Asking a real estate agent whether you should buy a home right now is like to asking an alcoholic whether they think you should have a drink lol. Homes in my neighborhood that cost around $450k in sales in 2019 are now going for $800k to $950k. Every seller in my neighborhood is currently making a $350k profit. Simply unreal. In all honesty, deflation is what we require. The only other option is for many people to go bankrupt, which would also be bad for the economy. That is the only way to return to normal.
Home prices will come down eventually, but for now; its best to offset some of your real estate investments and get into the financial markets or gold. The new mortgage rates are crazy, add to that the recession and the fact that mortgage guidelines are getting more difficult. Home prices will need to fall by a minimum of 40% (more like 50%) before the market normalizes. If you are in cross roads or need sincere advise on the best moves to take now its best you seek an independent advisor who knows about the financial markets.
Personally, I can connect to that. When I began working with Sophia Maurine Lanting’, a fiduciary financial counsellor, my advantages were certain. In these circumstances, I would always advise getting professional help so they can steer you through choppy markets and just give you indicators and strategies for knowing when to enter and exit the market.
Home inspector here wanting to make one major point. All of the things she listed are very valid and should be fixed but at the same time are all very minor things taking away from doing a real inspection looking for structural and moisture issues. We really need to get back to inspecting for major items. Every inspection will have a huge list of minor things like she listed and its to the point I just want to make one general statement that says all of those items are substandard and need maintenance and repairs as needed and then get back to the real part of the inspection. Every window blind is crap, if you messed with the outlets you did it wrong, your not maintaining your HVAC system, all appliances are going to break within a couple years, nobody cares about smoke and CO detectors so they are all bad unless its a new home, nobody fixed garage door sensors, 99% of homes have so so windows, etc I could go on and on, none of these items are up to par and has diluted the home inspection to the level where its of little value considering the way its used. As a seller you should be proud to list your house with a proper home inspection report showing the house has been properly maintained, it doesn't mean everything has to be new but should work and operate as intended.
@@RABPWarrior Number one thing to ask is experience and I would avoid any inspector with less than five years minimum. I would also ask home many homes they inspected or inspect each year. Some have been inspecting a long time but do it part time and don't really get the experience. It takes a long time to become a good inspector because there is SO much to learn and you can't learn it all in school. Most home inspector schools are very short, like a couple weeks or so. We learn from looking at house after house seeing all kinds of things and then go research what we don't know. A good inspector will focus on major things like foundation, structure, water issues, and the oddball thing that is specific to a certain house. Like what happened here??? If your inspector is putting all his/her focus on things like outlets, loose railing, appliances, and minor repairs then you got the wrong guy. Hope that helps.
@@petebusch9069 I don't recall but when I contacted an actual specific termite inspector . Old dude with walrus mustache so you know he knows his shht ... All he did was bang on the wall and said "you hear that?" And it was loose sediment behind the wood paneling . He then proceeded to use some kind of crevice tool to pry away the rotting wood and show me the active bugs . I showed him my copy of inspection which stated there were "drill marks in slab" from termite treatment . To which he replied "when? that treatment could have been years ago" . I had to remove all siding , housewrap sheathing , a good amount of wood and insulation . Very costly mistake . Best believe I'm knocking on walls and stomping on floors when I look at a house.
Wish I had you and your team inspect our new house. Had to invest in new windows, mold remediation, beam replacement out of pocket cause the inspector thought a new house wouldn’t have an issue. 80k is what it took to get it back in shape. In a lawsuit against the builder, home inspector currently.
Oh wow...that sounds awful! In California, the builder is required to warranty their product against any latent defects for up to 10 years. Sounds like you don't live in California. Really sorry about your experience. I cheering for you.
New construction? Did you have home inspections done along the way? Like a framing inspection, etc? The quality is so poor these days, you have to do multiple inspections, and be prepared to walk away if they won't fix it. I've seen builders refuse to fix things that were against code! Meaning the buyer had to ealk away & lose their earnest money.
You can add to the list: Any appliances being left must be clean and working. Washer/Dryer, Microwave, Pathways to house should be secure and not a tripping hazard Rugs should be free of holes, stains and bumps Trees should not be hanging over the house Trees should not be dead, if so get it removed Deck should be secure, newly stained or painted Deck railing should be up to code heights (all railing in and out of the house) GFCI outlets in all locations required by code. Kitchen, garage, and outdoors. Attic should have proper ventilation. Dishwasher interior cleaned and odor free and much more
I have been a licensed home inspector for 43 years in Texas Absolutely have a pre listing inspection. We have been promoting that for as long as I can remember. People just always think their house is in better condition than it is and just don’t want to do it. Disclose, disclose,disclose!! I have seen so many times when I find important issues and the buyer is not really concerned because the seller had disclosed it. Less important issues will really worry them because they feel like the seller was hiding it. Sometimes they were or they just forgot that item had issues because they just never use it. Make everything is accessible breaker box, water heater, attic … We don’t move personnel items for obvious reasons. I thought your laugh was appropriate and pleasant
I concur! We did that before listing our condo - saved us time and money during negotiations. Now we’re temporarily renting after moving to another state, and we’re actively viewing homes to buy. I’m shocked how many sellers don’t care to inspect prior to listing - so far only one home we’ve toured, had inspection results available for us to review. Otherwise, I’m frequently noticing problems such as stuck windows, lights not working, smoke detectors beeping, cracks in brick walls… and don’t get me even started on decades old unpermitted (or permitted but not inspected) additions and renovations, which now need to be inspected and corrected to meet modern code standards.
Wow...really appreciate your comment. Very very good points. You are right, most home seller think their house is in better condition than it is. I now will always have a pre listing inspection on all my homes. Its solves a lot of problems. Really appreciate your support...and am glad you think my laugh is appropriate..lol. Can't help it, its just who I am.
All too common. I will not inspect homes sold by relocation companies because they do not have to disclose anything since they never lived in the home and the occupants who were the owners are not the sellers now so they don't have to disclose. No one is responsible for "latent defects". That is the legal term for known but hidden issues. That leaves us (home inspectors) expected to have a crystal ball and xrayvison. @@RafaelSwit
Excellent list! I’m currently house shopping, and I can’t count how many of the homes I’ve toured, had multiple things from your list, in poor shape. Windows stuck, lights not working, electric outlet plates missing or outlets hanging… if seller is unwilling to make the simplest of fixes, while they’re still living there, then it’s just a sign that any major issues, are only that much more likely. It’s a sign of a neglected, unloved house. Some sellers even neglect the prep of the home for a viewing - not cleaning, not opening window blinds/curtains. It’s just sad! Those homes shouldn’t be listed for sale, but rather for rescue.
Thank you for including "check the sewer lines." My friend recently brought a house that had been inspected. The toilets & showers were draining slowly. Turns out the lines to the road looked like the picture you showed. Her whole front yard had to be dug up, trees had to be removed all the landscaping was destroyed. I can't even imagine how much it cost to repair. Also the bathroom had to be demoed & redone. This was not in the budget & turned what was to a happy time has turned into a nightmare. Thank you again.
Oh wow...i am so sorry to hear about your friend's sewer line issues. That's heart breaking. I am surprised the previous homeowner didn't disclose that. If the plumbing issues are as bad as you say, then the previous homeowner must have had some issues that they did not disclose. Not cool. Sewer line inspections are essential. Really appreciate your comment.
hmm…seems a very extreme fix. (hope they had 3 quotes). Sewer lines do not necessarily need to be replaced OR dug up. Trenchless digging is a great option to do repairs to lines. It’s less costly and will renew an old sewer line.
I always tell my clients to do a sewer scope if the house is 30+ years old. When we are selling, we like to do it proactively if there are cast iron pipes or anything that might make a buyer nervous.
As a buyer i PREFER a place with unimportant cosmetic defects like crumbling porch steps or screen door hanging by one hinge. I'm only interested in a structurally sound, non leaking house.
I am a retired real estate and retired real estate broker from San Jose, California i have found it most effective to do home inspections, foundation inspections, roof inspections and pest control inpections before at least one month before you place the house on the market. That gives you one month to hire contractors to make all of the neede repairs and have the house reinspected to confirm all of the repairs have been made. Then have many copies of the inspections made and available at the property when it is shown. Also make copies of the inspections and load them on a computer so they can be sent by computer to other agents and potential buyers.
Yes, thank you for your comment. I know it is very customary to do these types of inspection in your area. I am trying to model that same procedure with my listing that are coming on the market. Appreciate you bringing that up. Great points.
I agree 100%. Most home inspectors only ever say "That looks odd. You should hire a professional window/AC/roof/electrical person to check it." Most roofers for example will do a free inspection so best to do that first.
On our last inspection, as a buyer, the inspector and the homeowner disclosed that the 3-way switches in the finished basement didn’t work right when they were turned off from the far switch. A common problem, but since they had hired electricians for most of the finishing they did seemed odd. We knew it was an easy fix which often happens - no big deal for us to fix! Similarly, the inspector said there were no ground fault outlets in the bathrooms and recommend we add them to all three bathrooms. We asked if there were actually none in any of the bathrooms, as they are often wired in series, and he said there were none - again easy fix. Our funniest inspection as a seller was I believe for an electric permit. The inspector said, as he plugged his tester in nearly every outlet, he’d never seen a house that was wired 100% correctly. My husband simply said: “I have one of those things too! “ The inspector actually laughed (not scoffed) that we’d been so thorough. He also pointed out that many home inspectors would say that the outlet on the bar was too close to the sink on a separate area behind it, but that that was incorrect because of not being on the same surface. Lastly, he said that a smoke doctor should be placed in a better place, and that it could be battery only because of the age of the house. I asked him whether the code said wired, or wired and battery. He told me that was age dependent too. I told him it would be easy to put the wired smoke detector in because the wallboard on the kitchen side was going to have to be taken down. He told us that wasn’t necessary, but I repeated it’s coming down regardless. He helped us determine where he wanted it and said wired would be sufficient. We installed with battery because the cost was negligible. Great experience. For what it is worth, we pulled a permit because we wanted to split the basement circuit into two circuits and would be replacing more than a few outlets throughout the house.
@@Reed-2big wow...I am so impressed at how detailed you are...most homeowners don't go to the level of detail that you did. So glad you had a good experience. Well done!!
$31,500 in replacing all of the lines but they opened the house and left the access opened and now having the door replaced and the rodent damages repaired! Had chimney capped! Had roof replaced! I’m not selling but I’m repairing everything to avoid issues later? Getting fences done, trees removed etc!
I absolutely love Audra's laughter. It makes me very happy. I like her very much and her content is very educational. My house is on the market right now, and I appreciate learning all she can give me for the selling and buying process. I appreciate you, Audra. Thank you, Audra. Great job!
You are so very welcome. You sound like a sweetheart. So happy I can help. You're going to do great selling your home. All the luck in the world to you. Really appreciate your comment.
I bought a place 2 1/2 years ago. The seller did not disclose that the upstairs bathtub leaks into the kitchen ceiling which is below the tub. It was not discovered during my inspection. A few months after moving in I found a receipt left behind for the seller - they had repaired the drywall and painted over the water damage. You can bet I will be demanding a more thorough inspection when I purchase my next place.
When I bought my house I was charged $500.00 for a home inspection didn’t tell me a dam thing except I had a leaky faucet.I didn’t find out until I demolished my kitchen that my oven didn’t even work ! I upgraded the kitchen with top of the line appliances and real hardwood floors and new entry way with a custom Wrought Iron door , installed new water heater and all of the plumbing.
I hear that a lot..meaning a buyer gets a good home inspection report but when they move it, they find a lot of things that aren't working properly. So sorry to hear about your challenge. Sounds like your house is beautiful after all the upgrades. That's a lot of hard work. Well done!!
I never pay home inspectors is a wash we do it ourselves and save money also the home warranty no no we always pass on that we make sure to turn on all appliances air-conditioning heater dish washer if wash machine are included turn it on flush all toilet gutter look for soft wood tie-down water heater ventilation mold cracks on floors squicking floors turn all water on likes we don't care if a bulk don't work turn Fan's on ventilation we don't care can be replaced eco friendly filter cost more but better garbage disposal yes dishwasher hole don't care we don't use dishwasher any away mold behind toilet check sprinkles trees doors closing tightly and windows roofing splitting floors fire places turn on gas drainage inside the homes and outside if there enough water drainage around the house ✔️ for broken cables switches working smoke detectors garbage doors sensors motor refrigerator we don't care under sinks for wetness blinds don't care also go under the home check for broken pipes or mildew water bad smell of waste poop leaks for sure check backup system for clean ups see over cracks and seal broken retaining walls cracks stucco with older homes you will fine cracks easily fixed I have wrinkles too so you all see home inspection is not hard why pay $500 for a guy to be talking on the phone you can do it yourself and have a nice dinner with his money 😅😅Don't sweat over small fines in a home 🏡 I think the big deal is the air-conditioning heater water heater trash disposal mildew leaks inside and outside and under and proper drainage for home and working bathrooms sinks shower smoke detector replaced batteries really sweat over that light bulb really replaced it gutter clean it you can always tell the seller what you found and ask for discount and you do it yourself after purchase they will appreciate it 1,500 will not be to bad for minor things to be fixed 250 trash disposal gutter 250 so all depends but if you find termite poop I will not buy that home remember for one you can see there is millions hidden inside pass that you new home will poison if you buy it and have it treated infestation homes will need to be open and see inside the walls for the severe damage ok kill termite but the damage inside no no open the walls It most be done
@@perlamaru6751 Well, you can definitely do your own home inspection...sounds like you have a lot of experience in this area. Most people do not. Most the houses in my area do have termites...which is something every homeowner in my area will have to maintain over the years. The question is never do you have termites...the question is usually how much termite work needs to be completed on the property. Thanks for commenting.
I am a first-time seller from Hurricane Utah, and I don't know how to Thank You enough. I am planning to put my house in March or early April this year.
Always check the roof and a crawlspace. I have been helping my mom take care of her property and the first time I went to visit I found a whole list of things and I am not a contractor. She had a contractor (larger company) she has paid to work on her home for 30+ years. It was not okay and now I go to visit every few months to work on things. Get them checked, keep good records, take photos before/after. Buyers will find things.
A good general list of things for sellers. I'd appreciate hearing about the buyers perspective. It also would be helpful to talk about water quality. It's the one HUGE thing people don't check. Poor water quality from the city or state you live in is a big deal for drinking, bathing, etc. It's way more than a simple water pressure test to go further and check the quality of the water. Also, if water softeners are essential because of water quality issues, it's useful to know the hardness and how that affects pipes. Had I been better at looking at how the water quality in my new home was, I may have seriously considered whether this was the home for me. So, have someone come out and test the water!
I just discovered your channel yesterday and have watched several of your videos. They are all very informative and you are such a good teacher! Just wanted to say that I’m enjoying your content and appreciate what you’re doing. 👍👍
@@AudraLambert I appreciate the education! We are planning to list our home early next year, and we’re hoping to do it with some wisdom this time. 🙃 Your content is very helpful! Although, I’m still not going to paint my yellow house! 🤪
Thanks for such an intensive check list. We will be putting our house up for sale in Texas, near Austin, this spring. We will do what we can from your list but also get an inspector to look at our property so we can see every thing that needs repair. We are following your suggestion from another of yours vlogs to declutter and clean. Many trips tp Goodwill. After living here for close to 30 years we definitely have some maintenance issues. And yikes! a pool. Your recommendations will help us a lot. Thank you.
Well, best of luck to you! You will do great!! So glad I could assist! Are you staying in Texas? Just curious? In California we have people moving to Texas in groves. Have a wonderful day!!
In Texas, any inspection done in the last few years have to be disclosed to the buyer if they ask. At the very least, any repairs that should have had a permit you do after that report better be done with a permit. But, keep that in mind before hiring an inspector. Our agent was able to download the previous inspection the seller/flipper had done.
Absolutely true that people (not just buyers) over estimate repair costs or even how hard to DIY. I've slow flipped houses for 22 year and even I often over estimate repair costs sometimes. Just fixed 2 doors that didn't close correctly. One opened by itself. I assumed I had to move the hinges a little which is a huge pain. Checked UA-cam which suggested pulling a hinge pin. tap it with a hammer to put a small bent in it, replace and the extra friction would hold the door in place. I had to bend 2 pins but yeah it worked. 10 minutes. The other door was hitting the jam at the top. Again resetting hinges is no fun. I chiseled out the top hinge a little and shimmed the bottom hinge with some cardboard and that fixed the issue. 30 minutes.
Thanks for your comment...its a good one. You can save a lot of money doing the repairs yourself...buyers usually over estimate the cost of repair. Thanks!
If you are the buyer, do your final walkthrough the morning of the closing. We did ours on a Sunday around noon with closing on Monday afternoon. We signed off thinking everything was good. Homeowner was obviously upset because the home inspection required the installation of a radon system, repair of stair rails, replacement of garage disposal, pool repairs and some other things. After our final walk-through, she went back in the house and removed every single smoke detector as well as the CO2 detectors. We did not find out until after closing. How Penny can you be?
Wowzie...that's horrible. In California, it is the law that you have to have the smoke detectors and CO detectors on the property and convey with the property at closing. I honestly would have held escrow or the process up if those weren't in place. Sounds like you did the final walk though with them being in place, then the home owner took them down after the walk through. I would reach out to the listing agent/broker and demand they be reinstalled immediately. If they don't, report them to the National Association of Realtors and/or small claims. Unbelievable!!! This drives me crazy!!
I live in Florida. Wish my re agent would have given me 1% of this advice before listing my property. He never even walked the property to see what defects there were. Had inspection on Friday for a buyer I brought (my close friend). I had no idea what I needed to do before an inspection. Lots of minor cosmetic things on the report that could have been cured before inspection. A couple possible serious issues also.
Thank you again for all your info! I have listened to you for over a year and preparing to list our home soon. You always have things I needed to hear!
Getting ready to put home on market. I have decided to have a pre inspection from your advice. This way if their are any problems i can get them taken care of now instead of a nasty (?) surprise later!!! Thank You so much.
Great video: You can add to the list: Any appliances being left must be clean and working. Washer/Dryer, Microwave, Pathways to house should be secure and not a tripping hazard Rugs should be free of holes, stains and bumps Trees should not be hanging over the house Trees should not be dead, if so get it removed Deck should be secure, newly stained or painted Deck railing should be up to code heights (all railing in and out of the house) GFCI outlets in all locations required by code. Kitchen, garage, and outdoors. Attic should have proper ventilation. Dishwasher interior cleaned and odor free and much more
Hi Audra, Those purple flashlights are great. Be warned however not only do they detect urine and scorpions, but some household cleaners such as "Simple Green" will also glow. Not sure it may need to be dried - don't know. I live in AZ and I found this out the hard way when one night I was scouting around for scorpions and noticed splashes on the walls near where I had been spraying cleaner the day before. Husband did a small test and the next day sure enough - it glowed as well!
Thank you for all the great information on how to prepare for a home inspection. Many of these never occurred to me until now. I will take your advice when I put my home up for sale!
Audra thinks of everything. I truly found this an easy listening lesson. I thought I'd share also about the fridge issue with those water duspensers: We bought a refrigerator with the water/ice dispenser, then, we had the plumber to install a special on/off lever in the pipeline. We wanted to have this style of fridge but knew better to operate the dispenser. We could turn it on if we want to, maybe for when we have people over, but we never had the need for that convenience. We didn't want a water dispenser to keep us from having our favorite fridge. Thanks for your video.
Excellent content. Many moons ago, when we bought, our inspector called out reverse polarity in a socket or two. Too bad he missed the jinky old water main gate. That was our first fix.
We are buying a home in a rural area. We are from The Bay Area. I appreciate you making this video. Thank you Angel from The Bay and soon to be CountryAngel.
Thanks Audra! I made my inspection checklist per your recommendations and you can bet I'm going to check it twice. Thanks for sharing & have a Merry Christmas!
My neighbors wanted my house when I sold in 2019. My house was solid! I deferred zero maintenance during ownership. What became the sticking point? My paint colors! I like warm tones, not cold ass grey. They tried to discount my home so much because of this. Told them, zero realtor fees and zero discount because of colors. Don't like it, move along... yeah, they bought it! Their home had so many problems but they didn't care about that. Most home buyers are just stupid with their priorities!!!
Yes, picky about the wrong things. Or just trying to, like the above comment, extort. Playing stupid games in buying and selling, you have to be prepared for it, every time. Many will gladly waste your time, were never a serious buyer. Sellers, swiping stuff on the way out the door, the gas fire place insert, shelves in the closet...stupid games.
Inspection reports should be uniformly written and posted with the listing. Just think what that would do to the buying/selling process. It would also give people an incentive to take better care of their home.
I agree. I would have liked to see a complete inspection report before making an offer in the last home we purchased. I certainly want to know what needs to be done, well before I consider selling. It might take time, (in my case) money that needs to be saved up for repair ocsts, in an extreme case, potentially construction, which is what happened when we sold our last house. The deck had to be replaced. I just wanted to sell it "as is", knowing that deck had to be replaced.
I’ll be building a retirement home in a couple of years, this list is a great resource to go over to make sure everything is set. Time to budget all the repairs.
The lack of an air gap can cause the bad smell from the garbage disposal. Using the dishwasher or running an empty cycle also helps eliminate the odor. I have found the odor to be from a blocked dishwasher drain line. Not everything is meant to go down the drain...
This is all excellent advice. However, if a person is forced to sell their home for multiple reasons and have no funds to make these repairs, it’s next to impossible to implement many, if any, of these suggestions.
This is true....and I hear ya. However, in circumstances like the one you described, you can always get a quote for the repair and price it into your asking price. You're just not going to get top dollar...but that's okay if you are limited financially. At least watching this video you know what a buyer will be looking for...just price your house accordingly. Best of luck to you!
AS A FORMER AGENT NOW RETIRED REMEMBER THE POCKET FULL OF NO 'S ANYTHING YOU CAN DO PRIOR TO HELPS. GET THINGS DONE . IT WILL COME OUT SO DO IT NOW. MAKES BUYERS MORE COMFORTABLE UP FRONT.
I live in California and it is interesting that the inspectors are not calling some of the things that are mentioned in this video. Refrigerator for instance. Or dirty filters.
Really depends on the inspector. If the refrigerator is a built-in refrigerator the inspector should check it..if its a stand alone refrigerator, more than likely they won't inspect it and tell you its out of their scope of investigation. Every inspector is different...but you aren't wrong. Thanks for the comment.
Yes, they were stand alone. I am trying to buy a house so these tips will help me even though most of them are about selling a house. I’ll look to see if there any tips for buyers.
Yes, I do insurance loss control inspections here in CA 12 yrs and agree that many of these issues raised, particularly plumbing conditions described, are not standard to a simple residential interior, property nor liability inspections.
Thank you for this most informative video. You mentioned popcorn ceilings, but didn't really delve into the pros and cons. They are dated and definitely not attractive. Should they be removed? Covered with wood planks? Other options?
I think it’s quite fair for a potential buyer to expect these items to be taken care of ahead of time, especially when it comes to basic maintenance and repair upkeep. At least in my local market, it’s very likely your life savings and entire financial security are placed into buying a home-if it seems like a seller doesn’t keep up with the small things, it’s easy to assume they’re not keeping up with the large items either or even worse, lying to you about it so it becomes your problem instead. If I am buying a property with issues pointed out by a home inspector (especially when not disclosed by the seller ahead of time) I would definitely overestimate the cost of repairs for good reason - it’s not just the simple repair cost, but also all of the inconveniences of buying someone else’s problem from them: finding trustworthy repair companies in an area I might not live, deferred move in dates if a large enough issue, insurance! for an issue being significantly worse than previously assumed, etc. This is a very comprehensive list and I really appreciate it.
Thank you for the information! I’m a little confused though about the refrigerator being included in the home inspection. I thought that that particular appliance was not considered part of the sale of the house, as it is not built-in.
Oh my goodness, great questions!! In my area, most the refrigerators are built-in (affixed to the wall). In the CA purchase agreement there is a box the buyer will mark including or excluding all refrigerators. If the buyer marks the box "Include all refrigerators" and the seller agrees...then all refrigerators do convey with the property (even the freezer in the garage, wine refrigerator, beverage refrigerator whether it is affixed or not). A lot of agents don't know this...so if you are receiving an offer and you want to keep your refrigerator, you will need to ensure it is not included. If a refrigerator is not affixed to the wall, you are not required to have it included in the sale (just make sure your buyer didn't mark the box). If the refrigerator is built-in affixed to the wall, it is to convey with the property unless both parties have agreed to otherwise. If the refrigerator is built-in, the inspector will evaluate the unit. Hope that helps...thanks for the question and watching my video.
I agree about the common sense comment. However, there are a lot of people out there that don’t know these things…and overtime the lack of maintenance on the property becomes a problem. Always good to get a friendly reminder. Thanks for watching and appreciate your comment.
We do are own inspection never had a problem those inspections cost money but of curse we know everything about contractions but perhaps will do next time we got a older fence i know if you neighbors don't want to fix it you can ask for 3 estimates and show your neighbors the cost if they refuse you can take them to courts but you most have 3 estimates and take the medium price and fix the fence of curse let your neighbors know you be taking them to courts for not helping on the fences share price to fix it or you ask if they can work and you buy materials that is a great idea too
Good point! In California the small claims maximum amount is $12,500. Out here, replacing an entire fence line might be more than that. The issue arises when your neighbor next door who doesn't want to repair the fence doesn't have any money or a job. Even if you win in small claims court, collecting the money is very difficult. Its not fun dealing with a neighbor who doesn't maintain their property...it eventually will effect yours.
I assume Audra is talking about the buyer's home inspector. Not the city inspection for a Certificate of Occupancy. If it's a seller's market, just tell the buyer to go away and take their inspector with them. I live in a lower income area in NJ. But prices are still quite high in my neighborhood not too far from NYC. On the East Coast 'AS IS' means something. It means no guarantees and if you find it is broken then fix it after you buy. Just lower your offer or go away.
When we bought our home in 1985 there were no Inspectors. The best you could do was to have a contractor come through and offer their opinion. We spent nearly 14% of the purchase price on foundation repairs. The seller hid the problem and their son was an attorney representing them free of charge when we asked for relief. The sellers name was appropriate - Crooks
Wrong-O! In most cities like mine, CO detectors are required. a lot of things can create CO that aren't HVAC related. A car running in a garage is a common one with keyless. Electronics can emit it, etc etc. BTW all detectors sold in Chicago are required to be both smoke and CO combined so it is a no problem thing. Esp for us older folks, CO detector is KEY
This information is crucial for saving the seller some money while delivering a safer and more sound home for the buyer. It also helps to build the buyer’s trust. I’m a new subscriber. Thanks for sharing these tips And the giggles!🤭
Here's one - check the toilets for cracked porcelain. Our home inspector missed a cracked toilet bowl in one of the bathrooms of the condo we purchased and we didn't see it until after the closing. I'm pretty sure the seller knew it was cracked and did not disclose it - they were not very nice to deal with. Don't depend on inspectors. Be present at the inspection and check things out yourself because they won't catch it all. Same for appliances, especially front-loading washing machines which are a breeding ground for mold.
Great advice!! Yes, I definitely recommend being their for the home inspection...look at everything!!....and choose a very thorough home inspector. So sorry to hear about your experience. So sorry. Thanks for sharing your experience and advice!!
@Audra, from your VAST experience, I'd like to get your opinion on something please. I'm selling my house. To the East of my home is nothing but industrial, commercial properties. With that said, looking ahead to an appraiser coming in. They should evaluate all homes for comps fairly and equally. To do that, imagine they draw a radius around your home 1/2 mile either direction, in all 4 directions, creating 4 quandrants. All four have properties to use as comps. Because my property only has the left 2 quadrants with properties, is it okay to bring that to the appraisers attention. I was suggesting to move my property "point" to the left 1/2 mile so that i get the same benefit as everyone else, with all 4 quadrants occupied with properties. Otherwise I am only benefiting from 50% of avail homes for comps. I feel like I'm disenfranchised. I know this was long, hope I explained it. Wish I could send a pic
That's a great question. It really up to the appraiser on how they want to evaluate the boundaries. I would definitely tell them your logic...it sounds legitimate to me. However, ultimately its up to the appraiser. If they go more than a mile from the property to pull comps, they will have to explain it in their appraisal. I certainly hope you get an understanding appraiser...it really a gamble. Thanks so much for watching my videos.
@@AudraLambert I never miss your videos and I've turned my brother into a subscriber also. Love your candidness. So, I want to be delicate about this to the appraiser. My sf is (by owner), not by appraisal or assessor. I have a footprint with sf from the builder, as well as a prior appraisal (from 2005) justifying the sf. So, I feel like I need to be the one to defend my logic in setting different parameters. First, even IF the appraiser can go out 1 mile, that still doesn't give me 100% of the properties surrounding me to use, because my NE and SE quadrants are retail. I was thinking of saying something along the lines, "I would like to present you with market data I used and the logic behind it to justify my asking/and selling price". I would NEVER say "here are my comps" thoughts? on how to approach it?
Audra. Excellent work for us home sellers. Wife and I have been in our 1st home for almost 30 years in Ventura, CA. I find your videos and speaking skills superb so tx again. I have a question please. Our kitchen cabinets which we bought from Home Deport about 18 years ago look great other than some wearing off of the stain on 5 cabinet doors just behind the cabinet door knob. H depot says they no longer carry that line. I tried a local cabinet maker to no avail. Do we just discuss with a future buyer? Thoughts? Tx, John
Wow, I have an expensive window blind that's not working. I never thought that mattered. Its coming down. I have lived in many houses and none of them had doors to the garage that automatically close. Could that be a California thing?
Great question regarding the fire rated door. It may be a California thing...I did google the question. Apparently, all commercial properties need fire rated doors. There was no mention about which states required it. I would check with your city to find out...or call a General contractor. Appreciate the question.
The buyer is supposed to put the smoke detectors in. CO detectors are not needed when there is no source of CO. I removed the batteries of the detectors in my house because they always chirp because they are low.
Great question! A home inspector doesn't pass or fail a house...the home inspection just documents what wrong and/or working on the house. There may be several items that aren't working on the property that the buyer may ask to have fix. The buyer may ask the inspector to come back for a second look. However, I would always suggest having a licensed, bonded insured contractor come out to the property to do the work. Contractors are required to warranty their work (at least in California) giving the buyer comfort that the repair were done correctly. I like to recommend a credit for repairs if both parties agree. That way the buyer can get the work completed with their own general contractors/handymen etc/
I Love this Women I recently start watching your videos and I really enjoying the way you explain things I LOVE IT I am an agent in Los Angeles area still learning from your videos thank you .
I love your laugh! I am enjoying all your content, it is all good information, even though we are in different states. Bought home in 2020, but going to try to sell this summer to move within state but closer to family...I do love staging!
Thanks so much for your comment. Really appreciate the kind words. You're going to do great when selling your home. Best of luck to you...and life is too short...enjoy your family.
LoL never seen the date of installation on smoke detectors!! In Connecticut and Florida, inspectors don't care about windows nor light bulbs. The last house we bought, the inspector did not even see that the window on one patio door was broken, like entirely missing a entire glass missing on a double glazed patio door. They don't bother much about HVAC either, if they run, it's ok for them. You really have to order a specific HVAC inspection on top of the home inspection. Grout never been reported in any home inspection report. Fridge coil never been inspected, ever in the 2 houses I bought! Ahahahahah the oven.... the last house we bought in CT was completely burnt inside, the dirties I have ever seen. Inspector never inspected the gutters either. The automatic closing garage door might be a California thing... Sewer inspection is an optional additional inspection. How about cracks on foundations?
The homes I’ve been looking at in Rural Texas where there aren’t many homes for sale would not pass this inspection list! All the ovens have been dirty! And yet they’re getting sold and financed?!?!
I hear ya...every area is different. In my area, most the home inspectors review the items I discussed in the video. I am always amazed to hear sellers not putting their houses together for selling. Don't get it. Its respectful, right?
Are sellers required to provide keys to all exterior door locks? My seller only provided key to the front door and I was missing three keys and they refused to pay for re-keying the doors. The realtor for the seller lived next door to this property so I did not want to have issues with the neighbors in the court.
Great question. In California, all properties are sold AS IS. If the seller doesn't have the keys to the various doors on the property then they are not required to hand over a new set of keys to you. There are disclosures the seller must fill out. In those disclosures there is an area specifying how many keys are meant to convey with the property. Also, most new home buyers have all the locks changed (yes, I know its easier to do this when you have the original key). In my area, it is customary for the seller to provide a home warranty. Most home warranty companies off complimentary re-key service. Sorry to hear that the owner didn't hand over the proper keys. Ugh. Appreciate the question..its a good one.
This was a great video! I watch your channel and I’m not selling a house. Would you ever do any videos on how to increase the value of a house, and what sells a property quicker? Thanks for all you do. 👍
Yes, of course. I will do a video on increasing the value of your house...great idea. I have done a video on selling a property quicker: ua-cam.com/video/pySXH7pwGR0/v-deo.htmlsi=03oHsrRPkKpQBvdZ Thanks for watching!!!
Thank you, Audra! Am about to list my condo in Oakland, CA, and am trying to make sure I get the best selling agent plus do all the upfront work needed to get it ready. One question: my building is a 1967 construction, so of course, now there are getting to be more and more issues -- such as the balconies are getting mold. HOA dues are going up and up... how would one address this intelligently/cautiously with potential buyers? Of course, I will over-disclose. Your insights are greatly appreciated!
My cabinets below my bathroom sinks all have water damage on the walls from the sinks over flowing and running down the walls below into the under sink spaces. I can not even find handymen that want to take on the job of repairing them. Can the house be sold "As Is" on this issue and how much will it deduct on my property's value? Your input is welcome.
Great question. I obviously don't know the degree of damage nor the area you are living. My only concern is if the leak is not actually fixed and mold might be present. I would at a minimum repair is to the point that there is no leak and no mold present. I am not sure how much of a deduction buyers would want on your property with this condition in place. Most the contracts state that the property is sold AS IS. However, it is customary for buyers to ask for repair requests and/or credits. I would reach out to a trusted realtor in your area. Ask them the question...and heck, they should be able to refer you to someone who could fix it. I am so sorry to hear about this. Its not fun.
Just for safety, smoke/co2 detectors should be replaced at least every ten years, working or not. Hopefully they are the hard wired variety and the ones I recently replaced have a date of manufacture from the factory printed on the label. Every bedroom and hallway should have a working unit. When one is triggered they should all signal. Retaining walls in Southern California, and the big hill behind the house, watch out this weekend for the mud slides. The first thing inspectors do is turn on the dishwasher. The first thing I would do after buying a used house is to replace the dishwasher and to replace all the toilets with one pice units. I HATE seeing multi million dollar homes with cheap two piece toilets from Home Depot or worse. Love your stock footage cutaways, the European stock footage showing European windows that are vastly SUPERIOR in every way to cheap American windows are a hoot to watch Most people won't notice, nor the European "Mitsubishi" type heat pump or the European wall sockets. For the air gap which here in the west is a code requirement, get a Miele dishwasher which are designed in such a way to prevent back flows. I presume others have that feature as well. Since you are selling "Orange County" a kitchen at minimum should have Sub Zero, Wolf, and Miele appliances. That Samsung stuff from Home Depot won't cut it. A garbage disposal should be 3/4th HP, not one of those tiny little cheap ones.
Hi Audra! A very extensive list, but a good one. I did notice that you didn't mention the washer and dryer on your list. Is this something a home inspector doesn't check? Also, do they go as far as checking the drain plugs on bathroom sinks? Those pull-up ones always seem to let water out, slowly. Thanks!
Hello there! The washer and dryer is not affixed to the property and is considered personal property. Personal property does not covey at close of escrow. The inspector will not inspect a washer/dryer. They will say its out of the scope of their investigation. If you and your buyer agree to include the washer/dryer in the sale of the property, I would make sure on the contract that it states no guarantees or warranties are to be made on the washer/dryer. The inspectors should check the drain plugs at the bathroom sinks. I agree..those drain plugs are testy!! Thanks for the question!
❤My buyer backed out after finding repairs beyond their confort. Here in VA, home inspectors do not move anything if there's something that they can't see visibly they don't do they don't inspect it so my the home inspector that looked at my property for the buyers was not required to move anything so he didn't inspect anything further than the visual that was evident good is that play backed out because two women alone either hit with us it's going to cost $5,000 to fix these repairs and the amount of money for an inspection but I could have would have been glad to tell him already but I didn't because my agent said you don't tell him anything you let the inspector tell him what's wrong that's why I lost the cell
In my experience, its always to over disclose any information you know about your property. Hand over your seller disclosures early on in the process. When the home inspection arises, there should be no major surprises. Sorry to hear your buyer backed out. That's a lot of work to get under contract...having a buyer back out is no fun. Ugh. So sorry.
@@AudraLambert they di not have disclosures in this state, very different from North Carolina where I lived before!!! Plus my realtor told me to not tell the inspector ir buyer anything, leave itbro the inspector to find anything wrong. I should have said no to this.
@@AudraLambert there are nine in Virginia where I live now and going to place my house back on the market. Yep, crazy isn't!!! It cost me a sell as I would have paid to fix the issue.
Have pool no law in city for fences locks .we are way far back nobody can see it. I contacted the city and yes we need no fences for pool. Some stuff like buy new fridge . But most is ok
Yes, I live in California. You would not believe the restriction and requirements we have for pools...its extremely expensive. Glad to hear it a bit more lax where you live. Glad to hear most the stuff on your property is ok. Well done!!
As a buyer, I've always been the one to hire and pay for home inspections. As a seller, I've never been the one to get my own home inspected. why would I care? I'm selling. the buyer, hires his own inspection company, pays for it... and he gets the report. it has nothing to do with the seller. so I am so surpriseed to hear that in your country it is totally opposite.
Well, I am a bit different. As an agent, I pay for the home inspection before putting the house on the market (most agents don't offer this service). That way, we know whats wrong or not wrong with the property. You care as a seller out here because the buyers have 17 days (this can be negotiated down) to do their buyer' investigations. After 17 days, they can pull out of the deal if the buyer isn't satisfied with their findings. The seller is on pins and needles for1 7 days. 17 days is a long time to sweat it out. I hand over the inspection report to the the buyer's agent and tell them to make their offer with the condition of the property in mind...the seller is offering no repairs or credits. I then shorten the time frame to 10 days or less when the offer is presented. I love it. The buyers are purchasing a house with more transparency...sellers don't get nickeled and dimed over repair requests. Its a beautiful thing.
My friend did that...at a minimum I would get the popcorn ceilings tested for asbestos. It actually turned out nicely. I would make sure you know what you're doing...or someone else does:). If you were to sell your property, you would have to disclose the popcorn ceilings under the shiplap...which is why its a good idea to test it. Great question.
Hi Audra! Nice nice video! Smashed the like button so we can get more videos by you! Question: if you have 40years old furnace working very well (north east USA) - is it necessary to replace it if u r planning to sell the house! Thanks.
Asking a real estate agent whether you should buy a home right now is like to asking an alcoholic whether they think you should have a drink lol. Homes in my neighborhood that cost around $450k in sales in 2019 are now going for $800k to $950k. Every seller in my neighborhood is currently making a $350k profit. Simply unreal. In all honesty, deflation is what we require. The only other option is for many people to go bankrupt, which would also be bad for the economy. That is the only way to return to normal.
Home prices will come down eventually, but for now; its best to offset some of your real estate investments and get into the financial markets or gold. The new mortgage rates are crazy, add to that the recession and the fact that mortgage guidelines are getting more difficult. Home prices will need to fall by a minimum of 40% (more like 50%) before the market normalizes. If you are in cross roads or need sincere advise on the best moves to take now its best you seek an independent advisor who knows about the financial markets.
Personally, I can connect to that. When I began working with Sophia Maurine Lanting’, a fiduciary financial counsellor, my advantages were certain. In these circumstances, I would always advise getting professional help so they can steer you through choppy markets and just give you indicators and strategies for knowing when to enter and exit the market.
I'd be glad to get the help of one, but just how can one spot a reputable one? How did you spot this Sophia ?
Sophia Maurine Lanting’ maintains an online presence that can be easily found through a simple search of her name on the internet.
She appears to be well-educated and well-read. I ran a Google search on her name and came across her website… thank you for sharing.
Home inspector here wanting to make one major point. All of the things she listed are very valid and should be fixed but at the same time are all very minor things taking away from doing a real inspection looking for structural and moisture issues. We really need to get back to inspecting for major items. Every inspection will have a huge list of minor things like she listed and its to the point I just want to make one general statement that says all of those items are substandard and need maintenance and repairs as needed and then get back to the real part of the inspection. Every window blind is crap, if you messed with the outlets you did it wrong, your not maintaining your HVAC system, all appliances are going to break within a couple years, nobody cares about smoke and CO detectors so they are all bad unless its a new home, nobody fixed garage door sensors, 99% of homes have so so windows, etc I could go on and on, none of these items are up to par and has diluted the home inspection to the level where its of little value considering the way its used. As a seller you should be proud to list your house with a proper home inspection report showing the house has been properly maintained, it doesn't mean everything has to be new but should work and operate as intended.
How can I find a qualified inspector that knows what to focus on?
@@RABPWarrior Number one thing to ask is experience and I would avoid any inspector with less than five years minimum. I would also ask home many homes they inspected or inspect each year. Some have been inspecting a long time but do it part time and don't really get the experience. It takes a long time to become a good inspector because there is SO much to learn and you can't learn it all in school. Most home inspector schools are very short, like a couple weeks or so. We learn from looking at house after house seeing all kinds of things and then go research what we don't know. A good inspector will focus on major things like foundation, structure, water issues, and the oddball thing that is specific to a certain house. Like what happened here??? If your inspector is putting all his/her focus on things like outlets, loose railing, appliances, and minor repairs then you got the wrong guy. Hope that helps.
Had a home inspector miss an active termite infestation ...
@@blackgirloffgrid1054 Was termite inspection part of his service?
@@petebusch9069 I don't recall but when I contacted an actual specific termite inspector . Old dude with walrus mustache so you know he knows his shht ... All he did was bang on the wall and said "you hear that?" And it was loose sediment behind the wood paneling . He then proceeded to use some kind of crevice tool to pry away the rotting wood and show me the active bugs . I showed him my copy of inspection which stated there were "drill marks in slab" from termite treatment . To which he replied "when? that treatment could have been years ago" . I had to remove all siding , housewrap sheathing , a good amount of wood and insulation . Very costly mistake . Best believe I'm knocking on walls and stomping on floors when I look at a house.
Wish I had you and your team inspect our new house. Had to invest in new windows, mold remediation, beam replacement out of pocket cause the inspector thought a new house wouldn’t have an issue. 80k is what it took to get it back in shape. In a lawsuit against the builder, home inspector currently.
Oh wow...that sounds awful! In California, the builder is required to warranty their product against any latent defects for up to 10 years. Sounds like you don't live in California. Really sorry about your experience. I cheering for you.
New construction? Did you have home inspections done along the way? Like a framing inspection, etc? The quality is so poor these days, you have to do multiple inspections, and be prepared to walk away if they won't fix it. I've seen builders refuse to fix things that were against code! Meaning the buyer had to ealk away & lose their earnest money.
I’m currently fighting against this in Branson mo.
1-smoke and CO2 detectors
2-windows
3-light bulbs
4 -electrical cover,plates
5-GFI near water facilities
6-HVAC
7-filters-kitchen,bathroom,
8-refrigerator coil cleaned out, water dispenser not working,
9-stove top/cooktkp burners, oven
10-garbage disoosals
11- air gap dishwasher
12doors-incl.cabinets gates
13-garage doors
14-pool
15-termite incl. mould, mildew, rodents
16- water P gage
17-stair railings
18 shower diverter
19-toilets
20-pop corn ceiling
21-foof
22- fence
23- trees and shrubs
24- rain gutter
25-fp damper clip
26 fire-gated door
27 sewer line
28 Radon
29 paint imperfections, scratches
30 exterior - solar garden lights, BBQ igniter, fountain fireplace/pjt, garage.
💚
You can add to the list:
Any appliances being left must be clean and working. Washer/Dryer, Microwave,
Pathways to house should be secure and not a tripping hazard
Rugs should be free of holes, stains and bumps
Trees should not be hanging over the house
Trees should not be dead, if so get it removed
Deck should be secure, newly stained or painted
Deck railing should be up to code heights (all railing in and out of the house)
GFCI outlets in all locations required by code. Kitchen, garage, and outdoors.
Attic should have proper ventilation.
Dishwasher interior cleaned and odor free
and much more
Selling home "as is"...does this prevent issues in future?
Your forgot to inspect any cracked or broken roof trusses, as seen via the attic.
@@probablynot1368 Yeah, the list goes on. How about exterior walls that are leaning or rotten. More expense for the new homeowner.
I have been a licensed home inspector for 43 years in Texas Absolutely have a pre listing inspection. We have been promoting that for as long as I can remember. People just always think their house is in better condition than it is and just don’t want to do it. Disclose, disclose,disclose!! I have seen so many times when I find important issues and the buyer is not really concerned because the seller had disclosed it. Less important issues will really worry them because they feel like the seller was hiding it. Sometimes they were or they just forgot that item had issues because they just never use it. Make everything is accessible breaker box, water heater, attic … We don’t move personnel items for obvious reasons. I thought your laugh was appropriate and pleasant
I concur! We did that before listing our condo - saved us time and money during negotiations. Now we’re temporarily renting after moving to another state, and we’re actively viewing homes to buy. I’m shocked how many sellers don’t care to inspect prior to listing - so far only one home we’ve toured, had inspection results available for us to review. Otherwise, I’m frequently noticing problems such as stuck windows, lights not working, smoke detectors beeping, cracks in brick walls… and don’t get me even started on decades old unpermitted (or permitted but not inspected) additions and renovations, which now need to be inspected and corrected to meet modern code standards.
Wow...really appreciate your comment. Very very good points. You are right, most home seller think their house is in better condition than it is. I now will always have a pre listing inspection on all my homes. Its solves a lot of problems. Really appreciate your support...and am glad you think my laugh is appropriate..lol. Can't help it, its just who I am.
All too common. I will not inspect homes sold by relocation companies because they do not have to disclose anything since they never lived in the home and the occupants who were the owners are not the sellers now so they don't have to disclose. No one is responsible for "latent defects". That is the legal term for known but hidden issues. That leaves us (home inspectors) expected to have a crystal ball and xrayvison.
@@RafaelSwit
@@RafaelSwit😊
Where are you in Texas? I’m looking for a good home inspector in the Houston area.
Excellent list! I’m currently house shopping, and I can’t count how many of the homes I’ve toured, had multiple things from your list, in poor shape. Windows stuck, lights not working, electric outlet plates missing or outlets hanging… if seller is unwilling to make the simplest of fixes, while they’re still living there, then it’s just a sign that any major issues, are only that much more likely. It’s a sign of a neglected, unloved house. Some sellers even neglect the prep of the home for a viewing - not cleaning, not opening window blinds/curtains. It’s just sad! Those homes shouldn’t be listed for sale, but rather for rescue.
Ahh..thanks! Glad I could help. Really appreciate your comment. I agree 100%
Thank you for including "check the sewer lines." My friend recently brought a house that had been inspected. The toilets & showers were draining slowly. Turns out the lines to the road looked like the picture you showed. Her whole front yard had to be dug up, trees had to be removed all the landscaping was destroyed. I can't even imagine how much it cost to repair. Also the bathroom had to be demoed & redone. This was not in the budget & turned what was to a happy time has turned into a nightmare. Thank you again.
Oh wow...i am so sorry to hear about your friend's sewer line issues. That's heart breaking. I am surprised the previous homeowner didn't disclose that. If the plumbing issues are as bad as you say, then the previous homeowner must have had some issues that they did not disclose. Not cool. Sewer line inspections are essential. Really appreciate your comment.
$25k. That does not cover the cost of the interior of the home when they jackhammer the flooring. So it is a very high ticket item.
hmm…seems a very extreme fix. (hope they had 3 quotes). Sewer lines do not necessarily need to be replaced OR dug up. Trenchless digging is a great option to do repairs to lines. It’s less costly and will renew an old sewer line.
😅See you in court
We had blocked sewer line! After we moved in. Thanks for that and your laughter is awesome 😊
Oh thank you! I like my laugh too...lol. Sorry to hear about your blocked sewer line...NOT FUN!!
After inspecting for 40 years, I like your speel. A sewer scope on an older house, 40 plus years , is important. $190.
@@AudraLambert I also noticed, you have a really cute laugh. :)
I always tell my clients to do a sewer scope if the house is 30+ years old.
When we are selling, we like to do it proactively if there are cast iron pipes or anything that might make a buyer nervous.
As a buyer i PREFER a place with unimportant cosmetic defects like crumbling porch steps or screen door hanging by one hinge. I'm only interested in a structurally sound, non leaking house.
I am a retired real estate and retired real estate broker from San Jose, California i have found it most effective to do home inspections, foundation inspections, roof inspections and pest control inpections before at least one month before you place the house on the market. That gives you one month to hire contractors to make all of the neede repairs and have the house reinspected to confirm all of the repairs have been made. Then have many copies of the inspections made and available at the property when it is shown. Also make copies of the inspections and load them on a computer so they can be sent by computer to other agents and potential buyers.
Yes, thank you for your comment. I know it is very customary to do these types of inspection in your area. I am trying to model that same procedure with my listing that are coming on the market. Appreciate you bringing that up. Great points.
I agree 100%. Most home inspectors only ever say "That looks odd. You should hire a professional window/AC/roof/electrical person to check it." Most roofers for example will do a free inspection so best to do that first.
@@MrWaterbugdesign I agree...and like the roof inspection idea:)
On our last inspection, as a buyer, the inspector and the homeowner disclosed that the 3-way switches in the finished basement didn’t work right when they were turned off from the far switch. A common problem, but since they had hired electricians for most of the finishing they did seemed odd. We knew it was an easy fix which often happens - no big deal for us to fix! Similarly, the inspector said there were no ground fault outlets in the bathrooms and recommend we add them to all three bathrooms. We asked if there were actually none in any of the bathrooms, as they are often wired in series, and he said there were none - again easy fix.
Our funniest inspection as a seller was I believe for an electric permit. The inspector said, as he plugged his tester in nearly every outlet, he’d never seen a house that was wired 100% correctly. My husband simply said: “I have one of those things too! “ The inspector actually laughed (not scoffed) that we’d been so thorough. He also pointed out that many home inspectors would say that the outlet on the bar was too close to the sink on a separate area behind it, but that that was incorrect because of not being on the same surface. Lastly, he said that a smoke doctor should be placed in a better place, and that it could be battery only because of the age of the house. I asked him whether the code said wired, or wired and battery. He told me that was age dependent too. I told him it would be easy to put the wired smoke detector in because the wallboard on the kitchen side was going to have to be taken down. He told us that wasn’t necessary, but I repeated it’s coming down regardless. He helped us determine where he wanted it and said wired would be sufficient. We installed with battery because the cost was negligible. Great experience.
For what it is worth, we pulled a permit because we wanted to split the basement circuit into two circuits and would be replacing more than a few outlets throughout the house.
@@Reed-2big wow...I am so impressed at how detailed you are...most homeowners don't go to the level of detail that you did. So glad you had a good experience. Well done!!
$31,500 in replacing all of the lines but they opened the house and left the access opened and now having the door replaced and the rodent damages repaired! Had chimney capped! Had roof replaced! I’m not selling but I’m repairing everything to avoid issues later? Getting fences done, trees removed etc!
This is very smart...invest in your home...it will pay off down the long run. Very smart!!
I absolutely love Audra's laughter. It makes me very happy. I like her very much and her content is very educational. My house is on the market right now, and I appreciate learning all she can give me for the selling and buying process. I appreciate you, Audra. Thank you, Audra. Great job!
You are so very welcome. You sound like a sweetheart. So happy I can help. You're going to do great selling your home. All the luck in the world to you. Really appreciate your comment.
I bought a place 2 1/2 years ago. The seller did not disclose that the upstairs bathtub leaks into the kitchen ceiling which is below the tub. It was not discovered during my inspection. A few months after moving in I found a receipt left behind for the seller - they had repaired the drywall and painted over the water damage. You can bet I will be demanding a more thorough inspection when I purchase my next place.
I removed ugly popcorn ceiling , found a weird stain , cut into drywall to find a 9" cake pan inside ceiling to catch drips from tub upstairs ...
@@blackgirloffgrid1054
Don't they have to do a Seller's Disclosure? Couldn't you sue them for not disclosing this to you?
@@tmb9126they did not disclose it. I probably could have sued but did not pursue it.
When I bought my house I was charged $500.00 for a home inspection didn’t tell me a dam thing except I had a leaky faucet.I didn’t find out until I demolished my kitchen that my oven didn’t even work ! I upgraded the kitchen with top of the line appliances and real hardwood floors and new entry way with a custom Wrought Iron door , installed new water heater and all of the plumbing.
I hear that a lot..meaning a buyer gets a good home inspection report but when they move it, they find a lot of things that aren't working properly. So sorry to hear about your challenge. Sounds like your house is beautiful after all the upgrades. That's a lot of hard work. Well done!!
I never pay home inspectors is a wash we do it ourselves and save money also the home warranty no no we always pass on that we make sure to turn on all appliances air-conditioning heater dish washer if wash machine are included turn it on flush all toilet gutter look for soft wood tie-down water heater ventilation mold cracks on floors squicking floors turn all water on likes we don't care if a bulk don't work turn Fan's on ventilation we don't care can be replaced eco friendly filter cost more but better garbage disposal yes dishwasher hole don't care we don't use dishwasher any away mold behind toilet check sprinkles trees doors closing tightly and windows roofing splitting floors fire places turn on gas drainage inside the homes and outside if there enough water drainage around the house ✔️ for broken cables switches working smoke detectors garbage doors sensors motor refrigerator we don't care under sinks for wetness blinds don't care also go under the home check for broken pipes or mildew water bad smell of waste poop leaks for sure check backup system for clean ups see over cracks and seal broken retaining walls cracks stucco with older homes you will fine cracks easily fixed I have wrinkles too so you all see home inspection is not hard why pay $500 for a guy to be talking on the phone you can do it yourself and have a nice dinner with his money 😅😅Don't sweat over small fines in a home 🏡 I think the big deal is the air-conditioning heater water heater trash disposal mildew leaks inside and outside and under and proper drainage for home and working bathrooms sinks shower smoke detector replaced batteries really sweat over that light bulb really replaced it gutter clean it you can always tell the seller what you found and ask for discount and you do it yourself after purchase they will appreciate it 1,500 will not be to bad for minor things to be fixed 250 trash disposal gutter 250 so all depends but if you find termite poop I will not buy that home remember for one you can see there is millions hidden inside pass that you new home will poison if you buy it and have it treated infestation homes will need to be open and see inside the walls for the severe damage ok kill termite but the damage inside no no open the walls
It most be done
@@perlamaru6751 Well, you can definitely do your own home inspection...sounds like you have a lot of experience in this area. Most people do not. Most the houses in my area do have termites...which is something every homeowner in my area will have to maintain over the years. The question is never do you have termites...the question is usually how much termite work needs to be completed on the property. Thanks for commenting.
That laugh is distracting and horrible
I am a first-time seller from Hurricane Utah, and I don't know how to Thank You enough.
I am planning to put my house in March or early April this year.
Oh wow...so glad I could help. You're going to do great!!
Always check the roof and a crawlspace. I have been helping my mom take care of her property and the first time I went to visit I found a whole list of things and I am not a contractor. She had a contractor (larger company) she has paid to work on her home for 30+ years. It was not okay and now I go to visit every few months to work on things. Get them checked, keep good records, take photos before/after. Buyers will find things.
Yes, agree...and that's wonderful advice. Buyers will find always find "things"...thanks for your comments.
A good general list of things for sellers. I'd appreciate hearing about the buyers perspective. It also would be helpful to talk about water quality. It's the one HUGE thing people don't check. Poor water quality from the city or state you live in is a big deal for drinking, bathing, etc. It's way more than a simple water pressure test to go further and check the quality of the water. Also, if water softeners are essential because of water quality issues, it's useful to know the hardness and how that affects pipes. Had I been better at looking at how the water quality in my new home was, I may have seriously considered whether this was the home for me. So, have someone come out and test the water!
Hi Sarah, thanks for the tip. I do agree about the quality of the water. I'll do a video on the perspective of the buyer too. Appreciate your comment.
I just discovered your channel yesterday and have watched several of your videos. They are all very informative and you are such a good teacher! Just wanted to say that I’m enjoying your content and appreciate what you’re doing. 👍👍
Thanks and welcome! So glad you are getting some value. Really appreciate your comment...means the world to me.
I really appreciate your content! I'm binge watching now. ☺@@AudraLambert
@@TheQueenOfDreams Ahhh...thanks!! Really appreciate your support.
@@AudraLambert I appreciate the education! We are planning to list our home early next year, and we’re hoping to do it with some wisdom this time. 🙃 Your content is very helpful! Although, I’m still not going to paint my yellow house! 🤪
Ahhh..thanks so much!! Glad you are getting some value!!
thank you one of my friend does this with his father and brother. I was actual interested in becoming an home inspector
Thanks for such an intensive check list. We will be putting our house up for sale in Texas, near Austin, this spring. We will do what we can from your list but also get an inspector to look at our property so we can see every thing that needs repair. We are following your suggestion from another of yours vlogs to declutter and clean. Many trips tp Goodwill. After living here for close to 30 years we definitely have some maintenance issues. And yikes! a pool. Your recommendations will help us a lot. Thank you.
Well, best of luck to you! You will do great!! So glad I could assist! Are you staying in Texas? Just curious? In California we have people moving to Texas in groves. Have a wonderful day!!
In Texas, any inspection done in the last few years have to be disclosed to the buyer if they ask. At the very least, any repairs that should have had a permit you do after that report better be done with a permit. But, keep that in mind before hiring an inspector. Our agent was able to download the previous inspection the seller/flipper had done.
Absolutely true that people (not just buyers) over estimate repair costs or even how hard to DIY. I've slow flipped houses for 22 year and even I often over estimate repair costs sometimes. Just fixed 2 doors that didn't close correctly. One opened by itself. I assumed I had to move the hinges a little which is a huge pain. Checked UA-cam which suggested pulling a hinge pin. tap it with a hammer to put a small bent in it, replace and the extra friction would hold the door in place. I had to bend 2 pins but yeah it worked. 10 minutes. The other door was hitting the jam at the top. Again resetting hinges is no fun. I chiseled out the top hinge a little and shimmed the bottom hinge with some cardboard and that fixed the issue. 30 minutes.
Thanks for your comment...its a good one. You can save a lot of money doing the repairs yourself...buyers usually over estimate the cost of repair. Thanks!
If you are the buyer, do your final walkthrough the morning of the closing. We did ours on a Sunday around noon with closing on Monday afternoon. We signed off thinking everything was good. Homeowner was obviously upset because the home inspection required the installation of a radon system, repair of stair rails, replacement of garage disposal, pool repairs and some other things. After our final walk-through, she went back in the house and removed every single smoke detector as well as the CO2 detectors. We did not find out until after closing. How Penny can you be?
Wowzie...that's horrible. In California, it is the law that you have to have the smoke detectors and CO detectors on the property and convey with the property at closing. I honestly would have held escrow or the process up if those weren't in place. Sounds like you did the final walk though with them being in place, then the home owner took them down after the walk through. I would reach out to the listing agent/broker and demand they be reinstalled immediately. If they don't, report them to the National Association of Realtors and/or small claims. Unbelievable!!! This drives me crazy!!
Whew! I’m going to be busy. Thank you!
You got this! I know its a lot, but it will pay off.
I live in Florida. Wish my re agent would have given me 1% of this advice before listing my property. He never even walked the property to see what defects there were. Had inspection on Friday for a buyer I brought (my close friend). I had no idea what I needed to do before an inspection. Lots of minor cosmetic things on the report that could have been cured before inspection. A couple possible serious issues also.
Thank you again for all your info! I have listened to you for over a year and preparing to list our home soon. You always have things I needed to hear!
I am so glad I could add value. Best of luck to you on selling your home. You'll do great!! Thanks for the comment...means the world to me.
Getting ready to put home on market. I have decided to have a pre inspection from your advice. This way if their are any problems i can get them taken care of now instead of a nasty (?) surprise later!!!
Thank You so much.
Great video:
You can add to the list:
Any appliances being left must be clean and working. Washer/Dryer, Microwave,
Pathways to house should be secure and not a tripping hazard
Rugs should be free of holes, stains and bumps
Trees should not be hanging over the house
Trees should not be dead, if so get it removed
Deck should be secure, newly stained or painted
Deck railing should be up to code heights (all railing in and out of the house)
GFCI outlets in all locations required by code. Kitchen, garage, and outdoors.
Attic should have proper ventilation.
Dishwasher interior cleaned and odor free
and much more
Hi Audra, Those purple flashlights are great. Be warned however not only do they detect urine and scorpions, but some household cleaners such as "Simple Green" will also glow. Not sure it may need to be dried - don't know. I live in AZ and I found this out the hard way when one night I was scouting around for scorpions and noticed splashes on the walls near where I had been spraying cleaner the day before. Husband did a small test and the next day sure enough - it glowed as well!
I like the fact you are sincere and not pretentious. Keep the " silly" laughter!:)
Always! And Thank you!!! Means a lot.
Thank you for all the great information on how to prepare for a home inspection. Many of these never occurred to me until now. I will take your advice when I put my home up for sale!
Audra thinks of everything. I truly found this an easy listening lesson. I thought I'd share also about the fridge issue with those water duspensers: We bought a refrigerator with the water/ice dispenser, then, we had the plumber to install a special on/off lever in the pipeline. We wanted to have this style of fridge but knew better to operate the dispenser. We could turn it on if we want to, maybe for when we have people over, but we never had the need for that convenience. We didn't want a water dispenser to keep us from having our favorite fridge. Thanks for your video.
Very interesting. I didn't know you could do that. Good to know...and thanks for sharing.
I don't think I understand. Why do you need a lever?
I had a water and ice dispenser growing up and I do now and love it.
Excellent content. Many moons ago, when we bought, our inspector called out reverse polarity in a socket or two. Too bad he missed the jinky old water main gate. That was our first fix.
Wow! what a detailed list! Thank you so much for this helpful info@ You are awesome!!
Ahhh...so glad I could help!!!
LMAO at "Phooey!!!" Audra is the BEST!!!
Thanks. I updated my own checklist with some of your items.
Excellent!
We are buying a home in a rural area. We are from The Bay Area. I appreciate you making this video. Thank you Angel from The Bay and soon to be CountryAngel.
Glad it was helpful! So glad you're going to be a country angel. You're going to do great when selling your Bay Area home. Best of luck to you!
Thanks Audra! I made my inspection checklist per your recommendations and you can bet I'm going to check it twice. Thanks for sharing & have a Merry Christmas!
Ahhh...thank you...and Merry Christmas to you too. Best of luck to you!!
My neighbors wanted my house when I sold in 2019. My house was solid! I deferred zero maintenance during ownership. What became the sticking point? My paint colors! I like warm tones, not cold ass grey. They tried to discount my home so much because of this. Told them, zero realtor fees and zero discount because of colors. Don't like it, move along... yeah, they bought it!
Their home had so many problems but they didn't care about that. Most home buyers are just stupid with their priorities!!!
Sometimes the middle finger is the best answer to "extortion".
Yes, picky about the wrong things. Or just trying to, like the above comment, extort. Playing stupid games in buying and selling, you have to be prepared for it, every time. Many will gladly waste your time, were never a serious buyer. Sellers, swiping stuff on the way out the door, the gas fire place insert, shelves in the closet...stupid games.
Inspection reports should be uniformly written and posted with the listing. Just think what that would do to the buying/selling process. It would also give people an incentive to take better care of their home.
I agree. I would have liked to see a complete inspection report before making an offer in the last home we purchased. I certainly want to know what needs to be done, well before I consider selling. It might take time, (in my case) money that needs to be saved up for repair ocsts, in an extreme case, potentially construction, which is what happened when we sold our last house. The deck had to be replaced. I just wanted to sell it "as is", knowing that deck had to be replaced.
@@lisafeck1537 I think most potential buyers would agree.
I’ll be building a retirement home in a couple of years, this list is a great resource to go over to make sure everything is set. Time to budget all the repairs.
Before the move
So glad it was helpful....and best of luck to you!!
Yes!!
Terrific informative video. Almost like a handbook for trouble free sale. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video, it is extremely helpful!!!!
The lack of an air gap can cause the bad smell from the garbage disposal. Using the dishwasher or running an empty cycle also helps eliminate the odor. I have found the odor to be from a blocked dishwasher drain line. Not everything is meant to go down the drain...
Thanks so much for clarifying. I know its there for a reason:)
This is all excellent advice. However, if a person is forced to sell their home for multiple reasons and have no funds to make these repairs, it’s next to impossible to implement many, if any, of these suggestions.
This is true....and I hear ya. However, in circumstances like the one you described, you can always get a quote for the repair and price it into your asking price. You're just not going to get top dollar...but that's okay if you are limited financially. At least watching this video you know what a buyer will be looking for...just price your house accordingly. Best of luck to you!
AS A FORMER AGENT NOW RETIRED REMEMBER THE POCKET FULL OF NO 'S ANYTHING YOU CAN DO PRIOR TO HELPS. GET THINGS DONE . IT WILL COME OUT SO DO IT NOW. MAKES BUYERS MORE COMFORTABLE UP FRONT.
Very good points...and I agree. Thanks so much for your comment.
Excellent advice, great laugh! As a home inspector I can vouch for this.
Ahhh...thanks so much!! Really appreciate your comment.
Thank you, your information is always helpful and appreciated. ❤
Thank you, Audra. Detailed, to the point. You’re Amazing. Appreciate you!
You're so welcome! So glad I could help!! Best of luck to you.
I live in California and it is interesting that the inspectors are not calling some of the things that are mentioned in this video. Refrigerator for instance. Or dirty filters.
Really depends on the inspector. If the refrigerator is a built-in refrigerator the inspector should check it..if its a stand alone refrigerator, more than likely they won't inspect it and tell you its out of their scope of investigation. Every inspector is different...but you aren't wrong. Thanks for the comment.
Yes, they were stand alone. I am trying to buy a house so these tips will help me even though most of them are about selling a house. I’ll look to see if there any tips for buyers.
@@Sarah33Kaufman I am working on a buyer's video. Stay tuned:)
Yes, I do insurance loss control inspections here in CA 12 yrs and agree that many of these issues raised, particularly plumbing conditions described, are not standard to a simple residential interior, property nor liability inspections.
I plan to keep my refrigerator and washer dryer. Probem?? Thank you!
Thanks for the video, it was very helpful! I love the light hearted laughter, it's fun and positive.. 😊
Ahhh...thank you...glad you got value out of this video. I do love to laugh. Appreciate your comemnt.
do you have a video on selling your property "as is" ?
Thank you for this most informative video. You mentioned popcorn ceilings, but didn't really delve into the pros and cons. They are dated and definitely not attractive. Should they be removed? Covered with wood planks? Other options?
I also want to know more. Are there certain years homes were made that the popcorn ceiling contains asbestos?
Audra, you are the BEST!!
I think it’s quite fair for a potential buyer to expect these items to be taken care of ahead of time, especially when it comes to basic maintenance and repair upkeep. At least in my local market, it’s very likely your life savings and entire financial security are placed into buying a home-if it seems like a seller doesn’t keep up with the small things, it’s easy to assume they’re not keeping up with the large items either or even worse, lying to you about it so it becomes your problem instead. If I am buying a property with issues pointed out by a home inspector (especially when not disclosed by the seller ahead of time) I would definitely overestimate the cost of repairs for good reason - it’s not just the simple repair cost, but also all of the inconveniences of buying someone else’s problem from them: finding trustworthy repair companies in an area I might not live, deferred move in dates if a large enough issue, insurance! for an issue being significantly worse than previously assumed, etc. This is a very comprehensive list and I really appreciate it.
Audra I really love your laughter, you have a great personality. Your laughter brakes up the monotony of your videos, which are very informative!
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your comment!!
I agree!
@@angelwilder2378 Ahhh...thanks so much!!
Thank you for the information!
I’m a little confused though about the refrigerator being included in the home inspection. I thought that that particular appliance was not considered part of the sale of the house, as it is not built-in.
Oh my goodness, great questions!! In my area, most the refrigerators are built-in (affixed to the wall). In the CA purchase agreement there is a box the buyer will mark including or excluding all refrigerators. If the buyer marks the box "Include all refrigerators" and the seller agrees...then all refrigerators do convey with the property (even the freezer in the garage, wine refrigerator, beverage refrigerator whether it is affixed or not). A lot of agents don't know this...so if you are receiving an offer and you want to keep your refrigerator, you will need to ensure it is not included. If a refrigerator is not affixed to the wall, you are not required to have it included in the sale (just make sure your buyer didn't mark the box). If the refrigerator is built-in affixed to the wall, it is to convey with the property unless both parties have agreed to otherwise. If the refrigerator is built-in, the inspector will evaluate the unit. Hope that helps...thanks for the question and watching my video.
To me, these are common sense ideas. Also, regular maintenance on your home is extremely important.
Thanks for your videos.
I agree about the common sense comment. However, there are a lot of people out there that don’t know these things…and overtime the lack of maintenance on the property becomes a problem. Always good to get a friendly reminder. Thanks for watching and appreciate your comment.
Really love your videos. I appreciate your honest comments. You are certainly a real pro.
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate you compliment...mean a lot. So glad I could offer some value!!
I am brand new so learning the ropes and we need more agents just like you!@@AudraLambert
@@n1ice1 So glad I could help!! Best of luck to you...just keep educating yourself. You'll do great!!
We do are own inspection never had a problem those inspections cost money but of curse we know everything about contractions but perhaps will do next time we got a older fence i know if you neighbors don't want to fix it you can ask for 3 estimates and show your neighbors the cost if they refuse you can take them to courts but you most have 3 estimates and take the medium price and fix the fence of curse let your neighbors know you be taking them to courts for not helping on the fences share price to fix it or you ask if they can work and you buy materials that is a great idea too
Good point! In California the small claims maximum amount is $12,500. Out here, replacing an entire fence line might be more than that. The issue arises when your neighbor next door who doesn't want to repair the fence doesn't have any money or a job. Even if you win in small claims court, collecting the money is very difficult. Its not fun dealing with a neighbor who doesn't maintain their property...it eventually will effect yours.
I assume Audra is talking about the buyer's home inspector. Not the city inspection for a Certificate of Occupancy. If it's a seller's market, just tell the buyer to go away and take their inspector with them. I live in a lower income area in NJ. But prices are still quite high in my neighborhood not too far from NYC. On the East Coast 'AS IS' means something. It means no guarantees and if you find it is broken then fix it after you buy. Just lower your offer or go away.
When we bought our home in 1985 there were no Inspectors. The best you could do was to have a contractor come through and offer their opinion. We spent nearly 14% of the purchase price on foundation repairs. The seller hid the problem and their son was an attorney representing them free of charge when we asked for relief. The sellers name was appropriate - Crooks
Thanks for the info and where did you get your shirt? So cute!
Thank you for your great advice. What about septic tanks
Yes, that's a good idea too!
CO detectors are beyond absurd for people who do not have gas fired furnaces. and yes i am an hvac engineer
Wrong-O! In most cities like mine, CO detectors are required. a lot of things can create CO that aren't HVAC related. A car running in a garage is a common one with keyless. Electronics can emit it, etc etc. BTW all detectors sold in Chicago are required to be both smoke and CO combined so it is a no problem thing. Esp for us older folks, CO detector is KEY
This information is crucial for saving the seller some money while delivering a safer and more sound home for the buyer. It also helps to build the buyer’s trust. I’m a new subscriber. Thanks for sharing these tips And the giggles!🤭
Absolutely! Thank you so much for your comment. I am a giggler...can't help it. LOL
Information is very beneficial; the comments are extremely helpful as well. Thank you
Awesome information- you are an awesome professional and a great teacher- keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your beautiful unique self! 🎉
Wow...thanks so much!! Really appreciate your kind words. Means the world to me.
Great content. Thank you. Charming profesional presence. 💝
So nice of you! Thank you so much!!
Here's one - check the toilets for cracked porcelain. Our home inspector missed a cracked toilet bowl in one of the bathrooms of the condo we purchased and we didn't see it until after the closing. I'm pretty sure the seller knew it was cracked and did not disclose it - they were not very nice to deal with. Don't depend on inspectors. Be present at the inspection and check things out yourself because they won't catch it all. Same for appliances, especially front-loading washing machines which are a breeding ground for mold.
Great advice!! Yes, I definitely recommend being their for the home inspection...look at everything!!....and choose a very thorough home inspector. So sorry to hear about your experience. So sorry. Thanks for sharing your experience and advice!!
@Audra, from your VAST experience, I'd like to get your opinion on something please. I'm selling my house. To the East of my home is nothing but industrial, commercial properties. With that said, looking ahead to an appraiser coming in. They should evaluate all homes for comps fairly and equally. To do that, imagine they draw a radius around your home 1/2 mile either direction, in all 4 directions, creating 4 quandrants. All four have properties to use as comps. Because my property only has the left 2 quadrants with properties, is it okay to bring that to the appraisers attention. I was suggesting to move my property "point" to the left 1/2 mile so that i get the same benefit as everyone else, with all 4 quadrants occupied with properties. Otherwise I am only benefiting from 50% of avail homes for comps. I feel like I'm disenfranchised. I know this was long, hope I explained it. Wish I could send a pic
That's a great question. It really up to the appraiser on how they want to evaluate the boundaries. I would definitely tell them your logic...it sounds legitimate to me. However, ultimately its up to the appraiser. If they go more than a mile from the property to pull comps, they will have to explain it in their appraisal. I certainly hope you get an understanding appraiser...it really a gamble. Thanks so much for watching my videos.
@@AudraLambert I never miss your videos and I've turned my brother into a subscriber also. Love your candidness. So, I want to be delicate about this to the appraiser. My sf is (by owner), not by appraisal or assessor. I have a footprint with sf from the builder, as well as a prior appraisal (from 2005) justifying the sf. So, I feel like I need to be the one to defend my logic in setting different parameters. First, even IF the appraiser can go out 1 mile, that still doesn't give me 100% of the properties surrounding me to use, because my NE and SE quadrants are retail. I was thinking of saying something along the lines, "I would like to present you with market data I used and the logic behind it to justify my asking/and selling price". I would NEVER say "here are my comps" thoughts? on how to approach it?
Excellent advice!
Glad it was helpful!
Audra. Excellent work for us home sellers. Wife and I have been in our 1st home for almost 30 years in Ventura, CA. I find your videos and speaking skills superb so tx again. I have a question please. Our kitchen cabinets which we bought from Home Deport about 18 years ago look great other than some wearing off of the stain on 5 cabinet doors just behind the cabinet door knob. H depot says they no longer carry that line. I tried a local cabinet maker to no avail. Do we just discuss with a future buyer? Thoughts? Tx, John
Wow, I have an expensive window blind that's not working. I never thought that mattered. Its coming down.
I have lived in many houses and none of them had doors to the garage that automatically close. Could that be a California thing?
Great question regarding the fire rated door. It may be a California thing...I did google the question. Apparently, all commercial properties need fire rated doors. There was no mention about which states required it. I would check with your city to find out...or call a General contractor. Appreciate the question.
The buyer is supposed to put the smoke detectors in. CO detectors are not needed when there is no source of CO. I removed the batteries of the detectors in my house because they always chirp because they are low.
Thank you so much for sharing. I have a quick question if the inspection fails do inspection come back to check again?
Great question! A home inspector doesn't pass or fail a house...the home inspection just documents what wrong and/or working on the house. There may be several items that aren't working on the property that the buyer may ask to have fix. The buyer may ask the inspector to come back for a second look. However, I would always suggest having a licensed, bonded insured contractor come out to the property to do the work. Contractors are required to warranty their work (at least in California) giving the buyer comfort that the repair were done correctly. I like to recommend a credit for repairs if both parties agree. That way the buyer can get the work completed with their own general contractors/handymen etc/
Thank you for this wonderful information Audra
You are so welcome! Happy to Help!
Another thing about electrical. If your outlet doesn't stick out past your outlet cover it's going to fail inspection.
Thanks for the comment...you are right!
Thank you for this video! Lot's of great tips as we are getting ready.👍🏼
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting...means a lot.
Hi. Do you have homebuyers inspection list as well?
Hello there! Its actually the same list. Your inspector should be looking at every aspect in this video, as well. Best of luck to you.
🙏🙏
@@Sarah33Kaufman Glad I could help.
I Love this Women I recently start watching your videos and I really enjoying the way you explain things I LOVE IT I am an agent in Los Angeles area still learning from your videos thank you .
Thank you so much! This means the world to me. So glad you are getting value out of my videos.
I love your laugh! I am enjoying all your content, it is all good information, even though we are in different states. Bought home in 2020, but going to try to sell this summer to move within state but closer to family...I do love staging!
Thanks so much for your comment. Really appreciate the kind words. You're going to do great when selling your home. Best of luck to you...and life is too short...enjoy your family.
Amazing list! I feel exhausted just listening to it, but invaluable! And I'm in Australia! Truly global content 👍👍👍
LoL never seen the date of installation on smoke detectors!! In Connecticut and Florida, inspectors don't care about windows nor light bulbs. The last house we bought, the inspector did not even see that the window on one patio door was broken, like entirely missing a entire glass missing on a double glazed patio door. They don't bother much about HVAC either, if they run, it's ok for them. You really have to order a specific HVAC inspection on top of the home inspection. Grout never been reported in any home inspection report. Fridge coil never been inspected, ever in the 2 houses I bought! Ahahahahah the oven.... the last house we bought in CT was completely burnt inside, the dirties I have ever seen. Inspector never inspected the gutters either. The automatic closing garage door might be a California thing... Sewer inspection is an optional additional inspection. How about cracks on foundations?
Relatively new re the dates and for commercial properties new NFPA regs require HVAC tagging as well!
The homes I’ve been looking at in Rural Texas where there aren’t many homes for sale would not pass this inspection list! All the ovens have been dirty! And yet they’re getting sold and financed?!?!
I hear ya...every area is different. In my area, most the home inspectors review the items I discussed in the video. I am always amazed to hear sellers not putting their houses together for selling. Don't get it. Its respectful, right?
Are sellers required to provide keys to all exterior door locks? My seller only provided key to the front door and I was missing three keys and they refused to pay for re-keying the doors. The realtor for the seller lived next door to this property so I did not want to have issues with the neighbors in the court.
Great question. In California, all properties are sold AS IS. If the seller doesn't have the keys to the various doors on the property then they are not required to hand over a new set of keys to you. There are disclosures the seller must fill out. In those disclosures there is an area specifying how many keys are meant to convey with the property. Also, most new home buyers have all the locks changed (yes, I know its easier to do this when you have the original key). In my area, it is customary for the seller to provide a home warranty. Most home warranty companies off complimentary re-key service. Sorry to hear that the owner didn't hand over the proper keys. Ugh. Appreciate the question..its a good one.
This was a great video! I watch your channel and I’m not selling a house. Would you ever do any videos on how to increase the value of a house, and what sells a property quicker? Thanks for all you do. 👍
Yes, of course. I will do a video on increasing the value of your house...great idea. I have done a video on selling a property quicker: ua-cam.com/video/pySXH7pwGR0/v-deo.htmlsi=03oHsrRPkKpQBvdZ
Thanks for watching!!!
Thank you, Audra! Am about to list my condo in Oakland, CA, and am trying to make sure I get the best selling agent plus do all the upfront work needed to get it ready. One question: my building is a 1967 construction, so of course, now there are getting to be more and more issues -- such as the balconies are getting mold. HOA dues are going up and up... how would one address this intelligently/cautiously with potential buyers? Of course, I will over-disclose. Your insights are greatly appreciated!
My cabinets below my bathroom sinks all have water damage on the walls from the sinks over flowing and running down the walls below into the under sink spaces. I can not even find handymen that want to take on the job of repairing them. Can the house be sold "As Is" on this issue and how much will it deduct on my property's value? Your input is welcome.
Great question. I obviously don't know the degree of damage nor the area you are living. My only concern is if the leak is not actually fixed and mold might be present. I would at a minimum repair is to the point that there is no leak and no mold present. I am not sure how much of a deduction buyers would want on your property with this condition in place. Most the contracts state that the property is sold AS IS. However, it is customary for buyers to ask for repair requests and/or credits. I would reach out to a trusted realtor in your area. Ask them the question...and heck, they should be able to refer you to someone who could fix it. I am so sorry to hear about this. Its not fun.
Just for safety, smoke/co2 detectors should be replaced at least every ten years, working or not. Hopefully they are the hard wired variety and the ones I recently replaced have a date of manufacture from the factory printed on the label. Every bedroom and hallway should have a working unit. When one is triggered they should all signal. Retaining walls in Southern California, and the big hill behind the house, watch out this weekend for the mud slides. The first thing inspectors do is turn on the dishwasher. The first thing I would do after buying a used house is to replace the dishwasher and to replace all the toilets with one pice units. I HATE seeing multi million dollar homes with cheap two piece toilets from Home Depot or worse. Love your stock footage cutaways, the European stock footage showing European windows that are vastly SUPERIOR in every way to cheap American windows are a hoot to watch Most people won't notice, nor the European "Mitsubishi" type heat pump or the European wall sockets. For the air gap which here in the west is a code requirement, get a Miele dishwasher which are designed in such a way to prevent back flows. I presume others have that feature as well. Since you are selling "Orange County" a kitchen at minimum should have Sub Zero, Wolf, and Miele appliances. That Samsung stuff from Home Depot won't cut it. A garbage disposal should be 3/4th HP, not one of those tiny little cheap ones.
Great tips...good recommendations.Really appreciate your comment.
Hi Audra! A very extensive list, but a good one. I did notice that you didn't mention the washer and dryer on your list. Is this something a home inspector doesn't check? Also, do they go as far as checking the drain plugs on bathroom sinks? Those pull-up ones always seem to let water out, slowly. Thanks!
Hello there! The washer and dryer is not affixed to the property and is considered personal property. Personal property does not covey at close of escrow. The inspector will not inspect a washer/dryer. They will say its out of the scope of their investigation. If you and your buyer agree to include the washer/dryer in the sale of the property, I would make sure on the contract that it states no guarantees or warranties are to be made on the washer/dryer. The inspectors should check the drain plugs at the bathroom sinks. I agree..those drain plugs are testy!! Thanks for the question!
Thank you very much
Fantastic information
Thank you so much.
You are so welcome..happy to help.
Fantastic info. I will be using these when we list
So happy I could help!! Best of luck to you.
❤My buyer backed out after finding repairs beyond their confort. Here in VA, home inspectors do not move anything if there's something that they can't see visibly they don't do they don't inspect it so my the home inspector that looked at my property for the buyers was not required to move anything so he didn't inspect anything further than the visual that was evident good is that play backed out because two women alone either hit with us it's going to cost $5,000 to fix these repairs and the amount of money for an inspection but I could have would have been glad to tell him already but I didn't because my agent said you don't tell him anything you let the inspector tell him what's wrong that's why I lost the cell
In my experience, its always to over disclose any information you know about your property. Hand over your seller disclosures early on in the process. When the home inspection arises, there should be no major surprises. Sorry to hear your buyer backed out. That's a lot of work to get under contract...having a buyer back out is no fun. Ugh. So sorry.
@@AudraLambert they di not have disclosures in this state, very different from North Carolina where I lived before!!! Plus my realtor told me to not tell the inspector ir buyer anything, leave itbro the inspector to find anything wrong. I should have said no to this.
@@ruthspillman546 Ugh...hate to hear this...but yes, you are right. Can't believe there are no seller disclosures in North Carolina. That's crazy!
@@AudraLambert there are nine in Virginia where I live now and going to place my house back on the market. Yep, crazy isn't!!! It cost me a sell as I would have paid to fix the issue.
@@ruthspillman546 That is crazy. Once again, so sorry. I wish you most luck when you put your house back on the market. You'll do great this time:)
Have pool no law in city for fences locks .we are way far back nobody can see it. I contacted the city and yes we need no fences for pool. Some stuff like buy new fridge . But most is ok
Yes, I live in California. You would not believe the restriction and requirements we have for pools...its extremely expensive. Glad to hear it a bit more lax where you live. Glad to hear most the stuff on your property is ok. Well done!!
As a buyer, I've always been the one to hire and pay for home inspections. As a seller, I've never been the one to get my own home inspected. why would I care? I'm selling. the buyer, hires his own inspection company, pays for it... and he gets the report. it has nothing to do with the seller. so I am so surpriseed to hear that in your country it is totally opposite.
Well, I am a bit different. As an agent, I pay for the home inspection before putting the house on the market (most agents don't offer this service). That way, we know whats wrong or not wrong with the property. You care as a seller out here because the buyers have 17 days (this can be negotiated down) to do their buyer' investigations. After 17 days, they can pull out of the deal if the buyer isn't satisfied with their findings. The seller is on pins and needles for1 7 days. 17 days is a long time to sweat it out. I hand over the inspection report to the the buyer's agent and tell them to make their offer with the condition of the property in mind...the seller is offering no repairs or credits. I then shorten the time frame to 10 days or less when the offer is presented. I love it. The buyers are purchasing a house with more transparency...sellers don't get nickeled and dimed over repair requests. Its a beautiful thing.
Since our home was built in 1892 there is lead paint in some areas of the house
There are a lot of homes that do have lead based paint in their homes. Thanks for the reminder.
What do you think about putting shiplap on a ceiling to cover popcorn ceilings rather than scraping them?
My friend did that...at a minimum I would get the popcorn ceilings tested for asbestos. It actually turned out nicely. I would make sure you know what you're doing...or someone else does:). If you were to sell your property, you would have to disclose the popcorn ceilings under the shiplap...which is why its a good idea to test it. Great question.
There's a super thick paint that smooths alot of the popcorn out and looks presentable.
Hi Audra! Nice nice video! Smashed the like button so we can get more videos by you! Question: if you have 40years old furnace working very well (north east USA) - is it necessary to replace it if u r planning to sell the house! Thanks.