Real Talk!

Originally broadcast January 8, 2010 on CBC-TV "Grow Up Coverup" with Erica Johnson and Mike Holmes, of Holmes on Homes, who in 2006 was recognized in Canada’s House of Commons for his promotion of skilled trades and for his advocacy for improved building standards.

Mike Holmes lives by a very simple motto: "Make It Right". He believes in that slogan so strongly that he has it tattooed on his right arm.

I've had a crush on Mike Holmes for an awfully long time... way way way before he received that marriage proposal from Ellen DeGeneres.

I've been a fan since I first saw the man that a 2006 Calgary Herald writer described as, "... big and he wears overalls with a sleeveless undershirt, a gold chain, bracelets and an earring. He has tattoos and a spiky brush cut."

Back, also in 2006, Mike Holmes wrote an article for the Toronto Globe and Mail: "Inspections need closer scrutiny" in which he said:

When buying an existing home, it's a good idea to also buy some peace of mind by first having it looked over by an independent professional, to make sure it's as good as it looks. The first person buyers often look for is a certified home inspector, and often your real estate agent will recommend one.

But keep these points in mind: Your real estate agent wants to make a sale. The amount of your real estate agent's commission is also based on the final price. Your home inspection report can be used to renegotiate or lower the final price. It's not impossible to imagine some home inspectors turning a blind eye to certain problems, in order to keep the selling price up and a good relationship with the realtors who give them referrals. You might start to see why it's best to have a separation between these two parties, the realtor and the home inspector. There could be a conflict of interest and you need to have independent, unbiased advice.

and

If you want to know if the house you are thinking about buying is safe and sound, spend time looking for your own certified home inspector, or hire licensed contractors. Not only can they tell you that the house “looks right,” but they can verify with a higher level of certainty that it “is right.” Whether it's electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing or even mould evaluation, a licensed contractor is qualified to make sure it meets proper building code and safety guidelines.

A licensed contractor can offer two valuable bits of information: Does the system meet minimum building code standards? If the answer is “no,” what will it cost to bring the home up to safe standards? This is real information you can use for renegotiating the final price — the right price — of the home. Hiring a licensed contractor maximizes your chances of getting a fair and unbiased evaluation, not just a surface inspection.

As a real estate professional, if my clients ask me to recommend an inspector, I give them a handful of choices. I want them to hear the truth. In fact, I try to get my seller's to have one done, so they can get their home up to snuff before listing. I haven't had one do it, yet. Still, I try.

I can only hope that home inspectors don't fudge any information on my account. I am an honest person and I expect honest, professional service.

Back in 2007, Holmes was interviewed on MarketPlace by Wendy Mesley in "How Not to Get Nailed" about unsavory "contractors" and their shoddy, if not criminal and crooked renovations.

I watch all of his shows. I believe in Mike Holmes.

I have often wondered about "home inspections" and "home inspectors". The trend began as a consumer service in the early 1970's. The Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (CAHPI) was formed in 1982 and OAHI (The Ontario chapter) in 1984. Their website www.oahi.com is interesting.

The CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.) website says:

Home inspectors and related industry and consumer groups consider a home inspection to be a worthwhile part of the resale process for the following key reasons:

•It provides the buyer with a list of repairs including time frames and other recommendations.
•It discloses conditions not readily apparent or understood by a non-technical buyer, or that may have been misrepresented.
•It reduces the liability of the realtor and meets the realtor’s need to disclose material facts and act in their client’s best interests.

Mike Holmes has a home inspection service. He is also back with a home inspection television program and if you have:

- Purchased a home in the past 18 months in the Toronto area.

- Used a Home Inspection Service before purchase

- A written Home Inspection Report

- Found issues with their home that were not accounted for in the inspection report.

visit http://makeitright.ca/Mike_Holmes_Online/Home_Inspection_Stories.php

They may want your story!

"NB Career Surf" has published an interview with Mike Holmes. His answer to the question: What do you love most about your job? was "I love being in construction and I have had many rewarding experiences. Helping families improve their homes is one of the most rewarding parts of my job."

Helping families with their homes is a very rewarding part of my job, too.

A MarketPlace Blog, after the recent airing of the piece on home inspectors that featured Mike Holmes, offers this advice:

Since hiring a home inspector is not equivalent to a warranty, and inspector liability is usually limited to the fee you paid or a similar amount, you could be stuck with repair costs above that. The financial stakes could be high if you rely on an inspection that turns out to be incomplete, so here are some questions to help you inspect your home inspector beforehand:

What kind of experience do they have? If the inspector doesn't have much of an answer, that's a big red flag. Experience and the right kind of training is key, since even if someone is an engineer, it doesn't mean they are qualified to inspect a home.

Can they provide references? A large, satisfied client base is always a good sign. Get as many as possible from the inspector and call them all.

Are they independent? A home inspector is there to offer an unbiased assessment, and shouldn't be part of any construction or homebuilder group or offer repair services themselves.

What kind of equipment do they use? A pen and paper are simply not enough. Do they bring binoculars, a ladder, or an infrared camera? A thorough inspection includes hard-to-reach places like the roof and chimney.

Can you follow them around during the inspection? A good inspector will encourage you to take part and will clearly communicate any serious problems, and not bury them in a checklist.