Seeing pics of a fabulously staged home with a pretty kitchen or killer views will have many of us jumping at the chance to go see a place. But before you book a showing, there are a few things you should ask to see if it will actually suit your needs.
“A lot of buyers – especially first-timers – don’t know what to ask about,” says Property.ca agent Arvin Reyes. “Think about what you need in your day-to-day life, then make sure the property’s layout, features and location will meet those needs. For example, if you take the TTC to work, you can ask how close the property is to the subway. But if you get around by car, being close to transit may be less important. Instead, find out how far the highways are – and what the parking situation looks like. Find out about the criteria that are important to you.”
Once you’ve determined a property is the size you want, has the right number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and falls within your price range (don’t forget to factor in maintenance fees!), here are a few “deeper dive” questions Arvin recommends asking:
1. How old is the building?
There are pros and cons to both newer and older buildings. New ones are certainly sexier – and are likely to appreciate more in their first few years – but they tend to cost more per square foot, and units are smaller. Older buildings may not be as slick and can come with higher maintenance fees. But they often have bigger units that will run you less per square foot than a more recent build. Hint: you can see the age of the building in any listing on condos.ca – it’s right at the top.
The age of the building is available on every listing
2. Who's the developer?
Anyone can build a condo – but they don’t all do it well. A little research into the builder’s reputation can make a big difference in your experience.
3. Does the property have all the features you want?
Want a bedroom big enough for a king bed? A kitchen with lots of counter space for prepping? A place where you can work from home – without having to tune out the TV? Make a list of your must-haves before you start looking, and refer to it every time you consider a listing.
4. What are the amenities like?
Want a full fitness facility that’ll let you drop your pricey gym membership? Is a guest suite important for putting up frequent out-of-town guests? Do you want a resort vibe where you can lounge poolside in the summer? Look at the list of amenities and make sure they fit your needs.
A list of building amenities is available in every condos.ca listing
5. What are the maintenance fees and taxes?
We’ve all been there: you see an amazing condo that looks like a great deal…until you get sticker shock from the monthly condo fee. Make sure you can viably swing your mortgage payments PLUS maintenance. And take a look at the property taxes, too – it all impacts what you can afford.
Read more: Let’s talk about maintenance fees
6. What's in the neighbourhood?
Is there a decent grocery store nearby? A pharmacy? How about restaurants? A dog park? Hiking or running trails? A movie theatre? Shopping? What can you walk to easily? Condos.ca listings all have enhanced demographic info with an at-a-glance view of what’s in the neighbourhood.
Read more: How do I figure out if an area is right for me?
7. Is there anything else being built in the area?
Find out what’s slated to go up nearby. Whether it’s a development that’s underway now or a project that won’t be breaking ground for another 3 or 4 years, it’s a good way to ensure you won’t end up living in a construction zone. Up-and-coming areas are great, of course – your property will only appreciate as more stuff gets built around it – but if you’re not up for a bunch of noise, dust and traffic snarl ups, it may not be the property (or the neighbourhood) for you.
8. Does the building allow Airbnbs?
Let’s say you’re planning to supplement your income by renting out your place on weekends. Or maybe you want to avoid living in a place that has a lot of people coming and going. Either way, have your agent check into the rules around short-term rentals. And read up on the building yourself – you’re bound to find lots of info (both good and bad) if the condo gets a lot of Airbnb guests.
9. What's the mix of rentals vs. owner-occupied units in the building?
Whether you’re an investor who wants to know if the building is attractive to tenants or a buyer planning to live there yourself, knowing the mix can give you a good sense of the building’s culture. Your agent can get that info for you.
10. Any rules around pets?
If you’ve got fur babies (especially big ones), this is an important question to ask. Some buildings restrict the size of dogs allowed in the units. And it’s a good way to tell if a place is pet-friendly, too.
11. Does the unit have outdoor space?
After COVID, balconies and terraces are on everyone’s must-have list. If an outdoor area is important to you, check the listing to see whether it has a place for your patio table. Don’t want to see listings without balconies? Just set your filters on condos.ca to select only listings with outdoor space.
Read more: Why filters are your friends
12. What's the transportation situation?
Getting to work and around town easily is important. If there’s a bus to the subway, get the details on how long it takes and how often it runs. If you need easy access to the GO, map out how long it takes to get to the closest station, what parking is like, and what transit options are available to get you there if needed.
Ready to start your search? Browse available listings on condos.ca.