Making an offer conditional upon a home inspection
is highly recommended. You are not required to have a home inspection should you
choose not to.
The cost of the home inspection is born by you, the
Purchaser. It is money well spent and is an integral part of making an informed
decision.
Home inspectors are independent third parties who represent
you and prepare a thorough report of the mechanics of a home (including roof,
electrical system, heating / cooling system, plumbing, foundation, insulation
where visible, etc.). They will point out all visible defects on the property
as at the date of inspection. It is not a guarantee or warranty, but rather a
thorough "inspection" and analysis of the integrity of the home, drawing
your attention to defects that may exist. All homes require ongoing maintenance
and care. No home is perfect and the inspector will find items that need attention
and prioritize them for you.
Annette can provide you a list of certified
home inspectors for you to choose one. Based on experience of other clients, those
inspectors referred are generally short listed because they are known to be competent,
knowledgeable, thorough, and communicate well. You may also know your own home
inspector whom you choose to conduct the inspection.
Based on the results of the inspection, you
decide whether or not you are satisfied with the report. Should you be satisfied,
you need to communicate to the seller that you wish to remove this condition from
the offer.
Profesional home inspectors
Few of us would consider buying a used car without
first having a mechanic look it over, or at least taking it out for a test drive.
Unfortunately, many buyers neglect to use a similar process when purchasing a
resale home.
They often fail to have a professional home inspection
performed on the home they are interested in, even though it is probably the largest
and most important investment they will ever make.
Unless you are an expert, it is highly unlikely that
you will catch a home's minor, or sometimes even major, problems during a typical
house viewing.
This is why it is important to obtain a professional
unbiased second opinion before making such an important decision; and fortunately,
there is a growing industry of home inspectors to provide this valuable service.
Listed below are some of the more common problems
found in a typical home inspection.
Minor maintenance problems:
Poor overall maintenance usually leads to a large range of problems that will
require the new homeowner's attention. These can include everything from peeling
paint to rotting decks.
Minor structural problems:
These problems are typical in older homes, and can cover everything from cracked
plaster to small movements in the foundation. While they are not likely to cause
the house to fall down, they should be corrected before they become more serious.
Grading/drainage problems:
This is the most common problem found. It often leads to damp or even wet basements.
Correction can range from installing new roof gutters and downspouts to digging
up the weeping tiles or simply re-grading the surrounding lawn to channel surface
water away from the house.
Older/insufficient electrical system:
It is very common to find older homes with undersized services, aluminum wiring,
knob-and-tube wiring or inadequate/poorly-renovated distribution systems. It is
important to have these problems looked into since they are potentially dangerous.
Older/poorly installed plumbing:
It is also very common to find plumbing problems in older homes. Repairs can range
from a simple 10-minute fix to expensive replacement. It is a good idea to get
an expert opinion.
Older/leaking roof:
On average an asphalt roof lasts 15 to 20 years. It is difficult to estimate roof
age accurately from the ground unless the roof is either very new or very close
to the end of its lifespan. You also need to know how many layers are under it
in order to determine if the roof needs to be completely stripped before installing
the new shingles.
Older heating/cooling system:
Older and poorly maintained heating/cooling systems are inefficient and could
pose a serious safety and health risk. While replacement may seem expensive, the
newer more efficient systems do reduce heating/cooling costs substantially, thus
helping to recoup your investment.
Poor ventilation:
Excessive moisture from unvented bathrooms and cooking areas can damage plaster,
promote the growth of mold and fungus, deteriorate windows and cause allergic
reactions. These problems need to be corrected before the damage becomes excessive.
Excessive air leakage:
Poor weather stripping, badly fitted doors, deteriorated caulking and poor attic
seals all contribute to a cold and drafty home. Repairs are usually simple and
inexpensive.
Environmental problems:
These can include asbestos, formaldehyde, leaking underground oil tanks, nearby
gas stations, contaminated drinking water, lead-based paint and radon gas. It
is important to discuss these potential hazards with a professional and arrange
for a specialized inspection if necessary.
