Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Co-Op City (Bronx) neighborhood, offering a broad range of services for our residential customers.
If you’ve been around, then you’ll understand the need for home inspections. A detailed home inspection protects you the prospective home owner against the obvious problems that every home has. While the inspection is not fool proof, an inspector worth his/her weight should be able to pinpoint the major systems and components that could be ready to break on you as a new homeowner. A good inspector will narrow down the likelihood of system failure greatly.
Simply put, a home inspection is a formal detailed evaluation of the accessible and visible components and systems within a home (cooling and heating, plumbing, roofing, electrical, structure, etc. and should give the client a better understanding of the home’s general state. Call today to schedule a home inspection in Co-Op City at 332-334-7701 or Request a Quote. You’ll be glad you made the call.
More often than not, it is a homebuyer who asks for an inspection of the home he or she is serious about buying. An inspection of the home provides data points so that decisions about the purchase can be questioned or confirmed, and can uncover expensive and serious defects that the owner/seller may not be aware of. It is not an appraisal of the property’s value. The inspection does not address the cost of repairs for defects the inspector finds. Similarly, an inspection of the home makes not claim that the home and its systems complies with local building codes or protects a client in the event an item inspected fails.
Note: You can buy warranties to cover several items in the house.
Don’t consider an inspection of the home and property as a complete evaluation, but rather an evaluation of the property at this point in time, considering normal wear and tear of the home based on age and location. An inspection of the home can also include pest inspections, pool inspections, energy audits, Radon testing, water testing, energy audits, and many other specific items that may be location-specific.
Home inspections are also conducted (less often) by a seller prior to putting the property on the market to see if there are any hidden problems, and also by owners simply wanting to prevent surprises, and keep the home investment value high, and care for their homes.
The following are aspects that inspectors pay close attention to during an inspection:
1. Serious defects, such as large cracks in the home’s foundation; structure out of level or plumb; decks not installed or supported properly, and others. These items are costly to fix, which are systems requiring more than two percent of the purchase price to fix.
2. Items that could lead to major defects – i.e. a roof flashing leak that could grow, damaged downspouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, or a support beam that was not tied to the structure properly.
3. Safety hazards, such as no safety railing on decks more than 30 inches off the ground, lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), exposed electrical wiring in kitchens and bathrooms, etc.
Your property inspector should be able to advise you on what you should do about these areas of concern. She may recommend a formal evaluation on serious matters – by certified and/or licensed professionals who specialize in the problem areas. For example, your inspector may recommend you phone a licensed building engineer if he/she finds areas of the property that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a major structural problem.
Home Inspections are always paid for by a buyer when he or she signs a formal contract, right?
This is not true! As you will see once you continue reading, a home inspection may be used for interim inspections in new construction projects, as a maintenance tool by a current homeowner, a proactive technique by home owners to produce their home more sellable, and by buyers wanting to determine the situation of the potential home.
Home owners, particularly, can take advantage of getting a home inspection before listing the home. Here are just a some of the advantages for the home owner:
· The home owner is going to be alerted to any safety issues found in your home before they open it down for open house tours.
· A home inspection can help the home owner become more objective as it pertains to setting a fair price on the home.
· The home owner may make repairs leisurely instead of being in a hurry following the contract is signed.
· The home owner may take the report and make it into a marketing piece for the home.
Most homebuyers lack the information, skill, and objectivity had a need to inspect a house themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes, but they really don’t. By using the services of a professional home inspector, they gain an improved comprehension of the situation of the property; especially whether any items don’t “abjectly affect the home’s living space” or “function as intended” or “warrant more detailed attention” by a qualified specialist. Remember that the home inspector is really a generalist and is broadly trained in every home system.
It’s wise for you to personally be present through the inspection – whether you’re a homebuyer, seller, or homeowner. With you there, the inspector can show you any defects and explain their importance as well as mention maintenance features which would be helpful in the future. If you can’t be there, it’s no problem considering that the report you obtain is going to be very detailed. If you are not present, then you need to be sure to ask your inspector to describe anything that is not yet determined in the report. Also read the inspection agreement carefully which means you know what is covered and what is not covered in the inspection. When there is a problem with the inspection or the report, you need to raise the problems quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you want the inspector to come back following the inspection to show you things, this can be arranged and is advisable, however, you could be charged extra since a second walk through not part of the inspection, unless, of course, you make that a part of your home inspection contract
However, it’s very important to let the inspector do the work you’re paying for. We love our customers, but we also know that constant interruptions and interference make the process painfully slow. Write down your questions and ask them after the inspector has presented you with a report.
This depends on the condition and size of the home. You can approximate a little more than an hour for every thousand sq. ft. For example, a 2,600 square foot home would take approx. 3 hours. If the inspector also writes the report at your home, that will take an extra sixty minutes. These numbers are not set in stone because you really want the inspector to do a comprehensive inspection without feeling hurried.
Since condominiums are units within a single building, homeowners pay an assessment fee to a also is on the hook for maintaining the community boilder or HVAC. In smaller condo buildings, many home owners have their own mini-boiler that acts as the HVAC that a building would normally provide. Owners are responsible for everything inside the condo including walls, electrical, appliances, plumbing, balconies, and porches. There are fewer items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone qualified is still important. As you well know, Home Owners Associations are a fickled lot. And they’re all very different, even within a neighborhood. Ask us about our policy and we’ll be honest with you. If we can inspect your unit, we’ll do it; if we can’t, we’ll also let you know. We believe honesty is always the best policy and we live by it.
The following list (of systems and inspection items) is not exhaustive. Not all of these items may be in the inspection you receive, but the inspector will be following a standardized checklist for the property:
· Heating controls and equipment
· Ducts and distribution systems
· Fire places
· Heating and air conditioning
· Safety items such as TPRV valves, railings, egress etc.
· Walls, floors, ceilings
· Windows and window gaskets
· Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
· Garage walls, doors, and doors
· Electrical panels, electrical system
· Electrical grounding, GFCI, outlets
· Fire detectors
· Interior doors and hardware
· Kitchen appliances (microwave, trash compactor, range/oven, dishwasher, disposal)
· Laundry appliances (washer and dryer)
· Ventilation systems and Insulation
· Grading and site drainage
· Driveway
· Entry stairs, handrails
· Decks
· Bricks, masonry
· Landscape
· Retaining walls
· Roofing system
· Eaves, soffits, and fascias
Some tests which are not a part of the standard inspection sometimes incur an extra fee.
· Sprinkler System Test
· Alarm System
· Water quality test
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Septic systems
· Gas Line Leak Test
· Radon gas test
· Termites
· Mold Screening
Your home has lots of systems and about 10,000 moving parts – from cooling and heating to ventilation and to appliances. When they work together, you have peace of mind. Weak links in the device, however, can produce a myriad of problems resulting in a loss in value and shortened component lifecycle. Would you purchase a used car with out a reputable mechanic taking a look under its hood? Your home is far more complicated, and to truly have a thorough inspection that is documented in a written report arms you with substantial information to create informed decisions.
This really is often the first question asked but the answer tells the smallest amount of about the grade of the inspection. Fees are based in accordance with size, age and some other facets of the home. Inspection fees from a professional professional home inspector generally start just under $350. A typical fee for a two thousand sq.ft. house nationally is somewhere in the neighborhood of $300-$500 for just the inspection. In New York City, it’ll probably be an extra 25-35%. But think about what you’re getting for that premium. Who can put a price tag on peace of mind?
Most of the people feel that the entire home is inspected in depth on inspection day. This misunderstanding is mainly responsible for many a homebuyer to generally be upset because of their inspector. The inspections we perform are usually not exhaustive and there’s a good reason for this.
Should you hire separate licensed experts in air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, engineering, etc. to examine your home, it will take about 13 hours and run you about two grand! It is a lot more practical to rent a reliable inspector who may have a general comprehension of home systems, knows things to search for, and can suggest further inspection by a specialist if needed. Your inspector is also following very specific guidelines issued by national or state organizations as he/she inspects your home. The guidelines are written to safeguard both the house as well as the inspector.
For instance, I am instructed to NOT turn systems on if these were off during the inspection (for safety reasons); we are not allowed to move furniture (might harm something); prohibited to turn on water if it is off (possible flooding), and prohibited to destroy by having a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The negative effects of your practice is always that by not operating a control, by not seeing within the furniture, and failing to get in the attic or crawlspace, we are going to might miss identifying a problem. However, placed in perspective, the likelihood of missing something serious due to this is pretty low. There are other products which 96% of inspectors consider outside an average inspection, and these include inspecting most things which are not bolted down (installed in the home) like electronics, low voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioning units, or specialized systems like water purifiers, home security systems, etc.
Co-op City is one of the most diverse, lively and diverse apartment blocks in New York City and was founded by New York-based urbanist Adam Tanaka. Kazan is also the co-founder and CEO of the Op City Neighborhood Association. Residents in the Bronx are more than twice as likely to live in the city as the national average, but they also outnumber much of our nation. Did you know that you have the opportunity to live in one of the most diverse, vibrant, and diverse areas in America? Adam Tanaka, the New York-based urbanist who, with his wife Jennifer, has studied the Bronx apartment blocks, is the author of “The Bronx: A New Urbanism,” a new book on the subject.
Co-op City is a Soviet high-rise project and has a small urban feel, but it is the kind of place where people spend their working years, retire and never leave. Co-op City has the feel of a town house, a place where residents spend all their working years, where they look out for those who live there and have never left. It is one of the most diverse and lively apartment buildings in New York City and a great place to live.
Co-Op City is very densely populated compared to most US neighborhoods, with 30.7% of people working or travelling by train. Co-op City Blvd looks like this, but has so many other interesting aspects that it is worth highlighting. The best thing about City, apart from the beautiful scenes, is that they allow it to be the norm.
Unfortunately, the Co-Op City Blvd neighborhood has the difference that it has on average longer distances than most other neighborhoods in America. Nevertheless, the city is home to many working and middle-class families, many of whom live within walking distance of the train station.
In addition to the two high schools in Co-Op City, Bronx Health Sciences High School is also located in the Bronx. Harry S. Truman High School is famous for housing a planetarium and Bronx Community College, the largest public college in New York.
Co-op City is connected to the subway by the BXM7, an express bus to Manhattan, and there are subway stops in Co-Op City. There is no subway stop in Co-Op City, however, there are several NYC MTA buses that stop nearby, as well as a bus stop on the way to and from Manhattan.
One big difference is that all apartments for sale in NYC are condos or co-ops. Co-op is affordable, and many of these co-op arrangements are found in Brooklyn and Midwood, as well as other parts of Manhattan.
New Yorkers who cannot afford the market – private housing is assessed and public housing is not – can have positive living conditions. Although Co-op City is located in the Mitchell Lama Building, there is no minimum income requirement that allows all New Yorkers, regardless of income, to live there. It was established and funded by the New York Department of Housing and Urban Development (NYCHA) and the City Council.
This independent community is the largest cooperative housing complex in the world and offers residents much more than just apartments. Today, Co-Op City’s demographics reflect New York City’s demographics – a mix of low-income, middle-class, and upper-class people. This sets the Co-op City apart from other housing developments across the country. It is one of only a handful of cooperatives in America where about 50,000 residents live in a single-family home.
If Co-op City were to suddenly split from Bronx County, it would be one of the state’s 15 largest cities. If there were no co-op houses in New York City, there would not be a single family home for sale in Co-Op City. So it is likely that the cost of the City will continue to rise, but those who move now will reap the benefits. In addition to being home to about 50,000 people, Co-Op City is also home to more than 1,500 businesses, restaurants, hotels and restaurants.
If you’re searching for a affordable, reliable, and professional condo, home, or townhome inspection in Co-Op City, look no further. We get that you have choices and we’d be honored to send one of our inspectors out to inspect your property. We are committed to getting the job done right and making you happy. Call or email one of our staff members now (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.
