Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
#31
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
I have fallen in love with a house on mls.ca that is within our budget and in a great area and am considering , slightly, the prospect of buying something without seeing it myself.
I have my mum over there and my mother and father-in-law are heading out for a visit so they can see it too.
Has anyone else done this? Am I totally mad to even consider it?
I have my mum over there and my mother and father-in-law are heading out for a visit so they can see it too.
Has anyone else done this? Am I totally mad to even consider it?
#32
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 470
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
My OH came over and bought our house so I had never seen it till I got here. There are 5 of us so we couldn't afford another big trip but with prices going up at the time we didn't want to wait. He sent lots of photos back but of course it's not the same as seeing it and choosing it yourself. So we have a house with lots of space for us all in a lovely neighbourhood. Big basement for his book collection and next to a park so he has less mowing! Not a bad choice!
#33
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
I have fallen in love with a house on mls.ca that is within our budget and in a great area and am considering , slightly, the prospect of buying something without seeing it myself.
I have my mum over there and my mother and father-in-law are heading out for a visit so they can see it too.
Has anyone else done this? Am I totally mad to even consider it?
I have my mum over there and my mother and father-in-law are heading out for a visit so they can see it too.
Has anyone else done this? Am I totally mad to even consider it?
#34
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
We purchased 2 houses, a business and 32 acres that we'd only driven past and taken vague note of 6mths previously - didn't step foot inside any of the premises.
The realtor was very helpful, took photos from every conceivable angle, patiently answered endless lists of questions, and put us in touch with a variety of people that were able to help us make a decision.
The only fly in the ointment was that once we'd paid a deposit, the vendor made a decision that up-keep and maintenance was no longer required. We arrived a few months later and found acres of knee high weeds, broken fences and lots of repair work to do (it's an equestrian property www.fieldstone-equestrian.ca and horses aren't exactly easy on fences, particularly when all the electric fence has been turned off to save on hydro bills )
Don't regret what we did, went in with eyes open and expecting the worst. Made sure we had sufficient contingency and rolled our sleeves up.
The realtor was very helpful, took photos from every conceivable angle, patiently answered endless lists of questions, and put us in touch with a variety of people that were able to help us make a decision.
The only fly in the ointment was that once we'd paid a deposit, the vendor made a decision that up-keep and maintenance was no longer required. We arrived a few months later and found acres of knee high weeds, broken fences and lots of repair work to do (it's an equestrian property www.fieldstone-equestrian.ca and horses aren't exactly easy on fences, particularly when all the electric fence has been turned off to save on hydro bills )
Don't regret what we did, went in with eyes open and expecting the worst. Made sure we had sufficient contingency and rolled our sleeves up.
#35
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
We purchased 2 houses, a business and 32 acres that we'd only driven past and taken vague note of 6mths previously - didn't step foot inside any of the premises.
The realtor was very helpful, took photos from every conceivable angle, patiently answered endless lists of questions, and put us in touch with a variety of people that were able to help us make a decision.
The only fly in the ointment was that once we'd paid a deposit, the vendor made a decision that up-keep and maintenance was no longer required. We arrived a few months later and found acres of knee high weeds, broken fences and lots of repair work to do (it's an equestrian property www.fieldstone-equestrian.ca and horses aren't exactly easy on fences, particularly when all the electric fence has been turned off to save on hydro bills )
Don't regret what we did, went in with eyes open and expecting the worst. Made sure we had sufficient contingency and rolled our sleeves up.
The realtor was very helpful, took photos from every conceivable angle, patiently answered endless lists of questions, and put us in touch with a variety of people that were able to help us make a decision.
The only fly in the ointment was that once we'd paid a deposit, the vendor made a decision that up-keep and maintenance was no longer required. We arrived a few months later and found acres of knee high weeds, broken fences and lots of repair work to do (it's an equestrian property www.fieldstone-equestrian.ca and horses aren't exactly easy on fences, particularly when all the electric fence has been turned off to save on hydro bills )
Don't regret what we did, went in with eyes open and expecting the worst. Made sure we had sufficient contingency and rolled our sleeves up.
#36
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
Thanks for your comments - it wasn't quite and arm and a leg, but plenty enough! We sold a 2 bed thatched cottage in a nice part of Worcestershire and used our equity to buy it, plus a small mortgage. Look carefully and you'll find that there are some great property/business deals to be had.
We've seem to have spent the arm and a leg element on improvements, refurbishments etc. The pics on the website are a far cry from 18mths ago - we removed in excess of 60 dump truck loads of waste and rubbish in the first couple of months here, so it's been a big exercise in clean-up and better presentation of facilities.
Should pay dividends - will probably move on once PR comes through (on 3yr work permits currently), so hope to see a good return on our investment.
We've seem to have spent the arm and a leg element on improvements, refurbishments etc. The pics on the website are a far cry from 18mths ago - we removed in excess of 60 dump truck loads of waste and rubbish in the first couple of months here, so it's been a big exercise in clean-up and better presentation of facilities.
Should pay dividends - will probably move on once PR comes through (on 3yr work permits currently), so hope to see a good return on our investment.
#37
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
Rich - that looks amazing! Must have been one hell of a decision to take the plunge - good on ya!
#38
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
Of course a realtor will help you buy it unseen, there is a good chance that they will be the ones to help resell it if the dream goes sour, and they stand to make $17k commision from facilitating the initial deal in the first place, never mind any resell.
Why would they discourage you from doing this? They could potentially make $50 grand out of your mistake?
Please note that I am a Realtor, and I stated that I would not recommend it, but sometimes due to various circumstances it is necessary.
Iaink is quite right about the expenses involved, this should not be the approach if there is any way to avoid it.
#39
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Essex UK
Posts: 314
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
Thats what we did-sort of- we saw the house we wanted on mls in May 2006, went over in july for a week reccy and went to the open house on this place, kind of had a half hearted look around as we never dreamed it wld still be on market when our time was right.
we just wanted to see inside some canadian houses.
then our house sold in 2 weeks flat and our canadian dream house was still on mls - this was october 2006!
so we arranged for our realtor to get things going, arranged home inspection which nearly put us off but we neednt have worried, these guys are very thorough and pick up everything!
arranged mortgage and insurance quotes all ready and lined up for us when we stepped off the plane.
it was hard work but it paid off and 3 days after landing in ontario we picked up the keys to our new house. We are now living very nicely thank you in the house that waited for us!
Go for it if thats what you want - I can assist you with how to do everything! PM me
we just wanted to see inside some canadian houses.
then our house sold in 2 weeks flat and our canadian dream house was still on mls - this was october 2006!
so we arranged for our realtor to get things going, arranged home inspection which nearly put us off but we neednt have worried, these guys are very thorough and pick up everything!
arranged mortgage and insurance quotes all ready and lined up for us when we stepped off the plane.
it was hard work but it paid off and 3 days after landing in ontario we picked up the keys to our new house. We are now living very nicely thank you in the house that waited for us!
Go for it if thats what you want - I can assist you with how to do everything! PM me
#40
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
Unfortunately some of them couldn't find there arse with both hands in the dark.
As far as home inspectors go , get personal recommendations from people you trust (not necessarily your realtor who of course wants the sale to happen), or failing that ask a few inspectors for some satisfied customers you could talk to, and then make sure you follow up and talk to them. Its a largely unregulated profession here, with few set standards, and there are more than a few cowboys out there. And if they screw up, dont expect to be able to sue them for compensation, they are largely untouchable.
#41
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: West End Vancouver
Posts: 292
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
Or more accurately...Some of these guys are very thorough...
As in any profession, actually considering the complexity and range of N.American construction the Industry in Canada does pretty well with regard to complaints
Unfortunately some of them couldn't find there arse with both hands in the dark.
As far as home inspectors go , get personal recommendations from people you trust (not necessarily your realtor who of course wants the sale to happen), or failing that ask a few inspectors for some satisfied customers you could talk to, and then make sure you follow up and talk to them. Its a largely unregulated profession here, with few set standards, and there are more than a few cowboys out there. And if they screw up, dont expect to be able to sue them for compensation, they are largely untouchable.
As in any profession, actually considering the complexity and range of N.American construction the Industry in Canada does pretty well with regard to complaints
Unfortunately some of them couldn't find there arse with both hands in the dark.
As far as home inspectors go , get personal recommendations from people you trust (not necessarily your realtor who of course wants the sale to happen), or failing that ask a few inspectors for some satisfied customers you could talk to, and then make sure you follow up and talk to them. Its a largely unregulated profession here, with few set standards, and there are more than a few cowboys out there. And if they screw up, dont expect to be able to sue them for compensation, they are largely untouchable.
Customer ignorance (probably more so Ex-pats) is a huge part of the problem and your post demonstrates that fact.
Regulation has not especially helped the Industry. In the States, Oregon has amongst the toughest licensing, and I have heard horror stories down there.
The majority of Home Inspectors voluntarily join Associations such as Cahpi or Nachi, undertaking Inspections to a well defined Standards of Practice.
As for Home Inspectors being untouchable??, they could probably save 4-5K on their E&O insurance then.
#42
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
Sadly I'm with the previous post as our home inspector missed some glaring stuff not least the design of the furnace ducting. All advice that we have had from Canadian professionals (not ex-pats) is that it's virtually impossible to get any recourse. It would be expensive, take forever and the outcome is unlikely to go in our favour. We're stuck with sorting it ourselves. Basically then the report was worthless in our case.
#43
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: West End Vancouver
Posts: 292
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
Sadly I'm with the previous post as our home inspector missed some glaring stuff not least the design of the furnace ducting. All advice that we have had from Canadian professionals (not ex-pats) is that it's virtually impossible to get any recourse. It would be expensive, take forever and the outcome is unlikely to go in our favour. We're stuck with sorting it ourselves. Basically then the report was worthless in our case.
Did your HI work to any SOP, (none actually include any design considerations, engineering assessment, costing evaluations, code compliancy etc etc)
I went to the doctor, I refused to take my cloths off, he missed a malignant mole on my arse.
#44
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
There you go, glaring stuff....since over 90% of house ductwork is not exposed.... a huge misrepresentation of your Inspector, and their scope of Inspection.
Did your HI work to any SOP, (none actually include any design considerations, engineering assessment, costing evaluations, code compliancy etc etc)
I went to the doctor, I refused to take my cloths off, he missed a malignant mole on my arse.
Did your HI work to any SOP, (none actually include any design considerations, engineering assessment, costing evaluations, code compliancy etc etc)
I went to the doctor, I refused to take my cloths off, he missed a malignant mole on my arse.
Sorry but the flaws in the ducting are exposed - in fact the biggest issues were plainly to be seen straight from the furnace.
Each to his own opinion of course but the fact is that a home inspection should determine if there isn't adequate heating in two of the bedrooms. Perhaps I'm just expecting too much eh? The mole analogy is off the mark.
#45
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: West End Vancouver
Posts: 292
Re: Buying a house you've never seen?!?!?!
Sorry but the flaws in the ducting are exposed - in fact the biggest issues were plainly to be seen straight from the furnace.
Each to his own opinion of course but the fact is that a home inspection should determine if there isn't adequate heating in two of the bedrooms. Perhaps I'm just expecting too much eh? The mole analogy is off the mark.
Each to his own opinion of course but the fact is that a home inspection should determine if there isn't adequate heating in two of the bedrooms. Perhaps I'm just expecting too much eh? The mole analogy is off the mark.
Were you there for Inspection...was the home furnished?
Again if it was a design flaw or BTU calculation of duct size, they are not included on ANY HI Standards of Practice.
Perhaps you should have read your Home Inspectors SOP.
Quite frankly if I could get a HVAC Engineer, Plumber, Carpenter etc etc for around $400 I would do that pre purchase. HI's are generalists akin to seeing your GP. He will refer you, if appropriate.
Your going to have to convince me your HI messed up.