DIGITAL UPDATE Questions To Ask When Assessing Home Features


• Do you need several bedrooms, more than one bathroom, space for a home office, a two-car garage? • Do you want air conditioning, storage or hobby space, a fireplace, a swimming pool? Do you have family members with special needs? • Do you plan to have children? Downtown or suburbs? Proximity to recreation or work. • Do you need a substantial backyard? Pets? • Is there adequate storage space? • Will any remodelling be required to make the home move-in ready for you? • What service providers (cable, Internet, telephone, Satellite) are available in the area, and is the house completely wired for each? Can you hear me now – how good is the cell phone reception? • How much are the yearly property taxes? • How much do utilities run each month? Does the house use gas or electric for the furnace, water heater, and appliances? • How old are the major appliances, and which are included with the house? • Have there been any major repairs to the house, and if so, when were they completed? For example, how old is the roof? Has water ever damaged the basement or foundation? • Ever had problems with insects, such as termites and spiders, or rodents? • Older homes need to be carefully examined - Windows may need caulking or new sashes, bathroom tiles may need grouting, home may need rewiring (planning on a hot tub or sauna?), a new hot water heater, or a new furnace.


Think about what you want in your new home


Location, Location, Location • How far will you be commuting and what is the traffic like? Factor in cost of fuel. • Where will your children attend school and how will they commute? • Are there recreational facilities and parks close by? • Are you close to family and friends? • Is safety or high crime an issue? • Is the property close to an obstacle or negative influence? (i.e. an apartment building, shopping centre, school, radio tower, power lines, LRT or railroad track, highway, airport or commercial project). • Access to schools, work, recreation, shopping centres, public transportation, cultural attractions, libraries, churches and hospitals • Adjacent undeveloped land - what is proposed for this or other green space? • Heavy traffic can be noise nuisance and hazard for children • Distance from the unit to amenities, parking, walkways, roads, public transit • Does the neighborhood reflect positively on the value of the condo and your lifestyle choice? • Does this neighborhood, for any reason, have a poor reputation? • Is the future economic climate for the area good? Are businesses moving in? Is there government investment? • Are people moving in or out of the neighborhood? What is their age, income level, family size? • Are there plans for this neighborhood that you may be unaware of (i.e. a future highway, a commercial development or a new housing development) that will provide competition on resale?


Noise and Privacy • Proximity to highways, driveways, parking lots, playgrounds, trains. • Proximity to elevators, garbage disposal, fire exits, heating and air conditioners. • How well is the building soundproofed. • Visit at different times/weekends to check noise levels and activity.


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