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
Cyclist issued fine for striking four-year-old girl crossing the street
A cyclist turned herself in and received a fine after striking a four-year-old girl who was crossing the street to catch a school bus.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Woman in her 60s in life-threatening condition after Bridle Path bus shelter collision
Police say a woman in her 60s is in life-threatening condition after being struck by a vehicle at a bus shelter in Toronto's Bridle Path neighbourhood on Friday.
Dutch contestant kicked out of Eurovision hours before tension-plagued song contest final
The Netherlands' contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from competition hours before Saturday's final of the pan-continental pop competition, which has been rattled by protests over the participation of Israel.
Joe Biden wants to remind 2024 voters of a record and an agenda. Often it's Donald Trump's
Biden wants the 2024 election to be a referendum on Trump's record and plans, but he also wants voters to look favourably on his own policies and actions
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
IN PHOTOS Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Mildmay, Collingwood and St. Thomas, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.