What You Should Look for When Buying a House in Canada

Canada is known for being one of the most beautiful and affordable places to live. Friendly faces, amazing health care and homes that make everyone feel welcome, this is one of those areas where there’s something for everyone. But the challenge of house hunting remains even in an easy-going country like Canada. In this post, we’ll be covering what you should look for when buying a house in Canada.

Look for What Sets the Home Apart from the Competition

Whenever house hunting is brought up, what comes to mind? Spacious areas, fancy counter tops, appealing bathrooms, and up-to-date appliances are what people typically seek out. However, home technology has become far more innovative than it was in the past. These days, you can have amenities that most people never expected to have. One of them includes a home elevator. Home elevators make traversing the upper levels of a home much easier and safer. In fact, it’s such a safer alternative, home elevators have single-handedly reduced the risk of a slip-and-fall. But a home elevator cost in Canada can be rather high with the average price of one is around $25,000 or more, but with finance options available, it makes sense in the long run when it comes to being able to age in place, not to mention, add property value.

The Current Condition of the Home

There’s really no such thing as a perfect house. Although you may feel it’s the perfect place for you and your family, not every house is in the best condition. You’d be very surprised at the current condition of a house can be a dealbreaker. We’re not talking about the typical wear and tear, settling foundations or old electric outlets. If there’s any kind of damage, like bubbling walls, cracked and caving-in ceilings and even a musty, mildew type of smell, you could have a problem on your hands. Some properties may require you to have a few repairs done before they can truly feel like home. This can cost you more money than you already planned on spending. Make sure to thoroughly inspect each property you go to and compare your options.

The Location of the Property

Every house hunter knows the famous saying of “location, location, location.” The reason people say this is because it’s not just the neighborhood that matters. It’s also about what’s around said neighborhood. If you’re moving with children, you’ll want to see what schools are around for an easy commute. You’ll also want to see how close the local shopping plaza is as well. The neighborhood itself should always look like it’s warm and inviting. Another factor you want to check is the crime rate. Canada is known for having a low crime rate, but that doesn’t exactly mean it doesn’t happen. Just like everywhere else, there are areas that can be considered to be more dangerous than others. Houses that are more affordable than the average are often located in less-than-savory neighborhoods, so be sure to research the surrounding area first.