Comfort and health of occupants in a real estate property are the two common benefits of having good quality indoor air. It is critically important to have a good flow of air to reduce health hazards and accidents. Therefore, it is very much recommended before closing a deal with a potential buyer, to test the air quality of a real estate property. It is up to the real estate agent to orient the seller of the potential risks if air quality is left untreated and how it can diminish property value. In this course, fundamentals of indoor air quality testing are introduced. Hence, the knowledge gained in this course can help the real estate agent in conducting his or her sales.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define Indoor Air Quality
- List and define the health hazards of contaminated indoor air
- Identify the primary causes of poor indoor air quality
- Categorize the different types of indoor air quality pollutants
- Enumerate the actions taken by EPA to improve the quality of indoor air through community-based action
- Dissect the US EPA Publication for regulations regarding Indoor Air Quality Testing
- Understand the importance of Indoor Air Quality Testing
- Determine the right time to have an indoor air-quality testing
- Compare and Contrast DIY Indoor Air Quality Testing versus Professional DIY Indoor Air Quality Testing
- List and define steps for having a DIY Indoor Air Quality Testing
- Illustrate the DIY ways in improving Indoor Air Quality
- Determine the cost and advantages of professional indoor air quality testing
- List and define the elements found in an IAQ report
- Determine the common “hotspots” in a real estate property because of poor indoor air quality
- List and define the impacts of poor indoor air quality in selling a real estate property
- List and define key questions that should be answered for Indoor air quality versus Covid-19
The home inspection is one of the most crucial parts of the home buying process. Offers are finalized or revoked as a result of a home inspector’s report. A home inspection can be a source of anxiety for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents. However, real estate agents can ease some of their clients’ anxieties by helping them to be better educated and prepared for the home inspection process. Many aggravations can be avoided if the real estate agent prepares the buyer and seller before the inspection takes place.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Set expectations for the buyer
- Explain common components of an inspection agreement
- Avoid aggravations by preparing the seller
- Avoid aggravations by preparing the buyer
A home’s energy efficiency has a direct impact on the owner’s wallet. Real estate agents are often asked by client's questions regarding a home’s energy efficiency, including questions about the home’s heating and cooling system, construction, and appliances. In addition, many people are becoming more aware of how their lifestyle decisions directly affect the environment. This course is designed for real estate agents who want to better advocate for clients that are concerned with a home’s energy efficiency and environmental impact.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate between ‘green’ and ‘green-washed’ products and services
- Describe the characteristics and benefits of green appliances
- Describe the benefits of green systems that can be installed within a home
- Identify characteristics of green construction
A grow house is a home that was formerly used to grow marijuana. There are both small and large grow homes ranging from a portion of the home to the entire home dedicated to the growth of marijuana. Grow homes can seemingly “fit in” with other homes but there are certain identifiers to look for. There may be physical impacts to the home that would affect the home inspection, including electrical issues, structural effects and mold.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Define a grow home
• Determine how a grow home operates
• Identify how this will affect the home
• Recognize a grow home
• Prepare for inspection and remediation
Often times a home’s landscape and outdoor amenities play into the sale of a house. Participants of this course will learn about the basic functions of common outdoor amenities, including the garage door, sprinkler systems, and outdoor cooking equipment. Completion of this course will allow participants to provide increased insight on outdoor amenities to their clients.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the basic characteristics of outdoor amenities that are included in the inspection and sale of a home including garage doors, doorbells, fire protection systems, and outdoor grilling cooking systems.
- Identify common problems associated with outdoor amenities.
- Explain what a home inspector looks for when inspecting the area outside of a home.
Interested buyers and sellers often ask real estate agents basic questions regarding kitchen and bath appliances. Participants of this course will learn about the different types of kitchen and bath appliances available to consumers, the basics of how those appliances function, and common problems associated with those appliances. Completion of this course will allow participants to provide increased insight on kitchen and bath appliances to their clients.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the basic characteristics of kitchen appliances including dishwashers, refrigerators, food waste disposals, ranges, ovens, exhaust vents, microwave ovens and trash compactors.
- Describe the basic characteristics of bathroom appliances including mechanical exhaust vents.
- Identify common problems associated with kitchen and bath appliances.
- Explain what a home inspector looks for regarding each appliance.
The home inspection is one of the most crucial parts of the home buying process. Offers are finalized or revoked as a result of a home inspector’s report. A home inspection can be a source of anxiety for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents. However, real estate agents can ease some of their clients’ anxieties by helping them to be better educated and prepared for the home inspection process. A good home inspection should be thorough so that all parties have confidence when completing the home buying process.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the elements and characteristics of a home inspection
- Discuss strategies for preparing both the seller and the buyer for the home inspection
- List the steps to take when preparing a home for the inspection
- Describe common report findings
- Review questions that are frequently asked to home inspectors
The presence of mold can derail the home buying process. Participants of this course will learn common causes of mold and how they can be addressed in order to diminish the impact of mold when buying and selling a property.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define mold and explain its common causes
- Describe health effects of mold
- Provide answers to buyers’ commonly asked questions regarding mold
- Describe the impact of mold on the real estate transaction
Assisting a buyer on a new home can be a challenge for a real estate agent and varies greatly from a typical resale inspection. The home buyer has high expectations of the finished product and those need to be managed. Navigating the relationship with the home builder takes an experienced approach with a different purchase agreement, timing milestones and general considerations. A knowledgeable real estate agent can help make this transaction easier by understanding the process and helping the buyer through the process with the home and the builder. A knowledgeable real estate agent can also help their client set reasonable expectations that can ease anxiety and help make the purchase of a new home the positive experience it should be.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Help your buyers know what to expect from a new home
- Learn some of the considerations of new homes
- Understand the stages of construction
- Look at some of the typical problems that occur during construction
- Understand levels of quality control and workmanship standards
- Learn about life cycles of common components and appliances
This course examines the various pests and environmental hazards that can destroy a home, including those that might be missed by a traditional home inspection. It is important that real estate professionals are aware of the damage that these pests can inflict along with some warning signs of their presence so they can better advocate for their clients.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the different types of wood destroying insects
- Explain how wood destroying insects can enter and defect a home
- Describe the preventative measures that can be taken by homeowners to deter pest destruction
- List what areas of the United States is affected by each wood destroying insect
- Understand the implications of wood destroying insects on real estate transactions
Any home, regardless of when it was built, its location, or the materials used to build the home, can expose its residents to radon. Many states require that a home’s radon history be disclosed to potential buyers. As a result, radon testing may play an important role in the real estate transaction process. Real estate agents that are better informed on the potential hazards associated with radon as well as mitigation techniques will be able to better guide their clients through the real estate transaction process.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Identify risks associated with long-term radon exposure.
• Describe ways that radon can infiltrate a house.
• Explain testing measures that can be used to identify the presence of radon in a home.
• Describe the benefits of radon mitigation systems.
• Guide their clients through the real estate transaction process with particular sensitivity to radon.
The overall structure of a home is essentially the backbone that holds everything in place. For many, the structural integrity of a home is often viewed as the most crucial part of the home-buying process. By being able to observe and report on these critical matters during the structural portion of a home inspection, real estate agents are in a unique position to offer expertise and peace of mind to all parties involved in the home-buying process.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define terms commonly used during the structural portion of the home inspection process.
- Understand common causes of structural damage.
- Understand risks associated with inspecting structural components during a home inspection.
- Define what to consider during structural portion of the home inspection, including attics, basements, crawlspaces, floors, ceilings, windows, and doors.
- Define common concerns related to the inspection of the exterior structure and related components, including property lots, decks, porches and foundations.
- List examples of limitations that should be noted in a report of the structural inspection.
One of the house’s most integral operating systems is the heating system. As a result, potential buyers may have questions or concerns about the condition of a home’s heating system. Real estate agents will be able to serve as advocates for their clients during the home buying process as a result of participating in this course.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the steps a home inspector takes when inspecting a heating system as well as the appropriate recommendations an inspector is qualified to make regarding a heating system.
- Identify and describe the fundamental components and characteristics of heating systems.
- Describe characteristics and risks associated with gas furnaces.
- Locate furnace maintenance recommendations.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical problems are the largest cause of property damage in home structure fires across the United States. Since electrical inspections are important for the safety of one’s home, they often cause anxiety to those purchasing or selling a home. Real estate agents who take this course will be guided through the steps of an electrical inspection. By understanding the process of performing residential electrical inspections, real estate agents can help give peace of mind to all parties involved in the home-buying process.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
• Define basic safety rules to use when inspecting live electrical components, including panels and enclosures
• Identify common failures that can lead to unsafe conditions around the home
• Identify different types of electrical panels and common problem areas in each
• Understand connections and defects inside the service panel
8100 W US HWY 20
Shipewana, IN 46565
Phone: 260-463-6558
www.goldkeyinspect.com