Book an Inspection
Own a Franchise

Posts

How to Prevent Bed Bugs & What To Do If You Ever Have an Infestation

June 15, 2022

This week is Bed Bug Awareness Week. Although bed bugs are tough to rid your property of, there are many effective treatment options available. It is important to know the warning signs of an infestation, as it can be more than a minor annoyance. An infestation can actually negatively affect your health by taking over your property and anything stored within it. Whether you’re a commercial building manager or owner, it is essential to recognize the signs of an outbreak on your property. CausesBed bug outbreaks can be caused by an assortment of factors. While it has always been thought that bed bug outbreaks only happen in dirty environments, this is actually a myth. Issues with bed bugs can appear in even the cleanest spaces. Bed bug infestations typically occur as the result of buying used household items and furniture, after traveling to densely populated areas, following vacations aboard cruise ships, and after staying in already-infested hotels. Transportation is the common theme for all the main causes of bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are notorious for their ability to “hitchhike” from one area to the next, making them easy to take with you to your commercial property and home. According

Read More »

Making Your Commercial Space Environmentally Friendly

June 8, 2022

To commemorate World Environment Day, your team here at National Property Inspections, Inc. wanted to fill you in on interesting ways to make your commercial property more energy efficient. Creating a space that is environmentally friendly is an easy way to boost curb appeal and increase buyer awareness–all while improving the planet for generations to come. The best part is that there is a huge return on investment when it comes to creating more energy-efficient properties. Energy Efficiency The best way to preserve energy resources is by investing in solar panel energy. Solar panels not only cut traditional energy costs in half, but they aid our environment by creating a form of energy not dependent on fossil fuels or other fuel sources known to cause environmental pollutants. On average, solar panels cost about $25,000. While installing solar panels appears to come at an expensive price on the surface, it should be noted that there are several government-sponsored programs to help compensate for the price of solar panels. One form of government aid used in support of environmental stability is federal income tax credits. By using federal income tax credits, it is possible to receive 30 percent of the total system

Read More »

Terms & Conditions: Things You’ll Want to Include in Your Commercial Leasing Agreement

June 1, 2022

As a commercial property tenant, there’s a lot to remember going into a new leasing agreement. While the process can be long and at times tedious, it’s important to understand everything within the agreement to ensure there are no gray areas that could cause issues further down the line. The last thing you’ll want to encounter are disagreements leading to lawsuits based on who is responsible for what. Therefore, it’s necessary to clearly outline all areas of the leasing agreement. Today, we’ll highlight the topics of repairs and maintenance, rent due dates and additional fees, and policies regarding breaking the lease, as these are the most important parts of the lease agreement. Repairs & Maintenance In your commercial lease agreement, one of the most important items to clearly define are the expectations for repairs and maintenance of the property. The owner of the commercial property should inform on a preferred method of contact for repair requests and for emergent needs of the property. Furthermore, it should be outlined as to what kind of repairs are considered emergent opposed to ones that can wait until the next business day. The lease should also state what kind of repairs fall under normal

Read More »

How to Manage an Acquired Property Following the Loss of a Loved One

May 25, 2022

Following the loss of a loved one, there are many affairs to attend to. After funeral arrangements have been made and the service has been held, you may find yourself in possession of your loved one’s items. In some cases, you may even find yourself as the owner of a new residential home. Most individuals in this position may already have an established residence, so coming into possession of an additional property may give way to questions about what to do with the acquired home. Here’s a collection of information to aid in resolving some of these questions during this challenging time. Leasing the Property One of the options you may want to consider is leasing the additional property. While leasing a property comes with its fair share of responsibilities, it can be worth your while at the end of the day. This option is common in these circumstances, as it allows for the opportunity to keep the property within the family. Leasing also creates additional streams of income, helping pay for any taxes the home may acquire and allowing you to set up a rainy-day fund for your family. If you don’t like the idea of being directly responsible

Read More »

Being a Commercial Tenant Isn’t Always Easy… Here’s How Partnering with NPI Can Help

May 18, 2022

As a commercial property tenant, you have the challenging task of servicing your clients while also preserving maintenance obligations per your contract to the property owner. In the case of long-term leases, these agreements can include being responsible for major repairs to the exterior and interior of the building. These repairs can become costly, especially if there’s a stipulation requiring anything electrical or involving the replacement of the roof. Here’s where NPI comes in. Prior to signing on the dotted line for the lease, it’s important to have a third-party inspection done. Although you may have done a walk-through with the building’s owner, or in some cases a real estate agent, getting an unbiased opinion of the prospective property could save you in the long-run. To the naked eye, one may see a sparkling exterior fully equipped with impressive features galore. However, what lies beneath on the interior could be a myriad of problems from issues with the building’s sewer lines, to electrical issues, HVAC problems, or even worse, a blighted roof. By incorporating an NPI inspection into your pre-signing procedures, you could potentially avoid making a huge mistake by not consenting to lease a nightmare of a property. Inspections

Read More »

Grocery-Anchored Retail Spaces Prove They’re Still Super Markets

May 11, 2022

During the early days of the pandemic, experts anticipated that the slow death of brick-and-mortar retail would only speed up during lockdown. In some cases, they were correct, but other retail models proved resilient in unexpected ways—one of these being grocery-anchored retail. Even during a global pandemic, people have to eat. With many restaurants closed and prices spiking, consumers turned to cooking more at home, putting grocery stores center stage. As the years have progressed and other issues like surging inflation and commercial rent have put increasing pressure on businesses, real estate investors are looking for sure bets to weather the times. Grocery-anchored retail seems to fit the bill, as JLL reports $13.3 billion in sales in this sector, with grocery shopping center transactions increasing 56 percent in the first quarter of 2022. What investors recognize in grocery-anchored strip malls is the continuing power of foot traffic. Strong grocery chains like Kroger or Albertsons will continue to reliably draw customers to shop, and these customers often visit consistently and frequently. Other businesses that position themselves to capitalize on people visiting grocery stores, sometimes several times a week, can stand to benefit more from that enhanced visibility than standalone locations. Grocery

Read More »

Should You Hire a Property Management Company? 5 Ways to Tell It’s Time

April 20, 2022

If your portfolio is growing beyond what you can handle, it may be time to consider hiring a property management firm. Here are the best ways to whether a property manager is right for you. 1. You’re struggling to manage the day-to-day from afar.The best investment opportunities won’t always be in your area, let alone your state. To an extent, it’s doable to manage a property remotely. But as your portfolio grows, it may not always be possible to be “boots on the ground” when your buildings need it the most. In the event of an eviction or a more serious issue like a fire or flood, you want to have a professional on site ASAP. 2. You don’t have a go-to list of vendors for maintenance issues.When maintenance needs arise for buildings in multiple locations, you need a go-to network of local vendors to draw from. It can be challenging to know who to call, not to mention it’s practically impossible to assess a company’s qualifications and expertise from a distance. That’s where a property management company steps in. They’ll have specialized experts either on staff or at the ready to assist with repairs and upkeep. 3. Your investments

Read More »

Predictions for Real Estate Investing in 2022

April 13, 2022

The past two years have been anything but “normal” for real estate investors, and many have learned to adapt or fear missing out. Several factors converged to create the “perfect storm” for a competitive real estate market leading into 2022. Low interest rates made homeownership more attractive to more buyers, and the low inventory helped elevate prices. The pandemic continued to impact markets in several ways, including an increase in working from home, an eviction moratorium, and a supply shortage. So, what will 2022 look like for real estate investors? It’s impossible to predict with pinpoint accuracy, but these top real estate investors and educators identify which trends they believe will emerge in 2022, and how to better position yourself for success. Predictions for Real Estate Investing in 2022Inching toward “normal”The economy and housing market are showing signs of returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to Lee Arnold, an international speaker, trainer, author and licensed broker, and CEO of Secured Investment Corp. “Many real estate investors and construction companies are breathing a sigh of relief and hoping that the period of multiple offers, contingency waivers, and record-high prices are finally in their rearview mirror,” he said. “The entire industry is looking

Read More »

How to Prevent Bed Bugs & What To Do If You Ever Have an Infestation

June 15, 2022

This week is Bed Bug Awareness Week. Although bed bugs are tough to rid your property of, there are many effective treatment options available. It is important to know the warning signs of an infestation, as it can be more than a minor annoyance. An infestation can actually negatively affect your health by taking over your property and anything stored within it. Whether you’re a commercial building manager or owner, it is essential to recognize the signs of an outbreak on your property. CausesBed bug outbreaks can be caused by an assortment of factors. While it has always been thought that bed bug outbreaks only happen in dirty environments, this is actually a myth. Issues with bed bugs can appear in even the cleanest spaces. Bed bug infestations typically occur as the result of buying used household items and furniture, after traveling to densely populated areas, following vacations aboard cruise ships, and after staying in already-infested hotels. Transportation is the common theme for all the main causes of bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are notorious for their ability to “hitchhike” from one area to the next, making them easy to take with you to your commercial property and home. According

Read More »

Making Your Commercial Space Environmentally Friendly

June 8, 2022

To commemorate World Environment Day, your team here at National Property Inspections, Inc. wanted to fill you in on interesting ways to make your commercial property more energy efficient. Creating a space that is environmentally friendly is an easy way to boost curb appeal and increase buyer awareness–all while improving the planet for generations to come. The best part is that there is a huge return on investment when it comes to creating more energy-efficient properties. Energy Efficiency The best way to preserve energy resources is by investing in solar panel energy. Solar panels not only cut traditional energy costs in half, but they aid our environment by creating a form of energy not dependent on fossil fuels or other fuel sources known to cause environmental pollutants. On average, solar panels cost about $25,000. While installing solar panels appears to come at an expensive price on the surface, it should be noted that there are several government-sponsored programs to help compensate for the price of solar panels. One form of government aid used in support of environmental stability is federal income tax credits. By using federal income tax credits, it is possible to receive 30 percent of the total system

Read More »

Terms & Conditions: Things You’ll Want to Include in Your Commercial Leasing Agreement

June 1, 2022

As a commercial property tenant, there’s a lot to remember going into a new leasing agreement. While the process can be long and at times tedious, it’s important to understand everything within the agreement to ensure there are no gray areas that could cause issues further down the line. The last thing you’ll want to encounter are disagreements leading to lawsuits based on who is responsible for what. Therefore, it’s necessary to clearly outline all areas of the leasing agreement. Today, we’ll highlight the topics of repairs and maintenance, rent due dates and additional fees, and policies regarding breaking the lease, as these are the most important parts of the lease agreement. Repairs & Maintenance In your commercial lease agreement, one of the most important items to clearly define are the expectations for repairs and maintenance of the property. The owner of the commercial property should inform on a preferred method of contact for repair requests and for emergent needs of the property. Furthermore, it should be outlined as to what kind of repairs are considered emergent opposed to ones that can wait until the next business day. The lease should also state what kind of repairs fall under normal

Read More »

How to Manage an Acquired Property Following the Loss of a Loved One

May 25, 2022

Following the loss of a loved one, there are many affairs to attend to. After funeral arrangements have been made and the service has been held, you may find yourself in possession of your loved one’s items. In some cases, you may even find yourself as the owner of a new residential home. Most individuals in this position may already have an established residence, so coming into possession of an additional property may give way to questions about what to do with the acquired home. Here’s a collection of information to aid in resolving some of these questions during this challenging time. Leasing the Property One of the options you may want to consider is leasing the additional property. While leasing a property comes with its fair share of responsibilities, it can be worth your while at the end of the day. This option is common in these circumstances, as it allows for the opportunity to keep the property within the family. Leasing also creates additional streams of income, helping pay for any taxes the home may acquire and allowing you to set up a rainy-day fund for your family. If you don’t like the idea of being directly responsible

Read More »

Being a Commercial Tenant Isn’t Always Easy… Here’s How Partnering with NPI Can Help

May 18, 2022

As a commercial property tenant, you have the challenging task of servicing your clients while also preserving maintenance obligations per your contract to the property owner. In the case of long-term leases, these agreements can include being responsible for major repairs to the exterior and interior of the building. These repairs can become costly, especially if there’s a stipulation requiring anything electrical or involving the replacement of the roof. Here’s where NPI comes in. Prior to signing on the dotted line for the lease, it’s important to have a third-party inspection done. Although you may have done a walk-through with the building’s owner, or in some cases a real estate agent, getting an unbiased opinion of the prospective property could save you in the long-run. To the naked eye, one may see a sparkling exterior fully equipped with impressive features galore. However, what lies beneath on the interior could be a myriad of problems from issues with the building’s sewer lines, to electrical issues, HVAC problems, or even worse, a blighted roof. By incorporating an NPI inspection into your pre-signing procedures, you could potentially avoid making a huge mistake by not consenting to lease a nightmare of a property. Inspections

Read More »

Grocery-Anchored Retail Spaces Prove They’re Still Super Markets

May 11, 2022

During the early days of the pandemic, experts anticipated that the slow death of brick-and-mortar retail would only speed up during lockdown. In some cases, they were correct, but other retail models proved resilient in unexpected ways—one of these being grocery-anchored retail. Even during a global pandemic, people have to eat. With many restaurants closed and prices spiking, consumers turned to cooking more at home, putting grocery stores center stage. As the years have progressed and other issues like surging inflation and commercial rent have put increasing pressure on businesses, real estate investors are looking for sure bets to weather the times. Grocery-anchored retail seems to fit the bill, as JLL reports $13.3 billion in sales in this sector, with grocery shopping center transactions increasing 56 percent in the first quarter of 2022. What investors recognize in grocery-anchored strip malls is the continuing power of foot traffic. Strong grocery chains like Kroger or Albertsons will continue to reliably draw customers to shop, and these customers often visit consistently and frequently. Other businesses that position themselves to capitalize on people visiting grocery stores, sometimes several times a week, can stand to benefit more from that enhanced visibility than standalone locations. Grocery

Read More »

Should You Hire a Property Management Company? 5 Ways to Tell It’s Time

April 20, 2022

If your portfolio is growing beyond what you can handle, it may be time to consider hiring a property management firm. Here are the best ways to whether a property manager is right for you. 1. You’re struggling to manage the day-to-day from afar.The best investment opportunities won’t always be in your area, let alone your state. To an extent, it’s doable to manage a property remotely. But as your portfolio grows, it may not always be possible to be “boots on the ground” when your buildings need it the most. In the event of an eviction or a more serious issue like a fire or flood, you want to have a professional on site ASAP. 2. You don’t have a go-to list of vendors for maintenance issues.When maintenance needs arise for buildings in multiple locations, you need a go-to network of local vendors to draw from. It can be challenging to know who to call, not to mention it’s practically impossible to assess a company’s qualifications and expertise from a distance. That’s where a property management company steps in. They’ll have specialized experts either on staff or at the ready to assist with repairs and upkeep. 3. Your investments

Read More »

Predictions for Real Estate Investing in 2022

April 13, 2022

The past two years have been anything but “normal” for real estate investors, and many have learned to adapt or fear missing out. Several factors converged to create the “perfect storm” for a competitive real estate market leading into 2022. Low interest rates made homeownership more attractive to more buyers, and the low inventory helped elevate prices. The pandemic continued to impact markets in several ways, including an increase in working from home, an eviction moratorium, and a supply shortage. So, what will 2022 look like for real estate investors? It’s impossible to predict with pinpoint accuracy, but these top real estate investors and educators identify which trends they believe will emerge in 2022, and how to better position yourself for success. Predictions for Real Estate Investing in 2022Inching toward “normal”The economy and housing market are showing signs of returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to Lee Arnold, an international speaker, trainer, author and licensed broker, and CEO of Secured Investment Corp. “Many real estate investors and construction companies are breathing a sigh of relief and hoping that the period of multiple offers, contingency waivers, and record-high prices are finally in their rearview mirror,” he said. “The entire industry is looking

Read More »