UNDERSTANDING HOME INSPECTIONS

By Patrick McCarran ~ Real Estate Broker

Purchasing your home is one of the biggest thrills of your life, but it can also quickly become overwhelming. Whether you are buying a new or a resale home it is important that you look underneath the staging, perfect floorplan, or location and see what may be hiding that could impact your dream home and pocketbook.

Enter the home inspector. A home inspector performs a basic physical inspection of the structure and systems of your prospective home. This means that while you may love the beauty of the living room’s wood floors, your inspector can tell if the floor will truly last.

The home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from roof to foundation. The inspection will determine not only the present condition of the home, but also help foresee any immediate or future necessary additional costs that may go unnoticed by the untrained eye.

Home inspections start at around $500 depending generally on the size of the home. I believe it’s money well spent.

A standard home inspector’s report will cover the basic condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; visual of the roof, visual of the attic and insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components.

I have always viewed a home inspection much like a visit to the doctor for a physical from a general practitioner, if there are any problems or concerns you are referred to a specialist such as a cardiologist. A home inspection works in a similar manner, if there is a concern about the foundation you are recommended to a structural engineer, plumbing to a plumber etc.

The inspection will show the positive and negative aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. After an inspection you should have a much clearer understanding of the value and needs of the property.

I think it is important to note that even if a house needs repairs, it shouldn’t always be the cause for getting out of a sale. No house is perfect and as long as you know ahead of time what needs to be done and are comfortable with the cost and possibly the ramifications, knowing about an issue before closing gives you the peace of mind before you close or often make an offer. The home inspection can give you a great starter list of what needs to be done to really make moving in that much easier. Don’t be shy about asking questions and getting a clear understanding. I would like to note that home inspectors are not licensed or certified by the State so do your research to make sure your inspector is qualified. I recommend that they are members of an association with certification criteria and a standard of practice such as ASHI.

Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker DRE# 01325072. He can be contacted by phone or text at (925) 899-5536, pmccarran@yahoo.com or www.CallPatrick.com.

An independently owned and operated office. In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE# 0193160.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

Women’s Council of REALTORS® Delta President’s Monthly Message:

We are now in our 6th month of serving & it has been our greatest honor and privilege to lead the Delta Network as your 2023 Board. We are looking forward to doing even greater things this year with the organization’s mission as our backbone; focusing on leadership within our communities and the industries we serve. Our goal for our network is to continue to provide the tools for our Members & Strategic Partners to unlock their leadership potential. Our mission for our network is to showing strength in Membership, nurturing relationships with our long time & newer Strategic Partners and show the appreciation that our local association has shown our network, and more importantly, to promote Inclusion, Diversity and Empowerment. As your President, I am here to serve YOU and steer our network - all with our mission in mind. We are excited to continue to pivot & to be inclusive to everyone who wants to be a part. We are so excited to for our next events to come; our 1031 Class on May 31st via zoom (FREE to all Members & Future Members) & "Day at the Races" on June 2nd at Golden Gate Fields. When you are ever interested in learning more about Women's Council of REALTORS Delta & what we will be offering for the 2023 Year, give me, Rwan Rasheed a call anytime @ 925.528.9008.

5 Tyler Ct. Danville, CA

PRESENTED BY:

This absolutely GORGEOUS HOME is located in the heart of Danville. Minutes from downtown, 680 HWY access & Mount Diablo. It features 4 bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms, den, formal living and dining rooms., open family room and kitchen. Beautiful upgrades include: Stainless steel KitchenAid Appliances w/built-in fridge & beverage center, flooring, countertops & backsplash. White cabinets w/Restoration Hardware knobs and handles, as well as RH light fixtures. Fireplace in formal living and family room. Epoxied garage flooring. Hunter Douglas window treatments. Built-in entertainment center. One of the bedrooms was turned into gym w/ commercial grade rubber flooring and mirrored wall. Solar panels. The backyard is float lot and blank canvas. Build the backyard of your DREAMS.

What are some of the perks of doing a Virtual Real Estate Open House?

Without a doubt, virtual open houses lead to greater opportunities to connect with your prospects or leads because of three main reasons:

• It expands your reach: Virtual open houses no longer just serve the needs of locals who come to see the home in-person. Hosting open houses online means that your videos can be viewed without limitations of time or space. All it takes is a link to be shared out for another opportunity to be created.

• You can offer the convenience of anytime, anywhere: You can save you and your buyers time from having to travel and coordinate schedules to meet. Virtual tours are viewable until the day the property closes escrow.

• Buyers will want the option: Not everyone is interested in commuting to see a house in person for the first time. Occasionally, buyers will be more interested to vet a potential investment by first scanning it online. Whether or not social distancing enforcements are making it mandatory for you to only conduct virtual tours or not, having these be a part of your practice can help you filter out non-serious leads as it encourages only serious buyers to approach for further information.

Charm abounds in this historic home on a ridge above the bay in Point Richmond. Sweeping views of the Golden Gate bridge, San Francisco skyline, and Mt Tam. Four bedroom, & a den/office, two baths. Formal entry with a dramatic staircase serving both levels. Two car garage, partial basement Currently configured as two flats, this property would also work beautifully as a spacious family residence. Very high ceilings, exposed beams, & original wood floors, just refinished. Views from most windows, and from many areas of the garden. Situated in the sought after community of Point Richmond, offering a village vibe with eateries, taverns, specialty grocery, and town services. The Plunge, a historic & recently renovated indoor public pool, is a local landmark. Great location minutes to Berkeley, Oakland, Marin County. The Richmond ferry terminal, with water transit to SF, is nearby. This home is a genuine must see!

RICHMOND • $1,495,000