 |
|||||
|
      |
||||
| Homes for Sale |
| Buyers |
| Property Search |
| New Condo Projects |
| Sellers |
| What is My Home Worth? |
| $mart Investors |
| Renters |
| Realtor |
| Commercial |
| FAQs |
| Mortgage Services |
| Financing |
| Calculators & Graphs |
| Area Resource |
| Ontario |
| Moving Tips |
| Putting Your Family First |
| About |
| Home Improvements |
| Contact / Feedback |
| E-mail Joey |
| My Guarantee |
| Links |
The importance of Home Inspections before buying
A home inspection prior to purchasing a home or condominium can bring peace of mind when you sign the sales contract. Knowing what to expect both inside and out will help you make an informed decision about the value of the home and the future upkeep.
A home inspection accomplishes two important goals. First, it gives you a chance to determine the condition of the house, its structural soundness, and the condition of its mechanical systems. Second, it brings any problems to the seller's attention at a time when they can be resolved before closing a sale.
If you sign a contract before inspection, consider including a clause that the sale is contingent upon a satisfactory structural inspection, and specify when the inspection is to be carried out. That way, you are protected.
A comprehensive inspection includes a visual examination of the structure from top to bottom, including the heating, air conditioning systems, the interior plumbing and electrical systems, the roof and visible insulation, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and visible structure.
Following the examination, the inspector will provide a report that not only points out possible defects or areas of concerns, but also the positive aspects of the structure as well as the type of maintenance that will be necessary to keep the home in good shape.
Even the most experienced homeowners lack the knowledge and expertise of a professional inspection firm. For example, watermarks in the basement may indicate a chronic seepage problem, or simply may be a result of a single incident.
A professional assessment will provide complete information about the condition of the property you are considering and will help avoid any unpleasant surprises after the sale. In addition, a home inspector can remain totally objective, while you as a prospective homebuyer may be emotionally involved.
The inspection fee for a typical single-family house can vary depending upon the geographic area. The particular features of the home such as size, age and special structures will be taken into consideration. A decision to have a home inspected is a good investment. You might save many times the cost of inspection by being aware of defects, maintenance requirements, and upgrading requirements.
Good decorating should not sell you on a house. Remember, you're also buying structural and mechanical systems. Walk through a house twice before you hire an inspector. The first time, look at the rooms, the floor plan, and envision your own decorating ideas for the house. The second time, go back and look at the condition of the walls, doors, appliance, and plumbing. If the home still looks good after two visits and you're getting serious about the purchase, hire an inspector.
Inspectors should be licensed in building-related fields; architects, contractors, and structural engineers are good examples. When interviewing a potential home inspection firm, carefully inquire about the specifics of their work and company. Ask how long they have been in business, ask for references from previous customers. Find out what type of insurance they carry and do they guarantee inspections?
A home inspection usually lasts about three hours. Professional inspection companies will be happy to answer all your questions. Avoid firms that issue only a verbal report. The report should be in narrative form, not just a checklist of items inspected. The home inspector should also issue a written report with accurate cost estimates for any major defects discovered during the inspection. You may find it valuable to accompany the inspector as he goes through the house.
Property inspections are not limited to residential properties. Many inspectors help homeowners with analysis and solutions to specific problems such as energy conservation, wet basements or cracked foundations. Inspectors also inspect work upon completion to ensure that a contract has been properly fulfilled.
If you are considering purchasing a home, the Ontario Real Estate Association advises that you invest in an inspection by a reputable and qualified inspection firm. Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Know what you are buying and what your future upkeep obligations will be.
For more information regarding home inspections contact the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (www.oahi.com).
The above article is brought to you by Joey Khan and the source of information is by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). Please feel free to contact me.
Some of the terms that you will find at this website are: real estate, realtor, real estate agent, mls, multiple listing service, Ontario mls, mls Toronto, multiple listing service mls, mls mississauga, toronto mls, remax toronto , remax Ontario, Toronto remax, remax mississauga, Mississauga remax, real estate mls listing, real estate listing, for sale by owner, FSBO, should I sell fsbo, fsbo costs, estate agent, realty, max, move, moving, real estate agent, mls listing, home value, home values, moving company, moving, condo, real estate sale, ontario canada, toronto canada, mississauga canada, Brampton Canada, home for sale by owner, privae sale, relocation, relocating to Ontario, remax realty, moving truck rental, condominium, condominiums, mls canada, mls crea, moving truck, dream home, remax real estate, home selling, multiple listing, multiple listings, condo for sale, moving box, luxury home, gorgeous home, remax realtor, real estate appraisal, real estate mls, real estate law, mls online, principal residential mortgage, best mortgage, sell home, house for sale by owner, NAR, national association of realtor, moving service, sell house, sell home, move quote, real estate property listing, house selling, moving storage, relocation service, best relocation service Ontario, real estate for sale by owner, help u sell, remax canada, moving van, moving supply, realtor .com, moving tip, moving tips, mls search, mls search, real estate multiple listing, moving quote, moving announcement, mls real estate listing, luxury home plan, property value, condominium insurance, condominium maintenance, selling pos, for sale buy owner, residential real estate, moving estimate, remax reality, moving checklist, freight moving rail road, buy and sell canada, long distance moving, home sold price, house moving, sale by owner land, home sold, home sold fast, local real estate, real estate professional, professional real estate agent, selling your own home, realtor com, realtor.com, realtor org, realtor.org, mls ontario, mls listing canada, web site for realtor, best realtor website, relocation, relocation calculator, sell your own home, re/max realty, home selling tip, home selling tips, multiple listing services, mls, estimate home value, selling on the internet, selling on the net, unique selling proposition, marketing your home on the net, sell home in the internet, selling real estate, dream home source, real estate multiple listing service, luxury home product, residential real estate listing, luxury home for sale, find a realtor, house sold, home market value, corporate relocation, toronto mls listing, toronto mls listing, Toronto real estate guide, best Toronto home website, relocation guide, real estate evaluation, toronto buy and sell, mobile home value, how much is my mobile home worth, trailer value, house selling tip, residential real estate loan, marketing mississauga, marketing toronto, marketing Ontario, toronto condominium, remax home, re/max real estate, home selling price, home value estimator, remax listing, selling on the web, selling home on the web, luxury dream home, to sell home by owner, sell my home fast, sell my home quick, mls online canada, re/max realtor, remax toronto, mls listing ontario, mississauga home for sale, re/max canada, real estate mississauga ontario, real estate Toronto Ontario, mississauga real estate agent, Brampton real estate agent, Oakville real estate agent, Toronto real estate agent, mortgage calculator, mortgage, mortgage rate, mortgage rate, mortgage loan, mortgage interest rate, home mortgage, gmac mortgage, mortgage company, refinance mortgage, current mortgage rate, refinancing mortgage, mortgage broker, mortgage lead, need a mortgage, bad credit, good credit, countrywide mortgage, mortgage alliance, mortgage payment calculator, mortgage payment calculator, amortization calculator, bi-weekly payments, finance calculator, home mortgage rate, mortgage loan calculator, lowest mortgage rate, today mortgage rate, mortgage rate calculator, best mortgage rate, home mortgage loan rate, mortgage loan rate, current mortgage interest rate, historical interest rates, adjustable rate mortgage, ARM, home mortgage calculator, best home equity loan, low mortgage rate, refinance mortgage rate, fixed rate mortgage, mortgage refinancing rate, best home equity loan rate, mortgage rate compare, home mortgage interest rate, best home loan, mortgage calculator amortization, best interest rate, best refinance home mortgage loan rate, best mortgage interest rate, mortgage refinance calculator, calculator and home loan or mortgage, online mortgage calculator, Toronto Real Estate, Toronto Homes for Sale, Toronto Ontario Condominiums, Greater Toronto Area Real Estate Projects for Sale, Greater Toronto Schools, Greater Toronto Homes for Sale, GTA Real Estate, GTA Condo Projects for Sale, GTA Houses for Sale, Mississauga Real Estate, Mississauga Homes For Sale, Mississauga Ontario Real Estate, Clarkson Real Estate, Erin Mills Real Estate, Port Credit Real Estate , Meadowvale Real Estate, Lorne Park Real Estate, Meadowvale Village Real Estate, Churchill Meadows Real Estate, Millers Grove Real Estate, Lisgar Real Estate, Mississauga properties, Mississauga fixer-uppers, Mississauga condos, Mississauga freehold townhome, Mississauga heartland centre, Mississauga parks, Mississauga schools, Mississauga real estate, Mississauga Real Estate Listings, Mississauga Homes, Mississauga safest city, Mississauga foreclosure, mississsauga power of sale, power of sales in Mississauga, bank sales in Mississauga, mortgage default in Mississauga, where is mississauga, Mississauga, Milton Real Estate, Oakville Homes for Sale, Oakville Real Estate, Oakville Ontario Property, Milton Homes for Sale, Sheridan Homelands Real Estate, Erindale Real Estate, Brampton Real Estate, Brampton Homes, Brampton Condos, Brampton Condominiums, Brampton MLS, Brampton Realtor, Brampton Homes for Sale, Brampton properties, Homes by the 407, Malton Homes, Remax Brapton, re/max Brampton, Brampton parks, Brampton schools, relocating to Brampton, Sheridan college, Caledon Land, Caledon Homes, Real Estate in Caledon, Erin Mills, Applewood, Burnhamthorpe, Churchill Meadows, City Centre, Creditview, Derry West, Glen Erin, Hurontario, Sheridan Homelands, Meadowvale Village, Mississauga Valley, Meadowvale, Meadowvale West, Levi Creek, Lisgar, Sherwood Forest, Streetsville, Square One, Cooksville, Malton, Erindale, Dixie, Credit Woodlands, Clarkson, Lorne Park, Lakeshore, Hurontario, Port Credit, Mineola west, Mississauga Gordon Woods, Rattray Marsh, Sherwood Forest, Armbro Heights, Bramalea, Bramalea Woods, Castlemore, Central Old Town, Churchville, Coleraine, East Madoc, Ebenezer, Brampton Heart Lake, Snelgrove, Huttonville, Orenda, Peel Village, Professor's Lake, Sandalwood East, Sandalwood West, Sheridan, Northwood Park, Woodhill, Central Oakville, College Park, Eastlake, Falgarwood, Ford, Glen Abbey, Iroquois Ridge North, Iroquois Ridge South, Upper Glen Abbey, Morrison, Old Oakville, Queen Elizabeth Way, Queen Elizabeth, River Oaks, Sherwood Heights, Southwest Oakville, Trafalgar, Wedgwood creek, West Oakville, Winston Park, West Oak Trails, Beaty, Bronte Meadows, Clarke, Dempsey, Dorset Park, Milton North, Old Milton, Timberlea.