A Video Pipeline Inspection Could Save You Tens Of Thousands In South Orange County

By Kurt Real Estate Nov 23, 2019

South Orange County, specifically Laguna Niguel, is where I call home. The winding roads, lush scenery, and relative affordability compared to the rest of Orange County made it the ideal city for my wife and I to take the plunge as first-time home buyers.

Over the past four years, I’ve learned a few things about living in south OC.

The Pros:

Lush, beautiful greenery all around

Safe neighborhoods and good schools

Newer, aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods and shopping centers

A 15-minute drive to Dana Point harbor, or 20 minutes to Laguna Beach

Relative housing affordability compared to the rest of Orange County

But, as much as it pains me to say, no city or neighborhood is perfect. So, if I had to name a few of the downsides, these would be it.

The Cons:

Can be a bit of a drive to areas like Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach

Pet owners need to be wary heavily vegetated areas where coyotes may live

Certain HOA’s have seen sharply rising dues in recent years

Higher probability of pinhole leaks and slab leaks

Most of these cons can be avoided, by taking the toll road up north and doing your due diligence on an HOA complex you decide to buy in.

However, the higher possibility for pinhole leaks and slab leaks poses a serious financial liability. A pinhole or slab leak could cost thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars or more in damages. Homeowner’s insurance will usually cover issues relating to leaks, but it’s still a huge hassle.

That’s why I recommend to any of my client that are thinking of buying down in south Orange County to always attach a pipeline video inspection onto their standard home inspection.

The cost is minimal (around $150) and will give you a professional evaluation of what the inside pipes’ condition is. If you attach this extra inspection as part of the standard home inspection, the seller shouldn’t object.

While there are many benefits to living in south Orange County that you can’t find anywhere else, the area has it’s own unique challenges that you need to watch out for. But with a little due diligence upfront and a small investment, you’ll have a complete understanding of any property’s condition before moving forward with your purchase.

Additional Reading

To learn more about pinhole and slab leaks in Orange County, check out this other blog post entitled “Pinhole Leaks And Slab Leaks Cause Big Problems For South County Home Owners”.