What to Look for When Inspecting a Potential San Diego Investment Property

If you’re thinking about investing in a San Diego property, you need to know how it will potentially perform. A good San Diego property manager can help you evaluate what the property could earn on the rental market, what kind of work may be necessary to attract tenants, and how quickly you can expect to find a well-qualified renter. 

You’ll also need a proper inspection to ensure the home is in good condition. Buying a rental property that’s costly to maintain isn’t a great strategy. And, while many investors enjoy buying homes that are in bad shape and fixing them up, you ideally want to get your property onto the market and earning rent as soon as possible. 

Here are some of the things to look for during the inspection of a potential San Diego investment property.

HVAC System

It’s pretty easy to tell whether the heating and cooling units in a property are functional. However, it’s difficult to evaluate whether they’ll continue working, especially after a particularly hot summer or an unseasonably cold winter. During the inspection, try to get an idea of lifespans. Ask the inspector how long the air conditioning condenser should last. If it’s already 15 years old, you will likely have to replace it sooner rather than later. 

Remember the importance of preventative maintenance when it comes to HVAC systems and keeping repair costs down. When you have your unit inspected and serviced yearly, you tend to pay less in costly repairs and also extend the life of the system. See if an inspector can confirm if there has been regular maintenance.

Roof Condition

You definitely want to know how old the roof is so that you can estimate when you’d need to make this expensive repair or replacement. Most San Diego investors don’t realize that issues with the roof account for over one-third of all insurance claims. 

While your inspector is on the roof, you’ll want them to check the gutters and spouts. These push water away from the home, and you need to know if they’re working properly and cleaned out. Beware of any tree limbs or branches that may be touching the house, particularly the roof. 

Plumbing and Electrical

A good home inspection will include a complete check of the plumbing and the electrical work in the home. Safety and habitability are crucial in a rental property.  You don’t want to invest in something that’s going to require a complete plumbing upgrade or new wiring throughout the house. 

Lead Paint and Asbestos

Lead paint is only going to show up in older properties, but it’s one of the disclosures that you need to provide to your tenants.  Have your inspection team check for asbestos as well. It was used as insulation before the 1980s, so this is another issue that will need to be evaluated if you’re investing in an older home.