Take full advantage of inspections when you buy a home. This holds true even if it is not your first home. All contracts give the buyer(s) the right to inspect everything about the property they are buying. Even if you have already been a home owner, it is still well worth your time and money to have professionals do their inspections of the home in question.
Wood Destroying Pest Inspection
In San Diego county it is quite common to find termite damage in homes more than a few years old. Termite inspections tell you if there is any damage, what needs repairs and what can be done to prevent future damage. This inspection is usually paid for by the seller. The needed repairs, if any, will be listed in Section I of the report. Who pays for repairs will be negotiated once the extent is known. A buyer who is competing with many other buyers may want to offer to pay for repairs. The buyer can pay for all or specific repairs.
Home Inspection
Just as important, a home inspection will tell you what is in good condition, what will need your attention in the near future and what needs repair/replacing right away. Unlike the termite inspection, I recommend being there during the home inspection. A good inspector will welcome your questions and even offer suggestions as to what you need to do. The home inspection is paid for by the buyer. You should think of it as insurance against buying the wrong house. Even when repairs are not extensive, the inspector’s written report can be used to ask for health- or safety- related repairs.
Roof Inspection
Your home inspector may indicate the roof is nearing its end of useful life. Have a roofer take a look and give you a written report with a quote for the work needed. Roofs can be relatively cheap to very expensive depending on the shape of the roof and the material involved. A quote for the work needed will help you as you negotiate with the seller
Plumbing Inspection
While not always necessary, you can put your mind at ease if you are not seeing proper draining, or the home is very old, or the pipes are suspect. Again, get a written report, particularly if there is need for repairs.
Soils Inspection
For homes on a slope, you may want a soils engineer to tell you if there is any danger of the home moving. Again, the home inspector may suggest a soils inspection if the they have reason to believe the home is/has been moving.
Neighborhood Inspection
As you drive into the neighborhood, look around you to get a general feel for the area. Ask yourself:
- Is there a general sense of pride of ownership?
- Are there any or several homes that are neglected?
- What is it be like to live there?
- Is crime a factor?
Ask the neighbors, they will be happy to tell you. Even as you are getting the neighbors anecdotal history, keep in mind that not everyone is aware of everything in the area. Check out police crime statistics. Make sure the period of time gives you a real feel for the neighborhood. Do not settle for what happened in the last week. A word of caution: before you panic over what you find among the police records, run the same report on your current area. You will likely find that there is more going on in your neighborhood than you thought.
Buying a home is not daunting with the right professionals to help you through the process. Working together, we can navigate the inspections, reports, disclosures and negotiations to get you the right home. Call or text me at 760 622 5087 if you have any questions.
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