Have the Cottage/Home Inspected
(OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

Having the property inspected by a qualified home inspector may give you the added confidence that you have made the right decision and ensure that you are acquiring the property with full knowledge of any deficiencies that may exist with the main buildings, docks, electrical and plumbing systems, etc.

When the inspection is completed, you will likely receive a full written report plus estimated costs for any necessary repairs.

Jim & Iris can provide you with the names of qualified home inspectors who specialize in Muskoka properties. We strongly recommend the use of a home inspector who is experienced with Muskoka properties as there are many unique aspects to these properties such as docks, boathouses, septic systems, older buildings, specialized construction techniques, etc.

The 5 common problems home inspectors see:

Home inspections have become common in Canada as the price and complexity of home buying increases. The inspections are normally requested by a serious and suspicious homebuyer, but may also be contracted by the vendor or by a mortgage lender.

For the Buyer, the inspection can identify potential problems while a vendor may be wise to have an inspection of their own home or cottage done to prove it is in good shape.

A typical inspection of a detached house or cottage in Canada can take about two hours and cost $250. The inspector is first looking for warning signs, such as structural cracks, musty smells, rotting floorboards, wet basements or roof leaks. Sometimes, though, inspectors find serious flaws that have given no warning.

So what are the most common problems that home inspectors uncover when they check out a Canadian resale house or cottage?

The Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors, a national organization that provides training and a code of ethics for its members, have provided the following information. The Directors, all inspectors themselves, confirmed that there are similar problems that surface again and again when older homes are being inspected. While the concerns varied from one province to another, five problems were seen as the most consistent.

Keep in mind that the list is the most common but not necessarily the most serious problems.

In ascending order, the fifth most common problem cited by the CAHPI board members were electrical hazards and deficiencies, another way to say 'homeowner done wiring.' Inspectors told of lighting and even electrical baseboard heaters being improperly wired. Electrical panels that are not marked, or marked poorly as to what type of service is present, are common. Even if the panel is marked it may not properly reflect the size of the service.

In fourth position were roof problems. These include cedar shakes that have blown off or rotted, and missing asphalt shingles, but can include attic problems. Water, moisture, mold, and, mildew in attic spaces can signal potential concerns with ventilation, insulation, and vapour barriers. This can lead to the premature wear of the roof covering, structure and building materials as well as increasing the potential for ice damming.

Water leakage from interior sources was slotted in the number three position. "It's amazing," noted one inspector, " how often our moisture meters register high readings because of faulty grout and caulking at tub surrounds and at floors around poorly installed toilets." Often, a visual check will give an indication of such water leakage.

The second most common problem was poor ground slopes around the house, which can lead to or can exacerbate seepage into living space. This normally involves the ground-level foundation, but can include above-ground decks and balconies. Foundation/basement areas can be a real concern for purchasers. There could be water/moisture problems or cracked walls that are expensive to repair. In some areas of Canada, such leakage is often traced to poor or poorly installed drainage tiles.

And the only unanimous choice for inclusion into the top five and therefore the most common problem cited by inspectors was insufficient siding clearance from ground. Especially when soil is in contact with siding, there is a good possibility of not only siding damage but underlying framing damage as well.

Whether you're buying a resale house, a new house, a cottage or a condominium property, consider having a qualified inspector check it out. You can find a professional inspector by calling the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors at 1-800-610-5665 or your Realtor can supply you with a list of local qualified inspectors.