If it isn’t bad enough just trying to find a decent house for a decent price these days, once you find one, you need to grapple with additional issues.
This note was left in the comment section of a youtube video on Carlsbad McMansions:
I’ve done lots of work for class action lawsuits in Carlsbad where many of these Mc Mansions were built on fill or in areas with substantial groundwater issues. I’d be wary of buying anything in Carlsbad without getting a reputable geologist to sign off on the property as sound and stable. Being told they need to cough up $100k+ for repairs tends to make some people very angry. Make sure and research class action lawsuits in the development you are interested in BEFORE you put in an offer.
Here’s a supplemental video:
I have a friend whos house has drainage problems.When it rains the soil takes on water and swells cuasing the foundation to move.You have a hard time opoening doors when it occurs.
My realtor told me things are different this time.Is this downturn different or just another line of BS?
There are underground issues in 4s at the corner of Lone Quail and Deer Ridge Road where they are building the high school. There has been three slides of dirt because of the underground pipes leaking water. Not a major issue because its a minimal hill and its on the school property.
I would be worried about these backyards with the slopes.
Hey Jim, nice PSA – thanks! 🙂
It’s a good thing it never rains in San Diego County, or this could be a serious problem!
It would stink if you have to get a soils report before you buy – that would get pricey.
But the developers typically have to do soils reports as part of getting the development permits… We were able to get the original soils report on our block’s development – that was done back in 1963. (We got that trying to avoid having to pay for a geologist/soils report when we were building our granny flat. City made us do it anyway.)
Some soils are known to be problematic. Fortunately, we had Scripps Formation – which is good for building, terrible for gardening.
Jim, would you say this is a general issue to watch for when someone is looking to purchase a home backing up to a slope? regardless of carlsbad?
We had a house under contract that we canceled when the home inspection turned up traces of effluence and moisture in the foundation. Water always leaves clues behind even after it’s dried out, especially here where the mineral content is high enough to make stalactites form on your shower head.