Selling your California home to an FHA buyer? Be prepared for rigorous inspections that often reveal costly repair requirements, causing delays and stress for sellers seeking quick transactions.
This article explores FHA home inspection requirements and challenges in California. We will include what won’t pass inspection and how Osborne Homes offers a hassle-free alternative that lets you sell your house as-is, avoiding inspection headaches completely.
3 Key Areas of Focus in FHA Home Inspection Requirements
FHA inspections are more rigorous than standard inspections, focusing on three critical areas that often cause problems for California home sellers:
1. Safety Requirements
- Install working smoke/CO detectors
- Remove peeling paint (pre-1978 homes)
- Add proper handrails on staircases
- Cover exposed wiring and junction boxes
- Ground electrical outlets
- Ensure ventilation in all rooms
2. Security Requirements
- Install functioning deadbolts on all exterior doors
- Ensure all windows have working locks
- Secure all property access points
- Maintain proper drainage away from the foundation
- Eliminate any signs of pest infestations
3. Structural Integrity Requirements
- Repair foundation cracks and ensure structural soundness
- Replace or repair the roof if less than two years of life remain
- Fix any active leaks and remediate water damage
- Clean and repair gutters and downspouts for proper drainage
- Replace rotted wood on exterior surfaces
- Reinforce or repair load-bearing walls as needed
Even minor issues can become costly surprises. Selling to Osborne Homes lets you skip these inspections entirely, selling your home as-is without any repairs.
Common FHA Repair Requirements and Associated Costs
When an FHA inspector finds issues, they must be addressed before the loan can be approved. Here are the most common repair requirements California sellers face and their typical costs:
Exterior Issues
Here are some common exterior issues that FHA inspections flag, along with what they may cost to fix:
| Repair Item | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
| Peeling paint remediation | $1,500-$4,000 | Critical in pre-1978 homes due to lead concerns |
| Roof repairs/replacement | $5,000-$15,000 | Required if less than 2 years of life remaining |
| Gutter installation/repair | $800-$2,500 | Necessary for proper drainage |
| Wood rot repair | $800-$3,500 | Common in coastal and northern CA homes |
| Foundation repairs | $2,000-$20,000+ | Can be catastrophically expensive |
| Fence repairs | $500-$2,000 | Required for safety/security concerns |
Interior Issues
Inside the home, FHA inspections can reveal a range of repair needs, from outdated wiring to missing handrails. Here’s what to expect and the potential costs involved:
| Repair Item | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
| Electrical updates | $1,200-$3,500 | Especially in homes built before 1980 |
| Plumbing repairs | $500-$4,000 | Leaks must be fixed; old pipes may need replacement |
| HVAC repairs | $500-$8,000 | Systems must be functional |
| Handrail installation | $300-$900 | Required for all staircases with more than 3 steps |
| Smoke/CO detector installation | $200-$500 | Required in all bedrooms and hallways |
| Window repairs/replacement | $300-$1,000 per window | All windows must function and lock properly |
Many California sellers don’t realize these costs come directly out of their pockets. Unlike conventional loans, FHA loans typically require sellers to complete all mandated repairs—they can’t simply offer a credit to the buyer.
In tight markets, these repair requirements can make FHA offers less attractive compared to conventional loan offers or cash buyers who might waive inspection contingencies. Struggling with inspection requirements is tough enough, but missing FHA payments can create even bigger financial stress for homeowners.
How Osborne Homes Helps Skip FHA Inspection Headaches
Worried about surprise repairs and failed inspections? Osborne Homes offers a stress-free alternative to FHA inspection hassles:
- Sell As-Is: No repairs needed – we buy houses exactly as they stand today
- Guaranteed Sale: No financing contingencies, appraisals, or last-minute surprises
- Fast Closing: Close in as little as three weeks on your schedule
Our all-cash purchase eliminates repair costs, failed inspections, contractor headaches, and permit requirements. You choose your moving date with no waiting for lender approvals.
Request Your No-Obligation Cash Offer
FHA Inspection Preparation Checklist
If you do choose to sell to an FHA buyer, this checklist will help you address the most common inspection issues before they become deal-breakers. Even with thorough preparation, be aware that California’s diverse housing presents unique challenges that often require professional intervention.
- Test all systems:
- Check all electrical outlets for proper function
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Run all faucets and check for leaks
- Ensure all appliances work properly
- Test heating and air conditioning
- Address obvious safety concerns:
- Install missing handrails
- Secure loose railings
- Fix broken steps
- Replace broken glass
- Repair damaged flooring
- Check exterior elements:
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Ensure proper drainage away from foundation
- Repair any rotted wood
- Touch up peeling paint
- Trim branches away from roof
- Clear brush from foundation
- Document recent repairs:
- Gather receipts for any recent work
- Have contractor warranties available
- Document recent inspections
- Keep permit paperwork accessible
While these steps help, they don’t guarantee your home will pass an FHA inspection. Many issues remain hidden until an inspector is on-site, and California’s diverse housing stock—from earthquake-zone considerations to coastal moisture issues—presents unique challenges.
Why Many California Sellers Choose Osborne Homes Instead
Dealing with FHA home inspection requirements takes time, money, and patience many sellers simply don’t have. Here’s why many California homeowners choose Osborne Homes:
FHA criteria for inspection creates unnecessary burdens for many California sellers, requiring costly repairs and causing delays. Osborne Homes offers a reliable alternative for homeowners:
- Need to sell quickly without delays
- Cannot afford costly FHA-required repairs
- Want certainty without financing contingencies
- Face stressful situations (divorce, inheritance, foreclosure)
- Desire a simple, hassle-free selling process
- Prefer to sell as-is without making improvements
No more need to worry about what won’t pass FHA inspection. At Osborne, we buy houses as-is for cash, eliminating inspection headaches, repair costs, and financing uncertainties. Our straightforward process gives you control over your home sale without FHA complications.
Get Your Free, No-Obligation Cash Offer Today