A family from Ontario who acquired their dream home claim their experience has become nightmarish due to what they discovered after passing on a home inspection.
For most individuals, purchasing a home is the largest investment they will ever make, which is why it’s typically an excellent idea to have it examined by a home inspector first.
Nonetheless, in a bustling real estate market, with bidding wars, some sellers are telling buyers to skip home inspections.
Lisa Song, whose family skipped the inspection for their dream country home, informed CTV News Toronto that “It’s taken a toll on me and my family because it was supposed to be our dream home and right now it’s a disaster, a nightmare.“
Song, who formerly resided with her family in Brampton, stated she wanted more space, peace, and quiet in the countryside and that is why they went searching for a home in Halton Hills —northwest of Toronto.
In March of 2020, they lost a bidding war to purchase the house, but later the seller, who was also the listing real estate agent, called them to say they could acquire it as long as they raised their offer and passed on getting a home inspection.
Song said,
“They asked me to waive the home inspection, and I hesitated a little, but she said if I want the home I had to waive it, so I waived it.“
Because of the pandemic, they didn’t move into the house for many months; however, once they did, they found there were issues with the water supply.
Song claimed,
“We found there is no well water being pumped into our house because there is no well water.“
Song stated they had to set up water tanks and other appliances in their basement valued at $10,000.
Also, she claimed there were significant problems with the septic system and because of new environmental regulations, it’s very costly to replace.
“It’s going to cost me another $120,000 to replace the septic,” Song noted. “I almost fell to pieces knowing I would have to get a mortgage to fix the septic.”
Song stated there are more bills expected to fix the leaks in the basement that included having recurrent visits from professionals trying to diagnose problems and installing waterproofing.
The president of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors, Leigh Gate, said he thinks it’s a “big red flag” when sellers want to pass on a home inspection.
Gate stated in a hot real estate market, clients may be requested to waive an inspection, however, he declared doing so can be extremely risky.
He said,
“In early fall, I would say in 2020 when the seller’s market took over and people simply couldn’t buy a house with that condition (having a home inspection) because there was always somebody right behind you that was willing to buy the house without having a home inspection take place.”
Song noted looking back that she regrets skipping the home inspection.
“I strongly suggest not to waive it,” Song stated. “If [they] have something to hide that’s when (the seller) will say to waive it.”
A home inspection is usually around $500, depending on the property’s size and extra costs that include checking wells, out buildings, and swimming pools.
Individuals are advised to confirm an inspector’s credentials to determine if they are part of an association that provides training and professional and ethical standards.
