You have bought your dream home, BUT you had to by-pass the home inspection so you could make an offer without conditions just to get it!   Although it is not a good idea, unfortunately in today’s market this is what is happening. The good thing for you is, it's not too late!   You can still get that home inspection after the sale has gone through.   No, it won’t change the fact that you are the new owner of the home and any problems are now your responsibility…..it will give you a heads up as to what potential problems you may encounter.  If you are aware of what may arise, at least you will be able to budget for the repair and plan ahead.  Knowledge is power and knowing if you are going to have problems will definitely give you the upper hand. There is no difference between the home inspection that will be done after the purchase compared to before.  The professional you hire to do your inspection will review and check everything the same way. ...

Proper air circulation in a home raises its comfort level substantially and provides a healthier indoor environment. Any form of ventilation, whether it’s opening a window or turning on the ceiling fans, reduces indoor pollutants and maintains the desired levels of humidity and temperature.  Below are a few ideas for proper home ventilation: Windows should be opened in the bathroom when using the shower, in the kitchen when cooking, and in rooms where clothes are hanging out to dry. The doors should be kept closed in these areas to prevent air from escaping. During summer, it’s a good idea to open the windows in the mornings and evenings. When not cooking or using the shower, internal doors should be kept open. This allows for airborne particles to circulate freely, maintaining the same level or air quality in the home. In addition, the doors to closets or wardrobes should be kept shut to prevent air from being trapped in a confined space. Using ceiling fans (clockwi...

When hosting outdoor parties in the backyard, safety should be the top priority, especially when using open flames for lighting or ambiance. Fire sources such as candles, portable outdoor fireplaces, sky lanterns, patio (tiki) torches and fire pits can start a fire if they’re not used carefully.  Here are some practical tips to prevent fires during outdoor parties: If there are children and pets at the party, they should always be supervised and kept at least 1 meter away from open flames. If the scene is decorated with burning candles, they must be kept in sturdy candle holders to help prevent candles from being tipped over. More than half of all candle fires start when objects that can burn are too close to candles. Flammable objects should be kept far away from candles and any other open flame. We strongly recommend using battery-operated flameless candles and patio torches instead of their more dangerous, open-flame counterparts. An adult must always supervise portab...

It’s never too late to take some extra measures to protect your home, especially those who reside in flood-prone areas. If this is your first spring in a new home, ask around the neighbourhood to find out if the area has ever had issues with flooding during heavy spring rainfalls. Occasionally, improper home maintenance may be the culprit in a basement flood, so take the proper steps to prevent an expensive mess in your home! The first place to start is with your roof and eavestroughs. Take a look at your home’s system and make sure things are functioning as they should. Gutters should be free of debris and correctly connected to downspouts to ensure that water is efficiently flowing from the roof. Also ensure that downspouts are carrying water far enough away from your home (about two metres is a good rule of thumb) and depositing it on a surface that slopes away from your foundation. Check the storm sewers on the street near your home, clearing them of any debris. If you ha...

For the 70 per cent of Canadians who own a home, it is a place to live, raise our family, and it connects us to our community. Due to Canada’s tax system’s Principal Residence Exemption, when we sell our homes, any increased value or “capital gains” are not taxed. This generous tax break matters to Canadian homeowners. Collectively, we have about $3 trillion in home equity and our homes are often our largest financial asset. However, starting with our 2016 income tax returns, there are some changes in how homeowners qualify for the Principal Residence Exemption. Until now, the Canada Revenue Agency has not required Canadians to report on a home sale when during tax season. If you sold your home in 2016 or later, you will need to complete a Schedule 3, Capital Gains of the T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return in order to report your sale. The good news is that, in terms of taxes, nothing has changed. The same tax benefit is available to anyone who sells their home, provided the...

The process of buying a home can be emotionally and physically challenging for many people. During the euphoric stage of making an offer, it’s easy to overlook potential home problems. Especially when you’re consumed with more important issues, such as whether or not the dining table will fit. During this sensitive time, only seek guidance from trustworthy home inspection professionals with years of experience. And feel free to use the following home inspection checklist to identify any potential red flag areas in what you hope to be your new home. Foundation Issues Most experts will tell you that cracks are the red flag to watch for when it comes to foundation issues. We’d agree. While smaller cracks found in concrete generally point to foundation settlement, larger cracks often indicate a more serious problem concerning the structural integrity of your home. Freshly Painted Walls Just as we’re recommending you add freshly painted walls to your home inspection checklist, th...

You’ve likely landed on this page because you’re either thinking of making an offer on a home or you’ve just made one. As a potential new homeowner, you owe it to yourself and your pocket book to understand what you’re really getting yourself into. Protecting your investment is the number one reason why you need a home inspection. When performed by a certified professional like Inspect it All , a home inspection offers an incredible wealth of information. The primary purpose of a home buyer’s inspection is to examine the condition of your potential new home. The job of your home inspector is to point out any relevant details and potential problems a new homeowner may be concerned with. Additionally, your home inspector should offer helpful advice regarding specific home care as well as general maintenance. If you have questions during your home inspection, ask your inspector! Although the exact length of your home inspection will vary based on the type and size of your residence...

Have you noticed tiny droplets of moisture – otherwise known as condensation – forming on the inside of your windows this winter? If so, you likely have an issue of high indoor humidity. So, why does it happen? New homes in Canada are built to be airtight, limiting the flow of air in and out of the home to reduce heat loss. As a result, it’s difficult for excess moisture to escape during the winter months when windows are constantly closed. High indoor humidity can fog up and eventually rot your windowsills. With excess amounts of condensation, mould will begin to grow on vinyl windows. And that’s mold that you and your family will breathe in every day. Bathrooms and kitchens are moisture monsters – steamy showers and boiling pots build up water vapour in the air that condenses when it touches cold walls and windows. In this environment, mould will eventually start to grow. Excess moisture is a problem you don’t want to ignore, but you’ll be happy to hear that there are many simple w...

A home is one of life’s most important purchases. Before committing to a purchase it makes sense to learn as much as possible about any property you wish to acquire. Understanding the important differences between an appraisal and a home inspection will help you to obtain detailed information about the home’s value and condition. An Appraisal An appraisal allows the lending institution to determine if the property being purchased is suitable as security for a mortgage. For conventional mortgages, a lender will in most cases require that a professional third party assess the property to ascertain its current market value. In the case of a “high-ratio” mortgage (with a down payment of less than 20 per cent), the mortgage insurer will go through its own internal appraisal process. In particular, lenders and insurers are concerned that the property (in terms of its age, condition, and remaining economic life) constitutes a good match with the borrower and their ability to repay the mort...