Ask a Wahi REALTOR®: What Buyers Forget To Check During Fast Showings

Wahi Broker of Record Anne Alkok provides a roundup of what buyers forget to check at showings — and offers tips on how to avoid making the same mistakes.

By Josh Sherman | 2 minute read

Buying a home is often referred to as stepping onto the property ladder — but some buyers might wish they had an elevator. There are countless steps in between deciding to dip your toes into the market and closing. So many steps, in fact, that one survey from Environics Research for TD found that nearly six-in-10 Canadian first-time homebuyers were worried they’d forget to take a key step along the way.

One of the most crucial steps is attending home showings. This is a homebuyer’s chance to see a property in the flesh to help decide if it’s the right fit. During showings, which typically last under an hour, homebuyers may feel rushed and leave with concerns that they hadn’t checked everything they ought to have. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned property purchaser, here’s a roundup of what buyers forget to check during fast showings — and how to avoid making the same mistakes.
 

What to Do Before the Showing

Sellers have their hands full before a showing. Be it cleaning and tidying up or arranging for everyone including children and pets to be out of the house , preparing a home for a showing takes time and effort. However, buyers have their pre-showing homework to do, too. 

Before the showing, consult Wahi’s Home Showing Checklist. It includes helpful tips all in one place. Check the home of Google Maps, consider proximity to transportation routes, schools, shopping and other services that are important to you. Viewing multiple homes at once can feel like a whirlwind, and even the most carefully made plans don’t always unfold as expected. Lining up childcare ahead of time can help you stay focused during a showing. Bringing a checklist — whether on paper or on your phone — also ensures you gather all the details you need.
 

What Buyers Forget to Check During the Showing

 “Viewing homes is an exciting part of the homebuying journey, but try not to get swept up in the moment to the point where you overlook importantdetails,” says Alkok. “It’s important to focus on the permanent elements of the property and not the furniture, decor, fixtures, wall and floor treatments as you walk through the home,” she adds.

A showing is your chance to observe how well a home has been cared for and how it might function for your daily life. While you won’t be diagnosing structural or mechanical issues (that’s for a qualified home inspector), there are plenty of details worth noting as you walk through:

• Look at how well the home appears to be maintained overall. Are finishes, walls and trim in good shape? Does the property feel cared for, or does it show signs of deferred maintenance?
• Check for obvious signs of moisture issues, such as stains on ceilings or walls, peeling paint, or bubbling drywall. These don’t confirm a problem but are worth flagging for further review.
  
• Pay attention to how rooms flow and whether the layout fits your lifestyle. Are the spaces practical for how you live? Are hallways or stairways narrow? Do key rooms feel appropriately sized?
• Think about furniture placement and whether the home has enough storage for your needs—closets, pantry space, and built-ins.
• Notice how much daylight each room gets, the size of the windows and their condition, the direction they face, and whether neighbouring homes block light.
• If you’re viewing a condo in a high-rise building, take note of the condition of common areas such as hallways, the lobby, elevators, and amenities. These spaces often reflect how well the building is managed and maintained.
• If you encounter a resident in the elevator or lobby, it’s perfectly acceptable to politely ask about items such as elevator wait times during the morning and afternoon rush— a small detail that can have a real impact on high-rise living.
• Take a moment to stand still and listen, both inside and outside the property. Are there noticeable noises from traffic, neighbours, or mechanical systems? This won’t tell you everything, but it can give you a sense of day-to-day living conditions.
• Use the visit as a chance to observe the surrounding homes and street. Are neighbouring properties generally well maintained? Do you notice pride of ownership or signs of neglect?
• Pay attention to street activity, parking availability, and overall feel — these can influence your experience as much as the home itself.

What to Check After the Showing

After attending a showing, homebuyers should be better positioned to make a decision about a property, though the tour likely won’t tell them everything they need to know. Here are a few items to check following a showing:

1. A quick showing only provides a homebuyer with a glimpse of what a property is like at the specific time they visit. You may want to return to the neighbourhood at a different hour later to see what traffic and noise levels are like during rush hour or on weekends. 
2. Determine whether there are any restrictions on the property, such as heritage designations or local bylaws that could dash future renovation or improvement plans. Your Realtor is one resource, but you may want to check with the local municipal authority. 
3. Is the home located in a flood zone? Local authorities may also have resources to help you find out, such as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s Flood Plain Map.