Investigate the neighbourhood that you would be living in before you make your purchase offer.
There are numerous things listed below that you’ll want to look into before making the offer. Because neighbours are often the best part, or the worst part of the neighbourhood. Home buyers should also visit the property at different times of the day and talk with surrounding neighbours and the local police department so that you’re aware of what’s going on in the neighbourhood.
- Sporting facilities – ground lighting and cheering fans
- Constantly barking dogs
- Hot suburbs – poor breeze access
- Zoning for units in your street
- Freeway noise
- Air traffic noise
- Near hospital (ambulances at all hours – very loud)
- Change in zoning that may affect the property
- Are there proposed changes in the neighbourhood such as a new school, apartment building or shopping complex?
- Is there a bus or transit train stop outside the house that will attract street tuffs?
- Do you see into junky neighbour yards when you’re inside the home?
- How close are neighbouring homes? Are you comfortable with the distance from others?
- Is the driveway too steep to navigate easily every day? Does your car bottom out?
- A driveway sloping toward the home can cause rainwater to flow into your garage or yard
- Is the garage attached to the home and is that important to you?
- Are you at the end of a street – will car headlights shine into your living room every night?
- Do you want to and be able to walk or bike to stores, restaurants, parks, etc.?
- Will you have to fight for street parking?