Eye Before You Buy That Laguna Beach Home

Buying a home? Get an inspection. That’s the universal law of real estate. But a home inspection actually begins with YOU. That’s right. Go inside and outside that Laguna Beach home and do some major snoopin’ and sniffin’. Check it out. You’ll know what shape that Laguna Beach real estate is in – before the official third party inspection squad jumps in with the full diagnosis. Believe me, you’ll be saving yourself time and boosting your bargaining power if you discover problems in advance. With that in mind, I want to unveil these 5 proven guidelines to help you eye before you buy that Laguna Beach home.

Be Water Wary. OK, you want a home that’s close to the water. Great! But do you want water in your Laguna Beach home? I don’t think so. Look for telltale signs of water damage, leaks, and mold, and brown staining anywhere. And remember, the nose knows. If you smell moisture, you’ll soon see it…somewhere. It could even turn up hidden behind walls when the mold man does his reconnaissance.

Take Your Home’s Temperature. No thermometer needed. Just check out the insulation. If the layers are light, your heating and cooling bills definitely won’t be. Be sure to remind the seller of this.

Gauge the Age. Unfortunately, appliances, roofs, water heaters, siding, and ac don’t improve with age. Learn how old these things are, and estimate replacement dates. This knowledge can be a powerful bargaining chip at the negotiation table. Step Out.

The story of your Laguna Beach home unfolds well beyond the interior. Do some reconnaissance work on the outside. You just might discover unsightly cracks in the foundation. Or landscaping that’s too close to the house. Close-lying trees and plants have been known to trigger some serious moisture problems. And those large, shady trees…real beauties to behold. But their big, thick roots could wreak havoc with plumbing and foundations. Make sure they don’t. Ficus trees are the worst culprits. A video could help with the investigation and reveal roots breaking or blocking pipes.

Survey Your Surroundings. So you’ve examined your Laguna Beach home down to the last centimeter. Now you’re ready to slap the ‘passed’ label on it. Hold up there, Tex. You still need to give the neighborhood a look-see. Compare your house with the others. Are the other homes sources of pride and joy? Or embarrassments entangled in a thickets of uncared-for vegetation. Is the neighborhood pin-drop quiet? Or noisier than LAX on a Friday afternoon. Do you smell the sweet fragrance of floral splendor? Or something reminiscent of a garbage dump? These are important questions that must

True, these five steps won’t take the place of a professional inspection. But they do offer you a valuable head start on a process that can mean the difference between a happy home or a horrible headache.

If you’d like to learn more about inspecting your Laguna Beach home, be sure to contact the Coastal Property Experts today. Our team is on hand to answer any of your questions, as well as help you discover the wealth of opportunities waiting for you in the Laguna Beach real estate and Orange County real estate markets.

Connect with us at 949.922.8490 or hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com. Sunny Days and Smooth Sailing!