Decor
Top 10 tips for home buyers
BY ROBERT CHARLEBOIS
Summer 2010 |
Check the service dates on the heating system. Is there new paint on the walls? Look at the windows. How old is the home? Check out the electrical. Were building permits taken out? What type of electrical service does it have? Hire a certified home inspector. Ask about the Sellers Property Information Statement (SPIS).
Check for foundation cracks and "efflorescence."
Paramount Construction has been in the foundation business for more than 30 years, and is qualified for all foundation services. Their staff know about good foundations and bad ones. Bad foundations have "efflorescence," which are easy to recognize. Efflorescence is that white salty-looking residue on foundation walls. It is left behind by moisture passing through and leaving the salt from within the foundation behind. If your concern is about mould, put all small amount of residue in a cup of water and see if it dissolves quickly. If it does, it's efflorescence.
The folks at Compeau Heating say there are some quick things to look for regarding the heating system. By checking out service dates, you will know if the furnace was serviced regularly. You may want to, or have to, upgrade the furnace. The most expensive systems to operate are electric and oil. The most efficient are solar and geothermal. Be aware of the cost of a new heating system, and get a few quotes from reputable companies.
Many of my clients were under the impression the previous owners painted rooms to sell the house. They found out later the home had a moisture problem. Check the basements, bathrooms, kitchens and other places where water could be a problem. New paint could be hiding minor problems that could become big headaches.
If there are older windows in the home, it will cost more to heat. Consider the costs now and in the future. Inquire about government incentives to upgrade windows. If you are thinking of investing in energy-saving windows, speak to a knowledgeable window supplier and ask about ratings. Or check the Government of Canada's website or the CMHC website. Windows are based on a scale of basically three parts: air tightness, water tightness, and wind resistance. Air tightness is A1-A3, the lowest being the best. Water tightness is B1-B4, again the lowest being the best. Wind resistance is also rated C1-C5.
Unless the owner invested in insulation, an older home generally has less insulation in the walls, so it will cost more to heat than a newer one. In the past, there was no such thing as 6-mill poly or pink insulation in a 2x4 wall. Most homes had lath and plaster, or paperback insulation. I've seen newspaper and wood chips in some walls. If you choose to up grade an older home, I recommend the new exterior stucco. It looks beautiful and can be put on the outside of the home so you don't have to destroy the inside, and avoid the mess. New stucco adds a higher R-value to exterior walls. If you were to consider a newer home, not only would you get a new home, but a warranty as well. The new home warranty is mandatory and covers the home owner for at least five years. It is good to know the builder, and maybe ask for a copy of the house plans, which will be helpful if you plan additional work in the future.
Phone the Electrical Safety Association (ESA) to see if electrical was done by a professional (1-877-372-7233). The ESA can search back nine years. A simple phone call can tell you if there are any open or closed permits taken out. This tells you if it was inspected or not. If the wire jacket (cover) is white, chances are the electrical is new. If there are white ceramic cylinders, and a single line of wire, chances are it's knob and tube, which can cause fires and has not been used for many years because there is no ground, and it runs too hot.
If you suspect a home has had some questionable work done, Greater City of Sudbury's building services department (674-4455, ext. 4278) can provide a full history of the house's building permits for a fee ($101). This will give you peace of mind.
Master electrician Troy Troscinskiof, owner of 89 Electric, says, "An electrical panel that is a 200 Amp service with breakers and empty spots is the ultimate." If the home you are looking to purchase has a 60 Amp, you'll have to upgrade to satisfy the requirements of insurance companies. Today's consumers require more electricity than their parents and grandparents did. An upgrade can cost anywhere from $1,500 and up by a licensed master electrician.
The importance of having a home thoroughly inspected by a qualified certified home inspector cannot be stressed enough. The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) is the single largest inspector-certification body in the world. Verify your inspector is NACHI-certified and has experience. Mike Gauthier, owner of INSPEC -Home Inspection Services, has 20 year's experience in the building industry. He has performed nearly 3,000 inspections. The best advice he can give to home buyers is to pay close attention to land grading and water diversion systems to ensure soil, roof and rain waters are diverted well away from the foundation.
When you think you have found that dream home, ask the real estate agent about the Sellers Property Information Statement, a list of known problems compiled by the seller. Usually the only time it is not available is if the owner has not lived in the residence, if it's a power of sale, a rental property, or an estate sale. Be sure to ask if the home has had a lot of sellers and buyers in the last 10 years. Was there ever any damages or repairs done? Is the price negotiable?
Robert Charlebois, owner of M.R. Renovation, a Sudbury construction company, is a certified carpenter and project co-ordinator. For more information, visit www.mrrenovations.com.
