Looking at Homes

With all of the homes on the market, how do you find the home that is right for you?
Get familiar with the market. Drive around the areas you are interested in and get an idea of what's available. You will probably use several resources in your search for the right home. These may include friends, the Internet, community newspapers, real estate magazines and of course, your Real Estate Professional.

Your Royal LePage Foothills Real Estate Associate will work with you to expand your choices, making you fully aware of what your home-buying dollar will buy in various communities. Then she or he will help you separate good options from those that are less-than-optimal, educating you on the features and benefits of specific homes and their neighbourhoods, and finding you a home that meets your criteria.

Viewing Homes - What to look for when viewing a home.

You pull up to the curb and there it is – the home of your dreams.

First of all, take a deep breath and keep calm. The hardest thing to do when looking for a home is to remain objective. It is easy to fall in love with a home's appearance, but it's very important to look beyond the window dressing.

Here are some things to consider when looking at a home:

General upkeep
First appearances do count. Is the home dirty and cluttered? Is the lawn uncut? Are the walls chipped and in need of paint? If the owner hasn't bothered to keep the house looking clean and attractive, what problems are lurking below the surface?

Water leaks
Water can do a lot of damage to a home. It rots wood, undermines foundations and leads to mould and mildew. Reroofing a house, or repairing a cracked foundation to stop water leaks, can be extremely expensive.

It takes an expert eye to find most water leaks (which is why we recommend you have a house inspected before you buy). If you spot stains, bulges and other signs of water damage on ceilings or walls, make special note that there could be a problem.

Appliances and fixtures
Test the lights, faucets, toilets, furnace, air conditioning and all major appliances that are to be included with the home. Make sure everything is working as it should.

Floors
Floors should be smooth, even and solid. Soft, springy sections, excessive squeaking, and unevenness are all indications that expensive repairs may be needed.

Doors and windows
Check that doors and windows fit snugly and operate smoothly. Look for flaked paint and loose caulking. Check for drafts.

Drainage
Walk around the yard looking for areas where water might collect. Soggy areas near the foundation indicate poor drainage.

Grout and caulking
If the grout and caulking around bathroom and kitchen tiles are loose and crumbling, there is a good chance water is finding its way into the wall or under the floor.

Structural
Look for deep cracks in the foundation or loose mortar and bricks.

Furnishings
If you are not planning to replace all of your furniture (and not many people are), make sure it will fit into the rooms of the new house. Be sure to bring a measuring tape. 

Storage space
Make sure your new house has enough storage space for your belongings. And that means more than just your clothes. Think of all the things that need to find a home – tools, gardening equipment, old toys, sports equipment, and all those items you have received or collected over the years. Check the size of the closets, the basement and the garage.

Inspection
You should take a long hard look at a house before you put in an offer to protect yourself from disappointment down the road. A qualified home inspector can spot problems the average person would never find and he/she can usually advise you on how much it will cost to make the repairs. A home inspection can help you determine whether or not you are going to make an offer on a house, and if you decide to go ahead, just how much that offer is going to be.

Neighbourhoods
Calgary and Foothills area residents are among the most fortunate people in the world. Our cities and towns are liveable, our subdivisions are neat and attractive, and our neighbourhoods are ideal places to live, work and play (plus our Western skyline is incredible!). When it comes to finding the right community in which to live, it's not so much a matter of finding a good community as picking the best out of many.

Your Royal LePage Foothills Real Estate Associate has a wealth of knowledge about the communities in their cities and towns. He or she can help you choose the one that is best suited to you and your family. And with eight offices serving Calgary, Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond/Turner Valley, Airdrie and Cochrane, you're sure to get the expert advice you need for the community you want.

Here are just some of the things you may want to consider:

Environment
Ask your Real Estate Associate about any known environmental issues in the area. Check with neighbours and the local media about air, water and soil quality. Environmental issues can be detrimental to your health and to property values.

Appearance
Explore the neighbourhood keeping an eye open for signs of neglect, such as overgrown lawns, tired and worn houses, and litter in yards and alleys. No matter how diligent you are at keeping your property in top shape, a run-down neighbourhood will drive your property value down.

Crime rate
Check with the local police department to find out if the home you are considering is in a safe neighbourhood. Police may be able to provide statistics regarding break-ins and other crimes.

Schools
If you have children, education is one of the most important considerations in finding a new home. Are there schools within walking distance or will your children have to take the bus? How do the local schools compare to other schools in the area? If your children need them, are there religious or special training educational facilities nearby?

Talking to neighbours with school-aged children can be helpful. In some areas, school boards can provide important information to help you determine the quality of schooling in a particular neighbourhood or community.

Transportation
Convenient public transportation, good access roads, and major highways nearby can mean the difference between a pleasurable and not-so-pleasurable commute to work.

Amenities
Take a look around for all the amenities that you will need: shops, grocery stores, dry cleaners, restaurants, medical and dental offices, parks and recreational facilities. Having a vibrant community with all the modern conveniences can make life a lot easier.

Property values
Property values are a pretty good indicator of how well a community is perceived. Your Royal LePage Foothills Real Estate Associate can tell you how property values have changed over the past few years and how they compare to equivalent communities in nearby areas.

Utilities and taxes
Avoid unpleasant surprises by finding out about municipal taxes and utility costs before you decide to purchase.

Noise and nuisances
First impressions are not necessarily the most accurate impressions. It is a good idea to come back to the neighbourhood at different times of day and different days of the week. Listen for traffic noise, barking dogs, low-flying airplanes, and any other noises that could indicate problems.