Home inspections in Tustin, CA

In Tustin the same week can include a 1920s bungalow, a 1990s Tustin Ranch home and a two-year-old new build. Each calls for a different inspection emphasis. Older homes focus on wiring, foundations and plumbing; Tustin Ranch on roofs, plumbing materials and HOA documents; new construction on workmanship and warranty.

What inspectors commonly look at in Tustin

These are the topics that come up most often for homes in and around Tustin. Every house is different, so treat them as a starting point for questions, not a prediction.

1. Newer construction

   Many homes are recent enough that the builder's warranty, or a defect claim under California's Right to Repair Act, may still matter. Read the guide

2. Tile roof underlayment

   Concrete tile is everywhere here. The tiles last for decades, but the underlayment beneath them often wears out at 20 to 30 years. Look for slipped or broken tiles and staining in the attic. Read the guide

3. Polybutylene and early plastic plumbing

   Homes built between the late 1970s and mid-1990s may have gray polybutylene supply pipe. Many have been repiped; ask for the invoice if so. Read the guide

4. HOA documents

   Much of the housing is in associations. The reserve study, board minutes and CC&Rs often matter as much as the inspection report. Read the guide

5. Knob-and-tube and early wiring

   Homes from before the 1940s can still have knob-and-tube wiring in walls and attics. Insurers often ask about it, and it lacks a ground. Read the guide

Paperwork to read before the inspection

• Transfer Disclosure Statement and the Seller Property Questionnaire, for known defects and past repairs.
• Natural Hazard Disclosure, for flood, fire, earthquake fault and seismic hazard zones.
• Permit history from the Tustin building department, to compare with additions and remodels.
• HOA documents, if the property is in an association.
• Termite report, customary in California transactions.