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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.