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Infrared Cameras and Home Inspections

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Infrared cameras and thermal imaging are some two of the many technologies you might see your home inspector carrying with them to your home inspection. Technology advances with home inspectors as it does with just about every other sector and these gadgets sure do come in handy! Some home inspectors have been using these tools for many years but as they advanced they make inspecting a home and finding hidden issues significantly easier.

Infrared Cameras: What They Do

Infrared cameras are excellent at detecting many issues that might others try to “hide” in a home inspection. For example, an infrared camera can determine how much heat (or lack of heat) a radiator might be emitting. Infrared cameras are also necessary for detecting water stains that have been painted over. To the naked eye you couldn’t see where there might be or have been a water leak but with the infrared camera it’s as easy as taking a picture.

Infrared Images: Unusual Finds

There are some unusual home inspection issues that you may never realize an infrared camera is used to find. Heated floors show up quite nicely in a thermal image and helps us ensure the heated floors are working properly. Even electrical issues can sometimes be spotted with an infrared camera. For example, if a breaker is being overloaded it might look extremely hot in a thermal image. One last unusual find might be air leaks in walls and attics, especially if they are covered by insulation.

Infrared Cameras: New Technologies

At the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show, FLIR Systems announced five new thermal imaging cameras. These new cameras are smaller, easier to manage, and improve image quality. The cameras include two new third generation FLIR ONE thermal camera attachments for smartphones, two dual-sensor thermal cameras from drones, and one compact thermal camera for building inspectors.

Sources:

FLIR Systems introduces five new thermal imaging cameras at CES

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New Year, New Home

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It’s a new year and the perfect time to give your home a refresh! Maybe it’s even the perfect time to buy a new home. Tampa’s real estate market was on the rise in 2016 and you can expect it to stay that way into 2017 as well. So, what can you expect if you plan to make that big move this year? We’ve got a couple ideas for you, collected from sources all over Tampa Bay!

Perfect for first-time buyers

First time home buyers may have felt the suffering over the last five years as the real estate market has slowly and steadily made it’s way back. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), first time home buyers made up approximately 40% of the market. For three straight years, they have only contributed to 32%. In 2016 we saw that number rise to 35% and expect an even bigger increase in 2017.

Patience is the new dream home

The NAR recent data reports that the current supply of existing homes for sale is insufficient to meet the demand, and new construction is not keeping up. This means you will be touring and potentially competing with the same people interested in purchasing the same home.

Demand rise, prices rise

As with all things economic, if demand is increasing then so will the prices. Which also means it is a seller’s market! If you need to sell your home to considering moving into a new one then this might be the perfect time for you! It is possible you can list your home for the price you’re hoping to sell it for.

Start planning now! We’re not even one full month into 2017 yet and you might already be behind. Start the planning process if you’re thinking about buying, selling, or both. Expect the process to take a few months and always start with hiring a real estate agent to help. Of course, don’t forget we offer pre-listing home inspections as well as discounts on home inspections if it is your first time hiring us! Contact us or schedule a home inspection right here on our website.