Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Jackson Heights 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 recognize the need for home inspections. A home inspection in Jackson Heights protects you the buyer against the obvious problems that every home has. While the inspection is not fool proof, an inspector worth his weight 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, a home inspection is an evaluation of the visible and accessible systems and components within a home (electrical, plumbing, roofing, heating and cooling, structure, etc.) and is intended to give the customer a clearer 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, it is a homebuyer who requests a home inspection he or she is 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 home seller may not be aware of. A home inspection is not an appraisal of the property’s 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 building codes or protects a customer in the event something inspected fails.
Note: You can buy warranties to cover many items in the home.
Don’t consider an inspection of the home and property 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 extra fees, energy audits, Radon gas testing, water testing, pool inspections, pest inspections, and other specific items that may be location-specific.
Home inspections are used (less often) by a homeseller 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 aspects that inspectors pay close attention to during an inspection:
1. Safety hazards, such as lack of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters), bare electrical wiring in kitchens and bathrooms, no safety railing on decks above 30 inches, etc.
2. Major flaws, such as large cracks in the home’s foundation; structure out of plumb or level; decks not installed or supported correctly, and others. These items are pricey to repair, which we classify as systems needing more than 2% of the buy price to repair.
3. 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.
Your property inspector should be able to advise you on what you should do about these problems. She may recommend a formal evaluation on more matters – by certified and/or licensed professionals who are specialists in the problem areas. For example, your inspector may advise you phone a licensed structural or building engineer if he/she finds sections of the property that are misaligned, as this could indicate a serious structural deficiency.
Home Inspections are only conducted by a buyer when he or she signs a formal contract, right?
This is not true! As you might find whenever you continue reading, a home inspection may be used for interim inspections in new construction projects, as a maintenance tool by way of a current home owner, a proactive technique by home owners to make their house more sellable, and by buyers wanting to ascertain the problem of the potential home.
Home owners, specifically, can take advantage of getting a home inspection before listing the home. Here are just a few of the advantages for the home owner:
· The home owner is going to be alerted to any safety issues found in your home before they open it up for open house tours.
· A home inspection will help the home owner become more objective in regards to setting a fair price on the home.
· The home owner will make repairs leisurely instead of being in a rush following the contract is signed.
· The home owner will take the report and make it into an advertising piece for the home.
Of course you can. Most home buyers lack the objectivity, skill, and knowledge needed to skillfully inspect a home themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes, but they really don’t. By using the services of a professional home inspector, they gain an improved comprehension of the problem 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” by a qualified specialist. Remember that the home inspector is just a generalist and has broad experience in most home systems.
It’s recommended for you to be present during the inspection – whether you’re a homebuyer, seller, or home owner. With you there, the inspector can show you any defects and explain their importance in addition to explain maintenance features that will be helpful in the future. In the event that you can’t be there, it is no problem since the report you obtain is going to be very detailed. If you are not present, then you need to be sure to ask your inspector to explain anything that is not clear 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 must raise the difficulties quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you prefer the inspector to come back following the inspection to show you things, this is arranged and is advisable, 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 initial agreement
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 inspection unnecessarily slow. Write down your questions and ask them after the inspector has presented you with a detailed report.
Since condominiums are individual units within a single building, homeowners pay a monthly assessment fee to a home owners association (HOA) or condo association, which pays for the maintenance and upkeep of all exteriors including the building itself 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 condominium including walls, appliances, balconies, porches, plumbing, and electrical. There are fewer items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone who knows what they’re doing is still critical. As you know well, HOAs are a fickled bunch, to be honest. And they’re all so very different, even within a neighborhood. Ask us about our policy and we’ll be honest 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 items may be in the inspection you receive, but the inspector will follow a standard check list for the property:
· Electrical system, panels
· GFCI, outlets, electrical grounding
· Fire detectors
· Distribution systems and ducts
· Driveway
· Heat pumps and controls
· Kitchen appliances (dishwasher, range/oven/stovetop/hoods, microwave, disposal, trash compactor)
· Laundry appliances (washer and dryer)
· Heating controls and equipment
· Site drainage and grading
· Fascias, soffits, and eaves
· Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
· Bushes, trees, shrubs, lawn
· Kitchen cabinets, counters, and floors
· Windows and window gaskets
· Heating and air conditioning
· Interior doors and hardware
· Walls, floors, ceilings
· Safety items such as egress, TPRV valves, railings, etc.
· Masonry
· Entry stairs, handrails
· Decks
· Plumbing fixtures and systems
· Basement, foundation, and crawl spaces
· Garage walls, doors, and doors
Some tests that are not a part of the standard inspection usually incur an extra charge.
· Mold Screening
· Radon gas test
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Septic System Inspection
· Gas Line Leak Test
· Water quality test
· Alarm System
· Termite Inspection
Your home has lots of systems and approximately 9900 pieces – from heating and cooling to ventilation and to appliances. When appliances and systems interact with each another seamlessly, all is well with the world. Weak links in the system, however, can produce a myriad of problems leading to a loss in value and shortened component lifecycle. Would you get a used car with no reputable mechanic looking at it? Your home is far more complex, and to really have a thorough inspection that is documented in a written report arms you with substantial information which to create informed decisions.
Plenty of people imagine that everything is inspected in depth on inspection day. This misunderstanding is mainly responsible for many a homebuyer to get upset making use of their inspector. The inspections we do are certainly not exhaustive and there’s a justified reason for this.
When you hire individual licensed experts in cooling and heating, plumbing, electrical, engineering, etc. to inspect your home, it will take about thirteen hours and cost you about two grand! It is far more practical (and affordable) to hire an experienced inspector who’s got a general familiarity with home systems, knows things to search for, and can suggest further inspection by a professional if needed. Your inspector is usually following very specific guidelines issued by state or national organizations as he/she inspects your home. The guidelines are carefully written to protect both your home as well as the inspector.
For instance, we’re instructed to not turn systems on if they were off at the time of the inspection (for safety reasons); we aren’t capable to move furniture (might harm something); prohibited to turn on water whether it’s off (possible flooding), and prohibited to get rid of by way of a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The downside of your practice is the fact by not operating a control, by not seeing in the furniture, and not getting into the attic or crawlspace, we are going to might miss identifying a problem. However, place into perspective, the prospect of missing something serious as a result is quite low. There are more products that more than 95% of inspectors consider outside an average inspection, including inspecting most things who are not bolted down (installed inside the home) for instance electronics, low voltage lighting, space heaters, portable ac units, or specialized systems for instance water purifiers, security alarms, etc.
Jackson Heights is a desirable neighborhood to live in, home to some of Queens “liveliest and most diverse neighborhoods, as well as many of the city’s best restaurants. Jackson Heights also has the only Greenmarket in Queens, located between 34th Avenue and 77th and 78th Streets.
Jackson Heights has a wealth of brick buildings that are especially attractive to people looking for a place to live. However, some high-rise buildings are under construction on Roosevelt Ave, and most were built in the 1950s.
Compared to the rest of New York, real estate in Jackson Heights is relatively inexpensive – and rising rapidly. Unfortunately, the sharp rise in housing costs in Manhattan is likely to have a negative impact on the quality of life of residents in this area of the city.
Jackson Heights just doesn’t seem to exist, and is too far from Manhattan to qualify as part of the historic New York City district system. Jackson Heights was the first major development in the East Elmhurst neighborhood, but it didn’t begin until 1917, when the Roosevelt Avenue Elevated Subway, a flush of elevated rail lines, reached the neighborhood. Completed in 1924, it provided the housing near Manhattan that the growing middle class needed, as well as access to public transportation.
If you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of city life at a more affordable price, Jackson Heights is a great option. The subway is the best option, as it is faster than the bus in Astoria and parts of North Manhattan, and the journey takes only 15 minutes, so there are huge benefits to living here. Jackson Height is far enough from Manhattan to fit anywhere else, but not far enough to go on foot or by bike. There are many affordable housing options for people with disabilities and people with assisted living, ranging from $3,280 a month to $10,050 a month, according to the New York Times.
And, according to the New York Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are also many affordable housing options for people with disabilities and people in assisted living.
Diversity is part of what attracts residents of Jackson Heights, and it’s quite fascinating to see how different communities have moved into the neighborhood over the course of history and changed the culture and demographics of the neighborhood. It is a place where differences are respected and where parents from all walks of life can feel at home. Jackson Heights may not be as diverse as other parts of New York, but that’s what keeps residents there.
On my first trip to Jackson Heights, I noticed that it took only 17 minutes to walk from my apartment to the New York subway station. In the 1960s, newly arrived residents came to Jackson Heights, and a number of Broadway actors and variety artists began to call it their home, as was the case in many other neighborhoods in the area at the time.
The further expansion of Jackson Heights was hit by the 1929 stock market crash, but the opening of Dunolly Gardens marked the beginning of a new era for the neighborhood, as it was to be a destination for many of the same types of people that it had been a generation earlier. Although Jackson Height was still a sought-after neighborhood and still had a small urban feel, it no longer had to boast a large number of upscale restaurants, theaters and hotels.
Jackson Heights “sense of community was strengthened when the residential and population structure remained architecturally, economically and racially homogeneous, remaining 98.5 percent white in the 1960 census. Jackson Heights, along with Letchworth, would continue its rapid population growth and economic development over the decades. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Jackson Height grew exponentially, with the population more than tenfold in two decades, according to the U.S. Census.
For the immigrants who populated Jackson Heights, their primary goal was to secure their place in the community. To this day, the relatively inexpensive parts of the district, such as Letchworth Park, are still seeing an influx of young professionals every day.
If you are searching for a affordable, reliable, and professional home, condo, or town home inspection in Jackson Heights, look no further. We know you have choices and we would be honored to send out one of our inspectors to inspect your property. We are committed to getting the job done right and making you happy. Email or call one of our staff (332-334-7701 or Request a Quote) to book an appointment.
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