Re: Hamilton???
 

Yeah, yeah, and when the pants are off you'll say they're metric inches.

Re: Hamilton???
 

OK. 203.2mm then.

0.2032M in SI units.

Re: Hamilton???
 

With Hamilton you have to be very selective about where you choose to live. There are many undesirable areas and some terrific areas. Hamilton is quite diverse and covers a large geographic area. Make sure you hire a "real estate agent" that is familiar with the area and understands your needs.

There are a lot of older homes (by American standards - new for us however) that offer great value. Hire a top RE agent, lawyer and "home inspector". The Canadian system is different to ours, but if you surround yourself with honest, competent professionals, you'll be fine.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Finding them is the trick! Dont get me started on home inspectors again!

Re: Hamilton???
 

Yes, I agree. I've heard horror stories from several people. We have been incredibly fortunate with out home inspector. We've used him several times and referred him to many friends. We wouldn't dream of using anyone else. in fact, we delayed our last purchase 2 weeks awaiting his return from vacation, and at the risk of loosing the property, mind you.

Re: Hamilton???
 

I've been mulling this of late and have come to the view that unless there is some specific risk you want investigated; the degree of lean in the house, the proximity to a termite area, the feasibility of some improvement to the property, a home inspector is probably not worth the money. They are as likely to miss problems as to find them and their fee might be enough to fix the problem anyway.

Re: Hamilton???
 

At least out your way you can call on Mike holmes when the inspector has f***d up.

You'll even be on telly :thumbup:

Re: Hamilton???
 

It think, as usual, the answer is "it depends"

As a property virgin it was usefull for us to hire someone, but I think knowing the little I do now I would cast a far more critical eye over any prospective properties and if anything looked a bit odd then it would be worth a second opinion. The right inspector in the right curcumstances could certainly save you making an expensive mistake.

Re: Hamilton???
 

I should probably mention my home inspector's name. Marco Ganassini of Frontline Home inspections. He is based out of Oakville, but he has gone to Markham and Toronto for colleagues of mine. So, not quite sure how far he will travel. I know that he is always quite busy.

I might add that he has saved us (and our friends) thousands of dollars over the years and is of impeccable character.

Re: Hamilton???
 

But Holmes is completed unrealistic. Misaligned plate over an electrical socket?
Take the wall down, put up a new one with new wires, new boxes and a new plate. OK on the TV company's dollar but no help at all in the real world.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Problem being?

All you have to do is send a photo of you pointing at a non gold plated tap looking ripped off and you're in.

Re: Hamilton???
 

Granted but, for example, now that my daughter is selling her house, the estate agent has observed features such as "no vents in the roof" and "inadequate clearances around the furnace" that the home inspector missed at the time of purchase. She's doing what most vendors in Toronto do, having a series of inspections so she can present the most favourable one on sale day. (It's typically the vendor that gets the inspection done as, currently in that market segment, the sales cycle is usually: open house on Saturday, offers on Monday night, deal done on Wednesday, there's no time for a purchaser to have an inspection). Given this reversal of the typical home inspection relationship, the most lax inspector with a reputable name is the desirable one.

Re: Hamilton???
 

I see Mike Holmes is getting on the Home Inspection Bandwagon!

Unlike the UK where if you have a home-buyers survey / structural survey you have legal redress against the inspector should anything not be discovered and later found faulty, here in Canada about the only thing you can get back is the fee you paid. BC is the only province I could find that actually licenced home inspectors... and even there the inspection contracts carry a clause that states "The Inspector’s total liability to the Client for mistakes, errors or omissions in the Inspection and Inspection Report shall be limited to the amount of the fee paid for the Inspection"

I am very suprised that Canada doesn't have a similar system (house inspection wise) to the UK and many other places.

Basically, you are paying someone to tell you if there is something obvious wrong with the property - but if you move in and find wet rot or asbestos... tough luck.

The first property I was going to buy here I had an inspection on (costing nearly $500 - it was a big property) and he came up with 2 things wrong, which were patently obvious even to a layman.

Hmmmmmmm

I do know of a great RE agent though!

Re: Hamilton???
 

Realistic contractor.

'I've moved your ceiling light, like you wanted. Code won't let me block up the hole and I have to put a nasty plastic cover over it. I don't have one with me. I can go get one, or you can do it;)'

Re: Hamilton???
 

So an offer subject to inspection would not be the norm then due to the fact that there's already been one. Albeit by the seller.

mmm buyer beware then. Only themselves to blame for not getting someone on their side.