Beginning your home search is undoubtedly exciting. Exploring home listings online or in person, weighing your options, and imagining what your life could look like in each home is a fun experience. However, it’s important not to get lost in the process – especially when you think you’ve found “the one”.
In real estate, love at first sight comes with a few risks. All too often buyers are so impressed with how a home looks that they rush into the buying process without thinking carefully about their decision or doing their due diligence on the property.
So how can you ensure that what you see will be what you get? In this blog, we’ll highlight three key considerations to ensure you’re not just impressed by a home but also educated about it.
Always Be Diligent
It’s easy to get quickly carried away when you’ve stumbled upon your dream home – or at least, the one you’d like to buy. After spending your time and energy scouring the market, finally finding a home that not just checks all the boxes but also blows you away can feel elating. As real estate agents, we love seeing our clients light up when they discover the perfect home for them and their families.
At the end of the day, a home is not just where you live but it’s also a major investment. For most people, it’s the single largest purchase they’ll make in their lifetime. So, it’s important to protect yourself as you make such a major investment.
Buying a home soon? Have a peek at these blog posts for more information and advice.
- Will I Ever Be Able to Afford a Home in Toronto?
- How to Take Advantage of First-Time Buyer Incentives
- Why Creativity Matters When Placing an Offer on Toronto Real Estate
Don’t Skip the Home Inspection
As a buyer, one of the most important steps in your buying process should be a home inspection. Regardless of how great a home looks on the surface, it can hide certain flaws. Problems like faulty electrical wiring, plumbing complications, roof leaks, mould infestation, or even issues with the foundation won’t be immediately apparent when you walk through the home. However, a professional home inspection can bring these concerns (among other potential issues) to light.
A home inspection is usually included as a condition or contingency as part of your buying offer. This means that once your offer is conditionally accepted by the seller, you’ll have a short time period to have the home inspected.
Depending on the condition or age of the home, the seller may have already had it inspected ahead of time. In an instance like this, your agent will ask for a copy of the inspection report and go through it with you. They’ll help you make sense of any areas of concern or other potential issues.
Want to find the right Toronto neighbourhood for you? Check out these other posts from our blog for helpful tips.
- 3 Toronto Neighbourhoods For First-Time Homebuyers
- Is Yonge & Lawrence a Family Neighbourhood?
- What Makes Toronto’s The Beaches Neighbourhood Special?
Zoom Out
In addition to verifying that the home is in good condition and matches your needs in the short and long term, you’ll want to zoom out and consider the area surrounding the home. When it comes to lifestyle and convenience, neighbourhood plays a big role in what makes a house really feel like a home. So, even if the property itself is great, you’ll want to consider if its location and surrounding community will make a good fit for you.
For instance, a home may look incredible, but if it’s a 90-minute drive from your workplace, it may not be the most practical place to live. While extending your commute may seem like a small sacrifice in theory, it can be exhausting in practice. Another common example is schools. If you’ve found the “perfect” place but it’s a long way from your kids’ school (or where you’d like them to go to school), you may want to rethink how the home will meet your needs long term.
Ready to head to the market? As Toronto’s leading real estate experts, we can help you find a home that speaks to your heart. Send us an email or call 416-587-3300 to discover your path to success.
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