A brief history of PITI:
Meet Owner/Inspector, Robert "Bo" Passen
I grew up in Mount Dora and joined the Navy to see the world. I was an Electronic Warfare Aircrewman and worked extensively with Infra-Red technology. I graduated with high honors with a BS in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
In 1989, I was a young Sailor with a budding family. I had just moved, on orders, to Jacksonville Florida and bought my very first home. I thought that I was investing wisely and preparing for the future. I had a "Home Inspection" done and was given a checklist that said everything was just great! I was so excited!
Two months later, I noticed a soft spot in the guest bathroom floor... I started to do some investigating (read as: stomping) and my foot went through the floor! The water damage under the shower and toilet was extensive. I was just barely making ends meet, so I locked the bathroom door and it sat that way, with a hole in the floor, for almost two years until I could afford to make some repairs.
The extent of damage cost me 50% of the price of the home... and I did all the work myself. It would have easily been double that if I had to have someone else do the work.
Fast forward 25 years....
Meet Owner/Inspector, Robert "Bo" Passen
I grew up in Mount Dora and joined the Navy to see the world. I was an Electronic Warfare Aircrewman and worked extensively with Infra-Red technology. I graduated with high honors with a BS in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
In 1989, I was a young Sailor with a budding family. I had just moved, on orders, to Jacksonville Florida and bought my very first home. I thought that I was investing wisely and preparing for the future. I had a "Home Inspection" done and was given a checklist that said everything was just great! I was so excited!
Two months later, I noticed a soft spot in the guest bathroom floor... I started to do some investigating (read as: stomping) and my foot went through the floor! The water damage under the shower and toilet was extensive. I was just barely making ends meet, so I locked the bathroom door and it sat that way, with a hole in the floor, for almost two years until I could afford to make some repairs.
The extent of damage cost me 50% of the price of the home... and I did all the work myself. It would have easily been double that if I had to have someone else do the work.
Fast forward 25 years....
I retired from the Navy in 2010 and moved home to beautiful Mount Dora. I began working overseas doing thermographic imaging and image analysis. I had many years of experience in thermographics and it was right up my alley. However, the travel schedule started to wear on me and my family, so I decided to make a career change.
I started looking at jobs where I could use my extensive experience in thermographics (without having to go to fun places like Afghanistan and Iraq). I had also done quite a bit of work in the building trades. I had worked part time as a framer and a handyman and I had remodeled several homes. As I was looking, my son was buying his first home. Knowing that I was quite savvy on home repair, he asked me to come take a look at the place and let him know what I thought. It was like an epiphany... I knew then, exactly what I needed to do.
I started looking at jobs where I could use my extensive experience in thermographics (without having to go to fun places like Afghanistan and Iraq). I had also done quite a bit of work in the building trades. I had worked part time as a framer and a handyman and I had remodeled several homes. As I was looking, my son was buying his first home. Knowing that I was quite savvy on home repair, he asked me to come take a look at the place and let him know what I thought. It was like an epiphany... I knew then, exactly what I needed to do.
So, a several years ago, I graduated at the top of the class from the most highly regarded Home Inspection School in Florida , purchased the best Thermographic Imaging camera on the market , and apprenticed under one of the most respected inspectors in the business. I had found my calling!
Since that time, I have inspected over Four Thousand Homes, achieved respected industry ratings in both the State of Florida ( Florida Assn of Building Inspectors, FABI Registered Professional Inspector #0833) and Nationally (American Society of Home Inspectors, ASHI Certified Inspector #258588), been Nationally recognized for my superior knowledge as evidenced by my selection as an instructor for the 2018 ASHI Inspection World, a member of the Education Committee for FABI, and a Staff Instructor at The Home Inspection University, Florida.
I have drawn on my thirty years of experience in Thermographic Imaging in order to provide my clients with the most in-depth inspection possible. With my FLIR E-95 IR camera, I can find hidden leaks, moisture intrusion, over-heated electrical circuits, and many other issues that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Of course these items can financially cripple a new home buyer if they are unprepared for that expense. Some of the hidden items that I have found have been published in Monroe Infrared training materials.
All of my clients can rest assured that I approach every inspection as if my client was that young Sailor from 1989.
The purchase of a home is, quite possibly, the largest single investment in a person's life. You owe it to yourself to have the most information available prior to committing to such a substantial purchase.
Not all home inspections are the same. I use the latest technology available to allow me to see things that many others will not see.
My intention is to give my client the very best data available to make the most informed investment decision possible.
My Certifications:
State Certified Home Inspector, HI8396
Florida Association of Building Inspectors, Registered Professional Inspector, RPI #0833
FABI Education committee member
American Society of Home Inspectors, Certified Inspector, ACI #258588
Certified Residential Thermographer, CRT #2014061902
International Assn of Certified Indoor Air Consultants, # IAC2-05-1848
National Swimming Pool Foundation, Certified Pool / Spa Inspector™ (CPI-585767)
North American Deck And Railing Assn. Certified Deck Evaluator
Florida Wood Destroying Organism Inspector, #JE283875 (WDO inspections performed as an employee of Custom Pest Solutions under license #JB90561)
American Mold and Moisture Association Certified Assessor
A few years ago, it became very apparent that I needed help covering the needs of my customers. I started looking to hire another inspector. It was a lot harder that it sounds. I had to find someone that would treat my customers the way that I would treat them. After a long search, I was lucky enough to find Jim Smith.
Jim is an Army veteran and has been working with us since 2019. He brings with him an impressive list of certifications of his own.
Florida Home Inspector License #HI12197
Certified Residential Thermographer #2019091318
FABI Registered Professional Inspector #RPI-0947
InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector #NACHI21031721
Florida WDO ID #JE316250 (WDO inspections performed as an employee of Custom Pest Solutions under license #JB90561)
HIU Certified - Advanced Pool & Sewer Scope
Jim is an Army veteran and has been working with us since 2019. He brings with him an impressive list of certifications of his own.
Florida Home Inspector License #HI12197
Certified Residential Thermographer #2019091318
FABI Registered Professional Inspector #RPI-0947
InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector #NACHI21031721
Florida WDO ID #JE316250 (WDO inspections performed as an employee of Custom Pest Solutions under license #JB90561)
HIU Certified - Advanced Pool & Sewer Scope
