Home Inspections
Everyone has a home inspection story. Unfortunately the stories are usually not the good kind. It's always about the home inspector that didn't find something that caused major problems for the buyers later on. Even sellers have horror home inspection stories of buyers scared off by the way a home inspector described something minor. There are so many issues with home inspections that some people don't bother to get them done. Granted, they may miss something, but home inspectors are certified and regulated (something you should check!) and most of the time I've found they do a great job. Buying a home can be an emotional experience and a home inspector might show you something fairly obvious that you overlooked. They can test for all sorts of issues and recognize things that may not be a problem on closing but is something that you'd have to put money into within 2 years. For the minimal fee that home inspectors charge, they are definitely a worthwhile investment. If you get a really good home inspector and there isn't anything wrong with your home, they will still give you a quick breakdown on how your new home works and how to maintain it which can be extremely valuable as well.
Choosing a Home Inspector
Home inspection is a discipline that requires special training, knowledge and communication skills. The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) includes representatives from provincial associations across Canada.
Reputable home and property inspectors generally belong to a provincial or industry association. To become a member of these associations, an inspector must meet professional and educational requirements followed by a review. Members of these associations are also required to have errors and omissions insurance, just as other professionals are required to.
Look for people who belong to a provincial association, who are Certified and continue education through their Association. Ensure that have extensive construction experience and have completed courses given by a recognized facility. Be sure that they are an experienced Home Inspector!
Professional home inspectors are bound by a strict code of ethics and must adhere to specific standards of practice. Home inspectors should have a general understanding of all the various systems and components in a home.
The home inspector should provide a written report reviewing every major home system and component of the home upon the completion of the inspection.
Exterior components include: roofing, flashing, chimneys, gutters, downspouts, wall surfaces and the foundation, including the grading around it.
Interior systems include: electrical, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, insulation, flooring, ceiling, wall finishes, windows and doors.
Renovations and Home Improvement
Property Management and Investing
The Kingston Real Estate Centre website was built and is maintained with the goal of providing simply the best in information and interaction for Kingston Real Estate. Filled with as much information as I can add, it is the one-stop website of choice to learn about real estate, Kingston, and more. I will be continually adding to the website to create a library of sorts of information, tools, and advice. This website is meant to be interactive. As I'm always adding information I expect people to come back again and again to get answers for different things. I'm hoping that in providing interactive mediums in which you can get your questions answered whether via the Forum or the Ask An Expert area, you will find this website does have all the information you'll need. If there's ever something missing that you'd like to see please don't hesitate to let me know!
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Kingston Real Estate NewsletterOnce a month I put out a newsletter for the Kingston Real Estate market and I personally write it with up to date market news (both local and abroad), new real estate law information, useful buyer and seller articles, the latest news in green living and home improvement, some recent questions and answers, and I usually throw in some great offers as well. I keep it short because I know you're busy but I keep it quality because I want you to like it.
ResourcesSearching for things online can be very frustrating. Here is your one place to go to find all the resources you need for Kingston Real Estate. This will be continually updated to make sure searching is easy for you. Here we have among our other links, special sections devoted entirely to Mortgages, Real Estate Law, Home Inspections, Staging and Interior Decorating, Renovations and Home Improvement, Property Management and Investing, New Home Building, and Green Living.