| What a ride! We've had one of the longest, | | | | The inspection should also include a close |
| hottest housing markets in memory - with keen | | | | examination of structural features, floors, |
| competition for homes in all price brackets. | | | | ceiling and wall finishes, and the condition |
| Everyone has a story about a home that has | | | | of windows and doors. If the home has a |
| sold for considerably more than the original | | | | swimming pool, a septic system, or |
| asking price. It's a seller's market. And | | | | significant landscaping features, you may |
| anxious buyers - worried about losing a | | | | want to either look for an inspector with |
| bidding war on a property that seems perfect | | | | specific expertise, or bring in an additional |
| - may feel pressured to make an unconditional | | | | specialist. Also, if you have a wood-burning |
| offer - which often means skipping the | | | | fireplace or stove, look for a house |
| professional house inspection. | | | | inspector who is certified by WETT (Wood |
| | | | Energy Technology Training). |
| Traditionally, home inspection was one of the | | | | |
| common, accepted "conditions" on any offer. | | | | A professional house inspector will be |
| Home buyers had a specified period of time to | | | | formally trained, experienced and impartial: |
| conduct a home inspection, and the deal was | | | | that is, he or she will not have a stake in |
| dependent on a satisfactory outcome. But in a | | | | the outcome of the inspection. For example, |
| seller's market like the one we're | | | | under their professional code of ethics, home |
| experiencing, many vendors have the luxury of | | | | inspectors are not allowed to be associated |
| insisting on unconditional offers. Those who | | | | with any other construction or house related |
| want to pause long enough for a house | | | | trade. Many inspectors, of course,have |
| inspection can be left behind. But a | | | | valuable backgrounds in civil engineering, |
| professional house inspection is an important | | | | the construction trades, or even specialized |
| step in the purchase process. Serious buyers | | | | areas like heating systems. |
| will sometimes hire a "pre-offer inspection" | | | | |
| to check the condition of a home. | | | | How do you find a good house inspector? |
| | | | Referrals are a great way to begin. Or, you |
| Armed with that knowledge, the buyer may have | | | | can look up an accredited member of the new |
| the confidence to make an informed, | | | | Canadian Association of Home and Property |
| Unconditional offer. Most house inspectors | | | | Inspectors at The initials "RHI"denote the |
| will encourage you to accompany them on their | | | | highest accreditation of the Association. |
| visual inspection of the home. Do it! It will | | | | |
| be the most valuable house tour you'll ever | | | | When the inspection goes well - as they |
| take. | | | | generally do - you get some important |
| | | | information about your home, and you can feel |
| Every inspection, of course, should also | | | | assured that you're moving into a home that's |
| include a written report. In general, | | | | in good condition. In the worst cases, buyers |
| inspections are visual and look at the house | | | | may want to re-negotiate or back out of the |
| both inside and out: a great reason why the | | | | deal based on the inspection's findings. |
| inspection should take place in daylight. | | | | Follow your instincts; if you're worried |
| Outdoors, expect a close examination of | | | | about the condition of the roof, for example, |
| exterior features like roofing, flashing, | | | | bewary about making an unconditional offer |
| chimneys, gutters, downspouts,decks, walls, | | | | without a prior house inspection. Though |
| and foundations - including grading and | | | | prices vary, a typical house inspection will |
| drainage away from the house. Inside, the | | | | set you back about $500 and three hours. If |
| inspector will be looking at all the house | | | | that sounds like a lot, remember that your |
| systems, including electrical, heating and | | | | home may be the most expensive and most |
| cooling systems, ventilation and plumbing. | | | | important purchase you will ever make. And |
| | | | there's no money-back guarantee. |