Here are the top 10 red flags to look for when buying a home.
When buying a home, it’s common that a buyer may be overwhelmed with many different feelings, emotions, and thoughts. This can sometimes lead to the possibility of not recognizing some very important things while house hunting. There are certain things that every buyer should be looking for when viewing potential properties. Items such as the ages of the roof, furnace, and hot water heater are just a few of the top things to look for when buying a home.
Buyers should also be looking for potential red flags…
A properly installed fuse is just as safe as a circuit breaker, but there are many reasons why fused homes can have problems.
Why are people scared of fuses? Many people think that fuses are unsafe, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. A properly installed fuse is just as safe as a circuit breaker, but there are many reasons why fused homes can have problems, and I’ll discuss a few of the most common problems.
To start, how can I say that a properly installed fuse is as safe as a circuit breaker? A fuse will only handle the amount…
Here are eight tips (myths, really) that most people believe are good advice, but instead will cost you cash you don’t need to spend.
You’re always on the lookout for smart ideas and hacks to manage your home (and save money) — whether that means listening to the wisdom of your parents who’ve owned a home longer than you’ve been alive, or scouring every corner of the internet for savvy tips.
But just because a tip has been pinned, shared, and Instagrammed thousands of times doesn’t make it smart. Here are eight tips (myths, really) that most people believe are good advice,…
Some sellers just assume that there is nothing they can do to alter the outcome of the inspection, that's where they are wrong.
One of the steps in the home selling process is having your home inspected by someone the seller has chosen. The home inspection is important to both the buyer and the seller, but to the seller it represents another hurdle to getting the contracts signed. As an inspector I take people on tours of the homes they are planning on buying and talk them through the inspection process, showing them the good, the bad and the really bad.…
The growth of the condo market is leading many purchases wondering if an inspection is even necessary.
Condominiums are becoming more and more popular in the Greater Toronto Area. From Oshawa through to the Niagara Penninsula, condo construction continues at a high pace, both high rises and town homes. Condos are a great way for a young family to start and afford a new home or an opportunity to downsize for those who no longer need or want the space of detached unit. But even if the condo is a brand new construction, there can still be issues creeping behind the…
More than just turning a tap on, the safe and proper operation of a plumbing system is important to every home, and key in a proper home inspection.
One of the items that our home inspectors review during a home inspection is the plumbing. Pipes run throughout your home delivering water where you need it. While home plumbing is a fantastic innovation, it also has a down side; wood and water do not mix well. A leaking pipe in your home can create mold and damage your homes structure. Having a home’s plumbing inspected can help you identify issues and address…
Understanding how a certified home inspection evaluates the electrical system.
When it comes to powering the home, electricity is what makes it run. But while this technological discovery keeps our devices humming and our bodies warm, it is also very dangerous if it goes unmaintained. If you are worried about your homes electrical wiring or you are purchasing a new home, have an inspection done for peace of mind about your investment and your family.
What’s behind the wall?
As part of our home inspections, we identify what is going on behind the walls. This is done through inspecting access points that are…
Making certain that your pipes do not freeze during winter can save a lot of money and headaches.
So, you’ve decided to put your home on the market this winter. The house is staged, you have showings scheduled, and you are sure you’ll close on a deal in time to move into your next home. Everything is going as planned….until.…your real estate agent calls you to let you know that your house is flooded due to burst pipes. UGH! What NOW?!?
Unfortunately, this does happen and could happen to you if you don’t take the necessary precautions.
One of the biggest issues during…
Different kinds of defects carry different obligations, but a good sales rep and skilled home inspector can help keep you informed.
If I’m interested in purchasing a home, what does the seller have to disclose to me about the property?
When you’re in the process of buying a home, it can be very easy to get caught up in the esthetics of the structure — such as the marble countertops and hardwood floors. But elements such as foundations, wiring, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems are just as important, if not more so.
We get a lot of questions about what sellers are…
Condensation on windows tends to increase during the winter. Find out the reasons why, and what you can do in your home.
We encourage clients and real estate agents to call us with technical questions. We get lots of them – and it is that time of the year where condensation comes to the forefront.
We don’t want to bore you with technical terms like vapour pressure differential. Let’s keep this simple.
There are two rules at work here:
When warm moist air touches something cool, condensation will form.
Warm air can hold a lot of moisture; cold air cannot. (While warm air can hold…