Licensed, professional home inspectors serving the Jamaica Estates Queens neighborhood, offering a broad range of services for our residential customers.
If you have been around as long as I have, then you’ll already understand the value of home inspections. A quality home inspection protects you the prospective home owner against the obvious problems that every home has. While the inspection is not fool proof, an inspector worth his or her weight in gold should be able to pinpoint the primary systems that could be ready to break down on you as a new buyer. A great inspector will narrow down the likelihood of system failure greatly.
Typically and simply put, a home inspection is a formal professional evaluation of the accessible and visible components and systems of a home (electrical, plumbing, roofing, heating and cooling, structure, etc.) and should give the customer a clearer understanding of the home’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.
Typically, the inspection is a homebuyer who requests an evaluation of the home he or she is serious about buying. An inspection of the home delivers data so that decision makers can question or confirm details about the home questioned or confirmed, and can uncover serious and/or expensive-to-repair defects that the owner/seller may not be aware of. A home inspection is not an appraisal of the property’s value. The inspection does not point out 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 local code or protects a customer in the event something inspected fails.
[Side note]: You can purchase warranties for a multitude of items in the house.
Don’t consider a home inspection as an exhaustive evaluation, but rather property evaluation on the day it is inspected, considering normal wear and tear of the home based on age and location. An inspection of the property can also include pool inspections, water testing, Radon gas testing, pest inspections, energy audits, and many other specific items that may be location-specific.
Home inspections are also done (less often) by a home seller before putting the property on the market to see if there are any hidden problems, and also by homeowners 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 attention to during a home inspection:
1. Safety hazards, such as lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), bare wiring in kitchens and bathrooms, lack of safety railing on decks above 30 inches, etc.
2. Items that could lead to serious defects – damaged downspouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, a roof flashing leak that could grow, or a support beam that was not tied in to the structure properly.
3. Serious defects, such as large differential cracks in the home’s foundation; structure out of level or plumb; decks not supported or installed correctly, and others. These are items that are pricey to repair, which we classify as systems needing more than 2% of the buy price to repair.
Your inspector will counsel you about what to do about these areas of concern. He/she may recommend a formal evaluation on more issues – by certified and/or licensed professionals who are specialists in the problem areas. For example, your inspector may recommend you call a licensed structural or building engineer if they find sections of the home that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a serious structural problem and one that might cost thousands to fix
Home inspections are performed by a buyer after he or she signs a contract, right?
This is false! As you will see once you continue reading, a home inspection can be used for interim inspections in new construction projects, as a maintenance tool by way of a current home owner, a proactive technique by homeowners to make their home more sellable, and by buyers wanting to find out the condition of the potential home.
Home owners, in particular, can take advantage of finding a home inspection before listing the home. Here are simply a several advantages for the home owner:
· The home owner can make repairs leisurely instead of being in a hurry following the contract is signed.
· The home owner is likely to be alerted to any safety issues found in the home before they open it up for open house tours.
· The home owner will take the report and ensure it is into an advertising piece for the home.
· A home inspection may help the home owner become more objective when it comes to setting a reasonable price on the home.
Sure, you could do it yourself. However, often times, homebuyers lack the objectivity, skill, and knowledge needed to skillfully inspect a house themselves. In other words, they think they know their homes inside and out, but they really don’t. When you use services of an expert home inspector, they gain a much better knowledge of the condition 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” by a qualified specialist. Understand that the home inspector is really a generalist and has broad training in most home systems.
It’s recommended for you to personally be present throughout the inspection – whether you are a buyer, seller, or home owner. With you there, the inspector can show you any defects and explain their importance along with explain maintenance features that would be helpful in the future. If you can’t be there, it is not a problem since the report you get is likely to 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 read the inspection agreement carefully which means you know what is covered and what is not covered in the inspection. If 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’d like the inspector to return following the inspection to show you things, this is arranged and is a good idea, 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 very important for you to let the inspector do the job you’re paying for. We love our customers, but we also know that constant interference and interruptions make the inspection unnecessarily slow. Write down your questions and ask them after the inspector has presented you with a detailed report.
Since condos are units within a condo building, homeowners pay assessments to a home owners association (HOA) or condo association, which pays for the upkeep and maintenance of all exteriors including the actual (exterior walls, lighting, roof, etc.) is also responsible for maintaining the HVAC. In smaller condo buildings, many home owners have their own boiler that suffices for the HVAC that a building would normally provide. Home owners are responsible for everything inside the condo unit including plumbing, electrical, porches, balconies, walls, and appliances. There are less items to inspect, but getting an inspection from someone qualified is still a must. As you know well, Home Owners Associations are a fickled lot to be brutally honest. And they’re all so very different, even within a city. 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 (of systems and inspection items) is not exhaustive. Not all of these items may be in the inspection you receive, but the inspector will follow a standardized checklist for the home:
* Electrical system and panels
* Electrical grounding, GFCI, outlets
* Smoke (fire) detectors
* Ducts and distribution systems
* Fire places
* Driveways
* Kitchen appliances (stove top, oven, disposal, trash compactor, dishwasher, microwave)
* Laundry appliances (dryer and washer)
* Heating controls and equipment
* Eaves, soffits, and fascias
* Insulation and ventilation systems
* Bushes, trees, shrubs, lawn
* Retaining walls
* Kitchen floors, cabinets, counters
* Roofing, flashings, chimneys, and attic
* Air Conditioning and controls
* Indoor doors and hardware
* Floors, walls, ceilings
* Plumbing fixtures and systems
* Safety items such as TPRV valves, railings, egress etc.
* Bricks, masonry
* Windows and window gaskets
* Foundation, basement, and crawlspaces
Other tests which are not part of the original inspection typically require 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
Your home has lots of systems and over 10,000 moving pieces – from cooling and heating to ventilation systems and to appliances. When they 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 system lifecycle. Would you purchase a used car with no reputable mechanic looking at it? Your house is far more complex, and to really have a thorough inspection that is documented in a report arms you with substantial information to make informed decisions.
Many people assume that the entire home is inspected thoroughly on inspection day. This misunderstanding is responsible for many a homebuyer for being upset making use of their inspector. The inspections we do are usually not exhaustive and there is a good reason for this.
Should you hire individual licensed experts in air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, engineering, etc. to inspect the house, it will take about 13 hours and run you around two grand! It is a bit more practical to hire an experienced inspector that has a general information about home systems, knows things to search for, and can recommend further inspection by an authority if needed. Your inspector is also following very specific guidelines issued by state or national organizations as he/she inspects your home. The guidelines are written in order to protect both the home and the inspector.
For instance, I am directed to NOT turn systems on if these were off during the time of the inspection (for safety reasons); we are really not permitted to move furniture (might harm something); prohibited to turn on water should it be off (possible flooding), and prohibited to get rid of through a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The down-side in this practice is by not operating a control, by not seeing beneath the furniture, and enough sleep. in to the attic or crawlspace, we are going to might miss identifying a problem. However, placed in perspective, the odds of missing something serious because of this is pretty low. There are many items that 95% of inspectors consider outside a typical inspection, and these include inspecting most things which are not bolted down (installed while in the home) for instance electronics, reduced voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioning, or specialized systems for instance water purifiers, alarm systems, etc.
The modest home in Jamaica Estates, Queens, that President Donald Trump once called his home, is back on the market. The beautifully maintained enclave of Jamaica Estates is nestled between tall maple, oak, elm and chestnut trees. They are hilly, winding roads, and it is predominantly Jews who settled in what is now commonly known as the Jamaican Estate. Among the features that have put him high on Mr. Trump’s list of favorite places to live in New York City is his proximity to Manhattan and the fact that it was his childhood.
Jamaica Estates, where Trump grew up, is a haven for the affluent – for whites, with imposing houses on trees, lined streets. The surrounding neighborhoods are Jamaica Hills to the west and Utopia Parkway is the East River that runs from Whitestone in the south to Grand Central Parkway on the Jamaica Estates, where it becomes Homelawn Street.
Jamaica Estates was founded at the turn of the century by the Jamaica Estate Company, which urbanized the hilly 503 hectares to preserve the many trees that had occupied the site. Like other developers, she decided to level the land and keep the elevations between 65 and 100 feet. The buildings on the property occupy about 1,000 square feet of land, about the size of a football field, according to the New York Times.
The concept of Jamaica Estates Company was that residents should enjoy the benefits of living in a community that is a little out of town and has access to public transportation, parks and other amenities. It developed into a wealthy English-style community that felt like it was in the country and had easy access to the cities.
Jamaica Estates is just a few blocks from the Hudson River and the F-Line ends at Jamaica Estate. If you’re too far away from the entertainment and amenities of Midtown, you can take the subway to Manhattan.
In the car – in the free life – it is a little problematic to reach the end of the F train at the 179th Hillside entrance to Jamaica Estates, especially at weekends. As you step into the sun, you have a beautiful view of Manhattan, the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean, with the Statue of Liberty in the distance.
The gatehouse houses a plaque dedicated by the Jamaica Estates Association to the ten men of the community who lost their lives in the Battle of Jamaica during World War II.
The royal mansion is named after the signatory of the Constitution who came to Jamaica in 1805. Trump has lived in Jamaica Estates since he was four, and his father applied for an apartment in Jamaica Estates while looking for an upgrade to his studio. My mum stays with Jamaica Estates and my sister stays with mum during the summer weekends and holidays.
The Jamaica Estates home, which is no longer affiliated with Trump or his company, was sold in 2016 for $1.39 million to real estate mogul Robert Davis and his wife Barbara Davis of Manhattan, a couple who have owned the property since 2008. Like Fred, he has tried to build a business and turn the restaurant in Jamaica Estates into a franchise business. Trump’s four-year-old daughter Ivanka and her husband Eric live on Staten Island, but Trump has lived on the estate since he was four. Trump’s estate, where he lived with his father, mother and two sisters while they were in Jamaica, sold at auction in January for more than $2.14 million.
One of the most popular neighborhoods in the area is Jamaica Estates, a wealthy neighborhood founded at the turn of the century by the Jamaica Estates Company. It is mainly a mix of detached English Tudor houses, sizes, styles and prices. While the adjacent neighbourhoods of Jamaica are dominated by large mansions with high-rise buildings such as St. George’s Tower and Queen Elizabeth II Tower, Jamaica Estate is an attractive, carefully designed property with a variety of houses and amenities.
In addition to the World War II monument that marks the entrance to Jamaica Estates, you will also find shopping blocks, including a West Indian cricket bar, restaurant and hotel. Jamaica attracts a large number of tourists, many of whom travel to Jamaica by coach during the day for shopping. Expats living in Jamaica can enjoy island life in the Caribbean, but we advise them to “do your research and don’t just think that moving to a tropical island will be a pleasure.
If you’re searching for a reliable, professional, and affordable home, condo, or townhome inspection in Jamaica Estates, 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 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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