What to look for at house showings in Ottawa

So you’re starting your house hunting journey in Ottawa - congratulations!

Buying a house is probably one of the largest investments you’ll make in your life. It can be super overwhelming to tour a bunch of houses and try to decide which one works best for you! What is most important to look for when you tour a house? What should you highlight or ask questions about at a showing? What tactics do sellers use to perhaps distract you from things about a house that needs work? We’ll dive into a bunch of that. 

First and foremost, though, if you have a great realtor, most likely they’ll be ready to ask all these questions on your behalf and advise you of things that you may be missing. Your realtor should be advocating for you, especially when showings may be emotionally charged. A house may have your dream kitchen or perfect backyard, and through rose-coloured glasses, you may miss the crumbling bathrooms or cracks in the floor. Your realtor's job is to keep the big picture in mind for you!

Check out the floors

If the floors are sagging, have watermarks, or are uneven, this may be a sign that the structural integrity of the building or the plumbing is problematic. 

Walls

Are there cracks or water stains on the wall? Same as the floor, this could be indicative of a major issue. 

Paint Updates

If a house looks to be un-updated for a listing (i.e most paint is old) but one wall or ceiling or wall is freshly painted, it may be worth investigating what was covered up or fixed in that area. 

Basement

Is there water in the basement? If the basement is wet or damp, there may be an issue with water staying out of the house when it rains, or it may be leaking from somewhere internally. 

Beware of new upgrade blinders 

Seeing new special upgrades like a wine fridge, shiny countertop, or new appliances may be a big selling feature for a lot of buyers. But new upgrades don’t always mean quality upgrades, so it's important to take a look at each of these upgrades closely to see if they’ve been properly installed and designed. Something new and flashy isn’t always the best option!

Staging

Homes that are staged are done so strategically to show you the best way a house could possibly look. Furniture has most likely been placed to make the room look the most spacious it can be - but is this sustainable with your lifestyle, and the type of furniture you’re planning to bring? If the house is filled with modern furniture and no storage, but you have bulky mid-century style furniture and a massive book collection, your version of this home may feel a lot less spacious!

Keep your lifestyle in mind

Similar to considering your own furniture, you’ll also want to consider the WAY that you live. You obviously have a list of things that you’re looking for in a house, but there are so many variables in each uniquely designed house, you may find yourself comparing two things that weren’t on your list of must-haves and wants at all. In this instance, it’s crucial to consider what is going to work best for you. Is it more valuable to have an extra bedroom or a larger living room? Perhaps you have to decide between having an en-suite in the primary bedroom or having a bathroom in the basement. A walk-in closet in the primary, or large closets in all the bedrooms. Whatever the dilemma is, it’s valuable to keep in mind how YOU live your daily life. What are the problems with your current house? How often do you have people visiting? How much stuff do you have? Do you work from home? All of these considerations can help you decide which aspects of the houses you tour are actually valuable to you, versus just a special add-on that won’t improve your life much. 

Ask as many questions as you need to

Don’t be afraid to talk about things like the plumbing, roof, windows, neighbours, neighbourhood, noise, and more. Whatever your concerns are, it’s better to know before you put an offer in, than find out after you move in. 

Reach out to any of our agents if you’re interested in getting started on your house hunting journey, and want an Ottawa real estate agent who will advocate for you during the touring process, helping you feel perfectly confident in the house you choose!