Purchasing a new home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make in their lifetimes. Before signing on the dotted line, buyers must have a professional home inspection performed to evaluate the condition of the property and ensure it is safe. This is especially important in areas like San Diego, where issues like roof leaks, foundation cracks, termite damage, and faulty electrical wiring are common in older properties.
By hiring an experienced, licensed home inspector, San Diego home buyers can gain invaluable peace of mind. These professionals methodically scrutinize every nook and cranny of a home using specialized tools and their expertise to discover any defects or safety hazards. Let’s look closer at the home inspection process and how San Diego home inspectors help safeguard buyers.
The Importance of Home Inspections
Most buyers lack the knowledge, tools, and objectivity needed to thoroughly assess a home’s condition on their own. Small problems that may seem unimportant can balloon into costly repairs down the road. Dangerous defects like exposed electrical, structural damage, or mold growth can jeopardize your family’s health and safety if overlooked.
An investment property also carries financial risk if existing problems are missed. As a buyer, your best line of defense against making a regrettable purchase is having a home inspection performed.
What Home Inspectors Check for in San Diego
San Diego home inspectors check all areas of the interior and exterior, keeping an eye out for any issues, no matter how small. Key points of inspection typically include:
- Roof and attic
- Foundation and basement/crawlspace
- Electrical, heating, and cooling systems
- Plumbing and water quality
- Walls, floors, windows and doors
- Insulation and ventilation
Inspectors also:
- Check for leaks, cracks, and pest damage
- Ensure railings meet safety standards
- Test outlets, switches, and appliances
- Examine pipes and drain lines
- Assess fire hazards
- Verify safety equipment works
Thorough home inspectors even go on the roof to check for damaged shingles, poor drainage, faulty gutters and skylights, exposed nail heads, and other problems. They also look for evidence of roof leaks, mold, and wood rot in the attic below.
On the exterior, inspectors check the condition of the siding, trim, paint, windows, doors, decks, and anything else that protects the structural integrity of the home. They determine if there are any foundation shifts or cracks.
In the living areas, kitchen, and bathrooms, inspectors run water and meticulously check plumbing fixtures and drain lines for leaks, clogs, or signs of deterioration. They methodically test a representative number of electrical outlets, examine interior walls and ceilings for stains, operate doors and windows to check for proper function, test smoke and CO detectors, and much more.
Specialized Tools Home Inspectors Use
You can think of home inspectors a bit like building doctors. Their inspection toolkit allows them to meticulously examine homes. Some commonly used diagnostic tools include:
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Thermal imaging camera:
Detects missing, damaged, or water-logged insulation. Also finds moisture intrusion issues unseen by the naked eye.
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Moisture meter:
Finds excess moisture in walls, floors, or ceilings that could lead to mold, bug infestations, or rot.
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Outlet tester:
Verifies electrical outlets are properly wired and grounded.
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Plumbing camera:
Snake cameras into drain lines to find leaks, clogs, and other problems.
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Carbon monoxide detector:
Sniffs out dangerous CO leaks from furnaces, water heaters, and other gas appliances.
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Ladder:
Enables inspectors to closely examine the roof, attic, gutters, and high exterior areas for safety issues.
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Flashlight:
Illuminates dark corners and areas like crawl spaces and basements so conditions can be assessed.
What Happens During an Inspection?
A typical buyer’s home inspection takes two to three hours or more depending on the home’s size and age. The inspector visually examines the property and uses diagnostic tools to check functions and spot irregularities. A licensed home inspector knows what to look for in problematic areas specific to the San Diego real estate market.
As they evaluate the home, the inspector takes copious notes regarding any findings and categorizes issues based on their severity. For example, exposed electrical wiring would likely be labeled an urgent safety hazard in need of immediate repair. On the other hand, some missing grout in shower tiles may be deemed low priority.
Some inspectors may allow clients to shadow them during the inspection so they can see issues first-hand and ask questions. Other inspectors prefer to work alone so they can devote their full attention to evaluating the home. Be sure to inquire about your inspector’s policies before scheduling.
Reviewing the Home Inspection Report
Following the physical inspection, the inspector combs through their notes, photographs, and any video taken and generates a comprehensive written home inspection report. This typically takes several hours. The final professional report gives the buyer a detailed assessment of the home’s condition and often proves invaluable during purchase negotiations.
The report summarizes positives about the home as well as existing problems discovered. Issues are typically characterized by their urgency:
Safety hazards:
Issues that pose an immediate danger, often require prompt repair. Electrical problems, fire hazards, or critical roof leaks fall into this category.
Major defects:
Significant repairs are needed that can become costly if left unaddressed. This includes roof deterioration, foundation cracks beyond typical settlement, drainage problems, etc.
Minor defects:
Smaller flaws that don’t necessarily warrant immediate repair but still need to be on the buyer’s radar. Examples include missing grout, older but functioning water heaters or HVAC systems, worn flooring, driveway cracks, etc.
The inspector also includes repair cost estimates when possible. Photos help document issues so buyers understand the problems. The inspector also makes recommendations about seeking specialized inspections from qualified contractors to further assess problems found.
Buyers carefully review these reports before finalizing a purchase offer, making repair requests, and determining the next steps regarding any testing needed.
Why Trust a Certified Professional Inspector?
With such an important, complex, and technically challenging task, it’s risky for buyers to trust anyone other than an experienced professional home inspector to thoroughly evaluate a property before purchase. Here’s why using a certified home inspector San Diego is so important:
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Extensive technical building knowledge:
They possess specialized expertise in complex home systems the average person lacks.
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A keen eye for obscure and hidden issues:
Trained to meticulously scrutinize a property and spot problems missed by untrained individuals.
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Advanced diagnostic tools:
Equipment allows them to see behind walls, below floors, into pipes and find moisture, electrical hazards, decay, and more.
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Objective third-party with no conflict of interest:
Unlike a seller, agent, or contractor, they only advocate for the buyer and provide unbiased assessments.
The Bottom Line
Buying property, especially older homes, can carry unexpected risks that could cost you dearly over time. By investing in a professional San Diego home inspection performed by a certified, experienced inspector before purchase, buyers gain invaluable information to make wise, informed decisions about homes under consideration.
While not flawless, home inspections bring to light the majority of existing problems. By reviewing the inspector’s report and gauging repairs needed, buyers reduce the chances of unwittingly buying a defective money pit.
In a challenging real estate market like San Diego with high demand but limited housing supply, some buyers are tempted to waive inspections to make their offers more attractive. This is extremely risky. The hundreds invested upfront for an inspection is a small price to pay considering it can help avoid tens of thousands in repairs from unforeseen issues. Protect yourself by scheduling a buyer’s inspection from a reputable San Diego home inspection company before committing to any property.