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10 Common Questions About Home Inspections (And Why They Matter)

By Stephanie Goedl
May 21, 2025

When buying a home, there’s a lot to think about—offers, appraisals, escrow, and inspections. For many buyers, the home inspection process can feel like just another box to check. But it’s one of the most important steps in protecting your investment and making sure you’re fully informed about the property you’re purchasing.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or just need a refresher, here are 10 common questions about home inspections—and why they matter.

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1. What is a home inspection, and do I really need one?

A home inspection is a professional evaluation of a property’s condition, typically done before finalizing a home purchase. Even if the house looks perfect, an inspection can reveal hidden issues that could cost thousands down the line, making it a wise investment for peace of mind.

2. What does a home inspection include?

Most inspections cover the home’s major systems and components, including the roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, foundation, attic, and appliances. After the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining any concerns, defects, or areas that might need attention.

3. What will it cost?

Costs can vary depending on the size, age, and location of the property, but most home inspections cost between $400 and $700. Although it may feel like an added expense, it’s a small price to pay for the valuable insights it provides.

4. Why can’t I do it myself?

Even if you’re handy, only a certified home inspector has the training, tools, and experience to identify structural, mechanical, and safety issues that may not be visible to the average buyer. Their objective report is crucial to making an informed decision.

5. Can a house fail a home inspection?

Not exactly. An inspection doesn’t result in a “pass” or “fail”—instead, it offers a snapshot of the home’s condition. It’s up to the buyer to decide how to move forward based on the findings.

6. How do I find a home inspector?

Your real estate agent can recommend trusted inspectors they’ve worked with. You can also search online or check professional organizations like ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) or InterNACHI for qualified professionals.

7. When do I call a home inspector?

Once your offer is accepted, you’ll schedule a home inspection during your contingency or due diligence period. Time is usually limited, so acting quickly is best to keep things moving forward.

8. Do I have to be there?

You’re not required to attend the inspection, but it’s highly recommended. Walking through the property with the inspector lets you ask questions in real time and see any potential issues firsthand.

9. What if the report reveals problems?

Almost every home has a few issues—it’s completely normal. Depending on what’s found, you may be able to negotiate with the seller for repairs, credits, or a price reduction. Your agent will help guide you through those conversations.

10. If the house is in good condition, did I need an inspection?

Yes! A clean report offers peace of mind and can help you plan for future maintenance. It’s reassurance that you’re making a sound investment—and that’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

A home inspection isn’t just another step in the home-buying process—it’s a powerful tool that helps protect you from unexpected surprises. With the right inspector and guidance from your real estate agent, you’ll be in a much better position to move forward with confidence. At Century 21 Discovery, our agents are here to help you every step of the way.

Stephanie Goedl

About the author: Stephanie Goedl is Chief Operating Officer and Broker/Owner of CENTURY 21 Discovery. If you are interested in becoming part of the CENTURY 21 Discovery team or would like more information about our services we provide contact us at 714.626.2069 or Careers@C21Discovery.com.

Are You Ready for the Spring Selling Season?

By Joe Lins
March 21, 2025

Spring has traditionally been the time of year when the real estate market heats up. That was until COVID hit, and since then the last few springs have been anything but typical. Fortunately, 2025 looks to be a return to the traditional spring selling season, where more sellers are ready to put their homes on the market, and buyers are eager to make a move.

As a real estate agent, you need to be prepared to hit the ground running as the weather warms up. The spring market moves fast, and the agents who are best prepared will have a competitive edge. Here are some key steps to get you and your clients ready for a successful Spring Selling Season.

Reach Out to Sellers

Many homeowners have been hesitant to list their homes due to market uncertainties. Now is the time to reconnect with those sellers who have been on the fence.

  • Update Their Home Valuation – Provide an updated Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to reflect the latest market conditions. Show them how their home compares to recent sales and active listings.
  • Refresh the Net Sheet – Give sellers an updated estimate of their potential net proceeds. Knowing their bottom line can be a powerful motivator to move forward.
  • Help Them Prepare – Offer guidance on home preparation, from decluttering to deep cleaning. Connect them with trusted vendors such as painters, landscapers, stagers, and handyman services to maximize their home’s appeal.
  • Boost Curb Appeal – Remind sellers that first impressions matter. Encourage them to spruce up their landscaping, paint the front door, and make minor repairs to create a welcoming entryway.

Additionally, set realistic expectations regarding pricing, marketing strategies, and timeline. Some sellers may not be aware of the nuances in pricing a home, so it’s essential to educate them on current trends.

Get Your Buyers Pre-Approved

With more buyers entering the market, competition will increase. Ensuring your buyers are financially prepared will give them a stronger position when making offers.

  • Confirm Pre-Approval Status – Some buyers may have been pre-approved months ago, and their financial situation or interest rates may have changed. Encourage them to get an updated pre-approval with a reputable lender.
  • Educate on Financial Do’s and Don’ts – Remind buyers not to make any large purchases, change jobs, or take on new debt before closing on their home. These actions can affect their loan approval.
  • Clarify Their Home Criteria – Work with your buyers to identify their non-negotiables versus their wish list. This will help them move quickly when the right home comes along.
  • Set Up Listing Alerts – Ensure your buyers receive real-time notifications when homes that match their criteria hit the market. In a competitive season, speed is crucial.
  • Network with Other Agents – Let your colleagues know what your buyers are looking for. Off-market or coming-soon listings might be a great match.

Get Your Checklists Ready

Having a well-organized system will save you time and keep your transactions running smoothly.

  • Listing Checklist – Review your process for onboarding new listings. Ensure you have a step-by-step guide that includes pricing strategy discussions, marketing plans, and open house scheduling.
  • Buyer Checklist – Streamline your buyer onboarding process. Have a clear roadmap that outlines financial steps, home tours, offer strategies, and next steps after escrow opens.
  • Marketing Materials – Update your digital and print marketing materials, including social media graphics, email templates, and flyers, to reflect the spring market.
  • Vendor List – Keep a list of trusted vendors ready to share with clients, from inspectors to moving companies. Being a one-stop resource enhances your value as an agent.

Watch Your Business Bloom

The spring selling season moves quickly, and the most prepared agents will thrive. By proactively reaching out to sellers, ensuring buyers are financially ready, and fine-tuning your systems, you’ll set yourself up for a busy and successful season.

Are you ready to make this your best spring yet? Start today, and watch your business bloom!

Joe Lins

About the author: Joe Lins is President, CEO and Co-owner of CENTURY 21 Discovery. If you are interested in becoming part of the CENTURY 21 Discovery team or would like more information about our services, training and coaching we provide, contact Joe at 714.626.2069.

Who Are You Listening To?

By Joe Lins
September 21, 2024

In today’s world, real estate information is everywhere—national news channels, online blogs, podcasts, social media influencers, and even dinner table conversations. With so many sources of information, it can be easy to get overwhelmed or misled. But whether you’re a real estate agent, buyer, seller, or just someone interested in the housing market, one important question remains: Who are you listening to for your real estate advice?

Getting information from the wrong sources can not only confuse you but may also lead to poor decisions when buying or selling property. Understanding where to find accurate, trustworthy, and relevant information is the key to making smart real estate choices.

For Real Estate Agents: Local Expertise Over National Pundits

As a real estate agent, your expertise and reputation are built on the knowledge you provide to clients. One of the biggest missteps agents can make is relying too heavily on national news for market updates. While national outlets may offer an overview of trends, they don’t account for the unique intricacies of local markets. What happens in Florida or New York doesn’t necessarily reflect the conditions in Southern California—or anywhere else, for that matter.

Instead, agents should rely on trusted local sources like their broker, regional MLS (Multiple Listing Service), or local Realtor associations. These resources offer timely, precise data and trends that reflect the reality of your local market. Your broker can provide valuable insights about local laws, regulations, and market conditions that are essential for your clients. Having this localized knowledge will improve your credibility as an agent and also equip you to provide the most accurate information to your clients.

For Buyers and Sellers: Listen to Your Trusted Realtor

If you’re a buyer or seller, your choice of whom to listen to can significantly impact the success of your real estate transaction. Too often, buyers and sellers make the mistake of basing their expectations on what they hear from national news sources or even a family member who heard something on the news. However, California’s real estate market, for example, operates very differently from other parts of the country. News stories about falling prices or interest rates might apply in other states, but they might not tell the full story in your local area.

Buyers and sellers should always turn to a licensed, experienced real estate agent in their community. A trusted agent understands the local market dynamics—like housing inventory, price fluctuations, and buyer demand—better than any broad national report. They can also provide personalized advice based on your unique situation. If you’re buying, they’ll help you navigate competitive offers, while if you’re selling, they’ll guide you on pricing strategy and the best time to list.

Your agent’s insights will be tailored specifically to your market, making them far more valuable than the one-size-fits-all approach often presented by news outlets or online forums.

Why Local Expertise Matters

The key takeaway for both agents and consumers is that real estate is inherently local. Trends, property values, and even buyer behavior can vary widely from city to city, even from neighborhood to neighborhood. Listening to experts who understand your market is crucial for making informed decisions.

For real estate agents, staying connected to local data and continuing education through your brokerage or professional organizations will ensure you are giving your clients the best advice. For buyers and sellers, working with a local agent who has their finger on the pulse of your community can make the difference between a successful transaction and a missed opportunity.

So next time you’re scrolling through your news feed or hearing about national housing trends, pause and ask yourself: Who am I listening to?

By focusing on local expertise and working with trusted professionals in your community, you can avoid the pitfalls of misinformation and make smarter, more informed real estate decisions. Whether you’re an agent advising clients or a buyer/seller navigating the market, remember that local knowledge is everything in real estate.

Joe Lins

About the author: Joe Lins is President, CEO and Co-owner of CENTURY 21 Discovery. If you are interested in becoming part of the CENTURY 21 Discovery team or would like more information about our services, training and coaching we provide, contact Joe at 714.626.2069.

How to Be an Advocate for Your Buyer

By Joe Lins
May 21, 2024

Real estsate agent handing keys to a home buyer.
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Your primary goal as a real estate agent is to help your clients find their dream home. At CENTURY 21 Discovery, we believe that being a strong advocate for your buyer is crucial in achieving this goal. Here are some essential tips on how to effectively represent and support your buyers throughout the home-buying process.

Understand Your Buyer’s Needs and Wants

The foundation of being a strong advocate is understanding exactly what your buyer is looking for. This involves:

  • Listening Actively: Pay close attention to their preferences regarding location, size, amenities, and budget.
  • Asking the Right Questions: Clarify any ambiguities and ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of their needs.
  • Prioritizing Their Must-Haves: Identify the non-negotiables versus the nice-to-haves to streamline your search.

Educate Your Buyers

Knowledge is power, and an informed buyer is a confident one. Ensure your buyers understand the intricacies of the home-buying process by:

  • Explaining the Market: Provide insights into the current real estate market conditions and how they affect buying decisions.
  • Detailing the Process: Walk them through each step, from pre-approval for a mortgage to closing the deal.
  • Highlighting Potential Pitfalls: Make them aware of common issues that could arise and how to avoid them.

Provide Honest and Objective Advice

Your clients rely on you to guide them through one of the most significant purchases of their lives. Offer honest and objective advice by:

  • Evaluating Properties Critically: Point out both the strengths and weaknesses of properties they are interested in.
  • Comparing Comps: Use comparable sales to help them understand the value of a property.
  • Advising on Offers: Assist them in making competitive yet realistic offers based on market data.

Negotiate Skillfully on Their Behalf

Negotiation is where your advocacy truly shines. To secure the best possible deal for your buyers:

  • Be Prepared: Gather all necessary information and anticipate potential counterarguments.
  • Stay Calm and Professional: Maintain a composed and respectful demeanor during negotiations.
  • Aim for Win-Win: Strive for outcomes that satisfy both parties to ensure a smooth transaction process.

Stay Available and Responsive

Real estate transactions can move quickly, and your availability can make a significant difference. Show your commitment by:

  • Being Accessible: Ensure your clients can reach you easily via phone, email, or text.
  • Responding Promptly: Address their queries and concerns as quickly as possible.
  • Providing Regular Updates: Keep them informed about the progress of their transaction and any new developments.

Offer Continued Support After Closing

Your role as an advocate doesn’t end at closing. Continue to provide value by:

  • Helping with the Move-In Process: Offer resources for movers, cleaners, and other services.
  • Addressing Post-Sale Issues: Assist them with any problems that may arise after they’ve moved in.
  • Staying in Touch: Keep in contact to ensure their satisfaction and to foster long-term relationships.

Conclusion

Being an advocate for your buyer involves more than just finding the right property; it requires dedication, knowledge, and a genuine commitment to their best interests. At CENTURY 21 Discovery, we pride ourselves on our ability to support our clients through every step of their home-buying journey. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your buyers feel supported, informed, and confident in their decisions.

By becoming a true advocate for your buyers, you’ll not only help them achieve their dreams but also build a reputation as a trustworthy and dependable real estate agent. Happy house hunting!

Joe Lins

About the author: Joe Lins is President, CEO and Co-owner of CENTURY 21 Discovery. If you are interested in becoming part of the CENTURY 21 Discovery team or would like more information about our services, training and coaching we provide, contact Joe at 714.626.2069.

Understanding Frequently Used Terminology in Your Transactions

By Amy Leonhardt
February 2, 2024

New real estate agents may find themselves confronted with terms and acronyms that are unfamiliar. Understanding these terms is crucial for success. Here is a brief guide to some of the most-used terms and acronyms used in real estate and escrow to help newer agents: 

Real estate agent showing paperwork to clients
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APN

APN (Assessor’s Parcel Number) is a unique number assigned to a parcel of real estate. It is used to identify property for legal and tax purposes. It is included in the legal description, and will be referenced on the Grant Deed and the preliminary title report.

CMA

CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) helps determine a property’s market value by comparing it to similar properties in the area, and it is an important tool for pricing strategies.

Closing Costs

Closing Costs are the expenses, beyond the property price, that both buyers and sellers incur to complete the transaction in escrow. Some examples of these costs include title insurance, processing fees, appraisal fees, messenger fees, and taxes. Note that buyer and seller closing costs are not equal, so keep in mind that if “Both” is checked on the RPA, closing costs will be split 50/50, instead of each paying their own fees, and buyers typically have more closing costs.

COE

COE (close of escrow) is the date when buyer and seller complete the sale, and ownership officially transfers to the new owner.  This date is determined by what is agreed upon in the contract. Funds have been transferred, principals have fulfilled their contractual obligations, documents have been recorded, and the transaction is complete. 

EMD

EMD (Earnest Money Deposit) is the buyer’s deposit to escrow that shows the seller the offer was made in good faith. The agreed-on contract will determine the amount of the EMD, the form it can come in (check or wire), and the deadline for depositing into escrow. Once escrow is opened, the escrow company will contact the buyers to provide them with wire instructions. Due to increasingly rampant wire fraud, always have your buyer confirm wire instructions directly with a known verified number for your escrow company, and never take instructions via email or from an unsolicited call. This will help protect your client’s funds.

EOI

EOI (Evidence of Insurance) is a document confirming the details of an insurance policy, and will be required by a buyer’s lender. It is typically requested by escrow on behalf of the buyer, and the insurance company provides the proof of insurance.

FHA

FHA (Federal Housing Administration) is a federal agency that insures mortgages with low down-payments. These loans typically have more stringent requirements than conventional loans, and the process may take a bit longer than a conventional loan, though they are a great option for buyers with limited down-payment funds.

NHD

NHD (Natural Hazard Disclosure) Report is a statutory document that discloses potential risks such as earthquakes or floods on a particular piece of property. Buyer and seller will sign to indicate they have received and reviewed the report.

Familiarizing yourself with these terms and dedicating yourself to continuous learning and training will benefit your career in this ever-changing real estate market.

About the author: Amy Leonhardt is an escrow assistant for Equity Escrow Group, Ltd. in Fullerton, California. For more information on the services provided by Equity Escrow Group please contact them at 714.626.2095 or visit their website www.equityescrowgroup.com