In this heated “seller’s market”, home buyers sometimes feel pressured to forego a professional home inspection. Though you may win the bidding war, you may also get a whole host of unexpected and expensive problems. Even a “new build” home can have deficiencies.
If you are thinking of making an “unconditional” offer, you can always have a professional home inspection done before you submit the offer. When is it a good idea to skip a home inspection? Umm….NEVER!
COMMON HOME ISSUES INSPECTORS UNCOVER
Before finalizing your home purchase, one crucial step in the process is the home inspection, during which a licensed inspector looks at the structure, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more. Here are 5 common home issues inspectors keep an eye out for.
Faulty electrical systems. Out-of-date electrical systems, lack of adequate power supply, faulty circuit breakers, or exposed wiring can spell disaster for a home. Inspectors can sniff these issues out and recommend repairs to ensure the home is wired safely and properly.
Poor drainage. If the home has landscaping that causes water to drain towards the home, it can cause foundation shifts or cracks, wet crawl spaces, mold, and rot. This can be incredibly costly to correct, so it’s important to determine this before going through with the home purchase.
Leaks. Inspectors look for leaks in the roof to ensure there are no damaged shingles, gutters, flashing, or other issues. They also look for any possible causes of plumbing leaks, such as broken seals, corrosion, clogs, damaged pipe joints, and more.
Mold. Showers, tubs, air conditioning and heating vents, attics, and basements are some of the most common places inspectors find mold. This can lead to various health issues for the home’s occupants, like headaches, skin irritation, and respiratory issues.
HVAC issues. During an inspection, the inspector looks for issues that could impact your ability to heat or cool your home. These include blown fuses, pilot and ignition issues, damaged coils, dirty filters, gas leaks, and cracks in the ductwork and pipes.
With the inspector’s report, you have an option to negotiate with the seller to correct major issues. Even if the issues are minor, the home inspection gives you a roadmap for homeownership and lets you know what to expect, and budget, for maintenance and repairs.
HOW TO FIND A HOME INSPECTOR
1. Realtor Referrals – Your real estate agent can provide you with a list of local home inspectors. However, it is important that you select the inspector independently.
2. Friends and Family Referrals – Recommendations from friends and neighbours are always a good source.
3. Professional Associations – Here are links to two organizations that accredit home inspectors: Ontario Association Of Home Inspectors and Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors
