Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Flushing Queens neighborhood (largest community in the Queens Borough), offering a broad range of services for our residential customers.
If you have been around, then you’ll understand the need for home inspections. A 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 her weight should be able to identify the primary components and systems that could be ready to become a problem for you as a new home owner. A great inspector will narrow down the probabilities of system failure greatly.
Simply put, a home inspection in Flushing is an evaluation of the visible and accessible components and systems within a home (electrical, plumbing, roofing, heating and cooling, structure, etc.) and is intended to give the client a clearer understanding of the unit’s general condition. Call today to book an appointment at 332-334-7701 or Request a Quote. You’ll be glad you made the call.
Most often, the inspection is a homebuyer who asks for a formal evaluation of the home’s condition they are serious about purchasing. A home inspection delivers data points so that decisions about the purchase can be questioned or confirmed, and can uncover expensive-to-repair and serious defects that the seller/owner may not be aware of. A home inspection is not a property’s appraisal value. The inspection does not address any repair costs for defects the inspector finds. Similarly, an inspection of the property makes not claim that the home and its systems complies with building codes or protects a client in the event an item inspected fails in the future.
Side note: You can purchase warranties to cover many items in the home.
Don’t consider an inspection of the home as a final evaluation, but rather an evaluation of the property 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 a little extra of course, pest inspections, pool inspections, energy audits, Radon testing, water testing, energy audits, and several other specific items that may be location-specific.
Home inspections are paid for (less often) by a home seller before putting the property on the market to see if there are any hidden problems that they are unaware of, and also by home owners simply wishing to care for their homes, prevent surprises, and keep the home investment value as high as possible
The following are areas that inspectors pay close attention to when inspecting your home:
1. Major defects, such as large differential cracks in the home’s foundation; building out of level or plumb; decks not installed or supported properly, and others. These are items that are pricey to repair, which are entire systems needing over 1.8% of the buy price to fix.
2. Things that could lead to major defects – i.e. a roof leak that could grow larger, 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 lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), bare electrical wiring in bathrooms and kitchens, no safety railing on decks more than 30 inches off the ground, etc.
Your property inspector should be able to advise you on what you should do about these problems. He may recommend an evaluation on more issues – by certified and/or licensed professionals who are specialists in the defect areas. For instance, your inspector may recommend you call a licensed structural or building engineer if he/she finds areas of the home that are misaligned, as this could indicate a serious structural problem and one that would cost thousands of dollars to fix
Home Inspections are merely performed by a buyer when he or she signs a formal contract, right?
This isn’t true! As you will see whenever you keep reading, a home inspection can be used for ad hoc inspections in new construction, as a maintenance tool by way of a current home owner, a proactive technique by home owners to make their home more sellable, and by buyers wanting to ascertain the condition of the potential home.
Homeowners, specifically, can benefit from finding a home inspection before listing the home. Here are only a several advantages for the homeowner:
· The homeowner could make repairs leisurely instead of being in a rush following the contract is signed.
· The homeowner is going to be alerted to any safety issues found in the house before they open it up for open house tours.
· The homeowner may take the report and allow it to be into a marketing piece for the home.
· A home inspection can help the homeowner be more objective in regards to setting a fair price on the home.
You most certainly can. Unfortunately, most buyers lack the skill, knowledge, and objectivity necessary to skillfully inspect a property themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes inside and out, but they really don’t. By using the services of a qualified home inspector, they gain an improved understanding of the condition of the property; especially whether any items do not “abjectly affect the home’s living space” or “work as intended” or “warrant more detailed attention” with a qualified specialist. Understand that the home inspector is really a generalist and has broad experience in every home system.
It’s wise for you to personally be present during the inspection – whether you’re a buyer, seller, or home owner. With you there, the inspector can explain to you any defects and explain their importance as well as point out maintenance features that’ll be helpful in the future. If you can’t be there, it is no problem considering that the report you obtain is going to be very detailed. If you’re not present, then you ought to be sure to ask your inspector to spell out anything that is not yet determined in the report. Also browse the inspection agreement carefully so 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 should raise the difficulties quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you would like the inspector to come back following the inspection showing you things, this is arranged and is a good idea, 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 very important to let the inspector do the job 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 unnecessarily slow. Jot down your questions and ask them after the inspector has presented you with a detailed report.
Since condominiums are individual units within a building, homeowners pay assessments to a also is on the hook for maintaining the community boiler system or HVAC. In smaller condo buildings, many owners have their own mini-boiler that suffices for the HVAC that a building would normally provide. Home owners are responsible for everything inside the condo unit including porches, electrical, balconies, walls, and appliances. There are less items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone qualified is still a must. As you well know, HOAs are a fickled lot, to be honest. And they’re all very different, even within a neighborhood. 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 be following a standardized checklist for the home:
* Drive ways
* Entry stairs, handrails
* Decks
* Bricks, masonry
* Landscaping
* Retaining walls
* Roofing system
* Eaves, soffits, and fascias
* Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
* Foundation, basement, and crawlspaces
* Garage walls, doors, and doors
* Kitchen appliances (stove top, oven, disposal, trash compactor, dishwasher, microwave)
* Laundry appliances (washer and dryer) if being sold with the house
* Floors, walls, ceilings
* Kitchen cabinets, counters, and floors
* Window systems
* Interior doors and hardware
* Plumbing fixtures and systems
* Electrical grounding, GFCI, outlets
* Smoke detectors
* Ventilation systems and Insulation
* Heating controls and equipment
* Ducts and distribution systems
* Fire places
* Heating and air conditioning
* Heat pumps and controls
* Safety items such as egress, TPRV valves, railings, etc.
Other tests that are not part of the initial inspection often require an extra fee.
· Mold Screening
· Radon gas test
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Septic systems
· Gas Line Leak Test
· Water quality test
· Termite Inspection
Your new home has dozens of systems and about 9900 moving parts – from heating and cooling to ventilation systems and to appliances. When they interact with each another seamlessly, you’ve got peace of mind. Weak links in the machinery, however, can produce a myriad of problems resulting in a loss in value and shortened system lifecycle. Would you get a used car with out a reputable and qualified mechanic taking a look at it? Your home is far more complicated, and to have a thorough inspection that is documented in a written report arms you with substantial information which to create informed decisions.
Most people imagine that everything is inspected thoroughly on inspection day. This misunderstanding is mainly responsible for many a homebuyer to become upset utilizing their inspector. The inspections we do are not exhaustive and there is a great reason for this.
When you hire separate licensed experts in heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, engineering, etc. to examine the house, it’d take about 15 hours and run you about $2000! It is a bit more practical (and affordable) to hire an expert inspector that has a general expertise in home systems, knows excellent customer service, 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 meticulously written in order to protect both your home and also the inspector.
Here are some examples, we’re instructed to NOT turn systems on if they were off during the time of the inspection (for safety reasons); we’re not allowed to move furniture (might harm something); not allowed to turn on water when it is off (possible flooding), and not allowed to sneak by having a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The negative effects with this practice is the fact that by not operating a control, by not seeing in the furniture, and failing to get enough into the attic or crawlspace, we’re going to might miss identifying a problem. However, put into perspective, the prospect of missing something serious due to this is quite low. There are other items which more than 90% of inspectors consider outside an average inspection, and these include inspecting most things which aren’t bolted down (installed inside the home) like electronics, low voltage lighting, space heaters, portable ac units, or specialized systems like water purifiers, home security systems, etc.
This emerging hot spot in Queens has everything New York City has to offer, but you may never want to cross the river. While the North Queens neighborhood has a lot to offer, the people of Flushing are mostly fond of food.
No matter what neighborhood you imagine life in, you will surely find a Queens neighborhood that suits your needs. No matter which side of the river you live on, no matter how far you are from the city center, if you move to Queens, you will be obliged to find the Queens neighborhoods that suit your needs.
If you’re still unsure which neighborhood best suits your lifestyle, you can always visit the best neighborhoods in Queens. What it feels like to live in Queens varies in the boroughs of New York, depending on which neighborhood you choose. However, each district is different from the rest of the city in its own way in terms of property prices, amenities and amenities.
Queens has all the attributes that make Brooklyn and Manhattan special So sought after – but it’s far more affordable to move there than to the other boroughs of New York. Queens offers New York City residents an oasis of affordable housing, as rents are prohibitively high in most other parts of the city. There are many neighborhoods in Queens where city dwellers can feel comfortable living in single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, and townhouses. It’s easy to find space here, and there are even some neighborhoods where you can live in a family home for less than $1,000 a month.
You can sleep well in Flushing and you will find that the offer is as diverse as the residents. So make a day trip out of it by visiting the various museums, stopping for dinner, visiting the bars and restaurants there, or experiencing Manhattan life.
If you live in the city and want to have a truly diverse life experience, Queens is the place to be. If you crave diversity in your experiences, cuisine and culture, this is not only the best place for you, but it is also one of the most diverse cities in New York, offering a variety of cultures, ethnicities, religions, languages and cultures. With a population of more than 1.5 million people, it is a place that is like New York in terms of diversity, diversity of life experiences and a great way to live in this city.
Queens is not only the most diverse borough in New York City, but its neighborhoods are as diverse as its residents. With more than 2 million residents, Queens has a fair share of diverse ethnicities, religions, languages and cultures, as well as different cultures.
There are a number of senior facilities in Queens for seniors, including the Flushing Queens Senior Center, the largest senior center in New York City.
Queens is also home to several colleges, including the University of Queens, Queens College and Queens Community College. For seniors in Flushing, N.Y., there are so many things to do, such as visit the popular Queens Zoo and the Queens Museum. There is so much to see, do and visit in Queens NY in terms of parks, museums, restaurants, shopping, entertainment and many other things. This is a great way to help seniors enjoy their good life while living in the city of New York City and Queens.
For more tips on moving to the Big Apple, see “Surviving New York City by Going Crazy” and “Finding an Apartment in New York.”
We have several articles about neighborhoods that include sights, restaurants, nightlife and accommodations. Queens is a huge city with several of them, but this guide to Flushing Queens will include some of the best things to do and eat in Flushing Queens, as well as some great restaurants and bars.
Some of the neighborhoods in Queens are close to the Long Island Rail Road, not to mention the Long Island Railroad. The Port Washington line runs along the north shore, including stops in Flushing, and the Main Line runs through downtown Queens. In addition to these two lines, the Short North and Long Beach lines run through the neighborhood, as well as the Port New York and Port St. Lucie lines. It also makes several stops through Queens to reach Manhattan on the east side of Queens, near the Queensboro Bridge and in the heart of Manhattan.
How to get there: The 7 train, which starts in Midtown Manhattan and runs through Queens, only goes to Flushing, but every New Yorker with a dim sum habit now knows that he has to take it. Although Manhattan, Chinatown and flushing Chinatown are not equal in terms of finding great, cheap food, they are equal in quality of life, but Flushed stands out as one of the best places to eat in the city. For more information on the Long Island Rail Road and Port Washington Line, as well as Main Line information, click here.
If you’re looking for a affordable, reliable, and professional townhome, condo, or home inspection in Flushing, your search is over. We get that you have choices and we would be happy to send one of our inspectors out to inspect your home and property. We’re committed to getting the job done right and making you happy. E-mail or phone one of our staff members (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.
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