“Hi Gary. My wife and I are first-time homebuyers. We want to make sure the home we buy is in good condition and doesnt have a lot of problems. What inspections do you recommend we get? And do we do them before or after we make an offer?”
***ANSWER:
Heres the answer my attorney wants me to give you:
You should get every inspection and test imaginable. That includes a basic home inspection, termite (pest control), structural/soils, mold, asbestos, pool, roofer, heating contractor, electrician, plumber, etc.
Now that my attorney is happy, heres what I and most people do on a typical home:
Get a basic home inspection and have the seller get a termite inspection and provide a clearance. If your home inspector feels additional inspections are needed, get them.
Exception: If the home has a red flag indicating it may have an issue with the structure, roof, etc., then go ahead and get that inspection asap during escrow.
Home inspections are done after the offer is accepted, during your contingency period, which means you can ask for repairs and/or pull out if youre not satisfied. The termite inspection can be done before or during escrow.
Search Homes For Sale in the San Diego MLS
