California Real Estate Practice Exam

The best source for establishing the age of a home would be:

1. Building and safety department

2. County recorder's office

3. County tax assessor

4. Either a or b

The correct answer is: Building and safety department

The best source for establishing the age of a home is the building and safety department. This department typically keeps detailed records of the construction of homes, including the permit information. When a home is built, a building permit is usually issued, which contains the date of construction. These records can provide accurate information regarding not just when the house was built, but also any subsequent renovations or modifications that may have occurred. While the county recorder's office does maintain public records that may include property deeds, which can give some indication of ownership history, it may not always provide definitive information about the actual construction date. The county tax assessor could provide information regarding property assessments and tax histories, but this does not directly indicate the age of the home. Therefore, the building and safety department stands out as the most reliable resource for determining the actual age of a house based on official building records.