If you are interested in making an offer on a property, you should consider the questions and concerns to be investigated. Don’t simply rely on the seller or your agent to tell you things you should know.

Here is a partial list of items that help to inform good home buying decision:

Property disclosures or sellers indormation

Deed restrictions, rights-of-way or easements that might affect the property.

A boundary survey, If a boundary survey if one is available. Not all “surveys” are boundary surveys. I one is not available it should be requested as a condition of purchase,

The zoning of the property and a copy of the zoning by-law plus any other restrictions that might affect the property

A carefull market analysis of recent sales and ‘off-markets’ in the area

Price reductions and how long property has been on the market

Curent and proposed PropertyTaxes

Proposed developments or changes in the neighborhood.

Availabity and quality of schools and other neighbour amenities you might need.

There is cosiderable information that is not available through public sources such as reports from MPAC school boards.

Inspections to consider, such as the home inspection, septic inspection, water and air quality testing,etc.
Inspections can be costly, so inform yourself about their nature and scope before including them in an offer.

You can also inform yourself by simply asking the seller questions. The right questions will help you to envision the pros and cons of living in a specific property and decide whether this is truly the right property for you.

The best time to avoid home buying mistakes or regrets is before to make any comittments.