| Very few home buyers are familiar enough with | | | | Removal of an interior surface exposes that the |
| residential construction to even know what areas | | | | construction is actually wood framing with a brick |
| may be of concern when they move in. This is | | | | veneer. Are you liable for the misrepresentation of |
| particularly true of first-time buyers. When they | | | | the home? |
| move in, and the problems occur... who is the first | | | | Take some time to consider the twenty questions |
| person they contact? Their real estate agent. | | | | posed here, which represent some common mistakes |
| They want to know why they weren't told this or | | | | where agents can, and often do run into trouble. |
| that. And, they ask, isn't it the agent's responsibility | | | | 1. When do you know that a house has been |
| to ensure that there are never any problems with | | | | upgraded to copper piping throughout? |
| the house, especially those that cost money to | | | | 2. How do you determine the material of the main |
| repair? Does this sound familiar? | | | | water supply to the house - copper, lead, galvanised |
| What then, can an agent do to divert some of these | | | | steel? |
| after-sale problems, time consuming questions and | | | | 3. How do you determine the size of the electric |
| potential law-suits? | | | | service? Is it 60, 100, 200 amps? |
| One suggestion is to recommend a home inspection. | | | | 4. Is aluminium wiring safe? |
| In doing so, it is wise to disclose accurately what a | | | | 5. Is "knob and tube" wiring legal? |
| home inspection will or won't cover. A home | | | | 6. Are there wood boring insects in your area? |
| inspection is described as "an opinion, based on a | | | | 7. Where and how do you look for wood-boring |
| visual inspection of the readily accessible features of | | | | insects? |
| the building." An inspection does not and should not | | | | 8. Is UFFI dangerous? |
| comment on property values, zoning, code | | | | 9. How do you know if UFFI was installed, or |
| compliance, ownership issues, etc. What a home | | | | removed? |
| inspection will do however, is divert some of the | | | | 10. How long will a roof last? |
| onus of supplying correct information, from the agent | | | | 11. How long will a roof repair last? |
| to the inspection company. | | | | 12. Are flat roofs OK? |
| A reputable inspection firm should provide a written | | | | 13. When can you be assured there is enough water |
| report, reflecting the general condition of the | | | | flow into a well? |
| mechanical and structural components on the day of | | | | 14. When do you guarantee that the septic system is |
| the inspection. Provision of the inspection report | | | | working and adequate? |
| however, does not relieve the agent from also | | | | 15. When is a basement truly "high & dry"? |
| providing correct information. As the agent | | | | 16. What are the causes of basement dampness? |
| representing the vendor, and therefore the home, | | | | 17. What do you look for? (No. 16) |
| you are no doubt aware that you are responsible for | | | | 18. How do you tell the age of a house? |
| ensuring your statements and disclosures are | | | | 19. How far must a wood stove be from combustible |
| accurate. | | | | materials? |
| For instance, let's say you have a home listed as solid | | | | 20. How often should a chimney be cleaned? |
| masonry construction. The exterior is covered in | | | | To quote Ben Franklin, "Unless you're sure, I guess |
| brick, and has all the appearances of a brick house. | | | | you better say, I reckon. |
| The purchaser moves in and starts renovating. | | | | |