A home inspection offers benefits to purchasers, vendors, REALTORS®, and lenders alike. It provides important information about a home’s indoor and outdoor systems that allows a purchaser to make an informed decision.

What the Home Inspector Does

A professional home inspector looks at the interior and exterior components to ensure they are structurally sound and functioning properly. The inspector uses their expertise to highlight a home’s benefits and find deficiencies that might otherwise be hidden, including:

• The roofing
• The flashing
• Chimney
• Gutters
• Downspouts
• The foundation
• Windows
• Doors
• Wall surfaces
• Heating and air conditioning
• Ventilation
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Wood burning appliances – including a fireplace or wood stove in the inspection requires a Wood
  Energy Technology Transfer (WETT) certified inspector. These inspections aren’t typically included in
  a home inspection and must be specifically requested.

Benefits for Purchasers

Hiring a professional home inspector provides the purchaser with detailed information about the home’s condition. A home inspector has training and experience that lets them recognize aspects of the house purchasers might overlook. The final report includes any deficiencies while also listing positive features. Sometimes purchasers make requests to have repairs made or have the cost of fixing them deducted from the selling price.

Benefits for Vendors

A home inspection is a strong selling point for vendors. The report provides potential buyers with information about the worst features while highlighting the best ones. Nothing is hidden, giving buyers the confidence needed to purchase the home. This makes it more likely that the vendor will get the maximum price for the home.

Benefits for REALTORS®

REALTORS® must work to make both the vendors and the purchasers happy. The REALTOR’S® reputation and future success depend on building a relationship of trust. A home inspection helps eliminate concerns that buyers might have about investing in a new home. At the same time, the REALTOR® can help the vendor get their asking price. A successful selling and buying process will help create more positive reviews and referrals for the REALTOR®.

Benefits for Lenders

Lenders who provide financing on real estate often suffer the risks that a property has undetected deficiencies. Unexpected repairs could be a big expense to the buyers, pulling money away that should go toward their loan. A home inspection allows the purchaser to plan for the payments while taking any need for repairs into consideration. There is a much lower risk that any surprise expenses will come up. The lenders can finance the home with the reasonable expectation that the purchasers can meet their payments.

Hiring a Home Inspector for your Collingwood Home

If you’ve found a property you like or you have your house ready to sell, hiring a home inspector is a smart move. A good way to find a home inspector you can trust is to consult your REALTOR®. They will guide you toward one who will provide professional results.