Benefits of a Home Inspections

The California Home Inspections

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Home inspections in California typical yields several beneficial information both for the landlord and homeowner. It is a comprehensive inspection that details the current status of the structure, its stability and condition. Common voluntary home and structure inspections present the cosmetic flaws in a real property.

Professional inspectors hired by either a buyer or a seller generally examine the electric systems, plumbing, the roof and attic ventilation, the foundation, the water and sewerage systems. Furthermore, because of California’s seismic activity and weather conditions, it would be normal for residential owners to demand specialized inspection.

Infestations of Termites

Subterranean termites invade foundation and drywall and damage wood foundations and structural timbers. The warm climate of California is conducive to the breeding of termites. Because of this, the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program strongly recommends that only licensed professional inspectors conduct home inspections. Termites are unseen and work silently under your homes. If not eradicated, significant structural damage may occur in due time on your property.

Damage to Foundation

The foundation is the major component of your home and should need inspection. Homes built before the 1960s were built on timber while the succeeding structures are now in concrete slabs. Aside from timber detection, inspectors are also trained to detect for minor cracks and fissures in concrete slabs made with stone chips or gravel and sand and evaluate damage caused by earthquakes. A major movement of the slab can create cracks in the thick concrete foundation. Furthermore, the movement can cause a house to shift on the foundation resulting in cracks in the walls of the structure.

Presence of Unsafe Chemicals and Dangerous Materials

Disclosures in Real Property Transactions should now include in home inspections the hazardous chemicals and materials such as radon gas, asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, chemical storage, contaminated water and soil. The presence of these dangerous substances in homes can cause allergies and in rare cases even cancer. Leading the nation in this mandate, the State of California continues to advocate professional inspection and honest disclosures on real estate properties.

The Public Sewer Systems

Urban California homes are mostly connected to public sewer systems. But in unincorporated areas which are annexed to larger cities, septic tanks to treat sewage are still in use, such as houses built before the 1960s. Tax records and commercial title reports for these areas frequently fail in noting the correct sewer systems.

A professionally certified property inspection verifies and confirms the method of sewage disposal. Converting a home from the old septic tank sewage system to the public sewer system is expensive. However, a new buyer can be responsible to correct the deteriorating system once it fails, for lacking the important pre-inspection on the structure before buying it. California cities have mandated all residents to connect to a public sewer system.

The Electric Installations

Mortgage companies require electric installation upgrades in homes to meet the latest safety standards, especially when transferring home ownership. Houses that were built before the 1960s and 70s have out of date fuse systems and current aluminum wiring problems. A professionally certified property inspection can quickly identify this type of wiring which are frequently linked to home fires. More so, after years of home inspections, most certified residential code specialists recommend the complete modification from the plugs, use of circuit breakers and a complete rewriting to fully safeguard a home.

Avoid a costly repair and be safe in your homes by getting a certified home inspector in California?

What to expect from a certified inspector:

- if your home has termite infestation and needs pest control and eradication solutions.

- if the foundation of your home has incurred damage  through time.

- if your home has the presence of dangerous materials and chemicals.

- is your home is connected to the public sewer system?

- and if you still have a safe electrical system around the house.

If you hire an inspector, make sure he is certified.

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Benefits of Home Inspection in California

See our home page for more articles for landlords and Tenants.