Common Sense Home Inspections Inc.

01/25/2026

Hawaii .............................

On this Snowy Sunday, just scanning thru some old photos .....
This one was from Hawaii, on the Road to Hana.

As we are well into 2026, still working Part Time in the Inspection Business. The majority of work is for Insurance Companies completing Replacement Value Assessments on High Value Properties.

I am still doing some PreSale Consultations and Home Inspections for various realtors, past clients and acquaintances who are in need of these services. Also performing WETT Inspections on wood burning appliances for home owners, realtors and Insurance Companies.

Shoot me a message or call/text to 705.927.6319 at anytime for scheduling or pricing.

Kevin Carey
Common Sense Home Inspections Inc.
WETT #9491
National Underwriters Insurance Verification Services INC

07/30/2025

Just thinking out loud ......

I have always had a strong position of having Homes Pre Inspected before hitting the market. If any major issues are found that the owners were not aware of, they can have the problems repaired - or at least they are noted and price can be adjusted accordingly.

When realtors complete an Opinion of Value, why not have a Professional Home Inspection completed during the process???

The Opinion of Value can be completed as well as a Home Inspection, covering two aspects of all the steps required to list a home for sale. If the Home Inspection uncovers any items that may cause a deal to fall apart or result in re-negotiation - the owners can schedule the necessary Professionals to look after the repairs. A WETT Inspection should also be handled up front for any wood burning appliances. We complete WETT Inspections at a reduced rate of 50% when completed during a Home Inspection. If the WETT Inspection fails, there is no charge. We will provide the details on the non-conformances for potential buyers. Additionally, the owners could have the issues looked after up front.

Its been awhile, just thought I would make some suggestions for anyone wanting to sell.

Kevin Carey
705.927.6319
WETT #94911
NUIVS System Analyst

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06/06/2025

PreSale Inspections.

The bulk of my current business is handling Replacement Value Assessments for Insurance Companies. I still complete some Home and WETT Inspections - mainly Consultations completed during a showing of the potential property.

Was at one last weekend, property looked good on realtor.ca - but we all know that you need to see the property as visuals and hands on is the only way to provide educated and honest feedback.

To my surprise, this one had a PreSale that was not listed in the MLS information. The listing noted that the property was a legal Duplex - I informed the clients to ensure they kept a copy of that info in case they purchased.

I could not guarantee that this info was incorrect, but there was a few issues throughout the home where I felt the Local Building Officials would not have signed off or approved some of these renovations. The only way to verify if the property was a legal duplex would be to contact the Building Department in the municipality where the property is located. A lawyer may need to be hired to access this information, in rental situations you always want to ensure what you are renting is legal and you have the proper insurance policies as well.

There was a second story balcony where the railings did not meet code. The basement steps were very unsafe and not code compliant, the main floor units laundry was in the basement accessed by these steps. If I was the owner I would want to ensure that all aspects of the unit were safe for the tenant. There was some minor Electrical deficiencies visible as well.

I am not an Official Building Inspector, but it is our job to ensure we point out these types of situations and scenarios for potential buyers to work with their realtors, lawyers and Insurance agencies to protect our investments.

Just some thoughts on rentals and inspections in general.

Kevin Carey

12/30/2024

2024 Coming to a close .... how time flies.

Have been quite busy the last couple months, a lot of volume in the WETT Inspections of wood burning appliances. Just thought I would complete a review or reminder on the WETT process and terminology.

To start, there is no such thing as a WETT Certification of a solid fuel burning appliance. There are WETT certified members that obtain their certification from the WETT board and must be a member in good standing within the WETT community. If you need to find or verify information on a WETT individual or contractor - the Search capability on the WETT website is easy to use and easily accessible. The WETT board ensures that the data available is up to date and any WETT members listed on the site are in good standing and able to complete various types of inspections and installation work. Certified WETT members will complete the required forms and paperwork required by insurance companies to fully insure your property if using a solid fuel burning appliance.

Please feel free to reach out for any inspection needs whether purchasing or selling a property, or a WETT is required for a solid fuel appliance.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New year and a Great 2025.

Kevin Carey
WETT #9491

07/30/2024

Front Entrance.

Between Insurance Evaluations and other duties of partial retirement, golf and spoiling the grandkids ...... we managed to complete one of the last exterior projects of our new retirement home.

We hired the Gilbert Bros to complete the stamped concrete and Precast steps to the front entrance. Evan and Dolan and their staff were very Professional from start to finish on this project. They matched the colors we were looking for to blend with the stone and composite landing at our front entrance.

Would Highly recommend the Gilbert Bros for any landscaping project you are considering.

09/20/2022

This should not be a surprise ........

I am not a Real Estate expert, but what was happening was totally wrong in my opinion. This is makes a strong case for Mandatory PreSale Inspections, which I have been preaching since I got into the business over 12 years ago.
Having a PreSale Inspection completed by a third party Professional Inspection Firm would provide details of the property and help potential buyers decide on a value they could afford knowing that may need access to some cash to handle upcoming repairs.
Over the last couple years, I have completed a large volume of "walk thru inspections" for many clients. Numerous Realtors know that I would complete these types of inspections during a scheduled showing that was pre arranged before the date offers were due. I did not keep track of all results, but I do know that several of the clients decided to not offer on the property or adjusted the amount that they were previously discussing after discovering issues that they were not aware of. Most of the showings were in the 1 to 1.5 hour range, but a trained Professional can see a lot in 1 - 1.5 hours. I usually arrive at the address about a half hour in advance, you can see the grade around the structure, roof, chimneys, etc. etc. before the clock even starts.
Of special note to me, I inquired with the clients during the majority of these inspections whether their Realtor had made any recommendations on waiting to purchase a property until after the current "madness" in the market subsided. This was quite a large sample size, and only 2 clients noted that their Realtor had made that statement - if possible I feel you should wait a few months to see if this madness ends. One Realtor in my area that I have a tremendous amount of respect for was advising all of their clients that if at all possible, waiting for this craziness to end would be their best decision.
One example that comes to mind over the last couple years: I was contacted to complete 2 WETT Inspections on a property that the owners had accepted an offer that included them providing the conforming WETT documentation to the buyers at closing. Long story short, both units were not to current code and would be a few thousand dollars to obtain Compliance. The sellers most likely didn't care as the offer was probably a lot higher than they imagined their place was worth, but I personally don't like to throw money away. In my opinion here, the listing agent should have ensured the units were in compliance if the owners did not have the documentation - or listed them AS IS. I am not a lawyer, but could this news have provided the potential buyers to walk away from the deal? If so, maybe another house came up during the period waiting for the inspections - or the market changed in those few weeks??? Could have been a tough situation if any of these scenarios was possible.
In closing, its amazing how things change quickly ..... was at the cottage enjoying some time off a couple weeks ago, my phone started going crazy as Inspections seem to be the norm again. Turned down several jobs as the callers needed the inspections within a few days.

An Ontario couple says they discovered a “disaster” soon after moving into their new house, which they bought without a home inspection: Mushrooms growing in the kitchen, shingle debris raining off the roof and a toilet sinking into rotting foundation.

09/07/2022

Amazing how quick things turn ........
The last couple of years the House Inspection has basically been non existent. Then all of a sudden the calls are coming in droves with peoples needing inspections completed within a few days .....

This is why I really enjoy processing the Risk Management Appraisals for the Insurance Companies.

I completed a lot of Visual Inspections over the last couple years during showings, but many clients were not aware that this was possible.

06/06/2022

Been awhile, but I am one that does not spend much time on the Social Platforms ..... too busy.

Completed a Consultation for a real nice young couple last weekend, expecting their first child in a few months. They really wanted to get into the market, purchased a house in Peterborough with no conditions (except financing which is usually standard). At first site around the exterior, didn't see any real major concerns except the location is not 100% desirable.

Inside, appears to be a total Gut with a strong possibility with no permits. I cannot guarantee that without contacting the city building department. Overall, things seemed pretty good until we hit the basement.

As soon as we opened the door, there was water in areas on the basement concrete. The main old cast line of the sewage pipes was leaking. There was a large rock covering a hole where an old pipe used to run. Really hard to tell exactly what was going on until some removal of concrete and dirt to expose the deficiencies. I advised the clients that even if the leak turns out to be internal, the old cast should be upgraded to ABS from the basement to the street.

I find it hard to believe that this issue was not noticed during any showings of the property. Maybe nobody tested any of the sinks, showers or toilets .... but that usually happens with most showings or walk thrus.

I am hoping everything works out for the best for this nice young couple.

05/18/2022

What an amazing system and nicest work I have ever seen ....

Completing an Insurance Assessment on a new build in the Muskoka's. The house had a Lutron Wireless Programmable lighting System as well as heated floors throughout the entire cottage. Both furnaces installed (one for each wing) were also wireless, heating and lighting can be controlled from your smart phone, iPad, or PC. Take a look at the care taken with the wiring and plumbing .... needless to say the owner was over the moon impressed with the entire build. Cottage was amazing ......

01/22/2022

When will this madness stop .....????
Just completed and inspection on a property in the Peterborough area in the $750,000 range ....
The lot/grade was terrible with negative slope towards the foundation on three sides. A couple of items needed upgrades immediately - roof and furnace. There was numerous electrical issues in the basement, where a non conforming apartment was completed. There was clear visible mold in several areas of the basement, many sheets of paneling in the basement were also warped due to the moisture in the basement area.
There was asbestos wrap located around a few heat registers, most of the duct in the basement was located above the finished ceilings - there may have been additional amounts that could not be visibly inspected. (NOTE: lab testing is required to confirm the asbestos, but 99% of this old white wrap contains asbestos)
Additionally, there was signs of vermiculite in the attic, if it contained asbestos was it removed Professionally.
I do not know what the offer was and I never ask or want to know, but the majority of local sales are going over list.
It is beyond me how someone could spend close to a quarter of a million dollars on a property that needs substantial work and has poor grade and location to start with, and these items cannot be changed.
As an Inspector my job is to report, and we do not advise clients whether to purchase or not - that is the Professional Realtors role after receiving our report and taking this info and work with the client. Inspectors do not Pass or Fail Properties ...... although on this one I was extremely glad to hear that they decided not to pursue with this purchase.
As I have always promoted since I started in this business, a Professional PreSale Inspection on a property by a qualified 3rd party Inspection Firm should be mandatory on all listings.