#1 My Dad (toured Italy WW2 ) “Rome was built on a hill” obviously my brother-in-law did not get this tip, he bought at the bottom of a hill, had a high water table, flooded and sump ran continuous, also found plumbing customer in “hole” i.e. lakefront, near lake, ect (hole where water drains to) mad I couldn’t get his sump to stop pumping.I have 2 walkout basements , both high,dry and no sump pumps.
LOL, birmingplumb. . . You had a very smart dad! Unfortunately, in SD County, we have areas even on higher ground where a sump pump (used after big rains) is often needed. The don’t call it “Spring St” for nothin’ :=0
sd_matt, are you listening?
#2 Never buy next to undeveloped vacant land unless you want to fight city hall when a sewage disposal plant gets put in next door or a prison.
OR if the 2-3 AC vacant lot across the st has a ditch running thru it, it might be a path for illegals to take at night or an “adopted” law-enforcement helopad. But more often than not, if one buys on the edge of town in CA, they can likely expect to see dozens or even hundreds of new roofs on adjacent vacant land during the period of their ownership.
#3. “Honey stop the car, this might be the place” seen in many ads. Plumber finishes this with-“now turn off the motor, roll down the windows and listen for road noise that stops my quiet Sunday afternoon naps in hammock between those 2 pines.”
The 5, the 15 & 805 considered, good luck with this one, but noise carries double to a hilltop as opposed valley elevation-try a hill for noise.
Absolutely, unequivocally agree. Buyers need to visit these properties during the height of rush hr (am AND pm) and stand in the FY, middle of house, next to fwy-facing windows and BY to get the full effect of what it would be like to live there (or keep a tenant in there).
#4. Visit property during thunderstorm. (Laguna Beach). Look at “lakes” created due to no perk.
The most desirable part of this area is at or close to sea level. Many 1930’s-era developed lots there have shored-up land with a set of stairs leading to the beach but there is really nothing anyone can do about this (correct me if I’m wrong here, birmingplumb). This anomaly will not affect property values there because there is no other place in the US to compare to this “exclusive” enclave.
#5. In city, look at storm sewer covers in street. If there a only a few holes, sewer undersized and can’t take full opening of rainwater, so city slowed intake. You will get water over curb.
Yes, you do. I note this happens regularly on some of the sunken sidewalks in dtn SD in spite of originally having a deep curb there with wide access to the storm drain.
#6. Check basement steel poles for rust along bottom, shows flooding basement.
Interesting and will save for future reference. SD County residences do not have basements.
#7. Got this from truck driver when concerned about too much shade and roof not drying out and rotting. “It ain’t the roof, its the bottom of the floor in the crawl space. Take a drill and drill the wood floor from the crawl, that,s the path the water vapor takes-ground up-it shows there first, then roof.
Great idea! Thanks for the tip!
#8. The inside can be redone for 30k so why look.(How they buy with no inspection)
Trust me I have redone the whole 1200 sf “wife’s old house” and turned it into a rental and have not had a issue in 12 years. New roof,windows,kit,floors,copper,electrical,inside doors.
Good for YOU, birmingplumb! I agree that a “professional inspection” in escrow is not always needed and likely a waste of money if the buyer knows exactly what they are looking at. If waiving an inspection contingency will put a buyer’s offer into the realm of consideration (in a multiple-offer situation) then I believe it is prudent to waive it, ESP if the new buyer will replace nearly everything as you did.
9.# Ask the postman who live across the street.(Thanks Dad)
Of course. Or the local resident-cop. Or little old lady daily walker who has lived there for 40+ yrs!
