IS YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE?

Here in the South Bay we feel pretty safe and secure about our

neighborhoods.  We know the most important thing to consider when purchasing a home is always, location, location, location. 

But, what about other neighborhoods we may be considering for income property, vacation homes or helping one of our kids find their first place?   

Today, with the amount of information available online, crime statistics can be easy to find if you just know where to look.  Here are some helpful places to start...

 

Sex Offenders: Thanks to Megan's Law, determining if there are registered sex offenders in the area has never been easier. Simply Google "Megan's Law, (your city), (your state)," and you should see a list of available resources. You should be able to enter the address, neighborhood, town, ZIP code, or other identifiers that will allow you to see if there are any registered sex offenders in the area. Be aware that process may vary by state, and if you don't have any success with the keywords "Megan's Law," instead try "sex offender, (your city), (your state)."

 

Drugs: Has a property been used for drug sales or drug production? Was it ever a meth lab? It may be a bit tougher to find all the information you want, but there are options:

 

Google the address. If a crime had been reported there, some details may show up in the search, especially if it made the local paper or news channels.

 

Drive by in the evening or weekend (when people are most likely around) and talk with neighbors. They can often be the best source for what happened in that home before it went on the market.


 Justice Dept. website Click on the map to view a list of counties and addresses where drug labs have been found.

Crime: Want to find out about stolen vehicles, robberies, and more? Below are three sites to help your buyers do that (besides the Daily Breeze, of course.) 


Trulia: To get an understanding of the overall crime statistics in the area, Trulia can be a good place to start. After entering the address in the search field, scroll down to the "Local Info" area and click on the "Crimes" tab. This information is also available for larger areas using the "Local Info" tab in the search area.
 

CrimeReports: This site allows you to see the types of crimes that occurred throughout the area. By clicking on the icons, you learn what type of crime was committed, where it was committed, and when it occurred.

SpotCrime is another site that works similarly to CrimeReports, though you may find more details on the CrimeReports site depending on the area.

 

Of course, call me for information on any property in Southern California.  I'd be more than happy to help you research and find a safe place to live, vacation, relocate or check out for the kids.  
Charlie :)
Team South Bay Realty

24214 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite B

Torrance, CA 90505

310-534-3940

RED FLAGS

Today, buyers are looking for a Great Deal.   Sometimes we forget that a great deal is about a lot more than just the price.  So many of our distressed properties today (those in foreclosure or involving short sales) have not been maintained for quite a while.  Think about the homeowner who can't afford to pay the mortgage payment.  Do you think this homeowner is being diligent about the maintenance?   So, here are just a few RED FLAGS to look for when choosing a "smoking buy" in today's market ...

RED FLAGS

 Steep slopes (especially of concern in areas of periodic heavy rains and in areas sloped to create subdivisions, which have resulted in many landslides.)

Floors that appear unlevel

Cracks in the foundation, walls, or ceilings

Doors and door casings which are not square to each other

Water stains on walls or ceilings

Smell of dampness in structure

Apparent additions or structure modifications

(were additions or modifications done under a valid building permit?)

 Presence of an oil heating system or evidence of a prior oil heating system

Soft floors in an area such as a bathroom or kitchen

Evidence of poor caulking in tub/shower surround areas

Use of manufactured siding

Gas or oil furnaces that show yellow flames

Evidence of water stains on crawl space piers, footings, or walls

Evidence of crumbling concrete foundation walls (often, older homes in California were built with sand that contained a great deal of organic material. This material over time breaks down and simply leaves the foundation concrete in a deteriorated state)

Evidence of standing water on a property

 

When I am showing a home to one of my buyers, while they are looking at the floorplan and the backyard and the upgraded kitchen, I'm looking for signs on my "Red Flag" list.  Better to find these problems before we close the escrow than having to deal with the headache and expense of curing or repairing after close.  I have several very good Home Inspection Companies that I highly recommend.  If you are thinking about buying a home in this market with over 50% distressed home inventory, call me first.  Even if you are using another Realtor (which I certainly hope you are not) you will still need a very good home inspector.  It doesn't hurt to have more than one set of eyes examining the home before you pay for the inspection either!  (That would be mine and yours first of all.)  It pays to know what you're buying or know exactly what you are paying before you commit.  Call Your Real Estate Consultant For Life!

You'll be glad you did...

Charlie & Dyna