House inspection

If a house interests you, make a note of the condition of the exterior, the type of heating and insulation, and the condition of the basement (traces of mold, moisture, cracks). Try to determine whether there are any structural problems by opening the windows and checking whether the floors are level.

In case of doubt, it is best to hire a certified inspector, who will provide you with a detailed written report on the condition of the house and any necessary repairs, as well as a cost estimate for the most pressing repairs. Make sure your inspector puts everything that he says in writing. Ask the inspectors whom you call about the limits of their inspection, i.e. things that are not included. A study in Protégez-vous magazine (February 2000) revealed that a proper inspection takes approximately two hours. If you are promised a one-hour inspection, beware! Finally, make sure that your chosen inspector has errors and omissions liability insurance. For the name of a certified inspector, contact the Association des inspecteurs en bâtiment du Québec.

A specialized inspection will let you know whether the sale price is reasonable, especially if there is a significant difference between this price and the municipal evaluation, or if you have doubts about the quality and value of the property. It will also give you a good idea about the cost of any renovations that need to be done. It might even reveal problems you might otherwise have missed.

You can request a record of real estate transactions involving the house from the Bureau de la publicité des droits, formerly the Bureau d'enregistrement (contact your RCM; the cost of a search is $5.00/hour). A home that has been bought and sold several times may have a hidden defect.