Learn
Plain-language guides about home inspections in California — what gets checked, how to read the report and what to do with it.
Why get a home inspection before you buy in California
What a general home inspection covers, what it leaves out, why termites are common in California homes and when to order a specialized inspection.
Read the guide →
The 4-point inspection: what your home insurer looks at before renewing
Roof, electrical panel, plumbing and HVAC. What a 4-point inspection checks in California, which older items often get flagged, and how to prepare.
Read the guide →
How to read a home inspection report: the colors, new-home defects and what is left out
A long list of findings does not mean the house is bad, and a red item can be a cheap fix. How to read the report, common new-construction defects and what a general inspection does not cover.
Read the guide →
How to choose a home inspector in California: experience, rules and who they work for
California does not license home inspectors, but the law sets rules of conduct. What to check before you hire, and the one question an inspector should not answer.
Read the guide →
Home inspection in California: the 17-day window and what actually gets checked
Not required by law, but done in nearly every purchase. The standard 17-day investigation window, what a general inspector looks at and the referrals that matter most in the report.
Read the guide →
The inspection found problems: ask for a lower price, a credit, a repair — or walk away
With the report in hand, a buyer can renegotiate, ask for a closing credit, request repairs or cancel. How the repair request works and which findings are deal-breakers.
Read the guide →
Cracks in a California house: when they are normal and when to call a structural engineer
Hairline cracks in stucco, slabs and driveways are almost the rule in earthquake country. Slab vs. crawl space, the bolts insurers ask about, and the warning signs that need a specialist.
Read the guide →
Mold inspection in California: how the air test works and why inspectors say “moisture”
A dark stain and a musty smell are not proof of mold. How air and surface samples are taken, what the lab reports and what to ask for when your report flags moisture.
Read the guide →
Bought a new home in California? The 11-month inspection before the builder warranty ends
New construction comes with a one-year builder warranty, and many owners find the defects after it expires. How the 11-month inspection works and what California’s SB 800 covers beyond year one.
Read the guide →
Buying a home near the beach in California: termites, moisture and mold
Ocean air and wood framing make a combination buyers tend to underestimate. Drywood termites, tent fumigation, the termite report’s Section 1 and 2, and a checklist for coastal homes.
Read the guide →