Ace the Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 4 Exam 2025 – Unlock Your Property Potential!

Visible water staining on a listed home's carpet is categorized as a patent defect because it is an observable issue that can be detected during a visual inspection of the property. Patent defects are those that are apparent and can be easily identified by prospective buyers or inspectors without needing any specialized knowledge. In this case, anyone viewing the home would notice the stains on the carpet, making it a clear and visible problem.

Contrasting this with other types of defects, a latent defect is one that is not immediately discoverable and may require invasive investigation to uncover, while a material latent defect specifically refers to hidden issues that significantly affect the property’s value or usability. In this instance, because the stains are directly visible and can be assessed without additional testing or investigation, it does not fall under these categories.

A material patent defect refers to visible issues that significantly impact the property's value, while surface and cosmetic defects denote varying levels of superficial issues that do not affect the overall structural integrity or functionality of the home. Since the staining is a visible concern, it aligns with the definition of a patent defect, confirming the accuracy of this classification.