We have been seeing an increase in demand in the entry level market and the investor market all over San Diego, including everywhere from Downtown up to Carlsbad real estate. A large portion of the market activity is short sales and bank owned foreclosures. My biggest concern is that with the competition to acquire these properties, buyers are getting careless. They are overlooking the importance of one of the most important steps in the home buying process, the home inspection. There are a few things you should know when selecting a home inspector and getting a home inspection.
1) Ensure that the inspector only is a home inspector and it’s not his part time job. This may be the most important stage of the home buying process. This means they should be doing over 200 inspections a year.
2) They should have additional knowledge of homes that goes beyond inspections. Some of the best inspectors have had experience being general contractors, architects, plumbers, electricians. The additional knowledge of systems within a home may be what you need to spot something that could change your enthusiasm about the home.
3) The inspector should be certified by an accredited association, such as the California Real Estate Inspection Association. This usually requires the inspector to keep up with their education. There are new discoveries and finding on issues that may come up during an inspection.
4) It may be a good idea to ask the inspector for a list of clients that you can contact to make sure they have satisfied customers. There’s nothing better than a referral when it comes to selecting an inspector. Some great people to ask are professionals that in the real estate business. Usually friends that happen to be inspectors make you the guinea pig for someone just starting out in the biz, so it’s always good to get a referral that is purely professional.
5) Speak with your prospective inspector and ask them what you should expect. They should explain the process of the inspection to you, and answer any questions you may have. Communication with your inspector can make all the difference in making a sound purchase.
6) Most homes are in need of repairs. Just about every home will have some items that need to be addressed; this includes new construction as well. Pay special attention to anything in the report that is safety related. You may have a lot more leverage in negotiating these repairs with the seller.
7) The inspector is responsible for giving you a report of their findings, but they are not responsible for telling you if you are making a good purchase. It will be your decision to assess whether you are willing to do repairs or request for the seller to complete the repairs.
If you can be at the inspection, be there. It is definitely worth missing a few hours of work so you can be present during the home inspection. In addition to showing you what issues or repairs will need to be made on your new home, the inspector will also give you a rundown of where things are as well. It is good to know how to shut off the power and water or where the sewer cleanout is.
9) Inspectors are also a great resource to ask about properly maintaining a home. They should review with you a list of items for you to do, so when you sell you will have a clean inspection. Lack of preventative maintenance is usually the cause of many issues and repairs within a home.
11) A local inspector is a must. There are different issues that come up with locality, so it is crucial to have an inspector that understands local code and area specific concerns. For example Carlsbad CA homes will require water heater bracing for earthquakes, or a home in a rainy, humid environment may have common mold or fungus issues.
11) When should you not get a home inspection? The answer is almost never. For the small investment of a home inspection you can save yourself a lot of frustration. Imagine discovering something that changes the way you feel about the place you live after you have already bought the home. Bottom line; always get an inspection by a qualified, reputable inspector.
If you’re looking to purchase real estate you can get more information on the local Southern California areas and neighborhoods, find property for sale, get more information on the value of your home, and much more using Carlsbad real estate.
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