Home Shopping Tips

It is very important to be objective when viewing properties that might eventually become your new Ottawa home!

Sometimes in the excitement of seeing a property that appeals to you it can be difficult to focus on the specific details that you really ought to consider.

This is one very good reason to view prospective properties along with a qualified real estate agent who is less emotionally involved in your hunt for a new home and who is therefore more able to take a more cool, detached and objective view .

Below we include the main points of Ottawa Realtor Ray Smiley’s check list of the main points he looks out for when viewing properties with clients. Ray’s first priority is always to ensure that the house is well-built and that all systems and appliances are in working condition.

This includes checking:

Interior

• Sub-flooring damaged or loose
• Cracked walls or ceiling?
• Cracked tiles?
• Loose plaster?
• Flooring damaged?
• Soft, springy floors?
• Water stains near windows?
• Water stains on ceiling below bathroom?
• Water stains in attic?
• Pipe insulation missing?

Bathrooms including guest bath

• Faucets in sinks
• Faucets in showers/tubs
• Toilets- do they flush and refill efficiently
• Vent fans – do they work? Are they too noisy?
• Heating fans
• Cracked tiles?
• Loose plaster?

Kitchen

• Faucets in sink
• Dishwasher
• Stove
• Oven
• Ice maker
• Garbage disposal
• Range hood
• Refrigerator
• Freezer
• Microwave
• Trash compactor
• Kitchen cabinet doors
• Drawers – do they glide open and closed or do they stick?
• Cracked tiles?
• Loose plaster?

Laundry Room

• Faucets
• Toilets
• Cracked tiles?
• Loose plaster?

Basement

• Are there signs of water seepage in basement?
• Do you see any cracks in the foundations?
• Do you see condensation on the windows or other signs of poor ventilation?

General

• Lights (interior & exterior)
• Windows
• Heating system
• Ceiling fans
• Hot water system
• Air conditioning system
• Electrical outlets
• Door bells
• Doors – open and shut easily?
• Locks?
• Water purifier
• Fireplace damper
• Garage door

Exterior

• Brick bulging or cracking?
• Shingles missing or broken?
• Siding rotted or missing?
• Gutters damaged or need to be cleaned?
• Concrete cracked in sidewalks/driveway?
• Sprinkler system working?

This listing is just the start of doing a thorough property inspection and as you can see there are numerous points that you need to bear in mind!

Why not leave some of this detailed note-taking to Ottawa Real Estate Agent Ray Smiley so that you can relax and concentrate on envisaging yourself and your family actually living in and using the home you are viewing?

Ray will be very happy to answer any of your questions about buying a new home in Ottawa.

You can contact him on his:

direct phone line at 613-818-1819

office number at 613-837-0000

by e-mail at homes@raysmiley.com

by fax at 613-837-0005

or even send him your questions online by clicking here.