Before you buy a home. Inspect your inspector

Buying a home is probably one of the most expensive and important decisions you’ll ever make. But unlike many of life’s other major purchases, when it comes to buying a home, there is no such thing as a money-back guarantee.

Hiring a professional home inspector can help you find out as much as possible about a home’s condition, habitability and safety before you sign on the dotted line. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers several tips to help you select a home inspector.

First, to find a qualified inspector in your area, check association Web sites, the Yellow Pages or housing trade magazines. Better yet, ask friends or family members who may have recently purchased a home for a recommendation.

Make sure the home inspector is an experienced full-time inspector, not a renovator or contractor with an inspection business on the side.

Look for inspectors who belong to a provincial association, and determine if they intend to meet the standards of competency that are currently being developed by the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAHPI).

Ask for three references and call to see whether they were satisfied with the service they received.

Choose only home inspectors who are not associated with any other construction or housing trade, and who therefore don’t carry out repairs or improvements themselves.

Make sure the home inspector does not solicit, receive or give referral fees.

Ensure that the inspection is carried out during the day, as nighttime inspections may miss vital components of the exterior of the house.

Find out where you can get more information about the inspector and his or her firm, such as the firm’s Web site address or industry association.

Finally, ask what you will receive once the inspection is complete, and when you can expect to receive it. A professional home inspector should provide a written report reviewing every major exterior and interior system and component in the home within 24 hours of the inspection.

For more information or to receive a free copy of “About Your House” fact sheet on hiring a home inspector or other fact sheets on virtually every facet of owning, maintaining or renovating your home, ask CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca. Article reproduced from the ‘Now’ April 10^th 2004.