Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Olinville (Bronx) neighborhood, offering a broad range of services for our residential customers.
If you have been around the block a few times, then you’ll recognize the need for home inspections. A detailed home inspection protects you the buyer against the obvious problems that every home has. While the inspection is not fool proof, an inspector worth her weight in gold will be able to identify the primary systems and components that could be ready to become a problem for you as a new home owner. A good inspector will narrow down the likelihood of system failure greatly.
Typically and simply put, a home inspection is a formal professional evaluation of the accessible and visible components and systems of a home (heating and cooling, electrical, roofing, plumbing, roofing, structure, etc.) and should give the customer a clearer understanding of the house’s overall condition. Phone today to book your home inspection in Olinville at 332-334-7701 or Request a Quote. You’ll be glad you made the call.
Typically, the inspection is a buyer who requests an evaluation of the home they are serious about buying. An inspection of the home delivers data so that decision makers can question or confirm details about the home confirmed or questioned, and can uncover serious and/or expensive-to-repair defects that the owner/seller may not be aware of. It is not an appraisal of the property’s value. The inspection does not point out any repair costs for defects the inspector finds. Similarly, it makes not claim that the home and its systems complies with building codes or protects a customer in the event an item inspected fails.
Side Note: You can buy warranties to cover a multitude of items in the home.
Don’t consider an inspection of the home and property as an exhaustive evaluation, but rather an evaluation of the property at this point in time, taking into account normal wear and tear of the home based on age and location. A home inspection can also include for extra, Radon gas testing, water testing, energy audits, pest inspections, pool inspections and other specific items that may be location-specific.
Home inspections are also conducted (less often) by a seller prior to listing the property to see if there are any hidden problems that they are unaware of, and also by home owners simply wanting to prevent surprises, and keep the home investment value high, and care for their homes.
The following are areas that inspectors pay close attention to when inspecting your property:
1. Major defects, such as large cracks in the foundation; building out of plumb or level; decks not installed or supported correctly, etc. These are items that are costly to repair, which are items needing more than 2% of the buy price to fix.
2. Things that could lead to major defects – i.e. a roof leak that could grow larger, damaged down spouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, or a beam that was not tied in to the structure properly.
3. Safety hazards, such as exposed electrical wiring in bathrooms and kitchens, no safety railing on decks more than 30 inches off the ground, lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), etc.
Your property inspector will counsel you on what to do about these problems. He/she may recommend a formal evaluation on matters – by certified and/or licensed professionals who are specialists in the defect areas. For example, your inspector may recommend you call a licensed structural or building engineer if he/she finds sections of the property that are misaligned, as this could indicate a major structural deficiency and one that might cost thousands to repair.
Home inspections are merely conducted by a buyer after they sign a formal agreement, right?
This is not true! As you will discover once you read on, a home inspection can be utilized for interim inspections in new construction projects, as a maintenance tool by a current homeowner, a proactive technique by homeowners to produce their property more sellable, and by buyers wanting to determine the condition of the potential home.
Home owners, specifically, can take advantage of finding a home inspection before listing the home. Here are simply a several advantages for the homeowner:
· The homeowner knows your home! The home inspector will be able to get answers to his/her questions on the history of any problems they find.
· A home inspection can help the homeowner be much more objective as it pertains to setting a fair price on the home.
· The homeowner can take the report and make it into an advertising piece for the home.
· The homeowner will be alerted to any safety issues found in your home before they open it down for open house tours.
· The homeowner could make repairs leisurely instead of being in a hurry after the contract is signed.
Most homebuyers lack the information, skill, and objectivity had a need to inspect a property themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes, but they really don’t. Using the services of a qualified home inspector, they gain an improved comprehension of the condition of the property; especially whether any items do not “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 just a generalist and is broadly trained in every home system.
It’s a great idea for you to personally be present throughout the inspection – whether you’re a home buyer, seller, or homeowner. With you there, the inspector can point out any defects and explain their importance along with point out maintenance features which will be helpful in the future. In the event that you can’t be there, it’s no problem since the report you get will be very detailed. If you are not present, then you need to be sure to ask your inspector to spell out anything that’s unclear in the report. Also read the inspection agreement carefully so you understand what is covered and what’s not covered in the inspection. If you have a trouble with the inspection or the report, you need to raise the difficulties quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you’d like the inspector to go back after the inspection to show you things, this is arranged and is advisable, however, you could be charged extra since a second walkthrough not part of the inspection, unless, of course, you make that a part of your home inspection agreement
However, it’s important to let the inspector do the job you’re paying for. We love our clients, but we also know that constant interference and interruptions (some might even call it nagging) make the process painfully slow. Jot down your questions and ask them after the inspector has presented you with a report.
This depends on the condition and size of the entire home. You can usually figure 1.3 hours for every 1,000 sq.ft. For example, a 2,500 sq.ft. unit would take around 3 hours. If the company also prepares the report while in your home, that will take an additional 30-50 minutes. These figures aren’t set in stone because you really want her or him to do a comprehensive inspection without feeling hurried.
Since condos are individual units within a single building, owners pay an assessment fee to a also is on the hook for maintaining the community boiler system or HVAC. In smaller condo buildings, many home owners have their own boiler that acts as the HVAC that a building would normally provide. Home owners are responsible for everything inside the unit including walls, electrical, appliances, plumbing, balconies, and porches. There are less items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone qualified is still important. As you know well, HOAs are a fickle bunch, to be honest. And they’re all very different, even within a city. Ask us about our policy and we’ll be blunt with you. If we can inspect your condo, 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 is not exhaustive. Not all of these items may be in the inspection you receive, but the inspector will follow a standardized checklist for the property:
· Distribution systems and ducts
· Fireplaces
· Air Conditioning and controls
· Heat pumps and controls
· Safety items such as egress, TPRV valves, railings, etc.
· Floors, walls, ceilings
· Windows
· Doors, walls, patios, walkways, windows
· Basement, crawlspaces, and foundation
· Garage doors, walls, and floors
· Electrical system and panels
· Electrical grounding, GFCI, outlets
· Smoke detectors
· Indoor doors and hardware
· Kitchen appliances (microwave, trash compactor, range/oven, dishwasher, disposal)
· Laundry appliances (washer and dryer) if being sold with the house
· Ventilation systems and Insulation
· Grading and site drainage
· Driveways
· Entry steps, hand rails
· Decks
· Masonry
· Landscaping
· Retaining walls
· Fascias, soffits, and eaves
Other tests which aren’t a part of the standard inspection usually require an additional fee.
· Sprinkler System Test
· Alarm System
· Water quality test
· Septic System Inspection
· Gas Line Leak Test
· Radon gas test
· Termites
· Mold Screening
Your new home has dozens of systems and about 10,000 moving parts – from cooling and heating to ventilation systems and to appliances. When appliances and systems interact with each another seamlessly, you have peace of mind. Weak links in the system, however, can produce a myriad of problems resulting in a loss in value and shortened system/component lifecycle. Would you buy a used car with out a reputable mechanic looking at it? Your house is far more complicated, and to really have a thorough inspection that’s documented in a report arms you with substantial information where to create informed decisions.
That is the first question asked but the clear answer tells the least about the grade of the inspection. Fees are based according to size, age and many other facets of the home. Inspection fees from a certified professional home inspector generally start under $350. The average fee for a 2000 sq. ft. home nationally is approximately $330-$450 for just the inspection. In New York, it’ll probably run you an additional 35% or more. But consider what you’re getting for that premium. Who can put a price on peace of mind?
Most of the people believe everything is inspected detailed on inspection day. This misunderstanding has caused many a homebuyer being upset using their inspector. The inspections we all do are not exhaustive and there is a great reason for this.
For those who hire separate licensed experts in hvac, engineering, plumbing, electrical, etc to examine your home, it will take about 14 hours and cost you about $2000! It may appear far more practical to use a professional inspector that has a general comprehension of home systems, knows excellent customer service, and can suggest further inspection by a specialist if needed. Your inspector is usually following very specific guidelines issued by state or national organizations as he/she inspects your home. The guidelines are written to protect both the house and the inspector.
For instance, we are instructed to not turn systems on if they were off before the inspection (for safety reasons); we are not ready to move furniture (might harm something); a no-no to turn on water when it is off (possible flooding), and a no-no to destroy by using a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The down-side on this practice is that by not operating a control, by not seeing in the furniture, and not getting in to the attic or crawlspace, we’re going to might miss identifying a problem. However, place into perspective, the odds of missing something serious as a result is very low. There are more things that about 94% of inspectors consider outside an average inspection, and these include inspecting most things which are not bolted down (installed inside home) for instance electronics, reduced voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioning, or specialized systems for instance water purifiers, home security systems, etc.
Olinville, named after Methodist Episcopal minister Stephen Olin, is named in honor of former New York City Mayor William Williams. Williamsbridge is a neighborhood between the Bronx River and the Hudson River on the east side of Manhattan in the Bronx district.
The proposed development plan would preserve the residential character of the low-density area and encourage new development based on the size of the surrounding area. The proposed Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and the City of New York have proposed a change to the zoning plan for the Olinville neighborhood, a neighborhood in the Bronx, New York.
This is one of the safest neighborhoods in the Bronx, but you should look beyond the numbers. A safe neighborhood in this Bronx can depend on the statistics you’re looking for, and you’d do better to think about and take them into account.
Most of the inhabitants are young and middle-aged adults, but the number of young adults is large: 24% are under 17 years old. The population of children aged between 6 and 14 is extremely large in Williamsbridge, as is the number of younger adults.
In most parts of the country, the majority of commuters get to work within an hour, and the area has the highest proportion of people who travel to work most or all 45 minutes. In 10467 cases, however, this percentage (people working during this hour) is the lowest.
The 10467 postcode is unusual in that there is no public transport, but you can walk or take the bus to the subway, which is worth considering if you often romp around or have young children. Subway – North Railroad stops on the Harlem Line, serving Gun Hill Road and Webster Avenue. You can easily catch an express bus to Manhattan, and the 5, 6, or 2 trains are always easier than getting on a bus or on foot.
The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 12, and the neighborhood’s zip codes include 10466, 10467 and 10469. The postcode 104 67 includes the following school districts: Bronx High School of Science and Technology, Bronx Public Schools, New York State College of Art and Design, Brooklyn Community College and Brooklyn College. It is located in southeastern New York and covers slightly less than half the average land area, compared to other postcodes in the United States.
Although different, the development patterns of the area are characterized by a mixture of detached and terraced houses and detached houses. However, the height and density of the existing dwellings are generally below what is permitted under the current development plan. In the more densely built parts of the neighborhood, some buildings are taller than 70 feet, and two-family homes are common in many parts of Williamsbridge.
The percentage of residents who have difficulty paying their rent is 57%, according to data from the New York Department of Housing and Community Development, compared with the city as a whole. This is more than twice the rate in the cities as a whole and well above the national average of 32% for the same age group.
If you’re looking for a place to celebrate frequently, consider this part of the city. Looking at the 10,467 real estate data, the median home value of $369,500 is extremely high, compared to the national average for the same age group and the New York City average. Affordable housing is sometimes a little difficult to find, but if you can probably afford to live in it, do it. This is usually a selling point, it just means you have to make a little effort.
Also known as plain Woodlawn, this is a nebulously described area that sometimes includes a bit of Yonkers. Starting in the north and clockwise, the borders are: Morris Park, East New York, Park Slope and the Bronx River. This usually means that there are people who keep an eye on the neighborhood and invest in its preservation. With a median value of $369,500 and a population of about 1.5 million, it is not the safest place to live, but it is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in the city.
The number of children under 18 living in the 10467 postcode is greater than in other areas of the country. Of these, 48% have a college degree, a tertiary education, and 20% have less than a high school education. A much higher percentage of this population has a college degree than other New York City zip codes and the United States as a whole. In Olinville, 50% of those with higher education than the upper middle class have at least a bachelor’s degree, while only 16% do not, according to census data.
If you’re looking for a affordable, reliable, and professional town home, condo, or home inspection in Olinville, your search is over. We get that you have choices and we would be happy to send one of our inspectors to inspect your home and property. We’re committed to getting the job done right and making you a satisfied customer. E-mail or phone one of our staff now (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.
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