Home inspection checklist for New Yorkers

Living in New York could have you thinking about how homes there don’t need inspecting that often. It is a more typical case that a house in the suburbs would need to be checked occasionally. However, common household problems can arise anywhere, anytime. When that happens, you want to have a professional you can call who can quickly fix the issue without taking a small fortune out of your pocket. With that in mind, here is a compact home inspection checklist for New Yorkers. Use it to prepare yourself for potential issues and proactively find an affordable solution.

Plumbing issues

Among all the potential home problems, plumbing issues might be the most bothersome. A lot of things can go wrong, so if you are buying the place, be extra careful. Let’s see what common plumbing issues new homeowners face.

Wall problems because of the moisture

It often happens that moisture enters your home in various places, like the roof, windows, terrace, and so on. It can even penetrate your floor because of inadequate drainage.

Leaking pipes and faucets

Have you ever gone to bed only to hear the annoying dripping inside your bathroom or kitchen? A leaking faucet is the main culprit for many sleepless nights for many people.

Even worse is if you have a leaking pipe. The danger is that it can be anywhere inside the walls, and it can quickly become a huge issue not only for yourself but also for the building’s structural integrity. Here is where a residential plumbing expert can be of assistance.

Toilet leaking

One of the most common issues with toilets is a malfunctioning float located in the water tank. It is annoying but can be easily fixed or replaced by a professional.

Heating

The centrally-controlled heating system you can find in most older homes does not have a thermostat to lower the temperature. People often resort to other solutions, like shutting off the radiator and probably tightening the valve in the process.

Another reason why you need a professional to look at the heating devices is because of the potential issues with the water heater.

Add the heating system to your home inspection cheklist for New Yorkers.

Electric installations

Another issue with old buildings is the electrical wiring inside the walls. Unless a previous owner reworked it, it is most definitely one of the things that will need a proper checkup. It’s a serious safety hazard, and it can be even more dangerous if you find some DIY fixes not done by a professional.

However, new buildings can also have issues with electrical installations. Many of them have ground fault interrupter outlets (GFI) installed in regions where water can get in contact with electricity. If they don’t reset, that means there is a problem.

Check the windows

Cold winters can be a lot worse if your windows are not latching properly. Furthermore, double-hung windows also have the problem of not staying up when opened. That can be a serious hazard, especially if you have little children that could be injured this way.

The main thing for an inspector to check is the balance system. Newer models have a spiral, while the old ones have the chain and weight counter or string.

Flooring

Hardwood floors may have bumps or gaps that may present serious issues over time. Furthermore, all installations must be aligned with the industry standards; there should be no DIY setups.

It is also essential to check the floor near radiators. If there are patches on the floor, that could indicate a potential leaking issue. If the water leaking from the radiator damaged the floor, the previous owner probably fixed it by placing patches underneath.

Home appliances

A lot of new homes have high-end appliances and countertops installed in the kitchen and around the house. Sometimes it happens they are not anchored properly or are loose. When handling such expensive equipment, the person who installed it probably didn’t want to damage anything, so they didn’t tighten everything correctly.

Should you inspect common areas or not?

If you live in a large building, all of the common areas are maintained by the building manager. Access to the boiler room or the roof is usually not permitted to outside inspectors. If you are thinking about whether you should be worried or not, that depends on the building. There is no cause for suspicion unless you live in a small building with ten or fewer units.

Moving to NYC

After the inspection is done, you are one step closer to getting your new place in NYC. However, you can work on your relocation plans with Best Movers NYC even before you decide to move in order to avoid any possible delays.

Another reason why it should be smart to contact movers before you decide to relocate is to ask if they have any connections with a real estate agent that could show you some excellent homes in New York.

How to find a quality home inspector

A home inspection checklist for New Yorkers cannot be complete without finding a qualified inspector to do the checkup. Usually, a real estate agent can recommend a good one. However, in some cases, there could be a conflict of interest there.

With that in mind, ask your friends if they have a good recommendation. Furthermore, you can look for home inspectors online, check their past projects, and see if they appear reliable.

Tick off every item on this home inspection checklist for New Yorkers

Let’s do a quick summary of the most important elements that should be on any home inspection checklist for New Yorkers:

By checking all of these elements, you will make sure that the place you are getting is worth the money spent. With that in mind, take your time, and go through every item on this home inspection checklist for New Yorkers. Good luck in finding the place of your dreams!