From Million Dollar Estates to the GHETTO!!!!

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by dbowers

Are these things you're talking about similar to the ASHI gangs

Well, Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore ...I'll keep Northern MI, thanks.

[Justin Watts]

Hey Jeff,
Maybe you have info. on this... I am not sure but does the City of LA require private "inspections" for houses that are sold.. Do sellers have to get a inspection, I head something from another inspector, but I wasn't sure if he was right. Or maybe it is the City that has to do a quick safety inspection before the house is sold..

Let me know if you have ever heard of any type of program like this... in LA cities. Maybe he was referring to HUD/FHA ? Not sure if there is any/much profit in this?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

He may have been referring to the HUD/FHA inspections (which I don't do), but there is no such requirement in incorporated Los Angeles.

The only other thing I can think of is the "retrofitting" requirements of LA. This requires that sellers provide. . .

1) Working smoke detectors in all sleeping rooms, hallways and floor levels
2) Seismic straps at the water heater
3) Low flow shower fixtures and toilets
4) Seismic shutoff valve at the gas main

These are required to be "certified" by the seller prior to transfer. There are companies that specialize in these retrofitting items that will bring a house into compliance and provide the certification.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Up around Milwaukee and I've heard in some Chicago burb they have some type of mandatory inspection when transferring RE to insure minimum stds are in place. Saw the paperwork a couple of years ago from Milwaukee.

[jferry]

Originally Posted by dbowers

Up around Milwaukee and I've heard in some Chicago burb they have some type of mandatory inspection when transferring RE to insure minimum stds are in place. Saw the paperwork a couple of years ago from Milwaukee.

I think that Reading, PA has such a program in place.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Originally Posted by jwatts1

Hey Jeff,
Maybe you have info. on this... I am not sure but does the City of LA require private "inspections" for houses that are sold.. Do sellers have to get a inspection, I head something from another inspector, but I wasn't sure if he was right. Or maybe it is the City that has to do a quick safety inspection before the house is sold..

Let me know if you have ever heard of any type of program like this... in LA cities. Maybe he was referring to HUD/FHA ? Not sure if there is any/much profit in this?

Justin,

Don't know about LA but in Santa Barbara, before a property can change hands, a city inspection must take place. I think the cost was a couple hundred bucks. (Expedited) This inspector brings out the last set of signed off home plans and checks the current floorplan and information against them. With all the remodels that have happened, many were done without permits. The city will refuse any attempt at filing new ownership records or deeds without this special inspection report signed off. Of course that means if there was a remodel or change, you now have to get the appropriate building permit after the fact (quite expensive) and have the property inspected by the city building inspector. If that means tearing down drywall to see plumbing, electrical or whatever else they want to check on......down it comes. You don't have a choice and there is no appeal. And the inspectors come with a chip on their shoulder cause you tried to slip something by.

I guess that comes with the territory when a 800 sq ft home sells for $950k +.

[jferry]

Originally Posted by sstanczyk

I guess that comes with the territory when a 800 sq ft home sells for $950k +.

In Manhattan, it would be $1.6 million with $2000 monthly maintenance.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by sstanczyk

Don't know about LA but in Santa Barbara, before a property can change hands, a city inspection must take place.

That's interesting. I make a point of obtaining as much information as possible on Cities/Townships where I perform inspections, and I have never heard of this for Santa Barbara. Can you provide me with some direction as to where this information is available?

Considering that almost 2,000 homes sold or transferred in 2005 in Santa Barbara, that is quite a workload for city officials.

I am aware of Santa Barbara's "Assessment Practices" which require appraiser certification. Is this what you are referring to?

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Originally Posted by jpope

That's interesting. I make a point of obtaining as much information as possible on Cities/Townships where I perform inspections, and I have never heard of this for Santa Barbara. Can you provide me with some direction as to where this information is available?

Considering that almost 2,000 homes sold or transferred in 2005 in Santa Barbara, that is quite a workload for city officials.

I am aware of Santa Barbara's "Assessment Practices" which require appraiser certification. Is this what you are referring to?

Hi Jeff,

This is something different. It is called a "Zoning Information Report" ZIR. I have attached a pdf file of the application. This is strictly within the city limits of Santa Barbara, not unincorporated county or Goleta. I think it is self explanatory but if you changed your floor plan or added on or converted a garage, they will catch it and then you get to open your pocketbooks. I guess they have to make up the Proposition 13 money somehow.

Steve

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Thanks Steve. I appreciate the information.

[wforsyth]

Originally Posted by jferry

In Manhattan, it would be $1.6 million with $2000 monthly maintenance.

*Aaaack!*


(damn coffee up the nose)