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| Home Inspection
Services throughout Cook, Will and DuPage Counties.
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| Buyers
Pre-Purchase Inspection |
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Let us examine the condition of that new home or condo you are planning
to buy. Are there any hidden problems or expenses that may spring
up, when you least expect it?? WE CAN HELP YOU.
Buying a home can be a stressful process? A home inspection is suppose
to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. You
will be asked to absorb a lot of information and make important
decisions in a short time. This often includes a written report,
checklist, photographs, environmental reports, and what the inspector
himself says during the inspection. All of this combined with the
seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience
even more overwhelming. What should you do? Relax.
Most of your inspection report will be maintenance recommendations,
life expectancies and minor imperfections.
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These
are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will
fall into the below four categories: |
- Major
defects: Example of this would be a structural failure.
- Things
that can lead to major defects:
Example:
small roof-flashing leak.
- Safety
Hazards: Example--exposed
live buss bar at the electric service panel.
- Things
that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy
or insure the home.
Most
often serious problems can be corrected inexpensively to protect
both property and life.
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Most sellers are honest, and are often surprised to learn of defects
uncovered during an inspection. Please, realize that sellers are
under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report,
but most of the time such items can be addressed by a selling price
adjustment or a give-back at the closing. Your lawyer will be the
best judge of what, if any action should be taken and will negotiate
the best deal for you.
Remember, no home is perfect. Keep everything in
perspective. Don't kill your deal over things that really don't
matter. On the other hand, it is always wise to be aware of as much
as you can before you find yourself legally
(and financially) committed. It is inappropriate to demand that
the seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed
on the seller's disclosure or nit-picky items.
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Sellers Pre-Listing Inspection
We will
provide homeowners who have decided to sell their homes with a thorough
inspection, which will inform them of pre-existing conditions and
safety issues of their property. This is a valuable
inspection, which will not only inform you of problems and safety
issues but will help you facilitate repairs, which would otherwise
be found by the buyers home inspector. (This inspection
will minimize both costly repairs and potential time delays.)
Buyers of homes that have not had a pre-sale inspection often are
able to renegotiate the selling price based upon the findings of
their home inspector.
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It
allows you to evaluate your house through the eyes of an objective
third party.
It
helps you set the price your home realistically and gives you the
ability to maximize the sale.
It permits you
to make some, or all, of the needed repairs ahead of time so that
defects won't become negotiating stumbling
blocks later .
It
avoids delays in obtaining financing, insurance and Use and Occupancy
permits.
You
will have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the
repairs yourself, if qualified, without of
having to scramble to meet a purchase contract imposed time frame.
It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection
contingency.
It may alert you of items of immediate personal concern, such as asbestos,
radon gas or active termite infestation.
It will relieve the prospective buyer's concerns
and suspicions.
It reduces your liability by adding professional supporting documentation
to your disclosure statement.
Alerting you to immediate safety
issues before agents and visitors tour your home.
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A
copy of the inspection report, as well as the receipts for any repairs,
should be made available to potential buyers. Pre-planning and proactive
repairs usually pay for themselves many times over, not only financially,
but also in peace of mind and stress reduction at a time when more
stress is the last thing you need.
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New Construction Inspection
We
currently offer the following Six Step construction
phase inspections:
1. Inspection of footings and foundation (including
pictures)
2. Rough framing inspection (including pictures)
3. Rough plumbing inspection (including pictures)
4. Rough electrical inspection (including pictures)
5. A pre-drywall inspection with client and
building representative (including pictures)
6. A Final walk through with client and building
representative including pictures and
testing of all the electrical outlets and new equipment
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Builder's Warranty Inspections
Call
our office 10 to 11 months after
you have been in your new home. We will prepare a list of outstanding
deficiencies for you to review and handle with your builder prior
to your warranty expiration.
Kollias
Property Inspections,
Inc.
notes any deficiencies, which are transcribed
and presented to you by the next business day. Deficiency reports
can be e-mailed or faxed to you and the builder, if you prefer.
We will re-inspect the home to ensure deficiencies have been corrected.
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Kollias Property Inspections, Inc.
recommends that you receive a Home Maintenance Inspection every
two years after you have closed on your
property. For about the cost of a basic automotive tune-up, a Home
Maintenance Inspection can help identify problems and damage in
your home before they become an expensive or irreversible threat
to your fiscal and physical well-being.
Much like a buyer-seller inspection, a Home Maintenance inspection
is a visual examination of your home's systems, mechanicals and
structure. Everything from the roof to the basement is inspected
to ensure that they are in proper working order. Any defects or
damage will be noted in our Home Inspection Damage Report.
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Keep
in mind that a Home Maintenance Inspection does not prevent further
damage to your property, but it can help you to identify and correct
existing damage that you may not know about. Our Home Maintenance
Inspections are not an appraisal inspection and cannot help you
to determine the value of your property (but it can help you maintain
its value). A Home Maintenance Inspection is not a code inspection
and does not provide you with a pass or fail score. You simply cannot
fail.
Finally: A Home Maintenance Inspection is not a
guarantee or warranty or prediction of future performance but can
pinpoint existing problem areas for you to act upon.
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Partial System Inspections
If
you would just like a section of your home checked, we do that too!
We will come out just to check your roof, HVAC, plumbing system, electrical
etc. Call for individual/multiple system pricing.
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| Renters Inspection
This
is an abbreviated inspection covering only the physical appearance
of the apartment and condition of all major appliances. You will
be given a report stating the condition of the apartment including
all windows, doors, walls, floors ceilings and fixtures. This report
is recommended to avoid potential disagreements between landlord
and tenant upon moving in or moving out of an apartment.
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Rehab / Remodeling Consultation |
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Not sure on how to go about that kitchen or bathroom rehab? Consult
with a professional who knows how it should be done. Get the best
return for your dollars. Understand what various contractors are offering.
Learn about the latest remodeling options that are available.
A Licensed and Certified Home Inspector can help. We have
extensive training and experience in how to do things right and how
to avoid the most common pitfalls:
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This
inspection is for investors who are considering a property but not
yet in escrow. I will visit the property with the investor/client
and point out any major and potential problems. You make your own
notes, no tools used, no written report is provided on this type
of inspection, similar to a consultation.
Simply
put --- Fee paid, I talk, you listen, you write, we go on our merry
way.
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Sometimes,
with all the costs involved with buying a new home, cash is tight.
You know you should get a home inspection, but can't afford to get
a full inspection.
What is the answer? A "4" point inspection.
• What is a Four Point Home Inspection ?
Insurance
companies have been trying to encourage home owners to make their
homes safe and reduce insurance claims. Many of the insurance companies
and the JUA (Joint Underwriters Association) now request Four Point
Inspections, which often include, but is not limited to:
1. Roof
Inspections
2. Electrical
Inspections
3. HVAC
(Heat & Air Conditioning) Inspection
4. Plumbing
Inspections |
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a 4 point inspection, 4 of the major systems are inspected. These
are the systems that are usually of the most concern and the most
to repair. This inspection allows for the majority of the house's
major systems to be checked and reported on, and the inspection
costs a little less than a full inspection.
Some insurance companies today require a 4 point inspection before
they will issue you an insurance policy.
A 4 point inspection is an inexpensive alternative to a full home
inspection and a good compromise to having any home inspection at
all. 4 point inspections are also available for home seller's who
want to know what a buyer's home inspector might find.
Can't afford a full inspection. Try a 4 point inspection!
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| Mold Testing
Did
you know that the Federal Housing Administration requires both mold
and Radon testing of houses or a signed waiver by the buyer that
they agree to accept all liability if the house has mold and/or
Radon problems? Why not know before you buy?
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Continuing Free Phone Consultation
Each
inspection includes free phone consultation about any issue of your
home, for as long as you own your home. Want to get some different
ideas on what type of roof to use, how to maintain that sump pump
or what are the new materials and options for remodeling that bathroom
or kitchen? An expert is just a phone call away! For free.
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Commercial Inspections available upon request:
We follow the "ASTM" Standards
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Home
Inspections in: Chicago,
Orland Park, Tinley Park, Orland Hills, Palos Heights, Palos Hills,
Palos Park, Mokena, New Lenox, Lockport, Frankfort, Lemont, Homer
Glen, Lombard, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Crest Hill, Oak Lawn, Evergreen
Pk, Oak Forest, Worth, Alsip, Plainfield, Hinsdale, Minooka, Crestwood,
Hickory Hills, Chicago Ridge, Matteson, Homewood, Flossmoor, Midlothian,
Bridgeview, Burbank, Richton Pk, Willowbrook, Willow Springs, Sauk
Village, Countryside, Olympia Fields, Steger, Elwood, Joliet, Downers
Grove, Naperville, Lisle, Burr Ridge, Hillside, Shorewood, Western
Springs, Aurora, Glen Ellyn, Woodridge, Westmont, Clarendon Hills,
Minooka to
name a few.
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(708)
349-4562
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