat!

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Luxury Concierge Services in the Bahamas

How to Use a Luxury Concierge Service to Save Time and Money Shipping to the Bahamas

Here you are living in the beautiful Bahamas, wonderful place and wonderful people but you can’t find a lot of things that you need.

So what do you do? You get on a plane and fly to south Florida and then rent a car.  After this expense you’ll find yourself driving around to various places picking up things and then dragging them to a shipper who will charge for his shipping. You then have to fly back to Nassau and wait for the shipment to arrive. You’ll then go to the local broker and pay for the items to be cleared and pay customs, brokerage fees and duty on the shipping and all costs.

Does that whole ordeal sound familiar?

There’s another way.

You can send me a list and I will get the items through my own resources, which are vast and most always better priced. I will buy the things you need transport them to Nassau and have them cleared with absolutely no broker fees at all.  I charge a small percentage of the cost far below what you would pay in time, brokerage fees, shipping fees and all the other headaches.  I buy, transport, clear and deliver to Nassau and can do it in 2 days if need be.  I have also had emergencies, which I deliver the same day. What better way to get what you want at a price you can now really like to pay?

I’m an expert in Bahamian government protocols, permits and customs. I’ve been doing business in the Bahamas for over a quarter century now and can expedite the often confusing and sometimes frustrating challenges that may confront international visitors and businesses alike.

If you are looking for luxury concierge services in the Bahamas call today 954-658-6502.

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Palm Beach’s Top Home Inspector Explains Professional Inspections

Palm Beach’s Top Home Inspector Explains What a Professional Home Inspection Should Encompass

If you are considering investing in an upscale residence in the Palm Beach area there is one aspect of the closing process that most buyers give short shrift to and that's home inspections. Every real estate contract in Palm Beach will have a contingency clause that allows the buyer to renegotiate the price or even walk away from a deal based on the report of a home inspector.

Think about that for a moment. When you find a house that you love enough to want to buy, even savvy buyers will be distracted by the design, square footage number of bedrooms and baths, the décor and ambiance that they will assume the basics like the roof, wiring, plumbing, foundation and HVAC are all of the same quality of the other features.

The owner probably believes that as well.

But what you can't see or understand can cost you thousands of dollars and that's why you have the right to have a home inspection.

Palm Beach Home Inspectors are not all the Same

If you are present when the home inspection takes place and the realtor shows up with one guy to inspect a residence selling for 7 figures you know you are in trouble. Think about all the systems in a home that require licensed craftsmen to install and maintain. How does a single home inspector possess all the knowledge required to inspect systems that need specialized skill to install?

The answer is that home inspector doesn't have the knowledge to assess the true health of the residence. In fact his only qualification may be passing an online course in checking for building code violations.

There is a reason why HGTV and other DIY shows are so successful. They show you how to fix problems in your home AFTER you have bought it. There shouldn't be any problems; they should have been addressed before you closed on the deal.

When I take on a home inspection project I bring:

Roof inspector

Termite inspector

A/C Mechanical inspector

Structural inspector

Plumbing inspector

Electrical inspector

My team ensures you understand just what the condition of the home is before you sign a contract.

You can use our report to negotiate with the owner and can often use it as leverage to significantly reduce the net sales price that you previously agreed to. Pay attention to who is doing the home inspection. Don't let an unqualified inspector lead you down a path that can ultimately cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

For more information on Palm Beach home inspections feel free to contact me at Windridge Olen Exports.

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Ft. Lauderdale’s Top Home Inspection Expert Tips on Roofs & Water Damage

Fort Lauderdale’s Top Home Inspection Tell How Find Hidden Water Damage on a Roof Before You Buy

If you are actively seeking a piece of Fort Lauderdale real estate, roof inspections should be high on your list of "things to do" to ensure you are not buying into an expensive repair project. Given Fort Lauderdale's torrential summer rains, blustery winds and high humidity, roof leaks are not uncommon despite how well the rest of the residence is constructed.

Roof leaks can be sneaky and easy to miss. The pure volume of rain, the driving winds and damaging UV rays can force water into areas that you wouldn't normally consider possible; and that's precisely why you want a home inspector that has extensive experience inspecting roofs in a sub-tropical climate.

At Windridge Olin Exports we have built and inspected hundreds of upscale homes in both South Florida and the Bahamas. We know where to look and what to look for and most importantly, how to repair any potentially damaging roof leaks.

What the Average Home Inspector Will Miss

Roof leaks are more than just an annoyance that stain ceilings and walls. When moisture mixes with warm air it can encourage rot, even on structural components, and unhealthy mold.  Living with leaks is not an option. Leaks have to be repaired and you can hold down the cost of that repair if your contractor is experienced enough to find them without spending hours searching for them.

Here are a few of the more common locations of "hidden leaks":

The first place your roof inspector should look is in the attic. Leaks don't necessarily make it straight down to the ceiling however they will leave a trail in the attic where they can spawn rot and mold. Finding evidence of leaks does not necessarily mean you found the leak location. Water can run along joists from one end of the house to the other.

Loose flashing is a common entry point for wind driven rain.  An inspector who finds loose flashing should raise it to see the extent of the damage.

Gutters can hide a multitude of sins. Poorly installed or loose edges will allow the rain to pour down the fascia rather than into the gutter. Rot can easily form without being noticed under the cover of the gutter.

Sealant on ridge vents, particularly if silicone is used, will degrade leaving seals open and exposing nails.

Depending on the damage, roof repair may be the least expensive of the repairs needed. When water finds its way into the wallboard you can almost count on a mold removal issue. Ensuring the roof is secure is an important element in evaluating the true cost of a Fort Lauderdale home. Make certain your home inspection team is experienced and up to the task.

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Palm Beach’s Top Home Inspection Expert Details Sign of Septic Tank Problems

Most common septic tank problems and failures are due to the soak-away and not to the septic tank itself. Septic tank repairs can be costly so identifying the issues early is crucial.

Some of the signs of a soak-away failure are:

You smell foul air and see wet waste beginning to show up on your land.

You smell stinky odors coming from the drains in your house.

The toilets become slow when you flush them.

Your drain inspection chambers begin to fill-up with waste. Ideally, these areas should be empty.

Nearby streams and ditches become polluted.

You notice that there are dips in the soil near either the soak-away drain or near the septic tank.

The toilet keeps overflowing.

The drains are beginning to make strange gurgling sounds.

When you empty a sink, it backs up to the shower or bathtub.

You notice an overflow where your washing machine is hooked-up.

If you are experiencing any of these contact a professional right away. If you have any questions regarding septic tanks or home inspection issues contact us at Windridge Olen Exports today.

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Ft. Lauderdale’s Top Foundation Inspection Expert Gets to the Root of the Problem

As a ‘rule of thumb’ roots will extend a distance from a tree equal to the distance the longest branch extends from the tree. I hear that a lot but’s often not true. I’ve seen roots travel much farther than that and I know some trees send tap roots down quite a ways but not out very far from a tree so I’m O.K. with the ‘rule of thumb’ if you are only going to talk about trees in general and understand the roots of your trees may extend beyond that point.

Another point that people miss is the area that the tree’s roots pull water from. You don’t have the soil dry where the roots are and then a couple inches past that point, the soils can be very moist. Water will not stay in that wet area, it will flow towards the drier soil. Therefore, the tree is actually affecting the moisture content of the soil from a much larger radius that just where the roots system is.

The goal is to keep the moisture content of the soil around the perimeter of you home consistent. If that moisture content is consistent all around the structure and stays that way, you greatly reduce the chance of foundation movement and the issues that come with foundation movement – cracks in the sheetrock, brick, tile, slab, doors and windows sticking, etc. If you have some areas that are getting enough water and the soil is moist, with other areas that are usually dry, you can get differential settling of the foundation, which will cause problems over time if it is not addressed.

There are many actions that a homeowner can take to address trees and the root system. One option is to increase the amount of water being used by a water system for the area under the influence of the tree(s). If the tree is not too close to the structure, a root barrier between the house and the tree may be useful. Please get help from a tree expert before installing a root barrier. If the root barrier cuts too many roots, the tree could be damaged or die. (Killing a tree, either by accident or cutting it down on purpose can do a lot of damage to your home in some cases. Please look at the article on my website that has to do with this subject and the affect of ‘rebound’ has on the home’s foundation.) If you have any questions call 954-658-6502.

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Palm Beach’s Top Home Inspection Expert Offers Tips on Tree & Root Inspection

Most Palm Beach real estate contracts have a contingency clause that gives the buyer the right to have the home inspected before signing the contract. If you are in the closing phase of a real estate deal hire a professional home inspection firm who will check out the threat that tree roots represent to the home's lateral drain or septic system.

Tree roots can represent a major plumbing repair project or at the least, require frequent line cleaning by a professional plumber.

The root system of a tree is designed to seek out and acquire water and nutrients and your main drainage line or septic system is full of both. If a tree is planted within 10' of your line it is susceptible to attack by tree roots.

Lines that have minute leaks or joints that aren't completely sealed will leak moisture. Tree roots will detect the moisture an attempt to enter the line to get more. The roots that make the initial entry may be hair thin but they will grow into a mass blocking the line.

A plumber can snake an auger down the line and attempt to cut through the roots and eliminate the blockage. Plumbers also use hydro jet systems to blast through the blockage use water under high pressure. Regardless of the method used the fix is only temporary because the leaks are still there. This means you will have to have regular cleaning of the lines as part of your home maintenance schedule.

If the plumbers are unable to clear the line, the only other option is to dig up the pipe(s) with the leak and have it replaced. This can be a costly repair particularly if the pipe runs under a paved area.

If your home inspector believes there is a possibility that roots may have entered your line, the smart move would be to have a plumber send a camera down to inspect it.

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Beam Inspection & Maintenance Tips from Palm Beach’s Top Home Inspection Expert

Given the heat, humidity, moisture and UV exposure that Palm Beach summers are famous for, your wooden beams, or any piece of wood for that matter, is subject to wood rot.

If beams are compromised by rot there could be serious structural issues. Other wood parts that could be at risk for rot are exterior doors and frames, wood windows and frames, wood flooring in bathrooms or any place where wood comes in contact with moisture or UV rays.

Here's a tip from an experienced home inspection professional.

Upscale Palm Beach Homes are Not Immune from Construction Shortcuts

Every contractor has shortcuts that can save either time or expense and one that can easily go unnoticed are wood components that have not been properly sealed or painted to protect them from the heat and elements.

Where you will frequently find rot in beams is at the exposed rough cut ends or where two rough cut ends are joined together. The rest of the beam may be treated but an untreated end is all it takes. With doors and windows it is the tops and bottoms that are often overlooked accidentally or otherwise.

If your inspection does reveal signs of rot you may still be able to restore a beam by using a penetrating epoxy sealer. For trim, windows, frames and doors you will most likely have to replace the affected piece.

If you have any questions regarding home inspection issues contact us at Windridge Olen Exports today.

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Palm Beach’s Top Home Inspection Expert Offers Tips on Insulation Tips

Generally speaking, the bigger the roof the greater the exposure to conductive heat transference from the roof to the interior of the home. Standing between your tiled or shingled roof and your air conditioned space inside is the attic and if it is not properly insulated and vented it can actually pass on air that is hotter than the temperature outdoors!

Given the tropical climate of Palm Beach, an inadequately insulated and ventilated attic can mean energy bills that are much higher than they need to be.

Attic Insulation and Ventilation Inspection Points

While every homeowner should know what's going on in their attic it's particularly important to a potential homebuyer. An air conditioner is an energy hog and in South Florida can represent 70% of the total FPL bill. The sales price might be attractive but if you don't know the operating costs you don't fully know the "value" of the property.

All Palm Beach real estate contracts include a contingency clause for a home inspection. As a buyer you want a professional inspector working for you…not the seller. Here are a few of the attic conditions that the inspector will look at.

Your inspector can evaluate the existing insulation and make a determination of how much additional insulation (if any) is required to reach an optimal "R" rating. He will also insure that the existing insulation is not covering up the eave vents, a common problem that restricts circulation of air in the attic.

Lastly is a determination if the attic has adequate ventilation. Another common problem with larger homes is inadequate or broken ventilation fans in the roof. The attic needs to be able to breathe and without ventilation the air inside the attic simply gets hotter and hotter.

Is the attic "air sealed?" Heat can transfer to the home in one of three ways; conduction, convection and radiation. Insulation only helps with conduction. If you have leaks in the attic that lead to the interior like chases for pipes, wire and ducts or improperly framed soffits that hot air can lead directly into air-conditioned space.

Attic insulation and ventilation are not very sexy features when considering a new home but they have a very real impact on what it will cost to live in it.

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Ft. Lauderdale’s Top Home Inspection Expert Offer Roof Leak Tips

A professional roof inspection is a prudent measure for any homeowner and it is a critical item for anyone looking to purchase real estate.

Our experience as a professional home inspection service suggests that poor quality installation is just as common as environmental damage on the roofs in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida in general. For roofers in the area, business can be feast or famine. In the relatively dry and delightful fall and winter business is slow but after the first good downpour or blow, crews are swamped and pressed for time. During these busy times it's not uncommon to see shortcuts appear.

Common Roof Inspection Findings

As a homeowner you'll want to know the condition of your roof but we encourage you to use a professional inspector and not get on the roof yourself. Walking on the roof is dangerous.

Here are a few common trouble signs that your inspector might find:

Improperly installed flashing. A poor flashing fit or flashing separating from the caulking leaves the roof vulnerable to leaks.

Pooling on flat roofs. Flat roofs are popular particularly in Mediterranean and Spanish designs. Over time the roofing material can form low spots allowing for water to pool. This not only is a potential leak situation but also can result in algae growth on the roof.

Exposed or loose roofing nails. Nails should be covered by overlapping shingles. Strong wind can "lift" a shingle loosening the nails securing it. If nails are found in the gutter or are visible coming out of a shingle there is a leak just waiting to happen.

Improperly protected roof valleys. The low point where two rooflines meet is called a valley. Inexperienced roofers or roofers in a hurry will not adequately cover the valley with shingles and leave the underlying tarpaper exposed. Obviously the paper doesn't offer the protection that shingles do.

Improperly protected ridgeline. The same holds true for the "peak" of your roof. Specially shaped shingles should be used to cover both sides of the ridge. Installations without the special shingles, or standard shingles bent to cover the ridge are invitations to major roof leaks.

For those of you who are in the market to buy a home in Fort Lauderdale, make certain that you take advantage the contingency clause in most real estate contracts that allows for a home inspection. Hire the inspector yourself to ensure that the roof, and every other component of the home are in acceptable condition.

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Tips from Palm Beach’s Top Home Inspection Expert on Doors and Windows

A residence's exterior can appear to be absolutely sound but if any of these many "points of entry" are compromised the homeowner faces excessive energy costs and the bigger threat, the risk of mold forming on the interior of the home. South Florida's hot, humid, rainy summers make the windows and doors on a Palm Beach house an important first line of defense against the climate outside coming inside and the air conditioned coolness inside escaping to the great outdoors.

Windows and doors deserve regular and thorough inspection.

Top Inspection Tips for Windows and Doors

Age is one cause of window failures but in many cases poor or rushed installation causes a variety of problems. Our professional inspection team is comprised entirely of former builders and they are especially attuned to "short cuts" taken by contractors to meet deadlines and reduce costs. Take advantage of their experience and look for:

Unprotected doors and jambs. Many of the problems that haunt window frames also apply to doors, thresholds and door frames. Those lovely French doors that lead out to the patio most likely have no paint or sealant on the bottoms if the contractor was rushed to get them installed or just inattentive. The same goes for the frame that holds them in place. A probe with a screwdriver will let you know just how badly the rot condition is.

Doors and windows that don't fit. Windows and doors should open and close easily. If they don't you may have a problem with hardware (window tracks, door hinges, thresholds) but more likely something is out of align because of warping or the house settling. The hardware is easy to fix. The other two conditions are going to need the attention of a professional.

Wood window exterior frames. New construction usually uses a vinyl frame on the exterior which offers superior insulation and a wood frame for the interior to provide the desired esthetic value; however older homes use just wood for inside and outside. The most common damage to exterior frames is rot. If the unpainted portions of the frame were not treated before installation, or the caulking was rushed or otherwise not properly done, rain moisture will attack the wood resulting in rot. A poke with a screwdriver will reveal the extent of the damage.

Window Frames separating from walls. Sometimes there is an issue with the window frame separating from the wall of the house. With adobe exteriors you'll see cracks around the window. With other materials you may actually see the anchors and screws appearing just under the paint. When this occurs moisture and insects can find their way into the interior of the house. Check carefully around the frame for holes and cracks in the caulking.

Our home inspection services are typically used by clients looking to purchase real estate in Palm Springs but these tips can be helpful to everyone. If you are interested in getting a comprehensive inspection of a residence in South Florida, call Windridge Olen Exports today for an appointment!

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Ft. Lauderdale’s Top Home Inspection Expert Offer Foundations Inspection Tips

Ft. Lauderdale’s Top Home Inspection Expert Offer Foundations Inspection Tips

If you are contemplating purchasing a residence in Fort Lauderdale, one of the areas that you will want to include in your home inspection is the condition of the foundation. The old parable about building your home on rock not sand takes on a literal importance where foundations are concerned. If there is a natural settling issue that's one thing, but if the foundation is failing because of shifting soil or poor quality concrete that's quite another.

If a door doesn't fit its frame snugly, or it is difficult to close, something has changed since it was installed. It may be the door or the jam has warped or it could be that the foundation has changed causing the problem.

The same holds true with windows. If they are difficult to open and close and seem to rub on one side of the frame, that's a tip off of a foundation problem.

Cracks over windows and doors or in the walls in general (specifically near corners) are other warning signs.

So you're not a structural engineer; how can you tell if there is a potential foundation problem? Here are a few tips from our professional home inspection team that will tip you off to foundation issues:

Inspecting the Exterior of the Foundation

Even if you didn't discover any indicators inside, you should take the time to inspect the foundation on the outside. Specifically:

If you spot stair step cracks, or supposedly repaired cracks, there is most likely a corner that has settled and will need a pier installed to raise and stabilize the foundation.

If the concrete appears to be flaking, stick a screw driver in it. If concrete flakes off the quality of the concrete was probably not up to snuff when it was originally poured. This can be a very expensive repair.

Eyeball the foundation from corner to corner. It should be straight both lengthwise and height wise.

If there is a bulge in the foundation, it may indicate that the soil has either compacted or contracted placing a change of pressure on the foundation.

The foundation is simply too important not to have professionally inspected. Most Fort Lauderdale real estate contracts include a contingency for a home inspection. Make sure you provide a professional inspector who works for you. The results of that inspection will give you the information you need to make an informed and favorable real estate decision.

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Ft. Lauderdale’s Top Home Inspection Expert Offers Duct Cleaning

Ft. Lauderdale’s Top Home Inspection Expert Offers Duct Cleaning

Range hoods, filters and ducts are probably the least cleaned items in the entire home.  It’s a common problem that we uncover while doing professional home inspections of luxury residences in Fort Lauderdale involves the range hood over the oven and the duct that it exhausts to. Maybe 2 in 10 have a clean oven hood and filter, but 99% will have the makings of a grease fire in the duct the exhaust fan blows into. The reason for this neglect is twofold. First, all your eye really sees, unless you look up inside the hood, is the exterior of the hood and that's an easy surface to clean. Secondly, cleaning the filter is nasty but straight-forward however the duct can be downright disgusting and can require special equipment. In real estate priced at a million and up the homeowner typically has a housekeeping service and just assumes that those nasty chores are being taken care of. However few services will include cleaning the duct as part of their base contract. The result is an area in the home that is a potentially dangerous fire hazard that also serves as a feeding trough for vermin and insects. And you're thinking about buying it? Who is going to Clean this Mess Up? If you are considering buying a luxury home in Fort Lauderdale and you have a professional inspection performed that reveals a mess In the kitchen duct, you will want to ensure whose responsibility it is to clean it up. If the homeowner doesn't want to do it you should be able to use that item, and others revealed by the inspection, to negotiate a serious discount in the sales price. We've already done an article on cleaning oven hoods and filters so let's focus on the duct. If the filter was filthy odds are the duct will be worse and you will need to call in a service to get the job done right. They will need to place plastic sheeting over the stove and surrounding areas and the floor hopefully shaped in such a way to channel the liquid grease into buckets. Inside the duct will be liquid grease, solid grease, food particle debris and debris left by insects. The liquid grease can be scraped onto the plastic sheeting to drain into the buckets. To get the remaining grease and debris will require either spraying the area with a de-greasing chemical and rinsing with hot water or a specialized machine that boils water, adds solvent and pumps the solution into the duct at about 2000 psi. Once the duct is clean, some professionals will actually wax the duct to make subsequent cleanings easier. What you can't do is ignore the condition. Somebody is going to have to pay, just make sure it isn't you. If you have questions on this issue or professional home inspections call us today and we will be happy to assist.

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Understanding What to Look for in a Home Inspections in Palm Beach

Understanding What to Look for in a Home Inspections in Palm Beach

Home inspections are common clauses in Palm Beach real estate contracts. The idea is to have a third party inspect the premises and provide a written report as to its condition. The problem with most home inspections, particularly on substantial residences, is that the inspectors lack the knowledge and experience to do a thorough job.

If you are considering buying a seven-figure home you will want to engage a professional home inspection firm that can ferret out problems that other inspectors miss or simply ignore. Knowing for certain what's right and what's wrong with the home is the only way you can make an informed buying decision.

Beware of Rot

You have to remember that the size or cost of a structure means absolutely nothing to Mother Nature. If the Palm Beach tropical climate is given a chance, it will wreak havoc on a $5 million residence just as fast as a $250,000 tract house.

Here are a couple of common climate related problems that we run into regularly:

Beams. Beams that are not properly treated early on become subject to UV damage. When that occurs the beam dries out, cracks and can lose its structural integrity.

Exterior wood. Wood that is used in door jambs and older windows is often not sealed correctly or "raw wood" parts that are not visible are not painted. Couple that condition with a poor caulking job and the climate's rain and humidity will rot out the wood. A casual inspection won't reveal that because the damage lies under a coat of paint.

These are just two problems that a professional inspector can bring to light. The homeowner probably isn't aware of them himself. However the net effect is that you will be facing maintenance or replacement costs that you had not anticipated when evaluating the property's price tag.

You can use the home inspection report to negotiate a deal that will more closely reflect the real value of the home. Either the owner can make the repairs or offer you a discount on the sales price. Either way the report will be saving you money you would have otherwise spent.

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Palm Beach Residential Property Inspections : Contingency :  Home Inspection team

Save Money in Upscale Palm Beach Residences With a Professional Residential Property Inspection

There are some qualified home inspectors in South Florida but most are lacking in practical construction experience and may only have an online "residential property inspection" course as their sole qualification. When home inspections are conducted by "generalists" (and that's about all that's available in Palm Beach) the inspection itself offers little value.

The whole purpose of a home inspection is to provide the buyer with a modicum of protection. If, as a result of the inspection serious flaws are uncovered, the buyer can back out of the deal. That's about as far as it goes with the traditional inspection.

However, when you are about to invest in a seven figure home you'll want to know more about it than just the condition of the roof, electrical system, plumbing, code compliance and obvious safety issues. You'll want a professional opinion on the quality of the construction and materials used, the energy efficiency of the home, what (if any) maintenance issues will crop up in the near term and overall what can be done to provide greater value.

A professional home inspection team can provide that and more.

Leveraging the Home Inspection Report

Inevitably there will be issues that the homeowner isn't aware of because neither he nor his home inspector knew to look for them. If the house is older than two years there is an excellent chance that rot exists in some of the exterior wood. Almost every Palm Beach luxury home has an inadequately vented roof that is costing the homeowner 20% more on his FPL bill and reducing the service life of his air conditioning system.

There are dozens of quality and efficiency items like those described above. When taken as a whole, they can represent a serious expense.

If you want more information on professional home inspections in Palm Beach don't hesitate to contact me and I'll do my best to answer all your questions.