# What to check before you buy a home

> Before you buy, check how water drains away from the house, the roof, the foundation and basement, windows, heating, plumbing and electrical, and ask the seller how old the big systems are. Use this list at showings, then let a professional inspection confirm what you find.

Take this list to showings and work through it room by room. It will not replace an inspection, but it helps you spot the homes worth a closer look.

## The checklist

### Outside and grading

- Does the ground slope away from the house on every side?
- Do downspouts drain at least a couple of metres away from the foundation?
- Are window wells clear, with covers or drainage where needed?
- Any cracks, gaps or peeling around siding, trim and windows?
- Are decks, steps and railings solid?

### Roof and attic

- Any missing, curling or granule-free shingles you can see from the ground?
- Are gutters attached, clean and sloped toward downspouts?
- Any ice-damming stains or rot along the eaves?
- In winter, are there large icicles or bare patches in fresh snow on the roof (signs of heat loss)?

### Basement and foundation

- Any musty smell, damp spots or white powdery residue on the walls?
- Cracks in the foundation: note where they are and whether they are wider at one end.
- Is there a sump pit, and does it have a working pump?
- Any water stains on the floor near walls, the water heater or the furnace?

### Heating and mechanical

- How old is the furnace, and is there a service record?
- How old is the water heater, and is it owned or rented?
- Is there a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or other fresh air supply in newer homes?
- Does every room feel warm enough on a cold day?

### Plumbing

- Look under sinks for leaks, stains or soft cabinet floors.
- Run taps and flush toilets: is water pressure good, and do drains empty quickly?
- Note the pipe type you can see. Grey plastic pipe with a "PB" stamp is Poly-B, which some insurers ask about.

### Electrical

- How many amps is the main panel, and is there space for new circuits?
- Are there GFCI outlets near sinks, in bathrooms and outside?
- Any two-prong outlets, warm switch plates or flickering lights?

### Inside the home

- Water stains on ceilings, especially under bathrooms and near exterior walls.
- Do doors and windows open, close and lock easily? Any fogging between panes?
- Sloping floors or large cracks over doors and windows can be worth asking about.
- Is there a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm on each level?

### If it is a condo

- Ask for the reserve fund study, financial statements, recent board minutes and bylaws.
- Are there special assessments, planned repairs or insurance claims?
- What do condo fees include, and how have they changed over the last few years?
- Check the balcony, windows and any signs of leaks from the unit above.

### Questions for the seller

- How old are the roof, furnace, water heater and windows?
- Has the basement ever had water in it? Any insurance claims?
- Were renovations or a basement suite done with permits?
- Are there any known issues listed on the property disclosure?

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>
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