Your Complete House Hunting Checklist to Find Your Dream Home
Thursday, December 19, 2024
By Merisa Gomez-Adams for REALTOR.ca
When looking for a home, there are many things to consider. From the price of the property and its location, to the number of rooms and whether it has a nice yard, these are all standard contemplations house hunters have at the top of their list. However, there are other things to keep in mind you may not be considering.
Inquiring as to whether there’s street lighting nearby, how many outlets there are in a room, what kind of pipes are in use, what type and style of windows are installed, and whether there are zoning restrictions are additional questions that you should consider when you’re looking to purchase your dream home.
Read on to learn more about the essential aspects you should have or add to your house hunting checklist.
Prioritize price and location when evaluating properties
Price and location
“Buying a home is one of the most significant investments you’ll make in your lifetime,” shares Julia Hurst, a REALTOR® at Keller Williams Capital Realty in Rothesay, New Brunswick. “Undoubtedly, the price of a home is one of the primary considerations for most buyers. Establishing a clear budget that not only covers the purchase price, but also includes additional costs like closing fees, property taxes, and maintenance expenses is incredibly important.”
Hurst says, “the saying ‘location, location, location’ is a real estate mantra for a reason!” The location of a home dictates both the demand, price, and desirability, and for this reason, it’s important to “think about your lifestyle and future plans when assessing the location.”
“The neighbourhood you choose can greatly impact your daily life,” Hurst explains. “Therefore, considering things like the proximity to work, schools, shopping centres, healthcare facilities, and recreational areas should all be top of mind.”
According to Hurst, examples of questions you should be asking yourself are:
• Am I okay with living in a neighbourhood full of children?
• Does the area offer accessible infrastructure?
• What’s the age group of the rest of the homeowners in the area?
• Am I close to amenities such as schools, city services, public pools, places of worship, restaurants, etc?
Remember, REALTOR.ca listings come with neighbourhood information powered by Local Logic. Make sure to check that tab out when looking at your next property!
The home’s exterior
“Before falling in love with a property’s aesthetics, ensure it has solid structural integrity,” cautions Hurst.
Structurally impaired properties can lead to expensive, unanticipated repairs if the crucial step of organizing a home inspection is overlooked. You want your home to be able to maintain its structure over time, so “by taking a good look at the foundation, roof, windows, plumbing, electrical systems, and more can save you from costly repairs down the road,” shares Hurst.
Though you’ll spend most of your time enjoying the interior of your home, there are still things to consider when it comes to the exterior. As you’re looking at potential homes, keep these things in mind:
• What’s the lot size?
• What kind of house is it (single family, semi-detached, townhome)?
• Which direction does the home face? When will you be getting the most sun?
• Is it a shared or private driveway?
• How close are the houses next to you?
• What type of siding does it have, and what is the general upkeep of this material?
• What’s the condition of the landscaping?
• Does it have a garage?
• Is there a front porch?
• Are there street lights nearby?
• Is there a private backyard?
• Does the foundation have any major cracks?
• What’s the aesthetic of the home?
• Is the roof in good condition?
The home’s interior
Setting aside the individual rooms, it’s important to get a good gauge of the home’s interior as a whole.
“Consider the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and any additional rooms or features (like a home office or backyard) you require now or may require down the line,” recommends Hurst.
You should also ask yourself things like:
• Do you like the interior architectural aesthetic?
• Is there good soundproofing between rooms?
• Is the home open-concept?
• Is there a lot of storage space?
• Do the locks, latches, and handles work well?
• Do the windows and doors open well without sticking?
• Are the doorways and hallways wide enough to move around and move in your furniture?
When it comes to the individual rooms, there are further things you can ask or look for to make sure you’re considering every element of a potential home.
The kitchen
• Does it have an eat-in area?
• Is there a kitchen island?
• What’s the pantry space like?
• What’s the colour-scheme, and will it need to be changed?
• Does this layout work for your family?
• What types of counters are there?
• Do the appliances come with the home?
The living and dining rooms
• What type of flooring is there?
• Is there a fireplace? Is it wood-burning?
• Is there a separate dining room?
• Is there a lot of natural light?
• How many light fixtures are there?
The bathrooms
• Is there an ensuite bathroom?
• Is there enough counter space for everyone who will be using it?
• Are there enough outlets and are they in convenient locations?
• Is there a walk-in shower?
• Is the shower tall enough for your needs?
• Is the water pressure decent?
The bedrooms
• What’s the flooring type?
• Is there enough floor space for what you need?
• Is there closet space for what you need?
• How many windows are there?
The basement
• Is it finished?
• Is there enough headroom for you?
• Is it a walk-out basement?
• How many windows are there?
• Is there any evidence of flooding issues or moisture?
• Check out the storage and furnace areas for any obvious issues (a home inspector will ensure the system is safe and up to date).
• Are any bedrooms in the basement up to code?
Other things to consider
• Were there recent renovations done? If yes, who did them and can you see the receipts?
• What type of heating is it?
• Is the electrical system up to date?
• What type and size of water heater is there?
• What type and rating of insulation is used in the house?
• Is the house on sewer or septic?
• What are your options for cable, internet, and cell service in the area?
• Are there overnight parking restrictions?
Don’t forget the resale value
Yes, even when you’re hunting for a home to buy, resale value should be a top consideration.
“Even if you’re planning to stay in your new home for many years, it’s wise to consider its resale potential,” explains Hurst. “Think of your purchase like an investment. Market conditions can change, and you may need to sell your property in the future. Factors like neighbourhood desirability, school districts, and property conditions can all influence resale value.”
Remember, your REALTOR® can provide valuable insights into the current market and help you make decisions that will benefit you in the long term.
If you are a first-time buyer, or a you’re a move-up buyer, or you plan sell and then downsize in 2025, please call me. I will implement my proven Home Buying System to help you purchase the home of your dreams.
You can reach me by calling 905-683-7800. Please ask for me, Brian Kondo.
Thanks for reading today’s BLOG!!!
Brian Kondo
Sales Representative / Team Leader
The Brian Kondo Real Estate Team
Re/Max Hallmark First Group Realty Ltd.
905-683-7800 office
905-426-7484 direct
brian@briankondo.com
www.BrianKondo.com
www.BrianKondoTeam.com
Merisa Gomez-Adams' article was initially published on Realtor.ca. You can find it by clicking here.
| REALTOR.ca is the most popular and most trusted real estate website in Canada. Owned and operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), REALTOR.ca provides up-to-date and reliable information that makes finding your dream property easy and enjoyable. REALTOR.ca is popular with sellers, buyers, and renters and is accessible online and on mobile devices. |
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About the Author Currently residing in Toronto, Ontario, Merisa was born and raised in London, England. She has a multi-industry background in Marketing and Communications and outside creative freelance and ghostwriting, you'll find her in a thrift store, sampling different cuisines, or chilling with her cats. |
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