Dear Michael: I am in escrow on a house and am not sure which inspections to do. I am definitely doing the general homes inspection. The last thing I want is to buy a home that will be problematic. Would you suggest I complete other inspections?
Answer: Complete as many inspections as you feel are necessary to satisfy you, so there are no uncertainties when purchasing a home. The general home inspection is the most important of all inspections. It is a general but not specific overview of the home’s condition. If at the time of inspection the inspector recommends further evaluations be made to some of the major components of the house, I would recommend a specialist for further evaluation.
As a buyer, consider completing other inspection such as mold inspection, sewer line inspection, chimney inspection, roof inspection and foundation inspection. Note that the cost of each of these can range from $200 to $400 per inspection. This is a small price to pay in exchange for peace of mind when purchasing your biggest asset.
Inspections and investigations of the property’s condition must be completed during the contingency period specified in the purchase contract.
Dear Michael: There is a home that I would love to own on my sister’s street. Unfortunately, it is not for sale. How do I go about finding out if the current owners are interested in selling it?
Answer: Many people interested in a specific home will drive by the property several times a week hoping for the slim chance that one day there will be a for sale sign on the front lawn. Rarely will that sign go up.
Depending on the type of community it is, sometimes it is appropriate to simply knock on the door of the home and ask for a moment of the owner’s time. Let the owner know that you find the home very appealing, then ask if he or she would consider selling it.
You can also find out the owner’s name and send a letter stating that you are interested in buying the property should the owner ever choose to sell it. To find out the name of the owner of a piece of property, look the property up by its address in the records of the county recorder. You could also do an address search in the records of the county tax assessor. If that sounds like a lot of leg work for a house you may or may not get, contact a real estate agent to inquire for you. A personal inquiry from a real estate agent informing the owner that there is a serious buyer interested in the home may be more impressive than a letter from you. The agent will know exactly what to say and will let the owners know that your intentions are more than just a passing curiosity. Homeowners may be more inclined to reply to a real estate agent, even if their answer is no. Also, a real estate agent is highly motivated to change the owners answer from no to yes by the prospect of earning a commission check.
None of these avenues may generate the response you are hoping to get but there is nothing wrong with trying. The worst they can do is say no.
Dear Michael: Four years ago, my neighbor placed a fence on my land. I want to take it down but every time I’ve tried, he has yelled, saying it is on his land. It is not on his land and I can prove it.
Answer: If you want to know the official boundary between your property and your neighbor’s, you can hire a surveyor to survey the land and stake the corners of your land and mark the edge of the land at issue.
You can also go to the tax assessor’s office and compare the map of your property with the survey that you paid for. This should give you the definitive boundaries of your land. If your neighbor has encroached on your land, you may have to sue him to remove his fence or you may be able to remove it yourself.
If he wants additional land for his own purposes, he can always rent or buy it from you. For more information on your legal options, talk to a real estate attorney.
Michael Kayem is a Realtor with Re/max/Execs, serving Culver City and the Westside since 2001. Contact Michael at (310) 390-3337 or homes@agentmichael.com.