How to Buy a Home in Lamorinda: Part IV – Get Trees Inspected is a post from: Mark's Remarks

Heritage oaks, towering redwoods, majestic pines and fragrant bays are all part of the magical Lamorinda landscape.  Early photos of Lamorinda reveal that indigenous oaks were some of the only trees that dotted this hilly terrain.

According to local lore, Sunset Magazine published a reforestation issue in the 1960’s which prompted well meaning boy scouts to plant tree after tree after tree in every corner of the area.  Some say thousands of Monterey Pines were planted among the existing oak trees.

“You could walk into any store and buy them, they were so plentiful,” says one resident. 

Sixty years later, the pines that were planted by the boy scouts are near if not at the end of their 50-60 year life cycle.  Many of these trees have become hazards and are now being removed, sometimes 5-10 at a time. 

When purchasing a home, be sure to observe, notate and if necessary, hire the services of a certified arborist to inspect the trees on the lot.  When we purchased our home 6 years ago, we had two Heritage California Coastal Live Oaks inspected by an arborist.  Both were hanging over living areas.  One of them was diseased and needed to be removed.  We had to go to the planning department and obtain a permit to do so.  Also, remember to check with city or town officials – when you remove a large oak tree, even if diseased, you may be required to plant multiple saplings in its place. 

Once you move in, it’s important to have trees inspected annually or bi-annually.

How to Buy a Home in Lamorinda: Part III – Be Aware of Property Lines is a post from: Mark's Remarks

Historically, Lamorinda is located within four Mexican Land Grants.  These grants were slice and diced into smaller and smaller lots, which is now present-day Lamorinda.  When purchasing a home in Orinda, Moraga or Lafayette, remember to consider the fact that property lines are not always contained with fencing. 

Most homebuyers rely on the Preliminary Title Report’s “legal description” and “plat map” for information regarding lot dimensions.  Although these maps are recorded with the County, they do not always give a clear picture of the lot lines, easements, etc., on the ground.  The only true way in which to define property lines is to employ the services of a professional surveyor, which can be expensive. 

Do your homework.  If something looks sketchy on the lot you are about to purchase, investigate further.  Don’t rely on fencing to define your property lines as they are oftentimes inaccurate.  In addition, Realtors or Home Sellers are not qualified to conjecture on property lines. 

There is a recent story of a landowner who recorded property lines with the Contra Costa County Recorders Office.  He received a rude awakening when visiting Orinda’s City offices: property lines were subsequently voided and super ceded by the City of Orinda.