Whether you’re a first time buyer or looking for your next home, shopping for houses is, for many, one of the most fun parts of the process. Envisioning yourself in a new neighbourhood, surrounded by a blank canvas that you can redecorate and refurnish as you please…there’s so much potential in a new home!
However, before you can get to the settling-in process, you have to find a home that you love. Open houses are a great way for buyers to get a first-hand look at a property and the surrounding area. Even though an open house isn’t an inspection, you can gather a lot of info about the state of the home if you know what to look for.
Here are some things you can keep your eye out for, as well as some questions to ask the agent:
The House’s Condition
A well-staged house with a fresh coat of paint can distract from deeper issues in the home. While it’s nice to see great staging and the potential of the home in regards to decor, the more important issues lie in the foundational elements.Here’s what you should be looking for regarding the home’s condition:
- Signs of maintenance: What’s the state of the roof? The fixtures? Does it look like any work has been done in the home recently?
- Cracks & leaks: Take a look closely at the ceiling and walls for any cracks or leaks, especially if there are signs of dampness or water damage.
- Windows & doors: What is the condition of the windows and doors? Do they close properly? Do they seem to let a draft in?
- New builds: Just because a home is new doesn’t mean it’s well built. Look at the quality of the materials used and check for smaller details like the quality of the caulking and baseboards. You’d be surprised at how sloppy some things can be when examined more closely!
HVAC Condition
The HVAC system in the home is vitally important. Ask when the systems were most recently serviced/replaced and what kind of working order they’re in. Having to replace a system when you move in could be a big additional cost that you weren’t anticipating.
Services
Check to see local services in the area, such as internet and phone options. It may also be worth noting what kind of municipal services are available, such as garbage pick up and water/sewer services. If you’re looking to buy in the city these are not usually big concerns, but if you’re looking at a more rural area you may need to look into the service options further.Storage Space
Everyone is going to have different storage needs–does the home you’re looking at meet yours? Moreover, will it meet your needs in the future, for example, if you’re looking to have children? These considerations will help you make future-proof decisions when it comes to choosing a home.
Noise Levels
Depending on where you’re looking to buy, noise levels may be a concern. This can range from typical city noises like traffic, to specific noise like nearby trains or planes on a flight path. You may want to return to the area at different times to gauge how noisy it is.Picture Your Day-to Day
Once you look past all the bells and whistles of a home, can you actually picture living there? The home may be beautiful, but what if its layout is disruptive to your lifestyle? Do you have children and/or pets that will be running around inside and outside the house, and is the house suitable for that?Try to go through a typical day in your head in the layout of the home. You may find that it doesn’t suit your needs as much as you thought it did.
Long-Term Plans
An important thing you may need to consider is the potential future development surrounding the home. When visiting an open house, take a look around the area as well. If the home is located somewhere that’s being newly built, will there be other amenities that will be nearby, like new schools and businesses? If there are open and vacant lots, what will they be developed into? Are they owned by the city, or a building developer?Researching the long-term development plans of the area will not only help you make an informed decision on if the home is right for you, but can also provide insight into the home’s value as time goes on.
Ask the Agent Questions
The real estate agent at the open house should be well informed on the home and ready to answer any questions you may have. Some questions that can give you more insight include:
- What are the property taxes?
- What are the costs of utilities?
- Have any major renovations been done recently?
- Have any of the home’s systems been upgraded recently?
- What’s the area like?
Don’t be afraid to follow up on some of your questions with your own research to ensure you have all the answers you need!
Buying a home is a huge decision that you don’t want to take lightly! Ensure that you’ll be comfortable and financially sound by doing your due-diligence when going through open houses.
