Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the East Flushing Queens neighborhood, offering a broad range of services for our residential customers.
If you’ve been around as long as I have, then you’ll already understand the value of home inspections in East Flushing. A quality home inspection protects you the buyer against those obvious problems that every home has. While the inspection is not fool proof, an inspector worth his/her weight in gold will be able to pinpoint the primary components that could be ready to become a problem for you as a new homeowner. A good inspector will narrow down the possibilities of system failure greatly.
Typically, a home inspection is a formal detailed evaluation of the accessible and visible components and systems of a house (cooling and heating, plumbing, roofing, electrical, structure, etc. and should give the customer a better understanding of the home’s general condition. Phone today to schedule an appointment 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 she or he is serious about buying. An inspection of the home provides data so that decisions about the purchase can be questioned or confirmed, and can uncover expensive-to-repair and serious defects that the homeseller may not be aware of. It is not a property’s appraisal value. The inspection does not address repair costs for defects the inspector finds. Similarly, a home inspection makes not claim that the home and its systems complies with local code or protects a customer in the event something inspected fails in the future.
Side note: You can purchase warranties to cover several items in the home.
Don’t consider a home inspection 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. A home inspection can also include, for extra fees, pool inspections, water testing, Radon gas testing, pest inspections, energy audits, and other specific items that may be location-specific.
Home inspections are also done (less often) by a home seller prior to putting the property on the market to see if there are any hidden problems that they are unaware of, and also by homeowners simply wanting to keep the home investment value as high as possible, care for their homes, and prevent surprises.
The following are areas that inspectors pay close attention to when inspecting your home:
1. Safety hazards, such as lack of safety railing on decks more than 30 inches off the ground, lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), bare wiring in kitchens and bathrooms, etc.
2. Items that could lead to serious flaws – i.e., damaged downspouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, a roof leak that could grow, or a beam that was not tied to the structure properly.
3. Major flaws, such as large cracks in the foundation; structure out of plumb or level; decks not supported or installed properly, etc. These items are pricey to fix, which we classify as entire systems needing over 2% of the buy price to repair.
Your home inspector will advise you on what to do about these issues. He may recommend a formal evaluation on matters – by licensed or certified professionals who specialize in the problem areas. For example, your inspector may recommend you phone a licensed building engineer if he/she finds sections of the home that are misaligned, as this could indicate a serious structural problem.
Home inspections are merely paid for by a buyer when they sign a contract, right?
This is false! As you will see once you keep reading, a home inspection can be utilized for interim inspections in new construction projects, as a maintenance tool by way of a current homeowner, a proactive technique by sellers to produce their home more sellable, and by buyers wanting to determine the problem of the potential home.
Homeowners, specifically, can take advantage of obtaining a home inspection before listing the home. Here are only a some of the advantages for the seller:
· The seller could make repairs leisurely instead of being in a rush after the contract is signed.
· The seller will be alerted to any safety issues found in your home before they open it up for open house tours.
· The seller may take the report and ensure it is into an advertising piece for the home.
· A home inspection can help the seller be much more objective when it comes to setting a reasonable price on the home.
Who says you can’t? Of course you can. However, often times, buyers lack the knowledge, skill, and objectivity necessary to inspect a home themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes, but they really don’t. By using the services of an expert home inspector, they gain an improved understanding of the problem 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 has broad training in most home systems.
It’s recommended for you to be present through the inspection – whether you are a homebuyer, seller, or homeowner. With you there, the inspector can point out any defects and explain their importance as well as point out maintenance features which would be helpful in the future. If you can’t be there, it’s not a problem considering that the report you obtain will be very detailed. If you are not present, then you should be sure to ask your inspector to describe anything that is not yet determined in the report. Also see the inspection agreement carefully so you understand what is covered and what is not covered in the inspection. If there is a trouble with the inspection or the report, you must raise the difficulties quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you prefer the inspector to return after the inspection to show you things, this is often arranged and is advisable, however, you could be charged extra since it’s not part of the inspection, unless, of course, you make that a part of your agreement
However, it’s important to let the inspector do the work you’re paying for. We love our customers, 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 detailed report.
Since condominiums are units within a building, owners pay an assessment fee to a Home Owners Association (HOA) or condo association, which pays for the maintenance and upkeep of all exteriors including the building (roof, exterior walls, lighting) is also responsible for maintaining the community boiler system or HVAC. In smaller condo buildings, many owners have their own boiler that acts as the HVAC that a building would normally provide. Owners are responsible for everything inside the condominium including walls, electrical, appliances, plumbing, balconies, and porches. There are fewer items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone qualified is still critical. As you well know, Home Owners Associations are a fickled bunch. 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 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 may be in the inspection you get, but the inspector will follow a standard check list for the home:
* Electrical system and panels
* Electrical outlets, GFCI, and grounding
* Ducts and distribution systems
* Fireplaces
* Driveway
* Heat controls and pumps
* Kitchen appliances (stove top, oven, disposal, trash compactor, dishwasher, microwave)
* Laundry appliances (dryer and washer) if being sold with the house
* Heating equipment and controls
* Grading and site drainage
* Soffits, eaves, and fascias
* Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
* Insulation and ventilation systems
* Landscape
* Kitchen cabinets, counters, and floors
* Roofing system
* Heating and air conditioning
* Indoor doors and hardware
* Ceilings, walls, floors
* Decks
* Plumbing systems and fixtures
* Safety items such as egress, TPRV valves, railings, etc.
* Masonry
* Windows and window gaskets
* Basement, crawlspaces, and foundation
* Garage walls, doors, and floors
Some tests that aren’t a part of the normal inspection sometimes incur an extra fee.
· Mold Screening
· Radon gas test
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Septic System Inspection
· Gas Line Leak Test
· Water quality test
· Termites
Your home has lots of systems and about 9900 parts – from heating and cooling to ventilation systems and to appliances. When appliances and systems interact, you’ve got peace of mind. Weak links in the machinery, however, can produce assorted problems resulting in a loss in value and shortened system lifecycle. Would you get a used car without a qualified mechanic looking at it? Your property is far more complex, and to really have a thorough inspection that is documented in a report arms you with substantial information to create informed decisions.
Most people believe all things are inspected in depth on inspection day. This misunderstanding has caused many a homebuyer to generally be upset because of their inspector. The inspections we do aren’t exhaustive and there’s a justified reason for this.
Should you hire separate licensed experts in hvac, engineering, plumbing, electrical, etc to examine your house, it may well take about 15 hours and run you around two grand! It is more practical to use a reliable inspector who has a general knowledge of home systems, knows excellent customer service, and can suggest further inspection by a specialist if needed. Your inspector can be following very specific guidelines issued by national or state organizations as he/she inspects your home. These guidelines are carefully written to protect both your house and also the inspector.
For instance, we’re told to not turn systems on if these were off during the inspection (for safety reasons); we are not able to move furniture (might harm something); against the rules to turn on water should it be off (possible flooding), and against the rules to sneak by way of a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The negative effects of this practice is always that by not operating a control, by not seeing in the furniture, and not receiving to the crawlspace or attic, we’re going to might miss identifying a problem. However, placed into perspective, the possibilities of missing something serious due to this is quite low. There are additional items that 96% of inspectors consider outside a normal inspection, for example inspecting most things who are not bolted down (installed within the home) such as electronics, low voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioning, or specialized systems such as water purifiers, security alarms, etc.
You may never want to cross the river, but this emerging hot spot in Queens has everything that makes New York City special, and it had it all.
Queens is one of the best places to live in New York City, offering a mix of quality restaurants, affordable apartments and great shopping. Restaurants and grocery stores are just as good in Queens as they are in Manhattan, making it a great place to move if you’re looking for a new home. Queens also provides New York City residents with an oasis of affordable housing, as properties in the area are generally much more affordable. In most other places in the city, rent is prohibitively low, but rent at Queen’s is 23% lower than in Manhattan.
Just because you have roots in Ridgewood doesn’t mean you can’t try all the dumplings in Flushing, walk around Inwood Hill Park at weekends, find the perfect coffee shop in Greenpoint, or clubbing in Bushwick. You can imagine living in Manhattan and going to all the bars and restaurants and sleeping in the rinse.
If you’re still unsure which lifestyle best suits your neighborhood, check out some of the best neighborhoods in Queens. What it feels like to live in Queens varies in the boroughs of New York City depending on the neighborhood you choose. There are many East Flushing Cut-offs that are pretty much the same as the rest of Queens, from East Flatbush to East Harlem to the East River and even enclaves like Bushwick and East Elmhurst to Flatiron.
The neighborhood tends to be more diverse and visible than downtown Flushing, which means more businesses are reaching out to this community. Unlike most other city centres, it also houses a large Chinese community and a large number of restaurants and bars.
There is also a large and fast-growing Chinese community, and a Flushing Chinatown satellite is also being developed. Given its rapidly growing status, it will eventually overtake Flushed Chinatown, but it is doubtful that it has already done so. Rather, a larger, more diverse and lively Chinatown (located north of Queens) is being washed away. [Sources: 6, 10]
If you are planning on moving to Queens or already living in Queens, New Yorkers should look around and see what this wonderful borough has to offer. If you live in the city and want to have a truly diverse life experience, Queens is the place to be.
Queens is not only the most diverse borough in New York City, but its neighborhoods are as diverse as its residents. Although there are certain areas in Queens where the distinction is a bit blurred, Queens is still part of New York. Queens borders Long Island and borders New York City as well as the Bronx and Brooklyn.
If you’re nervous about moving to New York, if you want to leave your quiet suburban life, consider buying a house in East Queens. Queens is one of the only boroughs in New York City that offers a wealth of housing options. When you move to Queens, you’re not only moving to Queens, but also from Queens to a city with many different neighborhoods, it’s also a destination for the museums of New Jersey and the destination of all museums in New York.
Queens is connected to the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road), which makes it easy to get to Penn Station and the airport from the Hamptons. Rinsing is served only by the 7 train, which starts in Midtown Manhattan and runs through Queens, so be prepared to spend a lot of time on the subway. Still, Queens is a great place, but not so great for How to get there takes about 36 minutes.
Flushing Meadows – Flushing Community Board 7, which is part of Queens Community Board 7. The point is bounded by Broadway in Flushings, bounded by Queens Boulevard, Queens Avenue and Broadway, East Flatbush, Flushes Avenue and West Broadway.
There is a Koreatown that originated in Flushing and spread to East Flatbush, East Harlem and East Village in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A third, still young Chinatown was born in East Flushing, with a population of about 1,000 people, most of them from the West Village.
While much of the neighborhood is residential, Downtown Flushing, located at the northern end of Main Street in Queens, is the largest commercial retail area, home to the Queens Convention Center and the New York City Museum of Natural History. Located about half a mile south of East Flushing and a few blocks east of downtown, Astoria has become a popular destination for those commuting from East Flatbush, East Harlem and other parts of Queens to Manhattan.
One of the growing numbers of seniors living in New York City, especially in Flushing, is Chinese, and, according to the US Census Bureau, 27% of all seniors in China live in poverty. Flush Queens has an almost equivalent Chinese presence in Lower Manhattan, known to many as “Lower Manhattan chinatown.” It seems that the political format of Flushed has increased significantly in recent years, with many Chinese people managing to become members of the New York City Council and City Council.
If you are looking for a reliable, professional, and affordable home, condo, or town home inspection in East Flushing, look no further. 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 happy. Email or call one of our staff today (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.
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