| Functional obsolescence factors whether they are | | | | for fire proofing, insulation, roof and garage |
| within your boundaries or outside should always | | | | shingles, and even floor tile. If it is in good |
| be considered when buying a home. Functional | | | | condition there is nothing harmful about asbestos, |
| obsolescence means a material fact it is | | | | but when it deteriorates and the particles become |
| impossible to eliminate that has significant impact | | | | airborne it can cause fatal lung disease. |
| on market value. For example, a water tower | | | | 3. Radon. According to the Environmental |
| within 1000 feet of your home, or those really | | | | Protection Agency, this radioactive gas is created |
| large Hydro towers running through green space | | | | in rock and soil beneath some homes. Your |
| in the back of your property, and even as a | | | | buyer's agent should be aware as to whether or |
| matter of fact whether the backyard adjoins a | | | | not there is any radon near a home. |
| school playground. Although obviously this would | | | | 4. Lead based paint. Before 1978 lead based paint |
| not pose a problem for buyers who have small | | | | was used in many homes. It can cause brain |
| children, this would pose a problem for any other | | | | damage to young children who ingest it... usually |
| type of buyer. | | | | from flaking paint chips, but it is not dangerous |
| Even new homes can have defects. Buyers of | | | | when the paint is in good condition. Ask your |
| new homes, should a) understand the terms of | | | | home inspector. |
| the warranty b) hire an inspector to check the | | | | 5. Formaldehyde. Many manufactured homes |
| house before the sale closes and c) Inspect house | | | | contain this material, which causes eye nose, and |
| with the builder, so both parties are aware of | | | | throat irritation. It can also cause rashes, |
| problems needing corrections. The best builders | | | | headaches and dizziness in some people. |
| will take care of any defects reported by the | | | | 6. Defective well water. If the home you are |
| buyers. | | | | purchasing depends upon well water, be sure that |
| Home sellers have a duty to disclose defects | | | | your offer includes a condition for a test of the |
| known to them. In Guelph, home sellers are | | | | well water quality. Also have the wells pumped |
| usually asked to complete an SPIS or seller | | | | tested to be certain it's in good working condition. |
| property information statement (disclosure form) | | | | 7. Carbon monoxide. Malfunctioning furnaces, |
| by their listing agent. If this hasn't been done, you | | | | wood stoves, kerosene heaters or lamps, |
| can make it part of your offer to purchase. Just | | | | fireplaces, water heaters and gas stoves can |
| remember that some sellers have selective | | | | produce invisible but deadly carbon monoxide in |
| memory. When a home buyer can prove the | | | | homes. The easy solution is to install a carbon |
| seller or knew or should have known about a | | | | monoxide detector which plugs in, and usually |
| home defect the buyers legal recourse is to | | | | costs $25-$50. |
| either a) sue for monetary damages or b) | | | | 8. Septic or sewer system. A home that is not |
| attempt to have the sale of the home halted. | | | | connected to a public sewer system has a septic |
| The buyer's difficulty is proving the defect was | | | | system which drains wastewater into the soil. Be |
| known before the sale closed. | | | | certain the septic system is located a great |
| Home inspectors are not perfect. But the smart | | | | distance from the well. If the seller reports a |
| buyer will insist on having a home inspector | | | | home is connected to the public sewer, be sure |
| through the house before closing anyway. Be sure | | | | to verify this and that the sewer pipe is not |
| to inquire about the inspector's experience. Home | | | | broken. |
| buyers should always accompany their | | | | 9. High-voltage power lines. Tests have been |
| professional inspector. If an unexpected serious | | | | inconclusive is nearby high-voltage power lines |
| defect is discovered, discuss it with your agent | | | | cause cancer and other diseases but it is certain |
| and have him or her make an amendment to the | | | | that they don't benefit health. The presence of |
| offer asking to have the effect professionally | | | | nearby high-voltage power lines won't enhance the |
| repaired. Use the inspectors report to get the | | | | home's market value and could be a negative |
| seller to pay for repairs or reopen negotiations to | | | | factor at resale time. |
| get a repair credit. | | | | 10. Other negative influences. Other things it |
| Home inspectors will have these key factors in | | | | should be considered are high crime rate, heavy |
| the checklists, but if a home buyer is aware and | | | | street traffic, poor location, lack of public schools |
| on the lookout for these potentially serious | | | | nearby, lack of public transportation, new zero |
| problems, they may choose not to purchase. | | | | tracks, poor floor plan, inadequate or dangerous |
| 1. Mold and moisture. Even the best homes at one | | | | wiring, racquet knob and tube bracket galvanized |
| time or another have mold or mildew. The cause | | | | pipes, a really old furnace, flood zone, easements |
| is trapped moisture - usually due to poor | | | | and encroachments and high property taxes. |
| ventilation. Mold can be extremely difficult or | | | | In conclusion, no house is perfect, and smart |
| impossible to remove in excessive amounts. | | | | homebuyer should ask a lot of questions and insist |
| 2. Asbestos. At one point in time, asbestos was | | | | on a professional home inspection condition in their |
| routinely installed in thousands of Canadian homes | | | | offer. |