Multiple offers on a property? No time to get a home inspection done? Feel you need to present a “condition free” offer in order to get the house of your dreams? But what shape is the home that you want buy in?

Buying a home without an inspection presents a significant risk and certainly not advisable. The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) doesn’t even it recommend it. You don’t want to find out after you’ve purchased a house and moved in that there are issues that need to be addressed after the fact. It only makes sense to get it inspected before hand. You wouldn’t buy a used car without having a safety check done on it, and a car costs far less than a home!

RECO (Real Estate Council of Ontario) says that buyers who exclude a home inspection clause in their offer to purchase “may later learn that there are property defects, required repairs or needed upgrades that you weren’t aware of. In some cases, this can be expensive in the short or long-term. Foregoing a home inspection is a significant risk that a buyer needs to carefully consider.” Not surprisingly, we get calls after the fact to inspect those homes when recourse options are few.

So why is it that people feel they must buy without having an inspection done? It’s likely because of the emotional nature of the purchase. They love the location, the kitchen, the workshop or the yard … and feel compelled to buy it without an inspection. However, if you waive your right to a home inspection and later find problems, you will likely have an uphill battle trying to recoup costs from other party(s).

But what about the seller? They certainly don’t want to hear from you after the sale about any problems that have been discovered, nor do the Realtors®. Funny thing is, most sellers also don’t want to be put in a situation of not having a home inspection done when they go out buy their new home either. So how can buyers and sellers find comfort?

In these situations, the best thing to do is look for homes that have had a pre-listing inspection carried out on them. This is just like a pre-purchase inspection that is carried out by the purchaser, except in this case the vendor / seller has a pre-listing inspection done for themselves and potential buyers to review.

Have you ever asked yourself, why hasn’t the vendor / seller done a pre-listing inspection on this home I’m looking at? Chances are they don’t know they can, they aren’t obligated to do one so why bother, and or are fearful of what is, or might be, lurking in their home.

So if you’re looking to buy a home, make sure it’s inspected either as a condition of Offer to Purchase or as a pre-listing inspection by the vendor / seller! If for some reason that’s just not possible, don’t for get about our Ride Along Inspection™ where we tag along with you when you’re out looking at homes or The Oops Inspection™ where we conduct an inspection after you’ve purchased the home.

You Get What You Inspect NOT What You Expect™

Related Topics:

• Multiple Offers & Home Inspections
• No Home Inspection Clause in Your Offer to Purchase, Say What?!?!
• Should Mortgage Lenders Insist Their Clients Have A Home Inspection?

Related Services:

• Home Inspections – pre-purchase & pre-listing inspections
• The Oops Inspection™ – an inspection carried out after you purchase the home
• Ride Along Inspection™ – hire us by the hour to tag along with you when viewing homes
• Litigation Support & Dispute Resolution Services – we bought the house, found troubles & need help