Regardless of whether you are renting a home or apartment, or seeking to purchase a new home, you should make sure to write down, and if applicable, photograph all areas that were already damaged or might need repair. Additionally, any requests for repairs to be done should be put down in writing, in which both you and the recipient should retain copies.
Following these steps creates a chain of accountability in which you free yourself from any liability regarding damages in rental properties that already existed prior to you moving in. Additionally, documented proof of requests for repairs that have either been ignored or neglected by the property manager ensures that you have the required proof you need to escape liability should the property manager then try to bill you for the damages after you leave the property.
When dealing with damages in a home you intend, requests for repair are usually handled during the contract negotiations, but it is always wise to obtain a copy of the home inspection report as further proof of any damages or potential problems in the home.
In co-ops, townhomes and condos, things may be a little different. Typically, the property management company is only responsible for repairs related to the structure and the outside of the property. Any repairs within your unit are usually your responsibility. However, by having a home inspection done prior to moving in, you can hold the previous owner liable for any repairs that need to be performed.
Quite often, a person interested in buying a home will have a friend or family member who is a contractor, and is willing to inspect the home for a minimal or no fee. If you are the seller of a home, this won’t affect you negatively, but if you are the buyer, you are doing yourself a grave disservice.Contractors and home inspectors in NY are two different animals; many home inspectors do in fact begin their careers in the building trade, but contractors are mainly experienced in construction. Contractors may possess some knowledge or experience with certain aspects of building defects, damage, and deterioration, but they are far from being experts, and they are certainly not a licensed home inspector. A licensed home inspector is the only individual who is qualified to perform home inspections in NY, and in many other states.A contractor may be able to conduct a proficient walkthrough inspection of a home, but a licensed home inspector has been specially trained to look for things that will not be revealed by a mere walkthrough. A thorough home inspection by a licensed home inspector in NY is very comprehensive, and an official inspection report is provided to the buyer and the seller afterwards.Some of the steps a professional home inspector would take during a home inspection that a contractor probably would not: examines and tests electrical outlets, operates and evaluates the plumbing, inspects breaker panels, crawls through attic space and crawlspaces, inspects all major appliances, climbs onto the roof, crawls beneath the foundation if possible, inspects the surrounding landscape, checks smoke alarms, heating and cooling equipment, and much, much more.But the worst disadvantage of using a contractor in place of a home inspector may occur after the sale is completed. If any defects are found in the home afterwards, and the sellers recommended that a licensed home inspector should be hired but you failed to heed their advice, you will have little recourse to reclaim any funds to make the necessary repairs. However, if, as a seller, you choose to allow a contractor to perform an inspection and fail to disclose any defects or damage, you might also be held liable afterwards.
When looking to purchase a home, you cannot rely upon the honesty of the sellers or their agent to reveal any possible defects or potential problems with the home. While not everyone will stoop to attempting to hide or conceal problems with the home from a buyer, there are plenty who will go out of their way to lead you into believing that not only is everything fine with the home, but that you don’t even need a home inspector. This is usually a red flag, and may signal a potential problem that would be quite costly to fix.
On the flipside, you may have had experience with a home inspector that seems to note every little detail about the home, such as what may appear to be a rather small and ordinary crack. While a crack might not be enough to dissuade a buyer from purchasing a home, sellers tend to grimace when such things are noted, since you never know how nitpicky a buyer might be.
But a professional, licensed home inspector in New York will attempt to note every potential problem in a home, no matter haw small and nitpicky they may seem. This is for the mutual benefit of both the buyer and the seller. Additionally, if something is not noted in an inspector’s report that later becomes a problem, a lawsuit could be filed against the home inspector. Noting potential problems before a sale also protects the sellers from future lawsuits as well.
It must be understood that while a crack in a wall or a stain on the floor or ceiling may very well be nothing indicative of future problems, or proof of a problem that existed in the past but has since been fixed, there is sometimes no way for the home inspector to be certain of the cause. But if there had been adequate repair work done previously, then it should also be noted, allowing the buyers to follow-up and receive confirmation.
Many individuals already have a home inspector in mind when they enter the process of buying a home: their dad. It’s no secret that dads love to play at being a home inspector; they feel useful, they get to their off their handyman knowledge, and they get to walk around the home tapping on walls and peering into very nook and cranny with their eyes narrowed suspiciously. But unless your dad is actually a licensed home inspector, he shouldn’t be playing at one.
There’s no denying that some dads may possess a wealth of knowledge about electrical wiring, plumbing, construction, or maybe even all three. But licensed home inspectors in NY possess extensive knowledge of all trades involved in the building and construction of a house, and are specially trained to look for potential problems that others, even your dad, just won’t see.
Even a newly constructed home is bound to have a defect or two. In order to be certain that everything has been inspected thoroughly, it is best to rely upon a professionally licensed home inspector in NY. But don’t worry, you don’t have to leave your dad out of the process; allow him to be present when the home inspection is being performed. He’s bound to want to add in his two cents, and the home inspector shouldn’t mind too much!
It is beneficial to any home buyer or home seller to properly research home inspection and home inspectors, and to know what to expect from a reputable, licensed home inspector in NY. It is also the responsibility of an experienced real estate agent to understand some of the more important aspects of home inspection, so that they can at least guide and inform their clients properly.
There are plenty of excellent real estate agents out there who can and will do anything for you, and are very knowledgeable about all aspects involved in buying or selling a home. But there are a few baddies too, and when you put one of them together with a home inspector that is inexperienced, unlicensed, unprofessional, or even all three, then you have the beginning of a very large headache.
A realtor can arrange to have a home inspection done for you, and often has knowledge of reputable, licensed home inspectors in NY. As a real estate agent, remember, it is in your best interest to ensure that a home inspection is done properly and performed by a licensed professional.
If you feel that the home inspector you initially decided to use might not be the best, for whatever reason, then you should have no qualms about choosing another. And always, ALWAYS make sure that you receive a copy of the inspection report, and provide a copy to your client as well. If for some reason you are unable to retain a report from the inspector, then you must arrange for another home inspection by a different home inspector. You should never allow a house to close without the inspection report in hand.
You should also be sure to include your client in the inspection process if possible; if they reside in the area, then you should have them come to the home inspection so that they can hear the inspectors concerns firsthand.
If you allow a sale to close without ever having received a report, or if you have arranged for an unlicensed home inspector to perform the inspection, then you might be found liable for the cost of any repairs that need to be made after the closing is potential problems are found in the home.
Sometimes, for a variety of reason, a buyer is unable to have a home inspection performed on a home before finalizing the purchase. It is highly recommended that as a buyer, you make every effort to have a licensed home inspector perform an inspection before the closing, but if you are unable to do so, there are still benefits to having it an inspection done afterwards.Regardless of how honest the sellers and their realtor might seem, you should never simply take them at their word that an inspection has already been performed and no potential problems have been found. It is an extremely rare, in fact nearly impossible, to find a home that has not one single problem.
Any agent who claims otherwise is usually dishonest, ignorant, or both, and the statement should raise a red flag immediately in the buyer’s mind.If the sellers or the seller’s agent do claim to have had a home inspection done previously, then ask to be provided with a copy of the report. Additionally, any reputable agent will always recommend that you hire your own agent.If you have a home inspection performed shortly after the sale and potential problems are discovered, it is not to late to negotiate with the seller for the cost of the repairs.
Several factors may come into play, such as the terms of the contract, and the seller’s inspection report, if in fact one was provided, and of course whether either home inspector was licensed. Discuss your options with your agent and the sellers, and your real estate attorney if necessary.
Sometimes, a realtor might suggest contacting a licensed home inspector to conduct a home inspection of your property before listing it for sale. While it is understandable that as a seller, you might want to avoid having to incur the additional costs of both an inspection and for any potential problems the inspector might find, there are certain benefits to doing this.
For one thing, your home may possess problems you have been previously unaware of. Having your own home inspector discover these problems early allows you to repair them on your own terms, without having to renegotiate a sale price or a cost for repairs with a buyer who later conducts their own home inspection.
Additionally, you will be able to establish an as-is sale basis in the contract by being able to competently disclose any known defects in the initial stages of the transaction.Hiring a professional, licensed home inspector is a key factor. You want to ensure that your own home inspection discovers any and all potential problems, so that you are not surprised when the buyer’s home inspector also states that there are defects (assuming they have not already been previously repaired).
A termite infestation can wreak havoc on a home, and all too often, the damage is done before the homeowner has any indication that termites are present. But if you suspect for any reason that you might have a termite infestation, there are five common signs of termites in your home that you can look for to prove your suspicions correct.
Wood damage of a particular is a sure sign that termites may be present. However, more than a cursory inspection may be necessary, as termites devour wood from the inside out, leaving behind nothing but a bit of wood grain. Wood that has been fed upon by termites may sound hollow when tapped, and might even break if the damage is extensive.
Another sign of termites will be the long tubes of mud built along the ground leading to your home from their nest. The termites build these tubes in order to remain protected when traveling, and to help them retain moisture. These tubes are easy to spot if they run across concrete perhaps, but more difficult to detect if they are built along the side of a foundation, or behind siding.
One of the earlier signs of a termite infestation is a termite swarm. This can take place both inside or outside of a home, but usually last for only a brief amount of time, and often when homeowners are not present to see it. The termite swarm occurs when a group of termites, numbering anywhere from hundreds to thousands, leaves their colony to begin a new one elsewhere.
Another sign of termites results from the termite swarm. After the swarm, when termites disappear into the interior of a home, they shed their wings. These discarded wings can be found in various areas around the foundation of the home, such as windowsills or along the floor.
A fifth sign of termites is termite droppings, also known as frass. These usually appear in small piles beneath pieces of termite infested wood.
Safe Harbor Inspection, Long Island’s premier home inspection service company will guarantee your termite inspection. Contact Safe Harbor Inspections for complete details.
With the recent heavy rains drenching Long Island and surrounding areas, many homeowners discovered that their roofs leaked. Roof repairs can sometimes be costly, especially when a new roof is needed. If you’re looking to purchase a new home, you want to be sure the home inspector you hire examines the roof thoroughly to ensure that there are no potential problems that may catch you by surprise after purchasing a home.
Sometimes the signs of a leak may be rather obvious to spot, but a licensed home inspector can spot a variety of warning signs that may signal the beginning of a problem that could soon worsen if left untreated.
More often than not, a home inspector may simply tell you that the home needs a new roof without explaining exactly why. If this happens, do not be afraid to ask questions in order to gain a better understanding of what the warning signs or problems are.
Typical problems may range from simple wear and tear to extensive water damage. Some problems may also stem from improper installation. Older homes will usually need some type of repair or maintenance.
Ceiling stains are a classic sign of a leaky roof; however, it can be hard to determine if the stains are the result of an old leak or if the leak is still active. Additionally, there is the possibility that the stains were actually caused by leaky pipes.
Sagging ceilings can also indicate water intrusion, or the result of condensation buildup due to poor ventilation. Water intrusion can be quite common around specific areas, such as chimneys or skylights. Sometimes a simple patch might be all that is required, but if the leak has been occurring over a long period of time, then extensive water damage might also be present.
For more information about home inspection, visit Safe Harbor Inspections, Inc., an owner operated company dedicated solely to providing the best home inspections service on Long Island, New York.
The answer is a definitive yes. While it was always recommended that you retain the services of a licensed home inspector in New York, it was not mandatory for home inspectors in NY to be licensed until December 31, 2005. At that time, the real property law was amended to specify that any person engaged in performing inspections of residential buildings in return for compensation must be licensed.
When choosing a home inspector, you should always ensure that they are indeed licensed. An individual claiming to be a home inspector that is unlicensed may not possess the experience, knowledge, and specialized training that a licensed home inspector does.
A professional, licensed home inspector has undergone extensive training regarding a multitude of disciplines related to home inspection. Even someone familiar with construction will not have the necessary training to look for and spot potential problems in a home. Licensed home inspectors in NY utilized special equipment and carefully and thoroughly examine key aspects of a home, and follow a strict code of ethics in order to remain impartial and trustworthy.
Qualified home inspectors in NY are also certified by reputable Home Inspection associations such as ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors). ASHI members must pass a very difficult test, adhere to demanding standards, and continue their education.
At Safe Harbor Inspections, Inc. all home inspectors are licensed by the State of New York and are members of, and certified by several associations and institutions. As a full service home inspection company serving Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens and NY, we are dedicated to providing the best home inspections service, focusing on high quality residential inspections and state-of-the-art photographic reports.
