Real Estate Analysis and Commentary in Northridge

Here's a few things to know ahead of time in preparation for the appraisal inspection:

First of all, when I arrive at your home I will ring the bell and introduce myself. Next I will start outside taking the required photos and measuring your home; All sides so it is necessary to go around to the back yard. I'm typically outside twenty minutes, more if you have a view, pool, patio(s), tennis court and/or ADU - Accessory Dwelling Unit. If you have pets most people prefer I take the interior garage photos before entering the home.  In that way they can move Fluffy and Fido to the garage with minimal trauma.  Being a pet person, I get it.  They are on guard when a stranger is in their yard and home. Oh yeah, while in your garage I take a photo of the garage door and water heater.  Where ever the water heater is located on your property, please check the tank is double strapped is tank style.  This pre-inspection preparation could save you money and time avoiding a second trip to your home. 

Outside is done now we go inside.  Please check the Carbon Monoxide detector is in place, one per story or level.  If you have a tri-level townhome , the type with the condominium built over the garage, my client, the lenders are now requesting a photo of a device starting at the garage level.  The last detectors are the smoke detectors.  More clients are requiring photos of a smoke detector in each bedroom regardless of how the bedroom is utilized such as an office. This pre-inspection preparation could save you money and time avoiding a second trip to your home.. 

Covid-19 awareness: To avoid surface contact and shorten the time of the interior inspection I ask you to open the interior doors, except cabinets, and turn on the lights of each room.  Yes it is very necessary that I take a photo of each room.  So please plan ahead avoid encountering a locked room. This pre-inspection preparation could save you money and time avoiding a second trip to your home.. BTW, if you have an attic or a scuttle, low ceiling area underneath the roof, I will take a photo of the opening. For most loans, I do not need to look inside this area. 

Now for the "Glam" photos:  Living room, formal dining room or not, stairwell, kitchen, family room, bedroom(s), bathroom(s), media room, loft, library, gym, studio, custom windows, doors, flooring etc...  If during the inspection I observe an item such as stained ceiling, broken window, bedroom window security bars without a working interior release, to name a few, I will probably ask you about it and we figure out how to deal with it.  Again, pre-inspection preparation could save you money and time avoiding a second trip to your home.