Home Buyer Beware
Home Inspection, Home Inspection, Home Inspection!
This week, after a deal that has fallen apart after a month trying to get it together, sellers upset, buyers extremely disappointed, realtors mentally exhausted & a home that is apparently not structurally sound. This week is another reminder why buyers should always, always hire a home inspector during an offer to purchase after my clients(first-time buyers) finding out the home they fell in love with isn't after-all structurally sound because of its foundation. Serious issue that must not be ignored!
Hiring all the appropriate professionals for your biggest investment of your life could save you money and from risk you wouldn't dream of. Realtors are trained to watch for things in a home that may be red flags and they can steer you in the right direction and supply proper advise(or so they better!). Then when the time is right to make that offer, we are there to guide you through in making sure you are taking the proper steps to protect yourself.....like hiring a competent home inspector.
My clients may be disappointed and a deal never came together this week, but as their Realtor,I can go to sleep at night knowing I didn't put them into a house that could be a potential nightmare and causing them years of grief and financial disaster. We will pick up from where we started and find them that perfect home.
Hiring a Home Inspector
You think you can't afford it? You can't afford NOT to!
It’s often said that one of the most expensive and important purchases you will ever make will be your home. However, unlike the guarantee a buyer receives with most purchases, there’s no money-back guarantee or return policy if you’re not satisfied with your recently purchased home. Once you buy a home, you’re on your own to maintain it, repair it, anticipate problems and pay the bills. This is why it’s best to know as much as you can about potential problems before you make the commitment to buy.
What Home and Property Inspectors do
One of the best ways to understand about a home’s condition, habitability and safety is to hire a professional home inspector1. A properly trained home inspector will review your house as a system, looking at how one component of the house might affect the operability or lifespan of another. Home inspectors will go through the property and perform a comprehensive visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. They will determine the components that are not performing properly as well as items that are beyond their useful life or are unsafe. They will also identify areas where repairs may be needed or where there may have been problems in the past. Inspections are intended to provide the client with a better understanding of property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection. A pre-purchase inspection for a 165 to 205 m2 (1,800 to 2,200 sq. ft.) home typically takes about three hours and costs around $500. Following the inspection, the buyer is presented with a written report, consolidating the details of the inspection. The home inspector should be willing to answer any questions a buyer might have and to clarify the limitations of the inspection to avoid misunderstandings. CMHC recommends that potential buyers accompany the inspector as the inspection takes place. It can be a valuable learning experience. Scope of the Inspection Home inspections are intended to provide information regarding the condition of systems and components of the home at the time of the inspection. It will help you make an informed purchase decision. The home inspector will provide a visual inspection by looking at the home’s various systems, including interior and exterior components. The inspector will check exterior components including roofing, flashing, chimneys, gutters, downspouts, wall surfaces, windows, doors, the foundation and the grading around it. Note that if the inspection takes place in the winter, the roof and the foundation may not be fully visible for inspection if they are covered with snow and ice. For safety and insurance reasons, the home inspector would not typically climb up on snow or ice covered roofs. However, the home inspector will inspect the roof from the ground or other vantage point. This also applies to the chimney and downspouts. If problems or symptoms beyond the scope of the inspection are found, the home inspector may recommend further evaluation. Interior systems the home inspector will check include electrical, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, insulation, flooring, ceiling and walls, windows and doors. Note that a home inspector is not qualified to inspect a wood-burning appliance such as a fireplace or wood stove unless they are WETT (Wood Energy Technology Training) certified. Many home inspectors are, but do not carry out a WETT inspection as part of the standard home inspection unless it is requested. This is an extra request and will add at least one hour to the inspection time. To be properly inspected, a chimney must first be cleaned. As with the outside of the home, the inspection of the interior systems is visual, meaning that the inspector will be unable to see behind walls or under the floor. Unless otherwise arranged, typically a home inspection does not include appraisals, exact quotes for repairs, or determine compliance with regulatory requirements.
Becoming a home owner can be the most scariest and stressful endeavers of your life(next to getting married)
, if the proper steps are taken, it can be the one of the most rewarding! As a Realtor, there is nothing more rewarding in my career than meeting the new owners at their new doorsteps and handing them over their keys to their new home!
Cheers!
Brenda
www.Brendasells.net
A home inspection is not intended to provide warranties or guarantees.
