Do you know if your house has holes?

You better find out if you want to sell your house in the near future. 

Sounds strange huh?  Well it’s not just going to happen – it already is!  Get familiar with the term “blower door test”.  This test will be performed by a certified company/individual that will analyze the “escape” of cool/hot air – they use this test to rate how well your house is sealed.  The good news is that these tests are being conducted and mainly viewed for training purposes only and will not be marked by either a realtor or building official to have it corrected!   Important to know though – this test applies to any contractors that work on your house or build a new one, as they will be required to show a report for a final inspection related to efficiency.  If it fails, they will have to correct it for you.  For example, a test (for ratings) will be required prior to work being done on an existing home that will be adding an addition, then again after the work is completed to track the difference in escape rates.  On a plus side, since we’re all becoming more efficient, THIS WILL HELP THE REALTOR WITH SALES.  The houses that score higher and use less energy are naturally more appealing.  However, those that fail will be required and submitted for correction and improvement.

Now you’re probably wondering what is this test and how does it work?  A “blower door test” consists of removal of the interior front door then mounting a powerful fan into the frame of the exterior door. When turned on, the fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed cracks, holes and openings. The certified auditors may use a smoke pencil to detect air leaks and infrared glasses. These tests determine the air infiltration rate of a building.  If you would like to learn more about what’s coming our way, visit: http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/blower-door-tests

Craig DiPetrillo, President of DiPetrillo Properties & DP Student Rentals, is a FORTIFIED Home™ certified evaluator.   

DiPetrillo Properties offers all clients the same time and effort in pre-determining the return on their project as they do for their own projects.  Whether it is a personal or business claim, their team understands the process from point of concept to design; from business plan to finance; and all the way to construction. They will help you get the money you deserve for the claim so you can move forward with fixing your property and returning to normal life. DiPetrillo Properties also offers full in-house construction services for both residential and commercial projects. They work on both new construction and renovation projects to help clients see any investment become a reality.  

For more information please e-mail or call: info@dipetrilloproperties.com/401.232-7552

www.dipetrilloproperties.com

Claims Evaluator…Got one?

Is your insurance company’s offer less than you need to cover your losses? Maybe it’s time to get your own evaluation?

Did you know that there is someone out there that can help you with the confusing claims documentation and get you the money you deserve? This is a niche specialty and there aren’t many people that can navigate the language and fight for you. The job requires unique qualifications and an acute attention to detail…the itemized forms require a breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise and the price breakdown language is often overwhelming to not just the property owner but also to most contractors and professionals in the construction industry! Just take a look at this example below! It offers just one small piece of what this multi-page document looks like:

When you begin making your insurance claim, the process seems simple enough. You call your insurance company and they send an adjuster out to take an inventory of the loss. After that, you receive a detailed report from the insurance company outlining the work that needs to be done, and what they say it should cost. This is the moment where you decide if you want to negotiate the amount offered to you o rif you just want to move forward and sign it. It is at this time you should contact someone to look over the report. This is where Craig DiPetrillo steps in. He can then assess whether or not you are potentially entitled to more than your insurance company is offering!

Craig, has experience in the industry and will understand your contract and the company’s responsibilities right down to the fine print. He will work to get you the money you truly need, not just what the insurance company says you should get. To help make the decision to work with Craig even easier, it only costs you a small percentage of the EXTRA money he is able to negotiate on your behalf. If had can’t increase the claim (a very rare occurrence) they don’t pay at all!

As an example: A claim payout by your insurance company is OFFERED (not settled and agreed to by you at this point or signed off on in any way) in the amount of $50,000.00. Craig is requested to review the claim by you. Craig finds that they can raise the your claim offer of settlement to $65,000.00; which could be by way of error by the adjuster or inaccurate data input. From there, Craig is paid 15% of the raised portion (only 15% of the $15,000.00). If he is not successful in finding an increased opportunity in the settlement offered to you by the insurance company, he is not paid at all.

Utilizing a private evaluator ensures that someone is working on your behalf versus someone working on behalf of the insurance company.

Craig DiPetrillo, President of DiPetrillo Properties & DP Student Rentals, is a FORTIFIED Home™ certified evaluator.

DiPetrillo Properties offers all clients the same time and effort in pre-determining the return on their project as they do for their own projects. Whether it is a personal or business claim, their team understands the process from point of concept to design; from business plan to finance; and all the way to construction. They will help you get the money you deserve for the claim so you can move forward with fixing your property and returning to normal life. DiPetrillo Properties also offers full in-house construction services for both residential and commercial projects. They work on both new construction and renovation projects to help clients see any investment become a reality.

For more information please e-mail or call: info@dipetrilloproperties.com/401.232-7552

www.dipetrilloproperties.com

Understanding Supply & Demand

Are you looking to invest in the real estate market? A few key factors that should be at the top of your list:

1. Demographics. Where are you looking to invest and why? Do your research and run comps and stats on what isselling and what has sold. Figure out what properties are selling for ($$$) and what kinds of properties are selling, etc… Are the types of properties (residential or commercial) you’re looking at in that area continuing to sell or have they been sitting for awhile? Does it seem like they are on the upswing or coming down from a good run?

2. The Economy. Reports say we’re in a good place right now in the real estate market, that the economy is on the upswing and that residential real estate prices are continuing to rise and that sales are continuing to pick up. Take that one step further though and look (through a microscope) at how the economy – past, current and projected – has effected and continues to affect the area where you are looking to invest.

3. Interest Rates. Having a clear understanding of what’s happening in the mortgage industry is HUGE. Discuss your options with a trusted advisor and research your options. Here’s a great article that covers the basics…read more.

Overall 2015 is looking good so far – happy investing!

Build a better bridge

Communication in a construction project...doh!

A recent commercial construction client project gave us the idea to share some very valuable information that could potentially save you thousands of dollars by avoiding having your construction project (and dollars) tied up in the often confusing process of dealing with the different officials and/or zoning issues (and so on) that can arise during a residential or commercial renovation, upgrade, repair, etc… So often we are brought in when the problem is already occurring and most of the time it’s really just a matter of language - yes, language! Understanding where each ‘side’ is coming from, e.g. what everyone is trying to say or simply what they are looking for...which happens to be what we specialize in and that simply comes from a breadth and depth of experience working on all different sides of the planning, investments and construction industry for decades. I guess you could say we’re a bit like a bridge and can usually look at each situation through an objective lens then help all the parties involved find a comfortable resolution to whatever the problem is. A few great suggestions to help avoid getting into these situations in the first place:

1. Make sure the engineers, architects, general contractors, landscape designers and any others that are on your team all understand each other, the process andhave someone ‘leading’ the project that clearly understands the entire scope of the project, thus being able to avoid unexpected issues as much as possible.

2. I would add to #1 that the town & state officials involved are also part of the teamand clear communication between all parties is essential. More often than not the issues could have been avoided if clearer communication had happened from the beginning!?!

3. Not reacting with emotion but responding with a clarity and an understanding of the real problem is key and if #’s 1 & 2 were followed...then if or when an issue happens most involved will be able to work together to find a quick solution.

Craig DiPetrillo - DiPetrillo Properties - Planning, Investing, Construction

www.dipetrilloproperties.com - info@DiPetrilloProperties.com - 401.232-7552