Knowledge from the Edmonton Property Inspector
Today we dive into mice and insects. (Or inspects)
This is something that has come up with buyers when they get the property inspection. Should a buyer run away?
I think knowledge helps, many years ago if I saw water leaking from a toilet I might have thought that the house has a huge plumbing issue, where now I am not happy to see something like this, but knowing that if you take two bolts off, take the toilet off and put a new wax seal on it is a $10 fix makes a huge difference.
Getting back to the question, should you run. First, how bad is it? How could it be fixed? Follow that closely with can you buy something without such problems for the same price? If not, how much could you save or negotiate off the price?
First, how bad is the mice or insect problem?
If the main beams in the house are almost hollow because of bugs, it is probably not safe being in the house and you may just want to look at the lot value. While on the other hand if 10 years ago there was a couple mice that were there, left some droppings that can be vaccumed out, you may not want to demolish the house.
If you see one running around there is probably a few. If you see 10, then call an exterminator.
For things like cockroaches or bedbugs, those are usually immediate issues that will generally only get worse.
How could the mice or insect problem be fixed?
First, mice are attracted to food. So, if there is food, whether it is bags of rice they can easily get at, bird feed or just kids that leave food under the stairs, then the chances of them coming and staying increases. Make sure there is no food for them.
Josh mentions bounce sheets around an RV and steel wool if you have a mouse hole or space of some kind that you think they may get in from.
On Amazon you can find different traps with different ratings, from humane traps where they fall into a bucket and later you can figure out what to do with them.
Or some people may just get a cat, snake or a ferret (note that some cats won't be effective and having a snake in your walls might be a worse issue).
I had a place that I was selling that had old mice droppings and the buyer demanded an inspector come. The cost was $150 plus tax for them to come and inspect. They didn't find any mice (only old droppings that were then vacuumed up) and the issue was solved.
What to do if you find Mold?
In a similar sense to mice, it is going to depend on how much.
Some companies make a good amount of money profiting from people's fear. Josh mentions that there are many types of mold and most are not toxic for humans.
That said, most grow and should be cleaned up. If there is a little mold, some bleach or a cleaner can easily get rid of it. Wearing a mask and using rubber gloves can't hurt.
That said, usually it is not the mold clean up that is a huge concern (unless they pull the baseboards off and find the walls are full of it). A little mold can easily and safely be cleaned.
It is important to understand WHY there is mold. Is all the ventilation closed off with no air movement? a leak or reason for too much moisture? Overuse of a humidifier? Stopping the issue is important.
Can you buy something without such problems for the same price?
If you can, obviously don't be bothered and buy the other place.
How much could you save or negotiate off the price?
I guess the point here is questioning, what is it worth? Let's say you can negotiate a lower price or that your competition is walking away, and you are getting the place for $20,000 less than what you would of. Or, if it is going to cost you $500 on an exterminator but you are saving $10,000. Is that worth it?
For some people, maybe not. Maybe just the thought of thinking that mice was once living there would not be worth it. Other people might say, bring on the mice poop!
Special thanks to Josh Born from Canadian Residential Inspection services here in Edmonton. If you are interested in hiring Josh, Please visit the following page to get Josh's details (Be sure to tell him that you found him through Derek's video) https://dkeet.ca/guest-speakers.html
If you are looking to buy a property in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, or need advice on the current market contact Derek!
Derek is licensed for residential, commercial, and rural real estate, plus has many years of personal and business experience to be able to understand your needs.
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