Showings
Most open houses are staged, so everything looks great when you walk in, yet you remember nothing afterwards. Prepare before you go, don't be distracted by the staging, check 10 details in order from outside in, and ask the listing agent a few key questions, and you'll get real insight from every showing.
Showings
A front door facing a T-intersection, stairs right at the entrance, where the kitchen and bathrooms sit, power lines nearby... many buyers notice these layouts and surroundings at showings. This article looks at how each one actually affects daily living, natural light, noise and future resale, how to assess them quickly at a showing, and what adjustments you can make after moving in without changing the structure.
Showings
A home inspection helps buyers understand a home's true condition and estimate repair costs before the deal, and a pre-listing inspection can help sellers avoid renegotiation later. This guide covers what inspections can and can't do, choosing between a conditional inspection and a pre-offer inspection, finding an inspector, what to do on inspection day, reading the report, negotiating issues, and how condos and new builds differ.
Showings
"South-facing" isn't always best in Canada: in a detached home, the garage is usually at the front, with the living room, kitchen and primary bedroom at the back. This article explains what orientation really means, how sunlight differs by direction in Toronto in winter and summer, how orientation affects heating and cooling, snow on the driveway and the backyard garden, and how to choose for detached homes, townhouses, semis and condos.
Showings
We aren't home inspectors and can't spot every problem at a showing, but we can rule out homes with obvious issues. This checklist starts with preparing for a showing, then goes through the neighbourhood, exterior, each room, the basement, HVAC, electrical and plumbing, windows and doors, smells and sounds, with a condo section, what to focus on at a second showing and a printable checklist to bring along.