Don't Skimp on Your Home Inspection - Russel Ray is a Shining Example of a GREAT Home Inspector!

I have some buyers that just went into escrow about a week ago.  Hooray! We found the home, now on to mounds of paperwork, inspections, disclosures, appraisal and so on.  There is so much to do in escrow!

During the course of the inspection, it was noted that there was a crack on the stem wall of the foundation noticeable from the garage.  It is an older home with a raised foundation and it was one of those "borderline" cracks.  Not too big but big enough for the inspector to recommend it get looked at by a "contractor".  This was not an inspector that I had used before and said,  "Don't just pick one out of the paper" he said, "get someone you trust". 

Well, I sure know a lot of people but a contractor to check a crack?  It hardly seemed worth mentioning and I must admit, I was at a bit of a loss.  So were my buyers.  I asked my broker, some fellow agents, my husband, everyone I could think of that would know who to go to to check it out.  Some suggested a Geological Inspector but no one really had anyone to speak of.

Then I remembered reading some of Russel Ray's blogs.  He had always written interesting and educational content so I shot him an email to see if he had anyone in Orange County he could recommend (He is in San Diego).

That guy advertises that he answers his phone 24 hours a day and he IS NOT kidding!  He called me back on Saturday night and left a message.  I called him bright and early on Sunday and of course he answered. He emailed me back too and told me all the things I should look at to see if it really needed further investigation.

He confirmed that the crack is a pretty standard one. Check out his blog here to read more:  Concrete Cracks.  Not only did Russel confirm what I had thought but he sent me lots of information to show my buyers.  He went way above and beyond the call of duty!

Getting a good home inspector is very important!  Do NOT skimp on this step! Recently, I listed two bank owned homes that sold for all cash.  I could NOT believe that neither buyer had an inspection! There are so many things that you just can't and know unless you're an expert.  Don't you want to know what you are buying?  I sure do.

Thanks Russel Ray!  You made my buyers feel so much better!

Cristal Drake - Fullerton Area Realtor - Re/Max North Orange County - 714-423-7525