Raymond Stoklosa

What home inspections do I need as a San Mateo County home seller?

San Mateo home inspectionIf you are getting ready to sell your house, you have probably heard a little bit about inspections. What exactly are they, though, and which inspections do you really need? Inspections are a relatively easy way to limit the seller’s liability. In San Mateo County, California, it has become common practice for home sellers to obtain pre-listing evaluations from inspection specialists before placing the property on the market. Two kinds of inspections are commonplace:

  • General Property Inspection: a “generalist” evaluation of the condition of the systems, components, appliances, and structure. Typical costs for a single family home run between $500 and $750.
  • Pest Inspection (also known as a termite inspection): an inspection by a licensed pest control operator for wood destroying organisms, such as, termites, fungus, beetles, and excessive moisture conditions. Typical costs for a single family home are $200 – $400.Both are visual inspections of accessible areas. No destructive testing is performed without further authorization by the party ordering the inspection.

Should any of these inspections note problem areas, further inspections by specific trade experts may be recommended. A leaky roof, broken chimney, crack foundation, water intrusion or mold problems should at looked at by a specialist in that trade.

No matter what the findings, the seller is not obligated to make any repairs, unless agreed upon in the purchase contract, but they are required to give copies of these reports to the buyer. Disclosure is good for everyone – seller, buyer and the real estate industry. Professional inspections are the best step a seller can take to protect themselves and promote a win-win transaction.

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