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Alban's
Refund Policy Ends
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The
Alban Home Inspection Service refund
policy in effect for the last ten years
has outlived its usefulness. Effective
January 1, 2004, Alban will no
longer offer to refund the home inspection
fee should that particular transaction
not settle. There are several reasons
for this change. This year’s inflation
of sales prices took most sales above
the maximum sales price for the refund
program. The large number of non-contingent
contracts restricted the income
potential of our inspectors, so losing
the refunded income became intolerable
for the inspectors. In addition, too
many Realtors read the first sentence
of the program and failed to appreciate
the limitations, which caused
many buyers to think we would
refund the fee on inspections above
$300,000, or for commercial or investment
purchases, or a year later. Many
Realtors actually recommended to
us that the program be eliminated to
prevent this confusion.
Second Inspection Free After
January 1 Price Limit
Raised to $400,000
A
free second inspection policy will replace
the previous inspection fee refund.
In the event that the client’s purchase
does not settle, Alban will offer
a free inspection of their next similarly
priced home purchase.
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not
at risk if the sale is not completed. The
next inspection is free, subject to a
few limitations. Clients can feel relaxed
about the home inspection process,
and Realtors can be comfortable recommending
a home inspection, which
reduces liability for unforeseen
home deficiencies.
* * *
Limitations * * *
To
qualify for the free second inspection, the
first transaction must have a fully
signed residential purchase agreement for
owner occupancy priced under
$400,000. Pre-offer inspections do not qualify for the free
inspection. Commercial and investment properties do
not qualify. The free inspection must
occur within ninety days of the first
inspection. Written notice of cancellation of
the first agreement must accompany
the request for the second inspection.
The free second inspection offer
is good for one time only. Environmental
tests are not included in
this free home inspection offer. Alban
reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to
deny any request for a free second
inspection that does not comply with
the program requirements. If any
Realtor has a question about the free
second inspection offer and the limitations,
call Arthur Lazerow or Melissa
Brois for clarification.
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Alban is proud to offer FREE Continuing
Education Courses in Real Estate Offices!Call Melissa For
Information and to Schedule at 301-404-8104 or
301-607-8114. | |
From The Desk of Arthur S. Lazerow
Happy Holidays To All
The
holiday season is always much anticipated, with
parties, family gatherings and gift giving on everyone’s
mind. But this is also a time for reflection.
Like last year, 2004 has again been a difficult
year for Realtors, with insufficient product
to sell and low interest rates producing multiple
offers and higher prices. For home inspectors,
the large number of non-contingent contracts
caused a significant contraction in the volume
of work available.
Nonetheless, 2004 was a satisfying year for Alban.
We celebrated our tenth anniversary. Due
to our excellent marketing programs, the gross
number of inspections Alban inspectors performed
was consistent with last year. Rudy Rudacil
joined Marty Blackwood, Rodney Shull and
me as nationally accredited ASHI inspectors. Both
Realtors and non-Realtors alike have greeted our
weekly radio program, Real
Estate Today and my
bi-weekly Gazette articles, with acclaim. Our
web site was completely revamped, with a beautiful
new look and ease of use. On balance, this
has been a busy and productive year for our home
inspectors, our administrative staff and me.
Our inspection staff, George Ash, Quintin Satterfield,
Roberto Montiel, Rudy Rudacil, Marty Blackwood,
Rodney Shull and Lee Eyler, and our administrative
staff, Sandy Watkins (general manager),
Terry Toms (accounting), Melissa Brois
(marketing), Mandy Toms (administration) and
Tina Yarborough (secretary) join me in wishing you
and yours the happiest of holiday seasons and
a joyous New Year.
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