Archive for Inspections

If purchasing a home in Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont look at the elctrical panel

October 18th, 2009

Most of the homes that I sell in Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont were built quite a long time ago.  A major component of any home is the electrical system.  Only a professional electrician can tell you the condition of an electrical system but here are a few things “red flags” to look for yourself.  The […]

If purchasing an Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont home look at the furnace

October 17th, 2009

Since 1997 I’ve sold over 200 Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont homes.  At least half of them were in need of a new furnace.  Only a professional furnace technician can tell you the overall condition of a furnace.  Most of the homes in Oakland Berkeley and Piedmont were built long before modern advancements in heating systems.  […]

You cant stop water… So divert it!

July 1st, 2008

If you live or own real estate in the Oakland, Berkeley or Piedmont California hills it is important for you to know that you can not stop water, you can only divert it.  Properly diverting Water away from your home is the single most important thing you can do to increase the longevity of your […]

What Does “AS-IS” Really Mean?

February 25th, 2008

In the Oakland Berkeley real estate marketplace it is not uncommon to see “As-Is” referenced in the advertising remarks. In my opinion the As-Is term is used a little to often. The meaning of As-Is really depends on where you are in the sales transaction. Before an offer is accepted (the Marketing period) As-Is means […]

The Components of a Raised Perimeter Foundation

February 6th, 2008

Most homes in the Oakland Hills are built on raised perimeter foundations. When a home inspector or a pest inspector makes an inspection they will often call out terms that don’t mean anything to the average Buyer or Seller. The photo (above) details the components of your foundation from the floorboards down to the dirt […]

Pest Control Inspections

January 7th, 2008

In our local (Oakland) marketplace Its customary for a Seller to hire a local licensed pest control inspector to perform an inspection of the property before putting it on the market. The term “Pest inspection” conjures up images of bugs. Well, that’s a part of it. A pest inspection is a look at all of […]