home inspection

Performance Property Real Estate Question

3 Scary Pre-Home Inspection Red Flags To Avoid

Q: Gerald, my wife and I are looking at buying a home–we haven’t decided whether we want to live in it or rent it out but thought we’d ask if there are any red flags we should look for to avoid? Kendrick, Columbia, MD A: Great question, Kendrick. There are a few red flags that I use to disqualify properties to buy–here are 3 of them: 1. Property with leaking or compromised oil tank (expensive environmental hazard) 2. Property located next to gas station (expensive environmental hazard) 3. Property located next to dry cleaners (expensive environmental hazard) If you have experience resolving these kinds of issues, these conditions may present an opportunity for you as an investor–for example, I met […]

Gerald’s Real Estate Tip of the – Week of 5/16/17

Check references and get a sample inspection report before you hire a home inspector.

Gerald’s Real Estate Tip of the – Week of 9/6/16

Make clear to your home inspector that you’d never hire him to do repair work on your property. Otherwise, he may try to inflate or invent problems with your property in his inspection report and then try to get you to hire him to do the repair work.

Gerald’s Real Estate Tip of the – Week of 8/2/16

Make sure any contract you sign to buy a house has an inspection contingency that provides you more than enough time to get a thorough property inspection.

Gerald’s Real Estate Tip of the – Week of 6/14/16

Get a thorough home inspection before you buy real estate and get one before you pay for an appraisal just in case the inspection reveals something so major you decide against buying the property.

Gerald’s Real Estate Tip of the – Week of 5/5/15

When you’re buying a property attend the home inspection, ask lots of questions and listen so you don’t misinterpret what’s written in the inspection report.

5 Nightmare Home Problems Home Inspections Won’t Find

Q: Gerald, I set up an appointment with a home inspection company to inspect a property we are buying. What items does a home inspection cover or not cover? Janice, Charlotte, North Carolina A: Janice, I’m glad you plan to pay for a home inspection—that’s the smart choice. The focus of a home inspection is on 3 broad areas: the structural, mechanical and electrical condition of the property. So, your home inspection should uncover structural, mechanical or electrical problems in the property you’re buying. However, the inspection is not designed to detect all flaws or problems that might exist in a home. I’m going to list 5 items a home inspector’s standard practice typically does not include: 1) Asbestos 2) […]

How much should I pay for a home inspection?

Q: Gerald, as we continue to search for a house, we’ve decided to take your advice and pay for a home inspection. How much should we pay for a home inspection? Brook, Flanders, NJ A: Brook, you’re smart to get a home inspection. The cost of doing a home inspection will vary from place to place, but I’ve found throughout the US, most home inspections cost between $350 and $550. I’d shop around, but the experience and competence of the inspection company is more important than the cost. I’ve been investing in real estate for 15 years and I still pay for home inspections when I buy just to benefit from another set of eyes. You may be able to […]

Testimonials

“Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for your good advice. We were able to work things out with our lender and get our mortgage loan caught up and current.”

Vaughn | Westfield, New Jersey

“Good afternoon, Gerald, I appreciate you for staying consistent and helping me with my mortgage lender for the last few months. The free guide you gave me helped us figure out the right path to take. I finally got all the money to make my loan current by the end of the week.”

Stephen Brunson | Plainfield, New Jersey

“Sir Gerald Lucas..my Knight who rescued me from the prison of Rushmore. At last I feel freedom to stop worrying about keeping myself financially afloat. You came into my life and gave me peace of mind. I will always remember your kindness and generous spirit. You are daily in my thoughts and prayers. May your gratuitous services to me be The Blessing it was,and may you be rewarded with many Blessings in return. I prayed to God for help and He sent YOU. Much love.”

Mary Elizabeth Robinson | Wilmington, Delaware

“Hi Gerald I just want to take this moment to thank you and express my gratitude for a job well done. When I thought that everything was lost you appeared and delivered hopes. Your professionalism and endurance are out of this world. Thank you thank you. I will always be grateful.”

Berkis Castro | Clifton, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for helping me. My property was haunting me for quite sometime. We tried for so long to sell but couldn’t. My family and I never thought we would resolve this problem so easily, but you facilitated the whole process and made it swift and painless. We can’t thank you enough for this.”

Sal Rizzo-Cascio | Jersey City, NJ

“Thank you so much for all your work, effort and time you put in helping me. I think things went really smoothly, way better than I’d hoped for! I’m sure it’s because of you. I really appreciate all of your help!”

Bridget Hieronymus | Jersey City, New Jersey

“I was not able to pay my mortgage and the Bank started the Foreclosure proceedings against me. I spoke with Performance Property about their process and they gave me hope. They were very diligent and did all the negotiations on my behalf. They were very professional, sincere and hardworking. I would recommend Performance Property’s services to anyone.”

Samuel Manoharan | North Bergen, New Jersey

“My family and I want to thank you so much for helping us. You did an outstanding job negotiating with our bank and keeping us informed. Thanks to your help, I now have more money to pay down bills and repair my credit.”

Marko Shafik | Bayonne, New Jersey

“If you find yourself in my situation, I highly recommend Performance Property. Always attentive, thoughtful and understanding, Performance Property will keep you informed every step of the way and will not rest until the job is done.”

Sean Daughtry | Jersey City, New Jersey

“As I began my morning today, I came to the conclusion that it was the dawn of a brand new start for my family. The burden is finally behind us. I have you to thank for that. You stuck by us, slogged through the swamp that is Chase Bank, put up with my constant questions and anxieties. I wondered if this day would come and lo and behold, it has. If good karma is to be had, I think you hit it big today. I am profoundly grateful for your hard work that has truly made a difference in our lives. We can now move forward with rebuilding our lives focusing upon a renewed perspective of what the important things in life are. Thank you again for your time and dedication.”

Melinda | Bayonne, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for all your help. I feel a huge weight has been lifted. The experience and knowledge that Performance Property provides is invaluable. In every step of the process, you were extremely courteous and professional. Thank you again.”

Gita Gorji | Hoboken, New Jersey

“Our loan modification was finalized. Got all the documents. Even got legal documents stating that foreclosure proceedings were cancelled. Our rate went from a 4.75 to a 3.4 and our mortgage payment went down almost $200 a month. So all is good. Thank you so much.”

Crystal | Totowa, New Jersey

“Finally the bank called me and said that my loan modification was approved! I thank you so much for your help it really meant a lot to me...I really appreciate you. Thank you Thank you Thank you”

Camille Perry | Newark, New Jersey

“Hey Gerald wanted to give you a heads up that they offered me a loan modification. Thanks for all your help!"

Robert Evans | North Arlington, New Jersey

“I appreciate everything you were able to do with my lender, I am immensely grateful to you."

Carol Cunningham| West Orange, New Jersey

“Thank you so much for your help, Gerald. I feel like a huge weight has been taken off me."

Iradys Rivero| North Bergen, New Jersey

“At this point, Gerald, you are the only person I can trust. I appreciate all your efforts to assist me."

Deborah Dowe| Plainfield, New Jersey

“I want to thank you for helping me to get the courage to work on this problem because I didn't want to face it. Your help with the phone call to the mortgage company & other assistance was so appreciated. Thank you so much."

Evelyn Rudnicki | Rochelle Park, New Jersey

“I'm not trying to be a pain in the neck but I would like to thank you for your advice. I think things are going to work out for me. I did exactly what you told me and I think the mortgage company is going to work with me. I appreciate your advice. You are a Godsend. The world needs more people like you. Thank you and God bless you."

Jimmy Armstead | Roselle, New Jersey

“My mortgage problem is resolved. God bless you for all your help. You are a very good man, Gerald."

Virgilio Rodriguez | Paterson, New Jersey

“I followed the instructions Gerald from Performance Property gave me and I proved to my lender that I can pay back my mortgage.”

John Nikoe | Linden, New Jersey

“God bless you.”

Ravinder Thota | Jersey City, New Jersey

“My bank gave me a permanent loan modification. Thank you very much!!”

Jim Armstead | Roselle, New Jersey

“You helped me a lot more than the lawyer I hired. I should have gone to you in the first place. You were very kind. Thank you so much.”

Aileen Collucci | Little Falls, New Jersey

“After speaking with you I feel like I can wipe the sweat from my brow.”

Barbara Herbert | Union, New Jersey

“You have been my saving grace. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

Amoy Frost | South Orange, New Jersey

“Thank you very much. I appreciate all your help.”