Aztech staff are highly trained and experienced in real estate property transactions and environmental site assessments.  Aztech has developed programs and assessment products exclusively for real estate companies and financial institutions.  Aztech has also assisted many of these clients in developing their own in house environmental assessment policies.

Aztech’s professional staff have performed hundreds of site assessments at industrial, commercial and residential properties throughout New York and the East Coast.

Preliminary Transaction Screens

Preliminary Transaction Screens are an exclusive Aztech product specifically tailored to the needs of real estate companies and financial institutions.  A preliminary transaction screen  is an especially useful vetting tool for low risk properties for determining the level of environmental risk analysis necessary for a property transaction.  For more information about this unique service please contact us.

Transaction Screen Environmental Site Assessments

Aztech performs Transaction Screen Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for property pre‐purchase, refinance, and insurance purposes. A Transaction Screen ESA is a useful tool to preliminarily identify potential or existing environmental liabilities associated with previous or current land usage.  Transaction Screen ESAs are performed in accordance with ASTM E 1528‐06. However, Aztech’s Phase I ESA typically provides more information than is mandated by the ASTM standard, providing clients with more comprehensive level of risk assessment and environmental liability protection. Transaction Screen ESAs are always conducted by an Environmental Professional (EP) and include an onsite evaluation, a single source of historical research (e.g., Sanborn Maps, environmental/regulatory database review), a questionnaire for the current owner/occupant and EP, review of governmental databases and a final report. Turnaround on a Transaction Screen ESA is typically swift and they are less costly than Phase I ESAs. However, Transaction Screen ESAs are best used for properties that have a land usage history clear of potential or existing liabilities (i.e., low risk properties or small loans in the case of lenders) as they do not allow a lender or property owner to satisfy one of the requirements necessary to qualify for the innocent landowner defense, contiguous property owner defense, or the bona fide prospective purchaser limitations for liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

Aztech's Phase I Environmental Site Assessments are the industry standard to determine potential or existing environmental liabilities associated with previous and current land usage. Phase I ESAs are conducted in accordance with ASTM E 1527‐05 and the Environmental Protection Agency's All Appropriate Inquiry rule. When warranted, Aztech also performs Phase I ESAs according to ASTM E 2247‐02: Phase I ESA Process for Forestland or Rural Property, and ASTM E 2600‐08: Assessment for Vapor Intrusion into Structures on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions. However, Aztech’s Phase I ESA typically provides more information than is mandated by the ASTM standard, providing clients with more comprehensive level of risk assessment and environmental liability protection. Aztech's Phase I ESAs can be tailored and customized to each of our client's needs. Suspected asbestos containing material and lead based paint observations, a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation spills database search and regulatory compliance are all added value to our client. This assessment also includes historic research from multiple sources, Sanborn Maps, environmental / regulatory database review, historical aerial photographs, historical topographic maps, city directories, chain of title search, and information gathered from municipal offices. A Phase I ESA also provides a more in‐depth, on‐site investigation. A few of the things our professionals are trained to look for include: geologic / hydrogeologic conditions, sources of potable water / utilities, inactive and active above and underground storage tanks (ASTs and USTs, respectively), suspected hazardous substances or petroleum products, odors, liquids, drums or containers, suspected polychlorinated biphenyl‐containing (PCBs) materials, suspected asbestos containing materials, suspected lead based paint, petroleum storage, chemical storage, wells, and waste water discharge. Our professionals complete these assessments expeditiously and conform to all deadlines. A detailed report is provided to ensure that due diligence is completed prior to closing deadlines for each property.