Ask hard questions about any lead pipes

I’ve been reading a lot in the news about lead pipes. I’m currently in the market to purchase a home — what questions should I ask of my salesperson and the current homeowner?

There has been extensive media coverage of lead piping in recent days. Several areas in the province have been highlighted where municipal lead piping feeds into residential dwellings.

While many homes built after the mid-1950s were constructed with lead-free pipe, you should not make any assumptions without taking steps to confirm that a house is free of lead pipes. You are right to bring this concern to the attention of your salesperson or broker.

Too often buyers are so focused on cosmetic features and upgrades within homes, such a granite countertops and hardwood floors. In seeing these features, potential purchasers forget to consider what is behind the walls and beneath the floors.

As a first step, you should give careful consideration to selecting a real estate professional to assist you in your search — and help you to assess neighbourhoods and properties you are interested in. When considering which salesperson or broker you would like to work with, ask them about their knowledge of older homes and how they’ll help you to perform due diligence on houses of interest to you. Be direct with them about your specific concerns

. When you decide on a sales rep, choose someone who you are confident will investigate your concerns.

Before making an offer, there are some preventative steps you should take. It’s a good idea to ask your representative to find out if there have been any upgrades to the home’s plumbing systems. If the pipes both inside the home and those outside that run to the building have been replaced, there should be a record of it from the seller or the municipality.

Keep in mind that, in Ontario, the legal doctrine of caveat emptor (buyer beware) prevails. Sellers do have an obligation to disclose hidden defects, of which they were aware, that may endanger the health of the occupants or render the property dangerous.

Work with your sales rep to identify the questions you want asked of the seller regarding the home’s systems. If the seller declines to answer your questions, that may be a sign that more investigation — such as having an experienced contractor look closely at the house — may be necessary to address your concerns.

If you want to be absolutely sure that the water supply in a home is safe, your real estate representative can ask the sellers to consent to a test, possibly as a condition of your offer.

Of course, the plumbing is just one part of the picture. A home’s electrical, foundation, heating, cooling and other systems are also important areas for investigation.

When it comes to buying a home, taking the time to consider each step is critical. Think carefully about what matters to you and don’t rush the process.