♨️How One Word in the Listing Could Cost You Thousands

The Inspection Insider

The Inside Scoop for Buyers, Sellers, and Realtors

This Week's Inspection Spotlight: Why You Can’t Trust Real Estate Listing Buzzwords

The Furnace Was “Newer”—Until I had a closer Look

You’ve read it a hundred times: “Newer furnace!” or “Recently updated mechanicals!” Sounds reassuring, right? But what does “newer” really mean when you’re buying a home?

Spoiler alert: It could mean literally anything—including a 40-year-old furnace that's wheezing its last breath.

It was a brisk fall morning, and I pulled up to a tidy little bungalow in a quiet older neighborhood. The MLS listing was full of promise: updated windows, “recent” roof, and—of course—the “newer furnace” line that always catches the eye.

The buyers were a young couple, moving from a downtown condo into their first detached home. They had seen enough sketchy places already, so this one looked like a dream. It was clean, staged to perfection, and priced right.

Still, they did the smart thing—they booked a home inspection.

As I went through the exterior, attic, and plumbing, everything seemed typical for a home of this age. Nothing alarming. Then I got to the furnace room.

There it was, humming away like it had something to prove. And I could almost hear it say: “Hey kid, they don’t build ‘em like me anymore.”

That was true. Because this particular furnace was built nearly 40 years ago.

Not original to the home, so technically Newer.

A giant beige box of inefficiency with a standing pilot light and rust creeping up the side like ivy on an old brick wall.

It was functioning—for now. But this thing was a dinosaur. No energy efficiency. No modern safety controls. And certainly no parts easily available if it broke down in the dead of winter.

The kicker? On the listing, this ancient machine had been cheerfully described as “newer.”

I asked the buyer if the seller had left any receipts or documents on recent upgrades. Nope.

I then asked the realtor, who got ahold of the seller’s agent. Their response?

“Oh yeah, the furnace was newer... compared to the age of the home.”

So technically, yes, the furnace was newer... by a decade or so. But that doesn’t exactly qualify as an upgrade worth bragging about in the listing description.

Worse, the buyers had mentally factored in not having to replace the furnace anytime soon. Based on the ad, they thought it had 10 years left or so. In reality, it had 10 months—maybe. Furnace replacements start at around $5,000.00 (when this was written)

This wasn’t the first time I’d seen the “newer” bait-and-switch—and it won’t be the last.

Buyers: Be cautious. If a listing uses vague words like “newer,” “recent,” or “upgraded,” ask for receipts. Ask for the make, model, and installation date of major components like the furnace, A/C, water heater, and roof.

Go to https://www.building-center.org/ to find out the age of the Furnace, Water Heater and Air Conditioner based on the serial number.

And don’t be afraid to question the language. “Newer” is not a quantifiable term. It’s real estate speak for “we’re not legally saying it’s new, but we want you to feel like it is.”

Realtors: If you're going to describe something as newer, be specific. “Furnace replaced in 2016” is helpful. “Newer furnace” is misleading and can land your client in hot water if buyers feel duped.

Home sellers: Transparency builds trust. If your furnace is old but works, just say so. If it was replaced 8 years ago, that’s worth sharing. But don’t exaggerate—because an inspector will find out, and buyers will be upset if they think you tried to hide it.

Watch this handy video that shows yo how to get the age of the top 5 furnace brands. 👇🏼

Pro Tip of the Week

Don't trust the listing—trust the label.
Before making an offer, ask for photos or documentation of the furnace and its nameplate (usually on the inside cover).

Most labels show the model and serial number, which can be used to determine the exact age of the unit. And if you’re already under contract, your inspector will be able to tell you where things really stand.

Go to https://www.building-center.org/ to find out the age of the Furnace, Water Heater and Air Conditioner based on the serial number.

What’s Coming Next Week?

Hoarder Houses: They’re Real, They’re Messy, and They’re Hiding More Than Just Clutter. You won’t believe what I found under behind the piles of garbage…

Ron Henderson, CMI
Certified Master Inspector

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