Question:
I am purchasing my first home, and my REALTORŪ showed me a form with a bunch of inspections and things on it. Are these really necessary?
Mary Jane

Answer:
Dear Mary Jane

The Form you are writing of is called an Ancillary Services in the Purchase of Residential Real Estate. This is a mandatory form that all REALTORSŪ in the province of Saskatchewan and they are required to use it. It is designed so that a buyer can obtain additional information or clarification on a property they want to purchase. The REALTORŪ will go through the list of documents and inspections that make the purchase of a home both safer and cost effective for you, the buyer. The REALTORŪ will ask you if there are inspections or documents you will require or want done, and in the contract of purchase these will become conditions, which will require to be fulfilled before the final papers are signed.

Some of the documents the Ancillary Form will ask the seller to supply will be; a property condition disclosure statement (PCDS) which is filled out by the seller at the time of listing, and a real property report (usually called a surveyor certificate). Both of these documents are supplied by the seller if they have them and are extremely important in the purchase of a home.

The list of inspections are quite encompassing, they include such things as; a home inspection, gas line inspection, furnace & chimney inspection, fireplace or wood stove inspection, and so on. The inspections, as a rule, are a cost to you the buyer so it is advisable you consult with your REALTORŪ, who can provide you with some idea of approximate costs. In the final analysis the decision is yours to make regarding the inspections so that is why the REALTORŪ will ask you to sign and date the form after you have both gone through it to show the option was given to you.

So, Mary Jane, in answer to your question are the inspections necessary? It is really yours to answer. Your REALTORŪ is taking care of protecting you in the transaction by providing you this list of inspections and useful documents you have to decide what of these are important to you, and which you want done.

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Address your inquires to:
Ask A REALTORŪ
c/o Moose Jaw Real Estate Board
79 Hochelaga St. W.
Moose Jaw, SK
S6H 2E9