Not knowing these five things about your home will cost thousands

Hi %contact_first_name%,

A record rainstorm hit San Diego and Southern California in the last week of January 2024, causing monumental flooding with significant damage to homes and property across areas of the County.

A state of emergency was issued.

Flooding of homes, sinkholes, mudslides, and even damage to cars that were found floating down the rivers of water were just some of the effects of this storm.

Here at our home, a six foot deep sinkhole suddenly appeared in our backyard without warning.

When crisis hits, it brings to the forefront things that most homeowners rarely consider.

Here are five things you may not know about your home.

1. You may have easements on your property. (And you don't even know!) 

What is an easement?

Simply stated, an easement is a legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose. This could include access to a public beach through a private property, the right to cross a property to reach your own, or the right to run water, gas, or power lines through a property.

Here in San Diego, the most common easements are for utilities and storm water.

This is a piece of information that was very helpful as we looked down into our own sinkhole.

What we discovered next was shocking. A storm drain and water conduit buried in our backyard had begun to leak.

Because that section of our yard is an easement, we were able to contact the County of San Diego and they are now in the process of repairing the damage, at no cost to us.

1. Mold is a serious health issue.

Residents in neighborhoods hardest hit are anxious to return to their homes, and understandably so.

However, by returning to a flood area too early, there is a risk of significant mold exposure that comes when an area of the home is exposed to water.

To remedy this, an inspection by a mold remediation team may be required.

When you purchase a home, an inspector will use a water detector to examine walls and ceilings for any moisture exposure.

The most common and basic sources of water exposure we see are a leaky toilet gasket, a pipe leak, or an area where rain water accumulates.

In your own residence, pay attention to any areas that smell funky (you know what that smell is), or where you suspect there may be a leak, and do not let it slip by.

3. You may be in a flood zone

For a portion of the neighborhoods in San Diego, flood insurance is required because of the proximity to local rivers and storm conduits. But other neighbors have discovered that not having flood insurance will mean their damages are not covered. There may or may not be federal or local aid available to repair the damage.

Evaluating your insurance coverage should be a task placed on your calendar for at least once a year. Make this the month that you call your insurance company, and inquire about insurances like flood, earthquake, and other options. Then weigh the cost. It may save you hundreds of thousands of dollars should a disaster hit.

4. Your pipes may be outdated and at risk of damage

In a recent conversation with my preferred plumbing partner, he told me the story of a young couple that recently purchased a home in San Diego. They had called the plumber because of flooding. The plumber discovered that they had cast iron pipes, because their home was built prior to 1972. They did not do a sewer line inspection during the home escrow process, which would have detected the cracks before they purchased.

The cost of repairs will be over $20,000 with the need for an insurance claim which takes time, paperwork, and headache. Their real estate agent never mentioned the need for an additional inspection, much to their dismay.

The lesson to homeowners and those purchasing a home?

Know the age of your home and ask your real estate professional if a sewer scope may be a necessary part of the home inspection process. Cast iron pipes may need repairs or replacement. If you own an older home, an inspection can be a valuable tool as you continue to be proactive in your home repairs.

5. Budgeting for home repairs, and understanding insurance coverages and funding options can save you time and money.

As we are educating our new home buyers, we advise them that having a savings account with one percent of the home value may be helpful when maintenance issues arise.

Using this example, if your home is valued at $500,000, having $5000 saved will be a lifesaver, even if insurance will cover repairs.

Understand your insurance coverages to know what is and is not covered.

This can be discussed with your insurance agent during an annual review.

In San Diego, a state of emergency was issued which opens up funding for repairs. In addition, the County of San Diego Department of Public Works has a budget for storm drain maintenance and repairs.

In our case, County of San Diego will do all of the repairs on the storm drain line, that just happens to run through our yard!! Because we have a documented easement and knew who to call, our costs will be minimal.

These five things that you may not have known about your home can help you be prepared in any circumstance.

For a list of San Diego resources including contractors, inspectors, and County resources, text San Diego to 619-630-9618.

If you are a real estate professional, understanding these basics will help you to provide the very best service to every buyer, seller and investor.

Let us be your real estate team!

Follow me on social media @hannabederson or call or text us directly at 619-630-9618 to get started.