| Anyone who buys real estate in California needs to | | | | understand why this criterion is so critical. |
| understand the property inspection process. Even if | | | | Keep in mind that the inspection is a visual |
| you've purchased a home in the past, you should | | | | examination of the building from top to bottom. The |
| research the inspection issues commonly found in the | | | | inspector will not move furniture or open up walls. If |
| city or neighborhood where your new home is | | | | an area is inaccessible, the buyer or buyer's agent |
| located. For example, conditions that are common in | | | | must ask the seller to make it accessible prior to the |
| downtown San Diego condominiums and multiple-unit | | | | inspection. |
| properties will differ from those common to La Jolla, | | | | Some inspectors do only a limited inspections of |
| Del Mar, or Carmel Valley houses and town homes. | | | | certain systems including the roof, swimming pool or |
| Read the tips below and visit your San Diego real | | | | irrigation systems. You need to ask up front exactly |
| estate professionals at for additional information. | | | | what the inspection covers. We recommend that you |
| Timing is an important part of the real estate | | | | ask the inspector to email you a sample report so |
| inspection process. In California, the buyer's typical | | | | you can see the detail and format of the report you |
| inspection period is 17 days. During this time the | | | | will be paying for. |
| buyer should hire a professional inspector to conduct | | | | Also, keep in mind that the inspector will not be |
| a general home inspection. It is a big mistake to wait | | | | pulling any public records about the property. The |
| until Day 16 to start calling property inspectors for | | | | home inspector will not be able to tell you whether or |
| assistance. It is advisable to interview inspectors | | | | not a structure has the proper building permits or |
| during your home search. Then, immediately after | | | | whether any aspect of the building violates the |
| opening escrow under a contract to purchase a | | | | Municipal Code. Nor can an inspector give advice |
| home or investment property, call the inspector to | | | | about whether a house is a good value at a given |
| schedule an appointment. | | | | price, or whether it is likely to appraise at a different |
| Sometimes as a result of findings during the general | | | | value. |
| property inspection, the inspector will recommend | | | | A typical general inspection of a house, condominium, |
| further investigation by a qualified specialist. | | | | or town home will take 2 to 4 hours from start to |
| Scheduling an inspection with a specialist often | | | | finish. Expect to pay between $275 and $500 for the |
| requires a week or more. Items that sometimes | | | | average home inspection in San Diego County. The |
| require follow-up inspections by specialists may | | | | rates for house, condominium, and investment |
| involve Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition (HVAC), | | | | property inspections is usually a flat fee based upon |
| roofing, and geological/structural engineering. And | | | | the size of the home, not upon the amount of time |
| although these are not necessarily common problems, | | | | required to inspect the property. |
| these issues can arise unexpectedly. That's why it is | | | | Always ask what type of written report will be |
| so important to scheduling the general home | | | | provided after the inspection, whether it will include |
| inspection within the first day or two of the | | | | photos of the property, and when the report will be |
| inspection period. | | | | available. Most professional inspectors will email the |
| You may be surprised to learn that anyone can call | | | | report to you within 24 - 48 hours after the |
| themself a "home inspector." So make sure you hire | | | | inspection. |
| someone with experience and credentials. | | | | We recommend that the buyer be present at the |
| Professional inspectors who are certified by CREIA | | | | inspection. The inspector will often give maintenance |
| (the California Real Estate Inspection Association) are | | | | tips or off-hand remarks about components or |
| required to abide by a code of ethics and standards | | | | features of the property during the inspection, but |
| of practice. Visit the CREIA.org website to find a | | | | those valuable comments may not make it into the |
| member or call us at RE/MAX for a list of members | | | | written inspection report. It will usually take about 2-4 |
| in the San Diego area. | | | | hours for the inspection. |
| When interviewing inspectors, ask about their field | | | | It is the buyer's duty to inspect a property to their |
| experience: how long they have been in business and | | | | own satisfaction during the escrow process. The |
| how many houses or condominiums they have | | | | seller must disclose any known conditions that affect |
| inspected. Home inspection is a practice and, as with | | | | the property value, but many Sellers are remarkably |
| any discipline, better performance comes with more | | | | ignorant of the condition of their properties, and |
| practice. Some say a minimum of 1,000 property | | | | others conveniently "forget" about issues of concern. |
| inspections is required to develop full competence as | | | | So be diligent. Never waive your right to a home |
| an inspector. Less experienced inspectors may | | | | inspection! |
| disagree, but after 5000+ inspections even they will | | | | |