Home Inspections: What San Diego Sellers Should Expect
A home inspection evaluates accessible parts of a property and its systems to help the buyer understand its condition. The buyer commonly selects and pays for the inspection, unless the contract provides otherwise. Findings may lead to additional evaluations or requests for repairs or credits.
An inspection report is information to review, not an automatic instruction to fix every item. I’ll help you understand the requests and your options under the purchase agreement.
What Does a Home Inspector Typically Review?
Depending on the inspection agreement and access, a general inspection may cover the roof, structure, visible plumbing, electrical components, heating and cooling, doors, windows, and selected appliances. Attached garages, drainage, insulation, or crawlspaces may also be reviewed where accessible.
A general inspection has limits. It does not guarantee that every defect will be found, and it may not include specialized testing. Roof, sewer, pest, pool, structural, or environmental concerns may call for separate professionals.
How to Prepare Your Home for Inspection
Make the property accessible and reduce avoidable obstacles:
Clear access to electrical panels, equipment, and other requested areas.
Arrange access to garages, attics, and crawlspace entrances where appropriate.
Keep utilities operating as required for the inspection.
Secure pets and provide agreed entry instructions.
Share available maintenance records and relevant reports through the transaction process.
Do not hide, obstruct, or temporarily disguise known issues.
Ask before moving equipment or attempting unfamiliar repairs. Safety and proper access come first.
What Happens After the Inspection?
The buyer may accept the condition, seek more information, request repairs or credits, or exercise an available contractual cancellation right. Your agreement determines the relevant deadlines and rights.
I’ll help you review requests in context. A safety concern or major system issue may call for a different response than ordinary wear. Possible responses include agreeing to specified work, negotiating a credit, proposing another solution, or declining a request where appropriate. Buyer financing can affect which solutions are acceptable.
Should You Get a Pre-Listing Inspection?
A seller-ordered inspection can help identify issues before marketing and support preparation decisions. It also creates information that may need to be disclosed, and it does not replace the buyer’s right to investigate under the contract.
The value of a pre-listing inspection depends on your property, budget, and timeline. I’ll help you weigh the benefits before you arrange one.
Home Inspection FAQs
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A general inspection usually reports conditions rather than giving a simple pass-or-fail result. However, contract terms, lender requirements, or applicable requirements may make particular issues important to resolve.
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Not automatically. Your obligations depend on the contract, applicable requirements, and any written repair agreement. I’ll help you review the request and negotiate a response.
Check out these other helpful seller’s guides and learn more.
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