Laguna Beach Real Estate

2007-03-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

Laguna Beach Real Estate Home Inspections

There are many different types of Home Inspections and vary depending on the purpose of the inspection. Some of the types of Inspections are:
Pre-purchase Home Inspection
Commercial Inspection
Environmental Inspection
Litigation Support
Insurance Inspection
Pre-purchase Home Inspections are commonly done during the due diligence phase of a purchase contract. Even though a home may be sold as is, it is still in the buyer's best interest to have an understanding of what problems may exist. They can then make a decision as to whether proceed forward with the contract.What is a Home Inspection?A Home Inspection is a snapshot of a house on the day of the inspection. It is a non-invasive, visual evaluation of the property's basic structure, the structure's foundation or basement, interior, exterior, roof, electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling systems. The purpose of an inspection is to detect major visible problems or defects and unsafe conditions. A Home Inspection may be used to provide information for various purposes. There are pre-purchase inspections, new home construction and one-year walk-through inspections, pre-listing inspections and inspections for the purpose of litigation in construction defect cases. Most often, a home inspection is used to assist a client in making a more informed purchasing decision. The inspector may also educate the buyer as to typical life expectancies, items to budget for replacement as well as how to take care of and maintain the property.What to look for in a Home Inspector The buyer may choose any Home Inspector to perform the inspection. Your Realtor is one source for finding a home inspector. You can also look in the Yellow Pages. Several Home Inspectors are members of the Laguna Board of Realtors and their information may be found in the Service Provider area of the website. In selecting a home inspector the buyer may want to ask some of the following questions:
Is the inspector a member of a trade association such as ASHI, NAHI, NACHI, CREIA or TREC?
What other credentials do they have?
Does the inspector conform to state and local requirements?
How long has the inspector been doing this?
Does the inspector have any formal training?
Is the inspector familiar with the local area?
How long will the inspector take?
As the client may I accompany the inspector? Will the inspector explain any items of concerned?
What is the cost?
What type of report will the client receive? Preparing a House for a Home InspectionThere are many things a home owner can do to prepare their home for sale and subsequently a home inspection. Listed below are some of the things that should be done:
Remove grade or mulch from contact with siding
Remove grade from contact with foundation vents
Clean gutters and debris from roof
Divert water away from house
Trim trees and bushes back from foundation, roof, siding and chimney
Paint all weathered exterior wood, and caulk around trim, chimneys, windows and doors
Seal asphalt driveways if cracking
Test all smoke detectors, install new ones if needed
Clean and service chimney
Put all plumbing and fixtures in working order
Install GFCI receptacles where required (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.)
Check caulk in bathrooms and re-caulk if necessary
Make sure all utilities are turned on so that all appliances can be tested

2007-03-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

R. Clark Smith III and Robert C. Bryson are mavericks in the South Coast real estate community. In 1983, after several years of individual sales experience, the two decided to become partners, drafting a business plan for a real estate venture that would emphasize a service-oriented philosophy, positive teamwork, and a more customized approach to buyers and sellers. That business plan resulted in the opening of Realatrends, and their success story has been growing ever since. The two entrepreneurs started their South Coastal real estate careers in the early 1970's. Clark Smith found himself supervising 18 agents for a real estate firm, juggling their day to day operations and monitoring their sales activity. In branching out, he became involved in a number of construction projects, which gave him an excellent knowledge of the building industry, city requirements, zoning and paperwork processing. Bob Bryson found success buying and selling property for his own account, and then entered the real estate business, utilizing his expertise in helping others. Initially, he sold land, syndications, and investment opportunities, eventually joining the premier real estate company of the time in Laguna Beach. During the course of their professional association with two large brokerage firms, Smith and Bryson found that they shared the same philosophies about excellence in service, and also some of the frustrations the experienced with the industry. Their extensive experience has given them an excellent understanding of the South Coast Community and all of its intricacies. The two armed themselves with insight, hindsight and foresight, and have made a distinct mark of quality in the Coastal area. Together, Smith and Bryson have experienced the ups and downs of the real estate marketplace throughout the 1980's, and first half of the 90's, and have emerged successfully. Through conscientious research, excellence in customer service, impeccable contact negotiation and extensive financing knowledge, they have continued to successfully complete hundreds of transactions. The team of R. Clark Smith III and Robert C. Bryson is dedicated to being compact, unique, streamlined and dynamic. They are totally integrated into the South Coast community, owning property themselves, educating their children in its schools, and working alongside others toward the best possible quality of life in this community. Dana Point Real Estate

2007-03-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

In the Real Estate business we believe that smaller is better. By being a small company we are compact, efficient and streamlined.
We give you 100% of our time, attention and expertise.
At Realatrends, you hire the whole company. With a big real estate company, it is not the company that you hire, it is the individual agent.
We offer a hands-on business philosophy which is especially important in an area as unique as the South Coast Community: we are in total control of all of our business matters at all times.
Our approach can be compared to that of a boutique as opposed to a department store: our service has old-fashion excellence while employing all of the latest technology.
At Realatrends, we take ALL responsibility for your satisfaction because we own the business and we are the brokers.
Our mission is to give the very best real estate service that can be delivered. We feel that being small is the best way to give the kind of service and attention our clients deserve. We utilize our big business experience to help you make all the right decisions. Our office facility has all the state-of-the-art real estate technology that you would find in any large brokerage, without the impersonal environment and the inefficiencies. Laguna Beach Real Estate