Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Hollis Queens neighborhood, offering a broad range of services for our residential customers.
If you have been around, then you’ll understand the need for home inspections in Hollis. A home inspection protects you the prospective home owner against those obvious problems that every home has. While the inspection is not fool proof, an inspector worth his/her weight will be able to pinpoint the primary components that could be ready to break down on you as a new buyer. A great inspector will narrow down the probabilities of system failure greatly.
Typically and simply put, a home inspection is a formal detailed evaluation of the visible and accessible components and systems of a home (cooling and heating, plumbing, roofing, electrical, structure, etc. and is intended to give the customer a better understanding of the unit’s general condition. Phone today to book 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 they are serious about purchasing. A home inspection delivers 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 owner/seller may not be aware of. It is not an appraisal of the property’s 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 local building codes or protects a customer in the event something inspected fails in the future.
Side note: You can buy warranties to cover a multitude of 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 a little extra of course, pest inspections, pool inspections, energy audits, Radon testing, water testing, energy audits, and many other specific items that may be location-specific.
Home inspections are also done (less often) by a homeseller prior to listing the property to see if there are any hidden problems, and also by homeowners simply wishing to keep the home investment value as high as possible, care for their homes, and prevent surprises.
The following are aspects that inspectors pay close attention to during a home inspection:
1. Safety hazards, such as exposed electrical 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.
2. Serious defects, such as large cracks in the foundation; structure out of plumb or level; decks not installed or supported correctly, and others. These are items that are pricey to fix, which are systems needing more than two percent of the buy price to repair.
3. Things that could lead to serious defects – 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.
Your property inspector will advise you on what you should do about these areas of concern. He/she may recommend an evaluation on issues – by certified and/or licensed professionals who specialize in the defect areas. For example, your inspector will recommend you phone a licensed structural or building engineer if he/she finds areas of the home that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a major structural deficiency and one that might cost thousands to repair.
Home inspections are only paid for by a buyer when they sign a contract, right?
This is simply not true! As you might find once you keep reading, a home inspection can be utilized for interim inspections in new construction, as a maintenance tool by way of a current home owner, a proactive technique by sellers to produce their house more sellable, and by buyers wanting to ascertain the situation of the potential home.
Homeowners, in particular, can take advantage of finding a home inspection before listing the home. Here are simply a several advantages for the seller:
· The seller will be alerted to any safety issues found in the house before they open it down for open house tours.
· A home inspection may help the seller become more objective when it comes to setting a good price on the home.
· The seller may make repairs leisurely instead of being in a rush after the contract is signed.
· The seller may take the report and ensure it is into a marketing piece for the home.
You most certainly can. However, often times, home buyers lack the objectivity, skill, and knowledge needed 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 understanding of the situation of the property; especially whether any items don’t “abjectly affect the home’s living space” or “work as intended” or “warrant more detailed attention” with a qualified specialist. Remember that the home inspector is a generalist and has broad training and experience in every home system.
It’s a great idea for you to personally be present during the inspection – whether you are a home buyer, seller, or home owner. With you there, the inspector can explain to you any defects and explain their importance along with mention maintenance features that would be helpful in the future. In the event that you can’t be there, it is no problem considering that the report you obtain will be very detailed. If you’re not present, then you need 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’s not covered in the inspection. If there is a trouble with the inspection or the report, you need to raise the problems quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you prefer the inspector to come back after the inspection to show you things, this can be arranged and is recommended, however, the inspector could charge you 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 clients, but we also know that constant interruptions and interference make the process painfully slow. Write down your questions and ask them after the inspector has presented you with a detailed report.
Since condos are individual units within a condo building, homeowners pay an assessment fee to a HOA or home owners association or condo association, which pays for the maintenance and upkeep of all exteriors including the building Home Owners Association is also responsible 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. Owners are responsible for everything inside the condo including electrical, plumbing, porches, balconies, appliances, and walls. There are fewer items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone who knows what they’re doing is still critical. As you well know, HOAs are a fickled bunch to be brutally honest. And they’re all very different, even within a neighborhood. 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 is not exhaustive. Not all of these may be in the inspection you get, but the inspector will follow a standardized check list for the home:
* Heat controls and pumps
* Kitchen appliances (microwave, trash compactor, range/oven, dishwasher, disposal)
* Laundry appliances (dryer and washer)
* Fascias, soffits, and eaves
* Drainage and grading
* Insulation and ventilation systems
* Shrubs, trees, bushes, lawn
* Retaining walls
* Heating equipment and controls
* Distribution systems and ducts
* Fireplaces
* Interior doors and hardware
* Roofing system
* Safety items such as TPRV valves, railings, egress etc.
* Walls, floors, ceilings
* Decks
* Bricks, masonry
* Crawlspaces, basement, and foundation
* Electrical panels, electrical system
* GFCI, outlets, electrical grounding
* Smoke (fire) detectors
Some tests that aren’t a part of the initial inspection often incur an additional fee.
· Alarm System
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Mold Screening
· Termites
· Sprinkler System Test
· Radon Gas Test
· Water Quality Test
· Septic System Inspection
Your new home has lots of systems and approx. 10,000 moving pieces – from heating and cooling to ventilation systems and to appliances. When appliances and systems work together, all is right with the world. Weak links in the machinery, however, can produce problems leading to a loss in value and shortened system/component lifecycle. Would you buy a used car with out a reputable and qualified mechanic taking a look at it? Your home is far more complicated, and to truly have a thorough inspection that’s documented in a written report arms you with substantial information on which to make informed decisions.
Many people assume that all things are inspected complete on inspection day. This misunderstanding has caused many a homebuyer to get upset using their inspector. The inspections we perform are usually not exhaustive and there is a great reason for this.
Should you hire separate licensed experts in air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, engineering, etc. to inspect your house, it would take about 15 hours and cost you about $2000! It is far more practical (and affordable) to rent an expert inspector who’s got a general comprehension of home systems, knows things to look for, and can suggest further inspection by an experienced if needed. Your inspector can also 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.
For instance, I am instructed to NOT turn systems on if these were off during the inspection (for safety reasons); we’re not capable to move furniture (might harm something); a no-no to turn on water whether it’s off (possible flooding), and a no-no to get rid of through a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The side effects with this practice is that often by not operating a control, by not seeing within the furniture, and to not get in to the crawlspace or attic, we’re going to might miss identifying a problem. However, placed in perspective, the probability of missing something serious for that reason is rather low. There are more products that about 94% of inspectors consider outside an ordinary inspection, for example inspecting most things aren’t bolted down (installed inside home) such as electronics, reduced voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioning, or specialized systems such as water purifiers, security alarms, etc.
This week we’ll tell you why this quiet neighborhood of Queens might be just right for you. In this post, I’ve put together some of the best and worst things about the most popular neighborhoods in the city and why they’re worth a look.
Residents don’t have to leave to experience the thriving food, art and cultural scene in Hollis, New York. It is the closest neighborhood between Manhattan and Queens, close enough to be close enough to Manhattan, but not so close that residents cannot leave for a day or two, or even a week, without experiencing the thriving food, arts and culture scene of the city. With its lively art scene, vibrant neighborhoods and lively people, this is the “New York of the Holles.”
Queens is also home to some of the city’s most popular restaurants, bars, shops and restaurants. Astoria is also a nice place to be on a warm, sunny day in New York City, and there are many restaurants in Queens that are popular with tourists and locals alike, as well as residents of all ages.
In addition, our neighborhood analysis shows that the Hollis neighborhood has a higher proportion of college-educated residents than the rest of New York City, where there are generally more college-educated residents than in other parts of the city. That’s more than twice as much as in any other neighborhood in Queens, and the reason the neighborhood is rated as “college-friendly” is because of our analysis.
In Hollis and Jamaica, 22% of primary school pupils miss the following public secondary schools, all in Holles. A recent study by the New York State Department of Education found that Queens Village has more than 1,000 dilapidated homes than any other neighborhood in the city.
It may be considered the worst neighborhood in Queens, but if you want to work as a professional, it is very easy to contact an estate agent in Hollis, Jamaica or any other part of Queens Village. You can also use our map view to find houses and apartments you want to buy nearby, and you can see if people want to buy a house and use it as an investment property before moving in or selling it when the time is right. Stay up to date with the latest news and information on home and apartment sales by simply saving your search.
The cost of living independently in Queens Village can range from $1,804 a month to $5,528 a month. One in eight residents (12%) is unemployed, compared to an estimated 20% of New York City’s population. Black New Yorkers, however, remain the most affected by poverty, unemployment and other forms of poverty in Queens. An estimated 1.5 million people of color, or one in five residents, live in low-income neighborhoods in Manhattan, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), compared with just over one million in every other city in America and less than 1 percent of the population in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Most of the houses in Hollis Hills are colonial, Tudor, or ranch style, but they are generally tied to a wealthy part of the city and are more affordable than most neighborhoods in Queens Village and the rest of Queens.
Best of all, you can find one – bedrooms for $1,000 to $2,000 a month, which makes it perfect for people who want to spend their time in Manhattan and live affordably. The high cost of buying a home is not one of the benefits of living in New York, but it is many. This neighborhood is much less diverse than the rest of Queens and is home to many high-end restaurants, shops and restaurants with great views of Manhattan. The views from Manhattan are superb in this neighborhood, and the neighborhoods are much more affordable than most other neighborhoods in the city.
The Flat Shower Retirement Home is a senior citizen apartment community in the heart of Queens, just blocks from the Queensboro Bridge. Lifetime Retirement is a senior citizens community located directly across from the World Trade Center in New York City.
If you’re searching for a professional, affordable, and reliable home, condo, or town home inspection in Hollis, your search is over. We understand you have choices and we would be happy to send out 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 (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.
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