Top 3 things to look for when visiting a home

There are a few really important things to check on your home visit because they can end up costing you a lot of money down the road. These are the Top 3:

1) Signs of Water #1 Enemy to a Home!

Check the utility room for signs of white efflorescence on foundation walls or floors. Does the sump pump operating frequently? This is a sign of a higher water table and the sump pump has to work hard to make sure it directs excess water away from the home.

Faulty sealing around windows and doorways can be an entry point for water and can cause the wood to rot. Attics can also show signs of water infiltration if the roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. You won’t necessarily see this, but a licensed inspector will pick it up during a home inspection.

2) Structural Issues

Small cracks are inevitable over time and easy to fix, but larger ones can be problematic and affect the structure of the home. Indicating signs are difficulty opening and closing doors.

Make sure to walk around the home and inspect the condition of the foundation. Look out for large diagonal cracks, or ones that are big enough to put your finger through.

3) Factors that might make the home difficult or impossible to insure

Kitec and Poly-B plumbing, aluminum wiring, etc. These are considered problems in the eyes of insurance companies, because these plumbing and electric installations are known to fail.

Also be sure to check if the home is located in a flood zone. There’s a government website where it will indicate if the home falls in that zoning or not. I’d be happy to provide that link to whoever is interested!

Of course, no home is perfect, but certain factors can be problematic and end up costing you a lot of money down the road. Therefore, prudence is key! And if the home does have these issues, don’t stress, just assess!

Peter Thompson

Peter graduated from Lasalle College in hospitality and spent 13 years managing the infamous Chateau du Lac, where he built a reputation for leadership and forming genuine, trusting relationships.

Peter’s real estate career is built on a foundation of honesty, trust, and tireless effort. He takes pride in going above and beyond to ensure his clients feel supported and confident throughout their journey.

Outside of work, Peter’s world revolves around his wife and two young boys, who inspire him every day. A die-hard Montreal Canadiens fan, Peter never misses a chance to cheer on the Habs or crack a dad joke to keep everyone smiling.

This is #AskPete. If you have any real estate questions, feel free to send them and I will get you the answers. Or stay up to date on the latest tips for real estate buyers and sellers by clicking the YouTube button below:

Peter Thompson