Episode Summary
In this special episode of Property of the Week, hosts Bob Frady and John Siegman set aside the single-listing format for a rapid-fire real estate FAQ session. Drawing from decades of combined experience, thousands of property reports, and real buyer stories, they break down what actually matters when purchasing a home — long before inspections, disclosures, or emotions ever enter the picture.
The conversation spans flood zones, wildfire exposure, unpermitted additions, insurance blind spots, and the critical limitations of what home inspectors can and cannot see. It's a masterclass in buyer preparedness that challenges the common assumption that agents, inspectors, and disclosures will catch everything — a belief that can cost buyers tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
What the Report Revealed
Drawing on real-world data and field experience, the episode uncovers a range of hidden risks that most homebuyers never think to investigate. Flood damage — the leading cause of property loss in the U.S. — is routinely omitted from disclosures, and half of all flood-related losses happen outside official flood zones, leaving many buyers completely blindsided. Realtors are often legally limited in what they can share, and standard inspections only capture what's visible in a short visit, meaning structural problems, water damage, and unpermitted work can easily slip through. Beyond that, factors like roof age, crime risk, wildfire exposure, and proximity to Superfund sites rarely appear in listings, and unpermitted additions can create serious legal and financial headaches long after the sale has closed.
Key Takeaways
The episode's core message is that preparation is everything — the moment escrow closes, all risk transfers to the buyer, regardless of what was disclosed or missed. The built-in time pressure of real estate deals is often what pushes buyers to skip critical research steps, and a home that looks flawless on the surface can still turn out to be uninsurable or full of hidden defects. Buyers are encouraged to stay grounded and treat every property tour as an investigation — running water, checking drainage, and testing doors — rather than letting emotion drive the decision. Ultimately, professionals win by relying on data, and tools like PropertyLens give everyday buyers access to that same level of insight for smarter, more confident purchases.
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