Why You Need To Get A Pre-Purchase Home Inspection

What is a Pre-Purchase Home Inspection?

Anyone buying a resale home needs to get a home inspection – no exception. Not getting one is like buying a used car without taking it for a test drive, or buying it based on colour. Sounds crazy, right? But think about it, when it comes to buying a house you are literally investing at least fifty times more money. When people spend more time buying their groceries than they do getting a house properly checked by a pro, they pay for it. I am going to breakdown exactly what a pre-purchase home inspection is.

Homebuyers need to be smart, or they could end up buying a can of worms that will cost a fortune to fix just to make safe. I’ve seen it happen and I’ve seen people go bankrupt.

Getting a home inspection before you buy a home can literally save you tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention all the headaches! I truly believe that a qualified, unbiased home inspector is worth their weight in gold.

 

You want someone who will tell you the truth about a home, even if it means walking away and not buying it

What is included in a Pre-Purchase Home Inspection?

A qualified home inspector can spot potential problems and the red flags. They can tell you which ones need to be addressed now and which ones can wait, and what it might take to make it right. Then from there, you can make an informed decision about your future and decide if the home is worth your investment.

Too many times people fall in love with the eye candy – granite countertops, hardwood floors, crown-moulding, 8-foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances, etc. They don’t see the water damage on the ceiling, the mold in the basement or bathroom; crumbling mortar on the exterior, or the rotting framing around windows. That’s scary!

Your qualified home inspector should be checking:

During a pre-purchase home inspection, you can request a roof inspection. Your home inspector will check out the roof and tell you roughly how long it should last you. They will also inform you if it needs to be repaired or if you’ll need to re-shingle before next winter.

 

They’ll take a look at the building structure and foundation; check for any major cracks or issues that will have to be fixed sooner rather than later, like a heaving foundation or mold in the basement or attic.

They’ll also check out the electrical, the plumbing and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and warn you of any upgrades or major repairs. If a house needs a new furnace, or if the plumbing needs to be upgraded or there’s knob and tube wiring, believe me, you will want to know before making an offer. Those fixes aren’t cheap!

Find A Mike Holmes Inspector In Your Area!

Hiring A Home Inspector

You want an expertly trained home inspector with several years of experience. You want to make sure they will provide a documented report after the home inspection which is customized to you. Hold on to that report. You will need it for resale.

Your Home Inspector should provide a professional consultation on the condition of the home at the time of the inspection. They should have gone through an intensive and thorough training process. My team of Mike Holmes Inspectors are well-trained and qualified to provide quality, unbiased inspections.

Mike Holmes Inspections

• Fully trained and industry certified by Mike Holmes Inspections and third party accredited courses
• A Certified Thermographer
• Responsive, able and willing to answer your questions and on time
• Experienced and knowledgeable
• An excellent customer service provider with a smile knowing they help homeowners every day!

Get in touch with Mike Holmes Inspections!

 

Find your local home inspector

Mike Holmes Inspections are offered in select areas in Canada. Check out the website to find your service area.

Find A Mike Holmes Inspector

How Long Does A Home Inspection Take?

A typical home inspection of an average single-family home size 1800 – 3500 sq. ft. will take approx. 2.5-3 hours. During this time, a home inspector can thoroughly inspect your home, provide you with a detailed home inspection report and answer any questions you may have.

 

With Mike Holmes Inspections, you are welcome and encouraged to attend your home inspection. We encourage you to attend the inspection so you can ask any questions you may have and be educated on your home.

Are Pre-Purchase Home Inspections Worth It?

A good home inspector will help you look beyond the surface and see a potential home for what it’s really worth. That’s why I love home inspectors that are Level 1 Certified Thermographers. They can use thermal imaging cameras to detect problems behind walls, like leaks or abnormal heat coming from faulty wiring.

But the key here is hiring someone who works for you. Even if a friend recommends a home inspector, do your own research. You want someone who will tell you the truth about a home, even if it means walking away and not buying it.

Ideally, you also want someone with experience, but experience in construction. Hire a professional home inspector who understands home construction and how a home works. You need someone who can immediately tell you if something doesn’t look right, or if there are been any major renovations (and then check if they were done without permits).

 

This is why I’m proud to have my Holmes Approved Homes builders get their home inspected by my team at Mike Holmes Inspections. 

Watch below to see how Rinaldi Homes uses Mike Holmes Inspections in the Final Inspection.

There are good and bad home inspectors just like there are good and bad contractors. You have to do your due diligence and you have to do your research. But not getting a home inspection before buying a home is probably one the worst things you can do as a homebuyer.

I don’t know too many people who regret getting a home inspection, but I do know plenty who regret not getting one. Be smart and buy it right.

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Find A Mike Holmes Inspector In Your Area! Mike Holmes Inspectors have the education and tools to give you a thorough assessment of your home. Mike Holmes Inspectors all have strong backgrounds in construction and trades, along with extensive experience in the Home Inspection industry. They have gone through wide-ranging education and training to be able to provide homeowners with the knowledge they need to make a purchase decision.

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