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Question: Regarding your September 30, 2023, column titled “The indispensable role of insurance-friendly improvements” on The Mercury News and East Bay Times websites:
The sample suggestion list included “The foundation inspections list flaws and corrections. Addressing or neglecting those items can enhance or ruin the chances of insurability.”
Our parents’ Silicon Valley home of 55 years has a foundation with unreinforced cripple walls. We never had a problem. However, it is time to sell. We want to clear obstacles before selling.
We will hire a presale seller inspector. In the meantime, where can we best do research on foundation repairs or upgrades to enhance the insurability of the family home?
Answer: Cripple walls are wooden supports between the structure’s floor and the concrete foundation. The height is usually 1 foot to 4 feet. You are prudent to gather information. Earthquake retrofitting cripple walls is encouraged.
For more information, view the following websites:
- Applied Technology Council’s “Seismic Rehabilitation Guidelines for Detached, Single-Family, Wood-Framed Dwellings” (document ATC-50-1) at: https://www.atcouncil.org/docman/fema/7-fema-p-50-1-report/file
- https://www.earthquakebracebolt.com/
- https://www.earthquakeauthority.com/
- https://quakeprepare.com
- https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/earthquakes
These proactive steps you are taking will help the home’s salability and insurability. You will not regret it. The foundation is an excellent place to start. However, there surely will be other insurance-enhancing improvements. Stay diligent. Please do not wait until it is time to put the house on the market. By then, it could be too late.
For Housing Market Data in your area, visit my webpage for trends here. Do you have questions about home buying or selling? Full-service Realtor Pat Kapowich is a Certified Trust and Probate Specialist, Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager and career-long consumer protection advocate. He is based in his hometown of Sunnyvale, California. Office: 408-245-7700; Broker# 00979413 Pat@SiliconValleyBroker.com
Originally published at Pat Kapowich