Jeff
I beg to differ and as a relatively long time report reviewer of CREIA membership reports along with my EW work I see hundreds of reports (all CA) and the only inspectors who don't enter a "walkable" roof is usually the franchise inspectors and their reports are mostly RE agent friendly and run 15 to 20 pages. Many old timers refer to them as “inspector light”
inspection reports where as individual mom & pop inspection reports average around 25 to 40 pages and they usually enter a walkable roof during their inspections. Also, contrary to popular belief there's plenty of homes with basements in northern CA, mostly in the SF bay area. In fact basements have come back into vogue as our new home owners want to maximize their lot coverage plus having 3-4 car garages, media rooms, wine cellars, and au-pair facilities.