What do home inspectors look for? Depending on the state of your home, a home inspection can bring to light unexpected challenges, leave your home on the market for longer, or could potentially lower your overall return. For these reasons, it is easy to see why the home inspection might be one of the most important steps in the selling process.

Our comprehensive guide to home inspections will equip you with the basics behind home inspections: what they are, what they include, and even the average cost you can expect to pay…

Home Inspection: Defined

Think of a home inspection as an education, both for a seller and a buyer. It is where a trusted home inspector is hired to go through a home, filling out a report along the way, of everything that is right and wrong about a home’s most important features.

What do home inspectors look for? Some of the main elements can include:

• Foundational integrity
• The status of the roof
• Plumbing problems
• Electrical wiring
• Heating and cooling systems

Given these big-picture concerns, it is easy to see why a home inspector’s report might drastically determine the status of your sale. If something does not work, or is a potential fire hazard, buyers could demand to pay less or walk away from a sale entirely.

Home Inspections: Types

The first type of home inspection is what we will call a “post-offer” home inspection. This is where a potential buyer retains the services of a home inspector who will then inspect your home to ensure that everything is at it should be (with the definition above in mind).

The second is a “pre-sale” inspection. This is where, as a seller, you can take a proactive approach and have a home inspection done before you even list your home (which can then be provided to a buyer). This approach effectively allows for you to analyze, correct, and avoid detrimental issues that could diminish your negotiating strength.

While not necessary, a pre-sale home inspection can do a lot of good – not only for your return, but for the time your listing sits on the market. Thinking ahead, you can know about – and correct – any issues before they can damage your home and your bottom line.

Key Concerns: What Do Home Inspectors Look For?

These are some of the key factors that can severely impede any home’s return:

• The presence of mould and mildew
• Roof and chimney damage
• Plumbing issues (such as Kitec plumbing)
• Knob-and-tube wiring
• Broken/improper heating and cooling systems

If a buyer’s home inspector finds any of these issues, whether you have known about them or not, they can negatively impact your final sale price when it comes time to negotiate.

Finding the Right Home Inspector

In Ontario, the average cost of a home inspector can range anywhere between $200 – $400. Given that range, finding the right home inspector to come and evaluate your home is critical. Our network of experts can be put to work for you to find the right home inspector when you are looking to sell – to preserve both the long-term integrity of a home, as well as the return on your investment.

For over 30 years, our clients have trusted us to minimize risk, offer unbiased opinions, and ensure their best interests are served. Contact us today to talk about your needs, by emailing us at  niels@christensengroup.ca or calling us at 416-441-2888 ext. 761.