Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Throgs Neck (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 already understand the value of home inspections in Throgs Neck. A detailed home inspection protects you the prospective homeowner against those obvious problems that every home has. While the inspection is not fool proof, an inspector worth his/her weight in gold should be able to pinpoint the major systems that could be ready to break down on you as a new home owner. A great inspector will narrow down the probabilities of system failure considerably.
Typically and simply put, a home inspection is a formal detailed evaluation of the accessible and visible systems and components within a home (heating and cooling, electrical, roofing, plumbing, roofing, structure, etc.) and is meant to give the customer a clearer understanding of the home’s overall state. Call today to book an inspection at 332-334-7701 or Request a Quote. You’ll be glad you made the call.
Typically, the inspection is a homebuyer who asks for an inspection of the home they are serious about buying. An inspection of the home delivers data so that decisions about the purchase can be questioned or confirmed, and can uncover serious and/or expensive-to-repair defects that the seller/owner may not be aware of. It is not a property’s appraisal value. The inspection does not point out repair costs for defects the inspector finds. Similarly, a home inspection makes not claim that the home and its systems complies with local building codes or protects a customer in the event an item inspected fails in the future.
Side Note: Warranties can be purchased to cover several items.
Don’t consider an inspection of the home and property as a complete evaluation, but rather property evaluation on the day it is inspected, taking into account normal wear and tear of the home based on age and location. An inspection of the home can also include, for extra fees, pool inspections, water testing, Radon gas testing, pest inspections, energy audits, and many other specific items that may be location-specific.
Home inspections are conducted (less often) by a homeseller prior to listing the property to see if there are any hidden problems that they are unaware of, and also by home owners simply wishing 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 home:
1. Serious flaws, such as large differential cracks in the home’s foundation; building out of level or plumb; decks not installed or supported correctly, etc. These are items that are costly to repair, which we classify as systems requiring more than 2% of the buy price to fix.
2. Items that could lead to major flaws – i.e. a roof flashing leak that could get bigger, 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 bare wiring in kitchens and bathrooms, no safety railing on decks more than 30 inches off the ground, lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), etc.
Your inspector should be able to advise you about what to do about these areas of concern. She may recommend an evaluation on more issues – by certified and/or licensed professionals who are specialists in the defect areas. For example, your inspector may recommend you call a licensed building engineer if they find sections of the home that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a major structural deficiency.
Home Inspections are only done by a buyer after he or she signs an agreement, right?
This isn’t true! As you might find once you continue reading, a home inspection can be utilized for interim inspections in new construction, as a maintenance tool with a current homeowner, a proactive technique by sellers to make their house more sellable, and by buyers wanting to ascertain the problem of the potential home.
Home owners, in particular, can benefit from finding a home inspection before listing the home. Here are simply a some of the advantages for the homeowner:
· The homeowner may make repairs leisurely instead of being in a rush after the contract is signed.
· The homeowner will be alerted to any safety issues found in the home before they open it down for open house tours.
· The homeowner can take the report and ensure it is into an advertising piece for the home.
· A home inspection will help the homeowner become more objective when it comes to setting a good price on the home.
Most homebuyers lack the data, skill, and objectivity needed to inspect a home themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes, but they really don’t. Utilizing the services of an expert home inspector, they gain a better understanding of the problem 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” with a qualified specialist. Remember that the home inspector is just a generalist and is broadly been trained in every home system.
It’s wise for you to be present during the inspection – whether you are a buyer, seller, or homeowner. With you there, the inspector can point out any defects and explain their importance in addition to mention maintenance features that would be helpful in the future. In the event that you can’t be there, it is not a problem considering that the report you get will be very detailed. If you’re not present, then you ought to be sure to ask your inspector to explain anything that’s unclear in the report. Also see the inspection agreement carefully which means you understand what is covered and what is not covered in the inspection. When there is a problem with the inspection or the report, you must raise the problems quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you prefer the inspector to go back after the inspection to show you things, this is arranged and is a good idea, however, the inspector could charge you extra since a second walk through not part of the inspection, unless, of course, you make that a part of your initial contract
However, it’s important for you 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 upon the size and condition of the entire home. You can approximate 1.2 hours for every thousand sq. ft. For example, a 2400 sq. ft. unit would take around 3 hours. If the inspector also produces the report while in your home, factor in an extra 40-50 minutes. These figures aren’t set in stone because you really want her or him to do a comprehensive job without feeling hurried.
Since condos are units within a condo building, owners pay a monthly assessment fee to a also is responsible for maintaining the HVAC. In smaller condo buildings, many owners have their own mini-boiler that acts as the HVAC that a building would normally provide. Home owners are responsible for everything inside the condo including plumbing, electrical, porches, balconies, walls, and appliances. There are fewer items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone qualified is still critical. As you well know, HOAs are a fickle group to be brutally honest. And they’re all so very different, even within a neighborhood. 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 (of systems and inspection items) is not exhaustive. Not all of these items may be in the inspection you get, but the inspector will be following a standard checklist for the home:
* Heating controls and equipment
* Ducts and distribution systems
* Fireplaces
* Air Conditioning and controls
* Heat controls and pumps
* Floors, walls, ceilings
* Window systems
* Walls, patios, doors, walkways, windows
* Basement, crawlspaces, and foundation
* Plumbing fixtures and systems
* Electrical panels, electrical system
* GFCI, outlets, electrical grounding
* Fire detectors
* Indoor doors and hardware
* Kitchen appliances (microwave, range/oven/stovetop/hoods, dishwasher, trash compactor, disposal)
* Laundry appliances (washer and dryer) if being sold with the house
* Site drainage and grading
* Parking areas on the property
* Hand rails, entry steps
* Decks
* Masonry
* Bushes, trees, shrubs, lawn
* Retaining walls
* Roofing system
* Soffits, eaves, and fascias
Other tests which aren’t part of the normal inspection sometimes require an extra charge.
· Alarm System
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Mold Screening
· Termite Inspection
· Gas Line Leak Test
· Sprinkler System Test
· Radon Gas Test
· Water Quality Test
· Septic systems
Your home has dozens of systems and approx. 10,000 moving parts – from heating and cooling to ventilation systems and to appliances. When these systems and appliances interact with each another seamlessly, all is right with the world. Weak links in the system, however, can produce a myriad of problems leading to a loss in value and shortened system/component lifecycle. Would you get a used car with no qualified mechanic taking a look under its hood? Your house is far more complicated, and to have a thorough inspection that’s documented in a written report arms you with substantial information to create informed decisions.
This really is usually the first question asked but the solution tells minimal about the quality of the inspection. Fees are based according to size, age and many other facets of the home. Inspection fees from an avowed professional home inspector generally start over $350. An average price for a 1,900 square foot unit around the country is approximately $325-$525 for just the inspection. In NYC, it’ll probably run you an extra 30%. But consider what you’re getting for that price. Who can put a price on peace of mind?
Plenty of people think that everything is inspected detailed on inspection day. This misunderstanding has caused many a homebuyer to get upset using their inspector. The inspections we do aren’t exhaustive and there is a good reason for this.
Should you hire separate licensed experts in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, engineering, etc. to examine your home, it will take about 13 hours and cost you about $2000! It is a bit more practical to get an expert inspector who has a general understanding of home systems, knows things to search for, and can recommend further inspection by an experienced if needed. Your inspector can be following very specific guidelines issued by state or national organizations as he/she inspects your home. The guidelines are written to safeguard both your house and also the inspector.
For example, we are directed to not turn systems on if they were off before the inspection (for safety reasons); we aren’t permitted to move furniture (might harm something); against the rules to turn on water should it be off (possible flooding), and against the rules to kick by way of a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). Obviously of the practice is that often by not operating a control, by not seeing in the furniture, and not receiving into your attic or crawlspace, we might miss identifying a problem. However, used in perspective, the odds of missing something serious due to this is reasonably low. There are additional things that more than 90% of inspectors consider outside a regular inspection, for example inspecting most things which aren’t bolted down (installed inside the home) including electronics, low voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioning, or specialized systems including water purifiers, security alarms, etc.
Life in Throgs Neck is the best of both worlds: a small town connected to one of the largest and grandest in the country. The Queens neighborhood is on the edge of Brooklyn, the streets are tree-lined, and the homes appeal to young professionals, families, and retirees alike. It’s no wonder that this Staten Island neighborhood is popular with New York City residents looking for a safe, affordable, and fun place outside of Manhattan! The only drawback is that this area has the highest crime rate of any borough in New York City, with more than 1,000 arrests per 100,000 residents.
To travel around Throgs Neck, it is best to own a vehicle, but you will probably have to stop for shopping before you go shopping properly. During the day, you can spend a few hours in the area and then shop at the local grocery store or shop.
As upscale restaurants, Throgs Neck offers Tosca Cafe, which serves delicious and unique luxury dishes. Italian cuisine and East Tremont Avenue, where a once thriving community of restaurants and bars is still alive, such as TosCA Cafe (4038), which serves Italian food with outdoor seating.
The Great Kills neighborhood is a favorite for Manhattan transplants because of its close community and proximity to New York University. The area is popular with Marines and Marine students who want to live near the campus, and Throgs Neck is also home to many of the city’s best colleges and universities, as well as a number of private schools. There are also a variety of museums, libraries and cultural institutions in the area, making it ideal for bibliophiles and culture lovers. A great place to raise a family, Thog’s Neck also offers an excellent community centre with a large library and a variety of restaurants, bars and shops.
As for nightlife, there are several popular nightclubs, and as Throgs Neck is so close to Manhattan, many people travel there to take advantage of the clubs and restaurants in the area. Those who want to live in Manhattan usually settle in the West Bronx, but many travel there because it is close to New York University and its many restaurants and bars.
In the northern part of the city, you will find the Throgs Neck Bridge and Locust Point, where many of the area’s most popular restaurants and bars are located, as well as a number of bars and restaurants. The area also has easy access to the Hudson River and the New York River, with the Throggs Bridge at Locum Point having its own jetty.
The Country Club is popular with locals, although it lacks the amenities of the more popular Throgs Neck Golf Club, such as a golf course, golf courses and tennis courts. With all the fun of the water and other activities, it’s no surprise that the area’s most popular restaurants and bars offer a surprise.
According to data from the New York State Department of Housing and Urban Development (NYSD), more Throgs Neck residents live here today than in the Bronx as a whole. The broker said that while the point has risen 5 to 10 per cent this year, it has fallen 2.5 per cent over the past decade. Even taking into account the slight decline in years, property prices in Throgs Neck have risen by almost 75 per cent since 2010. According to the most recent available 2010 census data, more than 2,000 residents – or about 1.3% of the population – lived in the area, with a median household income of $50,500 a year and an average household age of 55. Throgs Neck has just over 1,200 residents per square foot of living space, compared with 31,700 for the Bronx as a whole.
This suggests that most residents of Throgs Neck will find suitable employment in the relatively close vicinity. Those living in Thog’s Neck are among the middle to upper middle-to-upper classes, according to data from the New York Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The cost of an apartment is not too high compared to other neighborhoods in the Bronx, and there are shops nearby. For Matthew, the high cost of living compared to the rest of the Bronx is a worthwhile thing for people like him who grew up In the Bronx and moved to Throggs Neck with his girlfriend about a year ago.
He understands that as he gets older, it becomes more and more important to take care of his body, and there are many resources available to stay happy and feel positive and healthy. Physical therapy in the Bronx and Throgs Neck is a viable option for him to help him get his shoulder back to full strength without going under the knife. It offers a wide range of services for treating and preventing occupational accidents – related injuries such as physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture and massage therapy.
If you’re looking for a affordable, reliable, and professional townhome, condo, or home inspection in Throgs Neck, your search is over. We get that you have choices and we’d be honored to send one of our inspectors out to inspect your property. We’re committed to getting the job done right and making you happy. Email or call one of our staff now (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.
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