⭐ Certified Master Inspector
Certified Master Inspector
Sarasota & Manatee Home Inspections
Professional, thorough, customer-focused inspections with same-day reporting, so you can buy with total confidence.
Professional · Reliable · Experienced
Inspected Once, Inspected Right!
Sarasota & Manatee Home Inspections
Hello, I’m Michael Koester, CMI (Certified Master Inspector) & Founder of Direct Inspections. We are a professional, customer-focused home inspection company working in Sarasota & Manatee region. Our inspections include evaluation of the Roofing System, Air Conditioning, Electrical, Plumbing, Structure, Interior, Pool & Spa. As your trusted home inspector in Sarasota, we can also schedule an independent Termite Specialist & HVAC Professional upon request! Furthermore, we can provide contacts for special examinations including Mold, Dock & Davit, Elevator, Chinese Drywall and many more. Just ask!
Michael Koester, CMI, Owner
Direct Inspections
Professional · Reliable · Experienced
Inspected Once, Inspected Right!
Longboat Key Service Area – Home Inspection
Are you looking for a quality home inspection in Longboat Key? If you are purchasing a home or condo, getting a home inspection is in your best interest. Longboat Key has a fantastic variety of home styles to choose from. Whether you are looking at a high-rise condo, a villa or a free-standing single-family home, each dwelling deserves a thorough evaluation. Our inspection process covers the home’s major visible components and systems. Also, we bring a host of advanced tools that give our company the leading edge! Whether the home/condo you are purchasing is new or a bit older, it always benefits you to have the electrical, HVAC, plumbing and roofing evaluated.
A quick tip: While I’m sure you are aware that while people love their vacation properties, they don’t always take care of them like they do their primary residences. When they fly down here from snowy Boston or Michigan, the first tool they reach for is the margarita machine. If you’re purchasing a home or condo on Longboat Key, getting a thorough evaluation is important. Our home inspection process is a professional review of the homes installed components that may have been neglected.
Also, we issue our reports on the same day so there is minimal wait time! A home inspection is always to your advantage when purchasing a home. Whether you want to know what you are getting into or for negotiation purposes, inspections uncover important issues that will eventually need to be addressed. Mechanical systems and components wear out over time. Electrical and plumbing systems have specific life spans. Also, Longboat Key is right on the Gulf of Mexico so the salt air and sea spray can degrade exterior components rapidly (like HVAC systems, windows, doors). It’s important to know if a home has outdated or failing components. Give us a call. We’ll be happy to schedule an inspection for you if time allows!
Included in every inspection:
Roof System
Heating & Air Conditioning
Plumbing System & Water Heaters
Electrical System Evaluation
Kitchen & Appliances
Interior Rooms & Areas Inspected
FLIR Infrared Camera
The Direct Inspections Service Areas include: Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach and any other local areas. The style and amenities of Longboat Key are to be admired. Direct Inspections inspects all home types on Longboat Key. We would be happy to help you with your pre-purchase home inspection.
Incorporated in 1955, beautiful Longboat Key has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. On this key you can get away from it all and enjoy a sleepy quiet beach escape. Or you can dive right into world-class dining, golf and ocean activities on the Gulf of Mexico. Accessible only from a north and south bridge, Longboat Key remains an exclusive getaway for many from around the world. The home choices on Longboat Key are very interesting.
Many of the older homes were built to a higher level of quality & size than the average homes of this era. Longboat Key’s older condos also have tons of charm and almost all have an excellent setting. However, despite the charm and grandeur of the area’s homes, they generally have some age on them. Getting your prospective purchase inspected is highly recommended. The salt air exposure is highly corrosive and can affect any and all metal components it comes into contact with. Windows, doors, HVAC systems, electrical panels, lighting, roofing trim and onwards. Know what you are buying!
If you are just getting acquainted to the area, you may want to check out Mote Marine or Joan Durante Park for some local flavor.
Why Hire Us For Your Home Inspection?
Certified Master Inspector, Less than 3% of Florida’s Inspectors achieve Master Inspector Certification
Board-Certified: InterNACHI Certified Professional
FLIR Thermal Imaging: Allows us to see what others can’t
Same Day Reporting: Direct Inspections reports are always issued same day!
One Source: Full Home Evaluation, Condo Inspections, Insurance Inspections
We Carry a SUPRA Key: Quick & Easy Access to locked homes
Local & Experienced: We’ve inspected every type, age and size dwelling.
Excellent communication & customer service!
A Few Recent Notes & Observations
Here is a picture of a brand new air
conditioning condenser that was installed on
uneven ground. The HVAC condenser is
crooked which is a problem because
mechanical issues can develop as a result.
There are several problems with having an
unlevel air conditioning condenser. One issue
is that the rotating components including the
compressor itself and blower fan use
lubricated bearings. In order to prevent uneven
wear, these rotating components should be
as close to level as possible. Secondly, the
refrigerant that is being cooled by the
condenser needs to flow through the exterior
coils without unnecessary interference due to
a sloped unit. If you find that your air
conditioning system is sloped, it is better to
have an air conditioning company assess and
make the adjustment for you especially if the
system is older. Older or more brittle
components can develop damage when the
system is moved, possibly causing a
refrigerant leak.
Direct inspections includes a comprehensive
air conditioning inspection along with its home
inspection service. If you would like inspection
call Michael at 941-251-1000.Here is a picture of a damaged rooftop
plumbing vent. These vents are typically
made out of PVC plastic or cast iron. The
roofer will wrap the vent with soft pliable
lead during the roofing process. The
purpose of this wrap (flashing) is to keep
the area water tight. However, squirrels and
other wildlife like to chew on the lead
because it is sweet. These animals also
sharpen their teeth in the process. This
leads to many chewed on vents that require
repair. Without repair, water can get into
the attic and eventually damage the home’s
interior components.If you are buying a home, you have likely
walked around the outside of the house.
Many homes in the Sarasota and Manatee
region have stucco cracking. It can be scary!
Why is the house cracking? Well, in nearly
every case it’s not as bad as you think. After
a home is built, it will settle on the building
site. The settlement is the natural way of the
house finding its level. Think of it as making
yourself comfortable in an armchair after you
sat down. This process is where most
stucco cracks come from. The home’s
stucco coating is not elastic and settlement
cracks will form along the settlement points.
It is generally advised to keep the cracks
sealed up with an outdoor grade caulking in
order to keep moisture from entering. That’s
typically all that needs to be done. There are
some cases where the cracks are more
extreme. Larger offsetting of sections of the
building or cracks that extend from the
outside to the inside of the home. In these
cases, extreme settlement is taking place.
These conditions should be reviewed further
by a structural engineer to determine what
repair are needed.
Our Recent Reviews
“We were purchasing a retirement home in Longboat Key, Florida, and needed an inspector we could trust. Michael and the Direct Inspections team were incredibly thorough, explaining every finding in detail and giving us confidence in our decision. Excellent service from start to finish.”
“As someone with experience in home construction, I was impressed by the quality of the inspection we received in Longboat Key. Michael’s attention to detail, honest recommendations, and coordinated inspections made the entire process much easier. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Direct Inspections.”
“Buying a home in Longboat Key, FL from out of state can be stressful, but Direct Inspections made it simple. Michael was professional, responsive, and extremely thorough. We appreciated the detailed report and the time he took to answer all of our questions.”
“Direct Inspections did an outstanding job inspecting our property in Longboat Key, Florida. Michael was knowledgeable, easy to work with, and provided a complete evaluation without any pressure or unnecessary upselling. We felt well-informed and confident moving forward with our purchase.”
CALL NOW:
941-251-1000
Map of Our Recent Inspections
Certifications & Memberships
