Top 20 Home Buying Tips

What is the neighbourhood (and your neighbours) like... are there certain aspects that would affect the value of this property in the future?

What are the realty taxes on the home?

What are the utility costs... especially hydro if the home is electrically heated?

What home repairs have been made in the past two years?

How far do I have to travel for schools, public transit and shopping?

What major repair expenses might I expect within the next two years?

What is the traffic flow in front of or near the property... any main roads, bus routes or railway tracks?

Are there any utility easements or encroachments over the property?

Is there a recent survey that shows all the buildings and additions on the property?

Has the property had a Home Inspection done when the present owners bought that you could check to see what minor and major problems there were? Ask the vendor for a list of those problems that were fixed!

Has the homeowner signed a Disclosure document?

How much are the closing costs... and is there an optimum time during the month to close, helping to minimize costs?

Who has the best rates and service in the mortgage field... bankers or mortgage brokers?

How do you select the best lender to work with?

What are other comparable homes in the area selling for? You don't want to overpay or get carried away by snazzy finishing touches in a home which may be priced higher than other neighbourhood homes.

How flexible are vendors on their asking price? At what price do we put in our initial offer... what is the normal discount off the asking price?

How is my financing approval determined? Is there any beneficial existing financing on the property that I can assume?

What does the yard look like when it isn't covered with snow? Are there any problems with drainage or runoff after a heavy rain or in the spring.

Does the basement show any signs of moisture... can it be fixed simply by cleaning/repairing the eves trough or is it a more serious problem?

What is included in the sale? Are there any exclusions? Sounds great but what does it mean? It means that Jan and Eva Gizicki are committed to giving you the best service possible and guaranteeing it every step of the way. You can feel confident that we have your best interest in mind!