Dream home becomes nightmare for Ontario family who passed on home inspection
An Ontario family who purchased their dream home said their experience has become a nightmare because of what they learned after waiving a home inspection.
For many people, buying a home is the largest purchase they will ever make, which is why it’s usually a good idea to have it checked by a home inspector first.
However, in a red hot real estate market, with bidding wars, some sellers are asking buyers to waive home inspections.
"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," Lisa Song, whose family waived the inspection for their dream country home, told CTV News Toronto.
Song, who used to live with her family in Brampton, said she wanted more peace, quiet and space in the countryside, which is why they went looking for the home in Halton Hills, northwest of Toronto.
They lost a bidding war to buy the house in March of 2020, but days later the seller, who was also the listing real estate agent, contacted them to say they could buy it as long as they increased their offer and waived getting a home inspection.
"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," Song said.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they didn't move in for several months, but once they did, they found there were problems with the water supply.
"We found there is no well water being pumped into our house because there is no well water," Song said.
Song said they had to install water holding tanks and other equipment in their basement at a cost of $10,000.
Then, she said there were also major issues with the septic system and due to new environmental regulations, it's very expensive to replace.
"It's going to cost me another $120,000 to replace the septic," Song said. "I almost fell to pieces knowing I would have to get a mortgage to fix the septic."
Song said there are other bills to repair leaks in the basement, which include installing waterproofing and having repeated visits from experts trying to diagnose problems.
Leigh Gate, president of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors, said he thinks it’s a “big red flag” when sellers want to waive a home inspection.
Gate said in a hot real estate market, buyers may be asked to waive an inspection, but he said doing so can be extremely risky.
“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,” Gate said.
Song said in hindsight, she regrets waiving the home inspection.
"I strongly suggest not to waive it," Song said. "If [they] have something to hide that's when (the seller) will say to waive it."
A home inspection will cost about $500, depending on the size of the property and there may be extra costs to check wells, swimming pools and out buildings.
People are urged to check an inspector's credentials to see if they belong to an association that offers training and has ethical and professional standards.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.