Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Forest Hills Queens 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. 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 should be able to pinpoint the primary systems and components that could be ready to break on you as a new homeowner. A good inspector will narrow down the probabilities of system failure considerably.
Typically, a home inspection is an evaluation of the visible and accessible components and systems within a home (heating and cooling, electrical, roofing, plumbing, roofing, structure, etc.) and should give the client a better understanding of the home’s overall condition. Phone 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 an inspection of the home he or she is serious about purchasing. An inspection of the home provides data so that decision makers can question or confirm details about the home questioned or confirmed, and can uncover expensive and serious defects that the seller/owner may not be aware of. It 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 home makes not claim that the home and its systems complies with building codes or protects a client in the event something inspected fails.
Note: Warranties can be bought to cover a multitude of items.
Don’t consider an inspection of the home as an exhaustive evaluation, but rather property evaluation 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 for extra, 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 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 homeowners simply wanting 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. Safety hazards, such as no safety railing on decks more than 30 inches off the ground, lack of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters), exposed electrical wiring in bathrooms and kitchens, etc.
2. Serious defects, such as large differential cracks in the home’s foundation; building out of level or plumb; decks not installed or supported properly, etc. These are items that are expensive to fix, which we classify as items requiring more than 2% of the purchase price to repair.
3. Things that could lead to serious defects – damaged down spouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, a roof flashing leak that could grow, or a beam that was not tied in to the structure properly.
Your property inspector should advise you on what you should do about these problems. He/she may recommend an evaluation on more matters – by certified and/or licensed professionals who specialize in the defect areas. For instance, your inspector will advise you call a licensed building engineer if they find areas of the home that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a serious structural deficiency and one that might cost thousands to fix
Home inspections are merely performed by a buyer after he or she signs a formal agreement, right?
This is not true! As you will see once you read on, a home inspection can be used for interim inspections in new construction projects, as a maintenance tool by a current home owner, a proactive technique by homeowners to produce their house more sellable, and by buyers wanting to determine the situation of the potential home.
Sellers, particularly, can benefit from finding a home inspection before listing the home. Here are simply a several advantages for the home owner:
· The home owner may make repairs leisurely instead of being in a rush after the contract is signed.
· The home owner is likely to be alerted to any safety issues found in your home before they open it up for open house tours.
· The home owner usually takes the report and ensure it is into an advertising piece for the home.
· A home inspection will help the home owner be more objective in regards to setting a good price on the home.
Of course you can. Nobody says you can’t! Most homebuyers, though, lack the knowledge, skill, and objectivity necessary to inspect a house themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes inside and out, but they really don’t. Utilizing the services of a professional home inspector, they gain a much better 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” with a qualified specialist. Understand that the home inspector is really a generalist and has broad experience in most home systems.
It’s a good idea for you to be present throughout the inspection – whether you’re a home buyer, seller, or home owner. With you there, the inspector can show you any defects and explain their importance as well as explain maintenance features that will be helpful in the future. In the event that you can’t be there, it’s no problem since the report you receive is likely to be very detailed. If you are not present, then you ought to be sure to ask your inspector to spell out anything that’s unclear in the report. Also browse the inspection agreement carefully so you understand what is covered and what is not covered in the inspection. If there is a problem with the inspection or the report, you need to raise the difficulties quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you would like the inspector to return after the inspection showing you things, this is often arranged and is recommended, 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 contract
However, it’s important for you 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. Write down your questions and ask them after the inspector has presented you with a detailed report.
Since condominiums are units within a condo building, owners pay an assessment fee to a also is responsible for maintaining the community boiler system 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 porches, electrical, balconies, walls, and appliances. 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 fickle group, to be honest. And they’re all so very different, even within a city. Ask us about it 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 items may be in the inspection you get, but the inspector will follow a standardized check list for the home:
* Air Conditioning and controls
* Heat controls and pumps
* Kitchen appliances (stove top, oven, disposal, trash compactor, dishwasher, microwave)
* Laundry appliances (dryer and washer)
* Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
* Kitchen counters, floors, and cabinets
* Window systems
* Eaves, soffits, and fascias
* Grading and site drainage
* Ventilation systems and Insulation
* Bushes, trees, shrubs, lawn
* Retaining walls
* Heating controls and equipment
* Fireplaces
* Interior doors and hardware
* Roofing, flashings, chimneys, and attic
* Safety items such as railings, TPR valves, egress, etc.
* Walls, floors, ceilings
* Entry steps, hand rails
* Decks
* Bricks, masonry
* Foundation, basement, and crawlspaces
* Garage walls, doors, and garages
* Plumbing fixtures and systems
* Electrical system, panels
* Electrical grounding, GFCI, outlets
* Fire detectors
Other tests that are not part of the initial inspection often incur an extra fee.
· Gas Line Leak Test
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Water Quality Test
· Mold Screening
· Sprinkler System Test
· Septic System Inspection
· Radon Gas Test
· Termite Inspection
Your brand-new home has lots of systems and approx. 10,000 parts – from heating and cooling to ventilation and to appliances. When these systems and appliances work together, you’ve got peace of mind. Weak links in the device, however, can produce assorted problems resulting in a loss in value and shortened system/component lifecycle. Would you purchase a used car with no reputable and qualified mechanic taking a look under its hood? Your property is far more complex, and to have a thorough inspection that’s documented in a report arms you with substantial information to make informed decisions.
Most people assume that everything is inspected thoroughly on inspection day. This misunderstanding is mainly responsible for many a homebuyer to generally be upset with their inspector. The inspections we perform are usually not exhaustive and there’s a great reason for this.
Should you hire separate licensed experts in hvac, electrical, plumbing, engineering, etc. to examine your house, it’d take about 14 hours and cost you around two grand! It is much more practical to rent a specialist inspector who has a general familiarity with home systems, knows what to consider, and can recommend further inspection by a professional if needed. Your inspector is likewise following very specific guidelines issued by state or national organizations as he/she inspects your home. The guidelines are meticulously written to protect both your home and the inspector.
Here are some examples, I am instructed to NOT turn systems on if they were off at the time of the inspection (for safety reasons); we are really not ready to move furniture (might harm something); not allowed to turn on water if it is off (possible flooding), and not allowed to destroy through the sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The down-side on this practice is always that by not operating a control, by not seeing below the furniture, and failing to get in to the attic or crawlspace, we might miss identifying a problem. However, placed in perspective, the likelihood of missing something serious for this reason is rather low. There are many goods that 96% of inspectors consider outside a regular inspection, for example inspecting most things which aren’t bolted down (installed from the home) such as electronics, reduced voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioning units, or specialized systems such as water purifiers, security alarms, etc.
Forest Hills residents live in high living standards, making the Queens neighborhood one of the city’s best low-cost areas, according to a new report. According to a special study by Localize the City for the New York Post, Forest Hills is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the country where residents are not getting on with the “high life.”
The Forest Hills neighborhood is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in America, and every day more people walk to work. David Ramadhin, of estate agents Huntingdon, said the easy route into the town of Forest Hill makes it a great choice for young professionals and families who cannot afford more central areas. NYCGo describes the Forest Hills as “almost bucolic” compared to other neighborhoods within the five boroughs.
While people here enjoy picnics, there are a few things you should know about Forest Hills that you shouldn’t. You will find that the fact that this is one of the most walkable areas in New York City will help you move a lot. If you are looking for a better place or a better job, don’t leave everything to a removal company.
In Forest Hills, you will find many residents who just walk along the trees – lined streets and enjoy the relaxation of non-urban life. Forest Hills Gardens has few shops, but residents can buy everything from clothing and accessories to jewelry and furnishings and groceries.
Forest Hills has a wide range of homes, so there is plenty of scope to trade up or down, and it is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in the area.
So you should know that the price of housing in Forest Hills is directly related to the proximity of the Manhattan subway. As this is a well-connected neighbourhood, I expect high rents and am looking forward to moving out of the centre into Forest Hills Gardens. This puts it on par with many Manhattan neighborhoods in terms of price, but given the high cost of living in neighboring Queens and the area’s booming development, you’d expect life in Forest Hill to be no bargain.
If you are thinking about living in Forest Hill in your case, do your best to look up as much information as possible. To learn more about Forest Hills, visit the Jamaica Plain Historical Society website and join their Facebook group or visit their website.
Play afternoon tennis at the West Side Tennis Club, walk along Station Square or Metropolitan Avenue in the evening, or attend a concert at Forest Hills Stadium in the evening.
Forest Hills is also home to the West Side Tennis Club, which hosted the US Open for three years before moving to its current home in Flushing. Forest Hills also hosted the first Grand Slam tennis tournament in New York City, hosted by the Westside Tennis Club in the 1970s and 1980s, and then by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) from 1992 to 2003, before moving to its current location at the Meadows Meadows Tennis Complex. The E, F and M / R trains will take you to Forest Hills and the M, R, E and F trains, which are served from 71st Avenue station. With a population of about 1.5 million and an average income of $50,000 a year, Forest Hill is among the top ten most expensive neighborhoods in Manhattan.
Club officials want to revive Forest Hills, saying they plan to play 19 shows over the next three years, with a total of 20 concerts a year for the rest of the year.
If you are not prepared to wait for the move to Forest Hills, I would not be surprised if you do not. Please share your thoughts on life in the forest hills and help us make the right decision.
Forest Hills, NY is a wonderful place in upstate New York located in the borough of Queens. Forest Hills is a mix of bars, restaurants and retail outlets that line the streets of the city’s most popular shopping and dining districts. From bustling Austin Street to the beautiful parks and shopping on the edge of the park, there is much to love when living in this neighborhood. The reopening of Forest Hills Stadium will make the area a nightlife destination when the big acts are in town.
So you may be starting to understand why it’s a good idea to live in Forest Hills. If you want to move to a suburb – such as a neighborhood – keep woodland on your shortlist. If you’re interested in an area that can rival Central Park, the 538-acre Forest Hill Park is the place to be. Although there are good connections through the neighborhood and the opportunity to stay close to the center of the city, living in the hills of Forest is the best decision of all.
If you are looking for a affordable, reliable, and professional condo, home, or townhome inspection in Forest Hills, your search is over. We get that you have choices and we would be happy to send one of our inspectors to inspect your property. We are committed to getting the job done right and making you happy. E-mail or phone one of our staff now (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.
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