All Buying Tips
Buying Tips
House Hunting Checklist
Print this and bring it to every home you seriously consider — it keeps you objective and helps you compare properties fairly.
The home's exterior
- Lot size & shape, landscaping condition, position on lot
- Driveway (private/shared), yard sizes, curb appeal, walkways
- Number of storeys and type of home
- Siding type & condition, garage & parking
- Front/back fencing, porch
- Eaves & downspouts, patio/deck, pool
- Storage shed
- Roof type, condition, age & recent repairs
- Foundation condition (cracks?)
The home's interior
- Windows (single/thermopane) & condition, working locks
- Kitchen: size, eat-in, island, cupboard & counter space, pantry, appliances
- Family/living room: fireplace, floor type & condition, dining room
- Square footage, foyer closet, soundproof/fireproof shared walls
- Bathrooms: number, ensuite, floors
- Bedrooms: number, floors, closets
- Basement: headroom, finished, outside door, laundry, storage, cracks, moisture
- Electrical: condition, outlets, amperage, breakers/fuses, copper/aluminum wiring, code
- Plumbing: copper pipes, leaks, age, code
- Water: city/well, capacity, pump age, quality tested
- Sewage/septic type & recent check
- Heating & A/C type, age, output, repairs
- Hot water heater (leased/owned), type, age
- Insulation type, rating, asbestos/UFFI
Community — close to:
- Schools
- City services (fire/police/hospital)
- Medical (doctor, dentist)
- Shopping (grocery, pharmacy)
- Parks, playgrounds, day care
- Recreation/community centre, pool, tennis, golf, arenas
- Restaurants, gas, theatres, library
- Major roads/highways
- Places of worship
- Watch for: train tracks, congestion, busy/noisy roads
Local neighbourhood
- Urban / suburban / rural, older / newer
- Type of homes and age group of owners
- Quiet streets & adequate lighting
- Visible power/telephone lines
- Well-cared-for homes & yards
- Sidewalks & space between homes
- Street & overnight parking
- Watch for: poorly maintained roads
Questions about buying in Lagoon City?
Joselle is happy to walk you through any of this, no obligation.