Toronto Real Estate
News and Information
Homebuyers Guide to Inspecting your
new Ontarion Home (part 2)
So you are about to buy a home in Toronto, the remaining objective can
be a difficult task when viewing an open house. It is easy to fall in
love with a home's appearance, blind to problems that may make it unsuitable.
Doors and windows:
Check that doors and windows fit snugly in their jambs and operate smoothly.
Look for flaked paint and loose caulking. If the wood around windows
and doors is not protected from moisture, it can rot away. Feel for
drafts in these areas too.
Poor drainage:
On a wet day walk around the yard and look for areas where water
collects. This can be an especially bad sign if there are soggy areas
near the home's foundation.
Grout and caulking:
If the grout and caulking around bathroom and kitchen tiles is loose
and crumbly, there is a good chance that water is finding its way into
the wall or under the floor.
Structural:
Although this is definitely an area where you want the services
of a qualified home inspector, you can get an idea about possible structural
problems if you see deep cracks in the foundations or loose mortar and
bricks.
Miscellaneous concerns:
Naturally, one the most important factors will be determining if
the house suits your family's needs. If you do not want to replace all
of your furniture, make sure it will fit into the rooms of the new house.
This is difficult to do by eye, so be sure to bring a measuring tape.
Also, take note of storage space. If you are moving
from a home with large closets and a shed, make sure your new house
is able to store an equivalent amount of belongings.
