Showing posts with label Long Island Home Inspection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Long Island Home Inspection. Show all posts
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Queens Home Inspection
Solid City Home Inspection is offering discounts on all home inspections performed this month. With every home inspection receive free thermal imaging, a free termite report, and a free mold and asbestos inspection. We are licensed and insured with the state of New York to provide superior service. Call 516-350-9200 or visit http://www.MyLongIslandhomeinspection.com to schedule your inspection
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Choose the right Queens Home Inspection Company
How To Choose The Right Home Inspection Company
Some Things To Consider When Looking For a Home Inspector
For most people, buying a home could be one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. Dont you want that decision be an informed one? Here is a list of questions to ask when you are hiring a home inspector.
Is home inspection your only profession?
Make sure it is! Many independent inspectors only work on a part-time basis to supplement their real businesses as contractors, roofers, etc., and their report findings might be suspect. You can find a good home inspector by getting a referral from a satisfied customer. Avoid referrals from anyone who has a financial interest in the sale going through.
Do they carry all the necessary insurance, including professional liability (Errors & Omissions or “E&O”), general liability, and worker’s compensation ?
Make sure they have Errors and Omissions Insurance. ”This malpractice-type insurance protects the inspector (and indirectly the home buyer and those referring the inspector) against post-inspection legal problems.” General liability covers personal liability not covered by the basic Errors and Omissions policy; and worker’s compensation covers the safety of the inspector during the inspection.
How long does the inspection take, can I accompany the inspector, what type of equipment do they use and are the updated plus knowledgeable in the inspection business?
A professional home inspection of the average house varies. Be skeptical of home inspectors who don’t want you to tag along. Home inspectors who invite the home buyer along will often offer valuable maintenance tips.
A good home inspector will have the most updated equipment available to him or her like thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters
What type of a report will I receive and when will I receive it?
There are various types of reports given by professional inspectors, including typed narrative (sent to the home buyer within a week) and on the spot written reports for those who need or want the information as soon as possible.
Don’t accept a verbal report without a written backup, since you will have no record of the inspector’s findings for future referral.
Home Inspectors should use a format, which is filled out on the spot and is presented to the client at the time of the inspection plus, they should explain it.
Is the home inspector trained or certified in home inspection by a recognizable organization, such as the National Institute of Building Inspectors (NIBI), or the American Home Inspectors Institute (AHII), or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI)?
With no official government regulation of the home inspection industry, certification by one of these organizations ensures that the inspector meets strict guidelines set forth by the largest and most reputable home inspection organizations in the country.
For more information visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com or call 516-350-9200
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Long Island Home Inspection
Solid City Home Inspection is offering Holiday Specials on all Home Inspections. Call 516-350-9200 or visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Queens Home Inspection
Long Island Home inspection by Solid City Home Inspection.
Solid City Home Inspection is offering discounts this holiday season on every home inspection performed. All home inspections come with two home inspectors, Free thermal imaging, and a free termite report. We are licensed and insured with the state of New York and members of the International Home Inspection Association. Call us today to schedule your appointment.
516-350-9200 or Visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Queens Foundation Inspection
Solid City Home Inspections Explains the Importance of a Foundation Inspection
When it comes to a sound foundation, there is no substitute for a professional home inspection.
Foundation Inspection
A home’s foundation is the most major structural component of a house—it supports the entire weight of the structure. Without going into heady engineering jargon, the construction of a house involves forces, sometimes opposing. Most concrete foundations and basements will eventually exhibit signs of wear and tear—illustrating these forces at work.
Foundation Cracks
Interestingly enough, there are benign foundation cracks and serious cracks. An experienced home inspector will be a walking encyclopedia of foundation cracks and be able to offer various diagnoses depending on the type. While an inspector is not a structural engineer, he might be suspicious enough to engage the expertise of an engineering consultant who will further diagnose and make recommendations.
For homebuyers, the foundation aspect of the home inspection should be taken very seriously. Foundation repairs often run many thousands of dollars and may involve heavy equipment and engineering consultants.
Wet Basements
In most instances, home sellers are required to disclose a “wet” basement. What is “damp” to one person may be downright soaking wet to another. How much water a basement takes on can affect your basic quality of life. Many basements provide extended living space for additional bathrooms, laundry facilities, and even workshops. Unfortunately water is the nemesis of electricity, meaning a water-logged basement can render this additional living space unusable.
Basement Mold and Mildew
And where there is water and moisture, you can bet there is mold and mildew. Mold and mildew not only break down foundation materials—they are a fungus—but they also pose varying degrees of health risks. Mold spores enter the indoor air that you breathe. Solid City Home Inspectors are trained in mold inspections. They provide detailed, experienced examination of a home’s foundation and basement.
Contact us today for more information 516-350-9200 or visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Queens Home Inspection Generator Safety
Using a generator for hurricane Sandy? Here are some safety tips before you start.
1) Never use a generator indoors or inside a attached garage.
A portable generator is a gasoline engine that exhausts a deadly gas called carbon monoxide it is odorless and colorless. You can be overcome by these fumes if the generator is indoors and it will kill you.
Make sure you place the generator outside where exhaust fumes will not enter into the house. There has to be a minimum of ten feet between the generator and any windows or doors. Only operate a generator outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home. The generator should be protected from direct exposure to rain and snow.
2) Don’t connect your generator directly to your home’s wiring.
Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly. A generator that is directly connected to your home’s wiring can ‘back feed’ into the power lines connected to your home.
Utility transformers can then increase this lower electrical voltage to thousands of volts. That’s more than enough to kill a utility lineman making outage repairs many miles away. You could also cause expensive damage to utility equipment and your generator.
If you wish to hard-wire a generator to your home, it should be installed by a licensed electrician with an approved transfer switch that will disconnect the home from the power grid when the generator is being used.
3) Don’t overload the generator.
All generators have a power rating. they should be used only when necessary and only to power a limited number of appliances or equipment.
The total wattage used by the appliances should be less than the output rating of the generator. If you put too many appliances on the generator, it could seriously damage the appliances and electronics. Overloading the generator could also cause fires in the power cord
4) Do not store gasoline for the generator indoors. Keep Away
Gasoline should be stored in approved safety containers.
Don’t store gasoline in a garage if there’s a water heater or other fuel-burning appliance in the garage. Vapor from gasoline is heavier than air and can travel along the floor. It could be ignited by a pilot light or other source of flame, such as an electric spark.
Shut off the generator before refueling and turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down.
Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator.
5) Keep Away
Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation. Stay away from the muffler and other hot areas.
Keep children away from portable electric generators at all times.
For more information visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com
Monday, November 5, 2012
Hurricane Sandy Home Inspection
Hopefully you and your house made it through Hurricane Sandy unscathed and without much more inconvenience than losing power for a couple of days. But before you try to get back to your normal lives you should take a careful look at your house and hopefully catch some subtle damage such as a few missing shingles or some missing siding.
The first thing you should do is perform a visual inspection of the roof and work your way down. If the roof is steep or to high use binoculars to perform your inspection. If it’s shallow and you’re comfortable with heights try and get up there for a closer look. Look carefully at the valleys and where roof planes intersect. Check anything that penetrates through the roof, such as vent pipes and skylights. Look at the chimney cap as well as all the flashings. Look for anything loose or missing. If you do see that some material has blown away roofing cement and other materials can provide a temporary repair to prevent leaks but you’ll need to hire a professional roofer to repair loose or missing shingles before winter comes.
Have a look at the dryer vent. If its plugged with debris that flew in during the storm you must clean it out or this could cause a fire hazard. If it is necessary get on a ladder and look inside the vent with a bright flashlight to see if there's anything that needs to be removed. The louvers on the vent plate should open easily and freely. When the dryer is running there should be a steady stream of warm moist air coming out.
The same goes for your home’s furnace or boiler vents if they run directly through the wall make sure they are not clogged. Check the vents opening for damage and look inside to make sure it's not plugged by debris, especially leaves that have been blown into it by hurricane force winds.
Look at your home’s electrical service entrance. It should look like it did before the hurricane. If it’s sagging or leaning it could be a serious safety hazard. Contact LIPA immediately!
Check the gutters and downspouts they may have come loose in the wind. If you can, have a look from a ladder. A gutter that has been loosened by high wind will eventually swing loose. It can do some real damage when it finally breaks free, such as breaking a window or flying off the house and onto a car parked in your driveway. If you think you have loose gutters call a roofing and gutter company immediately.
Fences commonly get damaged from storm force winds. Take a walk down your fence and push against it to check for weakened areas. Also check house-mounted flag pole brackets, which could be hanging by a thread after the storm.
Finally, if you’ve got large trees on your property this may be the time to reconsider them. The bigger they are the harder they fall. Think twice about whether you even want those big trees anymore. In the post-Sandy world, big trees are as likely to devalue your property as they were to contribute to it.
For more information visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Prepare for Hurricane Sandy
Long Island should cast a cautious eye towards Hurricane Sandy and we can’t say it enough do not wait till the last-minute to prepare your family and your house for a Hurricane. If you do wait until the last-minute you will find yourself with all the other people who waited to prepare themselves for the storm as well. Frightened and disorganized people are not nice to be around. Do you really want to get into a fight over the last pack of batteries or sheet of plywood?
Here are some suggestions on how to better prepare yourself for the hurricane.
1) Have cash on hand If the power goes out so will the ATM machines
2) Board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood
3) Secure outside lawn furniture and children’s toys if they can be picked up by the wind
4) Clean the gutters of leaves and debris to prevent leaks inside your home
5) Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting possible in case the power goes off this will keep the food fresher longer.
6) Fill large pots and your bathtub with water in case city water is affected from the storm
7) Put a full tank of gas in your car
8) Plan an evacuation route with your family and learn alternate routes to safety
9) The location of the nearest shelter if you have pets make sure the shelter you are going to is pet friendly
10) If you’re ordered to evacuate please leave immediately stick to marked evacuation routes if possible.
11) Store your important documents like passports, social security card, birth certificates, and deeds in a watertight container
Here is a list of supplies you should have on hand before the storm
1) At least a three day water supply one gallon per person per day
2) Three days worth of food. Some items include canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt free crackers, energy or protein bars, trail mix, and dry cereal
3) A manual can opener
4) Flashlights
5) A battery-powered radio preferably a weather radio
6) Extra batteries
7) A first aid kit including latex gloves, sterile dressings, a cleaning agent, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, Band-Aids in small medium and large sizes, eye wash, a thermometer, aspirin pain reliever, antacids, and any other prescribed medication.
8) Cell phones and chargers
9) Contact information for your family and friends
10) Baby supplies
11) Pet supplies
It’s important not to panic during the preparation of a hurricane but keep in mind that a hurricane should not be taken lightly either.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Queens Home Inspection
It's not just a good idea to be present at your home inspection it should be your first priority on the day of the home inspection. While there are some situations when you cannot attend it is simply the best way to get the most comprehensive information about the home you are about to purchase and see first-hand any issues that might be a concern to you or your home inspector.
We recommend that all clients of Solid City Home Inspection attend their home inspection and accompany their home inspector throughout the duration of the home inspection. The only areas we ask that you do not accompany the home inspector is on the roof and in the attic. Obviously, these are areas of high potential for injury and only the home inspector should inspect.
Here are some more ways to get the most out of your home inspection:
Make sure you are there. The number one way to get the most out of your home inspection, is to make sure you are there and ask a bunch of questions. In addition to inspecting the home your home inspector will teach you about the house you are about to buy so we encourage your questions. We will show you the locations of major systems and components (i.e. important shut off valves like the gas and water,etc.) It is important for you to know all the major systems of the home to cover any questions you might have.
Make Sure You Have The Time. Expect your home inspection to take some time, usually between 2 and 3 hours depending on the size of the house. Don’t schedule your home inspection when you have to rush to another appointment or when you are otherwise distracted.
Make Sure The Home Is Accessible. If the property is vacant or a foreclosure this will usually not be a problem. If the house is occupied make sure to meet with your real estate agent and the home owners to make sure all areas of the home will be accessible to your home inspector on the day of the inspection and ALL utilities will be on.
Limit Family and Friends. There are many reasons why you may want to bring others along for your home inspection—for an extra set of eyes, or to help you ask questions or understand the home inspection information. But limit any guests that might distract you or the home inspector from the home inspection process or tempt you to discuss aesthetic topics that are better left for later.
Get all the inspections or testing done at once. Getting the most out of your home inspection may mean getting some additional inspections or tests done at the same time. Consider mold testing, thermal imaging or a termite inspections, and get everything needed to go to closing.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Queens Home Inspection with thermal imaging
A Certified home inspection company that is equipped with thermal imaging cameras and properly trained and certified home inspectors can find problems with a home that a normal home inspection company can not . Some of these problems are
- Moisture penetration through the homes exterior covering, whether the home has brick, stucco or vinyl siding this can be a major issue.
- Improperly installed or deteriorated insulation.
- Water leaks and air leaks around windows and doors that could lead to mold or high utility bills.
- Plumbing leaks inside the home, including leaking pipes, improperly installed toilets, leaking shower pans, and bathtubs
- Uninsulated HVAC ducting that may have not been properly sealed. This can cause condensation dripping in attics and crawlspaces.
- Improperly installed or insufficient insulation in ceilings and walls.
- Leaking roofs, skylights, roof vent piping and roof vents.
With Thermal Imaging Technology Solid City Home Inspection will help protect you against hidden problems or damage. Solid City Home Inspections is able to provide our clients with a more thorough home inspection when buying a home or selling your home. We are also able to save you money by identifying the source of any underlying issues and eliminating any destructive work to find the source. We are also able to determine any areas that could be more energy efficient within your home.
No matter if you’re the seller or the buyer contact Solid City Home Inspections to schedule your home inspection today. http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com
Here is some examples of thermal imaging in use.
| A Plumbing leak in garage ceiling- not visible during typical inspection process. | Plumbing leak indicated by infrared scan (dark blue area). |
| Interior hallway in a newly constructed home appears to be insulated. | Infrared Scan Indicates Missing Insulation. |
| Air conditioning duct work during regular visual inspection. | Infrared scan indicates that cold air is leaking from duct work into attic (dark blue area). |
| Electrical panel during normal inspection process appears to be functioning properly. | Infrared scan of the panel indicates overheated electrical breaker & wire. This is a fire hazard that would have been overlooked during a typical visual inspection. |
| Plumbing leak at shower liner is not noted during typical visual inspection. | Infrared scan indicates that water is leaking from shower under vinyl flooring. |
| Insulated windows appear to be functioning properly. | Infrared scan indicates that heat is escaping through failed thermal seal (noted at lower right side window). |
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Queens Home Inspection
When you hire a licensed home inspector to perform your home inspection it can provide you with big savings at the closing table. The first thing you need to be sure of is that you hire a qualified Licensed home inspector who can identify subtle defects as well as larger defects that are not readily visible to the common home buyer. Buyers who perform there own home inspection are not usually qualified to perform a home inspection and even if they have a good knowledge of home construction they are too emotionally involved in the purchase and are usually blinded by the cosmetic issues of the home.
Purchasing the home of your dreams usually exhausts all of your available funds as well as everything you can borrow. We are sure you don’t want to wake up to a surprise $3,000 repair bill for a new heating system three months after you move into the house you just purchased.
Being able to Identify these defects before you sign the contract to purchase the home can help you obtain a reduced selling price, or repair of the defects uncovered during the course of the home inspection at the sellers expense. You can not be under the impression that the seller is offering the house “as is”, there’s always room for negotiation when you are purchasing a home.
Purchasing the home of your dreams usually exhausts all of your available funds as well as everything you can borrow. We are sure you don’t want to wake up to a surprise $3,000 repair bill for a new heating system three months after you move into the house you just purchased.
Being able to Identify these defects before you sign the contract to purchase the home can help you obtain a reduced selling price, or repair of the defects uncovered during the course of the home inspection at the sellers expense. You can not be under the impression that the seller is offering the house “as is”, there’s always room for negotiation when you are purchasing a home.
There may be times when the home inspector recommends further investigation on particular components of the home such as the electrical or plumbing. This usually happens when the home inspector has a major concern with the current conditions of what he is inspecting.
It is important to follow the home inspector during the home inspection process because there’s a first hand opportunity to learn about the home you are buying. The home inspector will make sure that you are not blinded buy the high emotions that take over during the home buying process and show you the important issues of the home you are buying.
At Solid City Home Inspections we have our clients needs in mind one hundred percent of the time to make sure they are making the right decision when it comes to purchasing the home of there dreams.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a home inspection please call us at 516-350-9200 or visit us at http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Queens Home Inspection
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Location:
Levittown, NY 11756, USA
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Discounts on all Queens home inspection
It’s the end of the season and Solid City Home Inspection is offering discounts on all home inspection services. Including thermal imaging, termite inspections, EMF surveys, and final walk-through inspections contact us today to find out more information
516-350-9200 or Visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com
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Sunday, September 2, 2012
Long Island Home Inspection Also Queens Home Inspection By Solid City Home Inspection
You just put an offer on a home you are thinking about buying in Long Island, Queens, or New York City. Once you sign the contract the clock starts ticking. Things like appraisals, surveys, and home inspections have to be done within a certain amount of time in order for you to go to closing. At Solid City home inspection our job is to provide you with the best possible home inspection available in Long Island or New York City. Solid City home inspection will alert you to any defects whether large or small that need to be addressed before you go to the closing table. Most problems will be minor maintenance issues but some could be major issues that need immediate attention and could affect the purchase of the home.
Our home inspection reports will make you aware of issues that need to be investigated further. The home inspection report helps you in understanding the condition of the home and can also be used to try and negotiate a lower price on the purchase of the home. Also if the seller is not willing to make any concessions on the purchase of the home it will allow you to back out the contract potentially saving yourself thousands of dollars.
Our services include:
Thermal imaging
Mold inspection
Termite inspection
Roof inspections
Four-point inspection
Backflow testing
Commercial building inspections
New construction inspections
Solid City home inspections is available seven days a week you can call us at any time and we will answer any questions you might have whether we are your inspectors or not we are here to help you our clients in making the right decision when it comes to buying your perfect new home.
516-350-9200
Labels:
http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com,
Inspection,
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Long Island Home inspector,
Queens home inspection,
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Location:
Levittown, NY 11756, USA
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Queens Home Inspection
Long Island Home Inspection also Queens Home Inspection for Long Island -
Queens, also New York City - Certified Long Island Home Inspections -
Solid City Home Inspection 516-350-9200 Long Island House inspection
also Home Inspection company. Serving all Long Island - Nassau county -
Suffolk county - Queens county - also Manhattan - NY - including Mineola - New Hyde Park - Floral Park - Williston Park - Levittown - West Babylon - Melville - Bethpage - Plainview - Hicksville - Seaford - Freeport - Wantaugh - Westbury - East Meadow - Hempstead - Babylon - Bellrose, West Islip
- Bay Shore - Deer Park - Dix Hills - Huntington Station as well as
Nassau county - Suffolk county - Queens - New York. New York Licensed
Home Inspector - Professional Home Inspections for all Long Island -
Nassau - Suffolk - Queens also New York City - New York. Call Solid City
Home Inspection 516-350-9200 or email Contact@solidcityinspections.com visit http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com
CALL Solid City Home Inspection your CERTIFIED MASTER HOME INSPECTOR
Seven days a week 516-350-9200
Solid City Home Inspection is located in
Levittown, NY and services the entire Long Island area as well as
Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx also Manhattan. Our home inspectors specialize
in home inspection, real estate inspection, building inspection,
property preservation, Termite Inspection, Thermal Imaging and more.
Call us today for all your home inspection services. We inspect both
residential and commercial. We are the most referred home inspection
company in Long Island as well as Queens, serving Long Island for 10
years. Free termite inspection. Home Inspection Long Island NY, Home
Inspectors Long Island NY, Real Estate Inspections Long Island NY,
Property preservation Long Island NY, Infrared Thermography Long Island NY, Residential home Inspectors Long Island NY, Inspection Services Long Island NY, Levittown Home Inspection, Mineola
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Inspection also termite inspection Long Island. Veterans Discounts,
Senior discounts, Police discounts, Fire fighter discounts. Visit
http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com or call 516-350-9200
http://www.MyLongIslandHomeInspection.com or call 516-350-9200
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Long Island Home Inspection
Long Island Home Inspection Services In Nassau County and Suffolk County In New York.
We also serve Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan
Solid City Home Inspections only uses Certified Home Inspectors. We are licensed and insured with the state of New York and we carry full insurance including Liability and Errors and Omissions. We include a termite inspection and thermal imaging on every inspection. Call Solid City Home Inspections today to find out more even if it’s just to get some information we are here for you for you our clients.
Call Solid City Home Inspection today at 516-350-9200 we are here to help you live in comfort !
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging is a scan of your home using a special infrared thermal imaging camera. This infrared (IR) camera detects very small temperature variations in your home’s components, even in hidden areas such as behind the walls, above the ceiling and beneath the floors. These very minor temperature differences often reveal ‘invisible’ problems which cannot be seen with the naked eye, and would not be found with just a traditional home inspection. Some people refer to this technology as "seeing through walls" or "X-ray Vision". While neither of these analogies are technically correct, in many cases a thermal imaging scan can help the Inspector "see" problems that would otherwise not be visible.
Why do I need Thermal Imaging
Thermal Imaging takes your home inspection to the next level! While a good home inspector can detect a wide variety of problems without "seeing inside the walls", a standard home inspection has limitations because it's a visual inspection. Thermal Imaging is an inexpensive, non-invasive and non-destructive method of finding hidden problems that would otherwise go undetected. Often times Thermal Imaging can find a problem in its early stages before there are visible symptoms, making it easier and less expensive to repair. Much like a medical x-ray can help a doctor to diagnose a problem inside your body without doing exploratory surgery, Thermal Imaging is a quick and painless way to find certain types of problems that can be hidden within your home’s walls, floors and ceilings. But even Thermal Imaging has limitations, and it takes much more than a special IR camera to "see through walls". Just like it takes a trained Radiologist to properly interpret your medical x-ray, it takes a trained Thermographer to properly interpret your Thermal Imaging scan. Rest assured that when you order Thermal Imaging from Solid City Home Inspections, your Inspector is also a trained and experienced .
The U.S. Dept. of Energy recommends having an infrared scan done before purchasing a home because even new houses can have defects in their thermal envelopes.

Thermal Imaging of a ceiling reveals an area with no insulation.
What types of problems can Thermal Imaging reveal?
Thermal Imaging can find several different types of hidden problems, including:
Why do I need Thermal Imaging
Thermal Imaging takes your home inspection to the next level! While a good home inspector can detect a wide variety of problems without "seeing inside the walls", a standard home inspection has limitations because it's a visual inspection. Thermal Imaging is an inexpensive, non-invasive and non-destructive method of finding hidden problems that would otherwise go undetected. Often times Thermal Imaging can find a problem in its early stages before there are visible symptoms, making it easier and less expensive to repair. Much like a medical x-ray can help a doctor to diagnose a problem inside your body without doing exploratory surgery, Thermal Imaging is a quick and painless way to find certain types of problems that can be hidden within your home’s walls, floors and ceilings. But even Thermal Imaging has limitations, and it takes much more than a special IR camera to "see through walls". Just like it takes a trained Radiologist to properly interpret your medical x-ray, it takes a trained Thermographer to properly interpret your Thermal Imaging scan. Rest assured that when you order Thermal Imaging from Solid City Home Inspections, your Inspector is also a trained and experienced .
The U.S. Dept. of Energy recommends having an infrared scan done before purchasing a home because even new houses can have defects in their thermal envelopes.
Thermal Imaging of a ceiling reveals an area with no insulation.
Thermal Imaging can find several different types of hidden problems, including:
- Plumbing leaks, moisture intrusion and water damage
- Missing insulation and energy loss
- Heating, cooling and ventilation problems (HVAC), including ductwork leaks
- Roof leaks, structural issues and foundation cracks
- Faulty wiring, breakers and fuses
- Pests such as termites, rats and mice
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Common Reasons for a Fallout with the Buyer and How to Avoid It!
It has happened many times before and may continue to happen, but why should you be the one who suffers? Even on closing day, a buyer may suddenly pull out from the deal. From the moment a buyer puts in an offer, the seller has to handle the whole situation tactfully lest he loses the buyer. More importantly the seller should not have to suffer the consequences of a buyer who withdraws last minute. There can be several reasons why a buyer and seller may fallout. But some of the most common ones are explained along with the remedies for them.
Rushing through a process may not be a good idea. If either the buyer or seller pushes the other person, you may put someone under pressure. Home buying and selling are major decisions; just because you are in a hurry it does not mean that the other person has to feel the same. Rushing through and skipping over details may come back to bite you later. Pay attention to the necessary details and move at a decent pace.
Some owners do not detach themselves emotionally from their homes. This can lead to problems if the buyer makes a critical remark about some aspect of the home. If the seller loses his cool, it may result in drama and jeopardize a good deal. So remember to keep your emotions in check.
Some buyers may be waiting for their home to sell before closing in on this offer. If the home does not sell on time, you may be required to wait unnecessarily. You should not wait for this to happen unless the other home is already in escrow. But you will have to put in a contingency clause in your agreement regarding this.
During negotiation, a lot of issues may be brought up. One is related to the contents of a home to be sold. When debating the purchase price, the buyer may bargain for some extra items or insist on a lower price. Make sure that if you do not want to sell some items, you either take these items out before showing a home or you make it very clear in the beginning about the items which are for sale. Having your dearest items on display will just give the buyer a chance to pick on them during negotiation.
Financing can be a major reason for the failure of a deal. The reasons could be many: the buyer cannot actually afford the home, or the lender may not approve the loan, or even if he does the buyer may not stick to the conditions of the approval letter which may result in the lender pulling out etc. For your protection, ask to see a pre-approval letter from a lender early in the process. Your sales agreement should also include a clause stating that financing should be obtained within a certain date or you are allowed to pull out from the deal.
If an inspection does not get an all clear, the buyer or seller may choose a course of action decided in their agreement. But sometimes it may not be all black and white, and both parties may disagree on some point. For instance if there is a major defect which was not anticipated, the buyer may choose to back out of the deal. Again a clause regarding inspections should be clearly stated in the agreement. The survey of land may indicate some defects or encroachment on the property. This may also be a reason for the buyer to pull out if the flaw cannot be easily fixed.
There are probably several other reasons why a buyer and seller may fallout. It is recommended that the whole process is handled carefully and ethically. You should move with caution when accepting an offer and make sure that you see potential in it. Ensure that your home is in good condition and all defects are fixed or at least disclosed early. This may prevent the buyer from pulling out last minute. Most importantly, make sure the agreement includes clauses about inspection, financing, moving out (may be you need a few extra days), etc. Once you accept an offer, you have to move cautiously to avoid a fallout which may damage the deal.
http://www.mylongislandhomeinspection.com/
http://www.longislandhomeinspection.net/
Rushing through a process may not be a good idea. If either the buyer or seller pushes the other person, you may put someone under pressure. Home buying and selling are major decisions; just because you are in a hurry it does not mean that the other person has to feel the same. Rushing through and skipping over details may come back to bite you later. Pay attention to the necessary details and move at a decent pace.
Some owners do not detach themselves emotionally from their homes. This can lead to problems if the buyer makes a critical remark about some aspect of the home. If the seller loses his cool, it may result in drama and jeopardize a good deal. So remember to keep your emotions in check.
Some buyers may be waiting for their home to sell before closing in on this offer. If the home does not sell on time, you may be required to wait unnecessarily. You should not wait for this to happen unless the other home is already in escrow. But you will have to put in a contingency clause in your agreement regarding this.
During negotiation, a lot of issues may be brought up. One is related to the contents of a home to be sold. When debating the purchase price, the buyer may bargain for some extra items or insist on a lower price. Make sure that if you do not want to sell some items, you either take these items out before showing a home or you make it very clear in the beginning about the items which are for sale. Having your dearest items on display will just give the buyer a chance to pick on them during negotiation.
Financing can be a major reason for the failure of a deal. The reasons could be many: the buyer cannot actually afford the home, or the lender may not approve the loan, or even if he does the buyer may not stick to the conditions of the approval letter which may result in the lender pulling out etc. For your protection, ask to see a pre-approval letter from a lender early in the process. Your sales agreement should also include a clause stating that financing should be obtained within a certain date or you are allowed to pull out from the deal.
If an inspection does not get an all clear, the buyer or seller may choose a course of action decided in their agreement. But sometimes it may not be all black and white, and both parties may disagree on some point. For instance if there is a major defect which was not anticipated, the buyer may choose to back out of the deal. Again a clause regarding inspections should be clearly stated in the agreement. The survey of land may indicate some defects or encroachment on the property. This may also be a reason for the buyer to pull out if the flaw cannot be easily fixed.
There are probably several other reasons why a buyer and seller may fallout. It is recommended that the whole process is handled carefully and ethically. You should move with caution when accepting an offer and make sure that you see potential in it. Ensure that your home is in good condition and all defects are fixed or at least disclosed early. This may prevent the buyer from pulling out last minute. Most importantly, make sure the agreement includes clauses about inspection, financing, moving out (may be you need a few extra days), etc. Once you accept an offer, you have to move cautiously to avoid a fallout which may damage the deal.
http://www.mylongislandhomeinspection.com/
http://www.longislandhomeinspection.net/
Labels:
Long Island Home Inspection,
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Nassau County Home Inspection,
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Sunday, February 5, 2012
Sellers Should Inspect their Homes like Professionals Before Putting it up for Sale
Generally the buyer has a right to get an inspection on a property before purchasing it. The sales contract may specify details of the condition of the various aspects of the property. If the results of a home inspection report are unfavorable, the necessary repairs may need to be taken care of by the seller. Or the buyer may agree to do the same but offer a lower price. The solution may vary and depend on the contract.
The seller should make the necessary repairs ahead of time so problems which may delay a transaction can be avoided. The seller can either get a home inspection done or choose to closely scrutinize his own property. But make sure to be brutal and objective while examining your property.
A home inspector will examine the foundation and structure, electrical, plumbing, cooling and heating systems, roofs, chimneys etc. So go through each of these and check to see what repairs are required. Examine your home for mildew and mold, look at damp walls or ceilings and get them fixed. The electrical panel and circuit breaker configuration will be examined to check if it is sufficient for the home’s requirements. Make sure all your lights and air conditioning/ heating system are working properly and filters are in decent shape.
Your oven, disposal, dishwasher, burners should all work properly. All taps, faucets and showers should be in good condition. Open all simultaneously to check the pressure in each. Your septic system should work properly and there should be no drainage problems. Fireplace and chimney should be clean and functioning well.
Your roof is going to be carefully examined so make sure that it does not leak, there are no damaged shingles, etc. Clean gutters; ensure that downspouts have diverters under them, drainage downspouts should point away from the house; trim trees or branches which may touch the roof.
Pay attention to your garage and attic. Clean them out as the inspector is going to visit these places and poke around. See if the lights and garage door are working. Check for damage by water, rodents, insects, etc. In some states, specific checks regarding radon gas, termite infestation etc. need to be conducted and the results revealed to the buyer.
Ask a friend to come home and point out flaws that you may not be able to objectively see. If you detect any problems get them fixed unless you are prepared to settle for a lower purchase price. If your home is in very poor condition, then you may consider selling your home “as is” but settle for a comparatively low price.
Before the home inspection, carefully check your home and keep it clean. The home inspector is going to look for problems and may even find some. You probably missed a few things or he just picked on minor details. The point is to not get flustered; prepare yourself ahead by making the necessary repairs. All other minor details can be dealt with later and may not even affect the sale.
The seller should make the necessary repairs ahead of time so problems which may delay a transaction can be avoided. The seller can either get a home inspection done or choose to closely scrutinize his own property. But make sure to be brutal and objective while examining your property.
A home inspector will examine the foundation and structure, electrical, plumbing, cooling and heating systems, roofs, chimneys etc. So go through each of these and check to see what repairs are required. Examine your home for mildew and mold, look at damp walls or ceilings and get them fixed. The electrical panel and circuit breaker configuration will be examined to check if it is sufficient for the home’s requirements. Make sure all your lights and air conditioning/ heating system are working properly and filters are in decent shape.
Your oven, disposal, dishwasher, burners should all work properly. All taps, faucets and showers should be in good condition. Open all simultaneously to check the pressure in each. Your septic system should work properly and there should be no drainage problems. Fireplace and chimney should be clean and functioning well.
Your roof is going to be carefully examined so make sure that it does not leak, there are no damaged shingles, etc. Clean gutters; ensure that downspouts have diverters under them, drainage downspouts should point away from the house; trim trees or branches which may touch the roof.
Pay attention to your garage and attic. Clean them out as the inspector is going to visit these places and poke around. See if the lights and garage door are working. Check for damage by water, rodents, insects, etc. In some states, specific checks regarding radon gas, termite infestation etc. need to be conducted and the results revealed to the buyer.
Ask a friend to come home and point out flaws that you may not be able to objectively see. If you detect any problems get them fixed unless you are prepared to settle for a lower purchase price. If your home is in very poor condition, then you may consider selling your home “as is” but settle for a comparatively low price.
Before the home inspection, carefully check your home and keep it clean. The home inspector is going to look for problems and may even find some. You probably missed a few things or he just picked on minor details. The point is to not get flustered; prepare yourself ahead by making the necessary repairs. All other minor details can be dealt with later and may not even affect the sale.
Labels:
Long Island Home Inspection,
Long Island Home inspector,
Queens,
termite inspection,
Thermal Imaging
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Disclosing Defects is Every Seller’s Responsibility
Sellers have the responsibility of disclosing any defects in the property to the buyer. The seller should disclose defects which could affect the value of the property as well as the living conditions. The defects may relate to insulation, structure, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, fixtures, etc. No defect is too small to be kept away from the buyer.
It is understandable that most sellers feel that disclosing defects may result in a lower price, so why should they subject themselves to this? Firstly, because it is unethical and unfair to those buying your home. If this is not a good enough reason, consider the damage you will suffer if the buyer decides to sue you later.
Some states require sellers to fill in a disclosure form which has to be handed over to the buyer. If the seller does not present this form, the buyer can easily withdraw his offer and get a complete refund of his earnest money deposit. Laws have becomes stringent over the years to protect consumers, in this case the buyers. Some items have to be specifically disclosed and vary from state to state. Federal law requires disclosure related to lead content.
Even if there are no strict laws applicable, one is not allowed to mislead the buyer. You may choose to hide a minor defect but leading the buyer to believe something which is false will surely get you into trouble. If you lie about a particular defect and the seller finds out later, you will be required to reimburse for repairs and perhaps suffer litigation.
Get an inspection done if you must but reveal the condition of the property truthfully. If it is possible you should consider fixing some of the major defects. Even if you are selling your home ‘as is’, it only means that you are not required to renovate or repair defects. You will still have to disclose the defects to the buyer.
Find out the legal obligations of the seller in your state to fulfill your duties completely. Although it is up to the seller to reveal all defects, it is suggested that one should do it. It will provide the buyer a clearer picture and save you from getting slapped with a lawsuit.
http://www.mylongislandhomeinspection.com/
http://www.longislandhomeinspection.net/
It is understandable that most sellers feel that disclosing defects may result in a lower price, so why should they subject themselves to this? Firstly, because it is unethical and unfair to those buying your home. If this is not a good enough reason, consider the damage you will suffer if the buyer decides to sue you later.
Some states require sellers to fill in a disclosure form which has to be handed over to the buyer. If the seller does not present this form, the buyer can easily withdraw his offer and get a complete refund of his earnest money deposit. Laws have becomes stringent over the years to protect consumers, in this case the buyers. Some items have to be specifically disclosed and vary from state to state. Federal law requires disclosure related to lead content.
Even if there are no strict laws applicable, one is not allowed to mislead the buyer. You may choose to hide a minor defect but leading the buyer to believe something which is false will surely get you into trouble. If you lie about a particular defect and the seller finds out later, you will be required to reimburse for repairs and perhaps suffer litigation.
Get an inspection done if you must but reveal the condition of the property truthfully. If it is possible you should consider fixing some of the major defects. Even if you are selling your home ‘as is’, it only means that you are not required to renovate or repair defects. You will still have to disclose the defects to the buyer.
Find out the legal obligations of the seller in your state to fulfill your duties completely. Although it is up to the seller to reveal all defects, it is suggested that one should do it. It will provide the buyer a clearer picture and save you from getting slapped with a lawsuit.
http://www.mylongislandhomeinspection.com/
http://www.longislandhomeinspection.net/
Labels:
Brooklyn,
Long Island Home Inspection,
Long Island Home inspector,
Queens,
termite inspection,
Thermal Imaging
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