Even “Sellers” need house inspectors, you know.

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So, you’re ready to put the castle on the market.  Yes, it may be a few years old and have a lived-in look but, you’ve spent a fortune on paint, fixed the few cracks you saw and, did a major cleanup – maybe even sprung some cash for a professional clean up.  Just the thing to look good for the buyers.  But, a string of potential buyers will bring in their house inspectors and, your castle will probably start fraying a little at the edges if you are lucky.  Or, the house inspector finds the real deal breaker – maybe something the original builder forgot to do and over the years, it became a real big hidden problem.

What can you do? 

First off, realize no house is perfect, no matter how old it is – brand new to century home.  Next, you may think you looked after the house but, it may have only been superficial and it gave the house a good showing but had no depth.  Even a brand new house can be faulty, as I have shown about Mattamy.  Maybe you bought the house from a speculator who really only wanted something to show good for the quick sale after it was constructed but, really didn’t care about structural defects that might show up later.  Lets face it, who gets a house inspector for a brand new house – never been lived in? 

A smart buyer, that’s who.

So, if you really want to know how your house will show, consider hiring a house inspector to give your place the once over prior to putting it on the market.  Get a lay of the land and some advice on what you should do prior to listing the property. 

Other than a coat of paint or, some fresh coffee brewing for the look-see.

Was the insulation put in right by the builder or, is the insulation installed on the old standards?  Is the wiring correct and the fuse box wired legally?  Remember, Mattamy even wires furnaces to houses next door.  Hopefully it isn’t when you move in but, I know it has happened.

Is your plumbing done right and does the garage door work right?  Are the rafters alright or did the builder do some fancy work to just “git r dun”?

There are a lot of reasons for hiring a house inspector by the seller.  Even if it is “peace of mind” to ensure you are presenting the best product you can.  If the inspection shows some issues, you don’t have to fix them but, expect the price to be altered by the buyer to accommodate the fixes.  Also, from a legal point of view, an inspection by a PROFESSIONAL house inspector will go a long way to helping your case if the subsequent buyer finds a problem later and tries to stiff you with the bill.  You can show you did “due diligence” and tried to ensure the house was as stated in the sale.

I only wish Mattamy would have hired a house inspector to check my house prior to sale.  Maybe I might have been saved the horror of the move.

And one other thing:  the buyer will not depend on YOUR house inspector’s report but will hire someone else.  At least you should be forewarned of any issues, unless you corrected them first.

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What’s in your attic??

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In my last blog I let you know of someone who scratched out the clause regarding a house inspector and lived to regret her decision.  But, it’s not just re-sales you have to worry about.

In the Hawthorne Villager forum they are talking about INSULATION.  Seems that some of the buyers are checking their attics and finding the insulation below par.  Of course, the builder says it is SETTLING PROBLEMS.  Well, read what a couple of house inspectors give as advice:

Just write “Attic insulation does not measure 15″ per data plate. Additional insulation required”.
If it’s fiberglass and the builder gives you that “settling” crap just E-mail me. I have an E-mail from the manufacturer stating that blown-in fiberglass does not settle.

  and:

Based on the information on your certificate, you have Propink brand insulation. One of the features of this insulation is that it does not settle. If the certificate says that you need 15″ of insulation to have the required R40, then you need the 15″.

Unfortunately, the PDI rep is either sadly misinformed or has deliberately tried the mislead you. This shortage of insulation problem is chronic in many Milton Mattamy homes.

The settlement feature of Propink is stated on Owens Cornings promotional information and on the Owens Cornings website.

It says that Propink –

■ Will not settle or lose its energy-saving abilities over time.
■ Does not require the addition of fire-retardant chemicals.
■ Will not rot or decay.
■ Does not support fungus or mold growth, insects or vermin.

The PDI reps response to your legitimate concern is typical and very unfortunate.

  

That is why you hire a professional house inspector for even the new houses.  Builders will cut corners and if caught out by a buyer, will give you some professional sounding bull.  And it is hard for you to argue – what are your qualifications? 

You hire a lawyer to protect your legal interests in the sale so why not a professional to protect your quality issues?  If you think you can do it yourself, by all means but remember the old adage about only a “fool has himself as his lawyer.”

And for those buying a resale.  It might be interesting to see if the seller had a house inspection upon buying the new home.  If not, I’d make sure I had a house inspector to check up on the quality.   A new house does not mean quality.

Garth Turner just did a blog on the urban blight we are experiencing, focused on Milton and, it is worth a visit.

Here is an excerpt:

Today, some residents tell me, the legacy of endless building with plastic, particle board and unheard-of speed is taking its toll. Some homeowners have cut off sagging porches, while others are dismayed at failing windows and endlessly-running sump pumps. It makes you wonder how whole streets of buildings made of vinyl-covered sheathing will look in twenty years. Or what those edifices will be worth.

He is of course referring to the infamous (?) Mattamy factory built houses – are there some story’s there……….

So, protect your investment, get a house inspector and make sure the builder follows through on what they promised.  Some get the perfect house and I am happy for them but, for those who get the shaft ( I know how it feels), make sure you protect yourself and future buyers of your house by getting that house inspector.

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