FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about environmental screening for Michigan real estate — whether you\'re a buyer, seller, agent, lender, or investor.
About PropertySiteCheck
What is PropertySiteCheck?
PropertySiteCheck is an environmental screening platform that searches 22 federal, state, and regional databases for environmental risk indicators near any Michigan address. Enter an address, and within seconds you get a detailed report showing which databases flagged potential concerns and which came back clear — plus satellite facility maps, distances, regulatory status, and actionable recommendations. Think of it as Phase I ESA-level database intelligence at $99 instead of $3,000–$7,000.
Who is PropertySiteCheck for?
We built PropertySiteCheck for five core audiences: (1) Homebuyers and investors doing due diligence before purchasing property, (2) Lenders who need environmental context to underwrite loans and protect collateral value, (3) Real estate agents who want to build trust by offering clients fast, affordable environmental intelligence, (4) Sellers and landowners who want to understand what they're selling — especially for land splits or properties with unknown history, and (5) Commercial real estate professionals screening properties before committing to a full Phase I ESA.
How is this different from a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
A Phase I ESA is a formal investigation conducted by a licensed environmental professional under ASTM E1527-21 standards. It includes physical site visits, interviews, historical records review, and costs $3,000–$7,000 with a 3–6 week turnaround. PropertySiteCheck is a data-driven pre-screen — we search the same regulatory databases a Phase I assessor reviews and tell you what we find. We help you decide whether a full Phase I is warranted before you spend the money. For many residential transactions, our report provides the environmental clarity buyers need without the Phase I price tag.
Is PropertySiteCheck a substitute for a Phase I ESA?
No. Our reports are screening tools, not regulatory instruments. They are not admissible as evidence of environmental due diligence under CERCLA's innocent landowner defense. If you're acquiring commercial property with a lender involved, a licensed Phase I ESA may still be required. PropertySiteCheck helps you decide whether to order one — and gives you the intelligence to negotiate accordingly.
How much does a report cost?
$99 per address. That includes the full screening across all 22 databases, a professionally formatted PDF report with satellite facility maps, and delivery to your email within minutes. No subscriptions, no hidden fees.
For Homebuyers & Investors
Do I need a Phase I ESA before buying a house?
Most residential transactions don't require a Phase I ESA — those are typically mandated for commercial deals. But that doesn't mean environmental risk doesn't exist. Properties near leaking underground storage tanks, contamination sites, floodplains, or PFAS zones carry real risks that affect property value, insurance costs, and your family's health. A $99 PropertySiteCheck report gives you visibility into those risks before you close — without the $3,000+ Phase I price tag.
How do I check if there's environmental contamination near a property I'm buying?
Enter the address at propertysitecheck.com. We instantly screen 22 federal and state databases — including EPA Superfund, EGLE LUST sites, PFAS contamination zones, FEMA flood maps, and more — and tell you exactly what's near your property, how far away it is, and what it means. You'll know in under 60 seconds whether the property has environmental red flags.
What if my report shows flagged indicators?
A flagged indicator means our screening detected a regulated environmental feature within the ASTM search radius of your property. The report tells you exactly what was found — facility names, distances, regulatory status — and provides recommendations specific to each finding. Depending on the severity, you might choose to negotiate the purchase price, request seller remediation, order a full Phase I ESA, or simply proceed with the knowledge of what's nearby.
For Real Estate Agents
How can PropertySiteCheck help me as a real estate agent?
You can offer clients something no other agent in your market is providing — instant environmental intelligence on any property. Instead of your buyer discovering contamination issues after an inspection or title search, you surface it upfront. It builds trust, differentiates your service, and protects you from post-closing liability questions. At $99, it's cheaper than a home inspection and provides information most buyers have never seen.
Can I run reports for my clients?
Absolutely. Run a report for any Michigan address and share the PDF with your client. Many agents use PropertySiteCheck as part of their standard due diligence package — it takes 60 seconds and demonstrates a level of thoroughness that sets you apart.
For Lenders
How do lenders use PropertySiteCheck?
Lenders use our reports as a first-pass environmental screen during loan underwriting. Before committing to a full Phase I ESA on a commercial deal — or for residential loans where environmental risk isn't typically assessed — a $99 PropertySiteCheck report provides rapid visibility into whether the collateral property sits near contamination sites, floodplains, or other environmental liabilities that could affect value.
Do you offer bulk or API access?
Yes. We offer API access for lenders, title companies, property data platforms, and CRE software integrators who want to embed environmental screening into their existing workflows. Contact us at partners@propertysitecheck.com to discuss pricing and integration.
For Sellers & Landowners
Why would a seller run a PropertySiteCheck report?
Knowledge is leverage. If you're listing a property — especially land, a property you inherited, or one subject to a split — running a report before listing means no surprises during buyer due diligence. You'll know exactly what environmental databases show about your property and can price, disclose, or address issues proactively rather than scrambling after a buyer flags something.
Is this useful for land splits or vacant land?
Very much so. Vacant land and lot splits often have less known history than improved properties. Our report screens the same 22 databases regardless of whether there's a structure on the property — contamination sites, floodplains, wetlands, soil conditions, and nearby regulated facilities are all relevant whether you're selling a house or a raw parcel.
Environmental Signals Explained
What is a LUST site and why does it matter?
LUST stands for Leaking Underground Storage Tank. Michigan has approximately 25,000 documented LUST incidents statewide. Tanks that leak petroleum products — gasoline, diesel, heating oil — can contaminate soil and groundwater for decades. Properties near an open LUST site face elevated groundwater risk, particularly those relying on private wells. Our report identifies all LUST sites within 0.25 miles of your property.
What about PFAS contamination?
PFAS ("forever chemicals") are a major environmental concern in Michigan, with contamination sites tracked by EGLE's MPART program. These chemicals don't break down naturally and have been linked to serious health effects. Our report screens PFAS contamination zones within 0.50 miles of your property — critical information for anyone buying near industrial sites, military bases, or areas with known PFAS discharge.
What is a Superfund site?
Superfund sites (National Priorities List) are the most severely contaminated locations in the United States, designated by the EPA for long-term cleanup. Michigan has 66 active and proposed NPL sites. Proximity to a Superfund site can affect property values, financing, insurance, and create legal liability. Our report searches a 1.0-mile radius — the ASTM E1527-21 standard for NPL sites.
What flood data do you include?
We screen two independent FEMA datasets: the National Risk Index (NRI) for tract-level flood risk, and the National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) for FIRM floodplain zone classification. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (AE, A, or VE zones) are subject to mandatory flood insurance for federally-backed mortgages. Our report tells you the exact FEMA zone designation for your property.
What are the ASTM search radii?
Our property-level screening uses search radii from the ASTM E1527-21 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments — the same standard used by environmental professionals. Radii range from 0.25 miles for most databases up to 1.0 mile for high-impact sites like Superfund and RCRA Corrective Action facilities. See our methodology page for the full breakdown.
Data & Coverage
What states does PropertySiteCheck cover?
Michigan — all 3,017 census tracts across 83 counties. We're expanding to additional states in 2026. If you need coverage outside Michigan, contact us at support@propertysitecheck.com.
How current is the data?
It depends on the source. LUST, UST, and NRC spill data are updated monthly. RCRA, Part 201, brownfield, and PFAS data are updated quarterly. FEMA flood risk, wetlands, and environmental justice data are updated annually. Some sources (SSURGO soils, radon zones, terrain) are static classifications. Every report includes the data sources and their update frequency.
How many databases do you screen?
22 databases from 7 federal, state, and regional agencies: EPA, FEMA, EGLE (Michigan), NRC (Coast Guard), USDA, USFWS, and USGS. 15 are property-level proximity searches; 7 provide regional and census tract context. See our data sources page for the complete list with links to each originating agency.
Reports & Delivery
What do I get in a report?
A professionally formatted PDF report covering all 22 databases. For each flagged indicator, you get facility names, distances from your property, regulatory status, satellite facility maps, and specific recommendations. The report also includes regional context — flood zones, soil classification, wetland proximity, environmental justice data, and terrain analysis. Clear indicators are documented too, so you have a complete record.
How fast do I get my report?
Reports are generated within minutes of payment and delivered to your email. You'll also be able to view the report directly in your browser immediately after generation.
Can I see a sample before I buy?
Yes — visit our sample report page to view a complete report for a real Detroit address, including the full PDF.
What's your refund policy?
If your report fails to generate or contains a data error, contact support@propertysitecheck.com and we'll make it right — either a corrected report or a full refund. Because reports are generated instantly from live data, we don't offer refunds for reports that generated correctly.
Ready to screen a property?
22 databases. 60 seconds. $99. Know before you close.™