First:
Ask your banker to give you a pre-approved budget to work with.
Second:
- Location - how far are schools/shopping and work from your home to make it convenient for the future. Also consider the location of recreational areas if you like to go there lots.
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Neighbourhood - is it a mixed population, older or younger families? Older neighbourhoods often have a kind of community spirit. Ask some people in your future neighbourhood.
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Traffic - How much traffic can you anticipate, look in the morning and around 5 pm for traffic volume.
Third:
Home inspection - to do it yourself
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Start at the exterior:
- Watch for rooflines
- Wear and tear
- Shingle age
- Paint
- Windows overall
- Door sagging
- Concrete exposure
- Resent dirt work
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Interior main floor:
- Wear and tear overall
- Sags in floor and or ceiling
- Movement in floor
- Paint cracks/Dry wall cracks
- Windows
- Mould on windows/doors
- Renovation marks
Kitchen:
- Check drawers for wear
- Appliances for wear
- Stain or calcium build up
- Light/switches
- Countertop for wear
Overall:
- Check the overall light fixture condition
- Damage on walls and/or walls