{"id":1387,"date":"2022-06-17T21:07:56","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T21:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.wahi.com\/wp\/?p=1387"},"modified":"2025-12-15T12:48:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T17:48:16","slug":"home-buying-questions-to-ask","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/learning-centre\/real-estate-101\/buy\/home-buying-questions-to-ask","title":{"rendered":"20 Questions to Ask When Buying a House"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/at-text>Before making an offer on a home, know what questions to ask first.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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By Emily Southey<\/a> | 13 minute read<\/p>\n

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There are few things as exciting in life as buying a home. But at the same time, such a major purchase can be stressful, which is why it\u2019s important to do your due diligence by finding out as much about the property as you can. When touring any property, whether you’ve already decided it\u2019s a serious contender or not, we recommend asking a wide range of questions. Asking questions will give you insight into the home that you wouldn\u2019t otherwise have. Below, we outline 20 questions to ask when buying a house, as well as who and when to ask them. We hope they help make your homebuying journey just a little bit easier!<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is the minimum down payment?<\/h2>\n

Before you bother asking any further questions, you should find out the minimum down payment required. This will help determine if the home is within your\u00a0budget<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or not. If the minimum down payment is too much for you, the smartest choice is to move on to another home. For those who don\u2019t know, a down payment is an initial, upfront payment for a home. It is typically the largest expense you will incur when you first buy a home. In Canada, the down payment cannot be less than 5% of the purchase price if the price is $500,000 or less. For homes between $500,000 and $1,000,000, a 10% down payment is required. Finally, for homes priced over $1,000,000, as many are in major urban centres like the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)<\/a>, a 20% down payment is required. These rules apply nationwide and to all kinds of homes, from condos and townhouses to detached homes.<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

2. How much will I pay in closing costs?<\/h2>\n

The down payment isn\u2019t the only cost associated with buying a home in Canada. Buyers are also responsible for paying what are known as closing costs.\u00a0Closing costs<\/a><\/span>\u00a0are the legal and administrative fees homebuyers are required to pay when the sale closes. Examples include loan origination fees or third-party fees relating to title research, home appraisal, or the processing of paperwork. Closing costs in Canada vary depending on the location, but buyers should budget between 1.5% and 5% of the purchase price. If you\u2019re getting serious about a property, ask how much the closing costs will be so that you can factor this into your budget.<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

3. How much do utilities typically cost? May I have a copy of the hydro and gas bills?<\/h2>\n

Before making an offer on a home, ask the seller or their REALTOR\u00ae about the average cost of utilities. You may even request a copy of the utility bills. After all, if you buy the home, you will become responsible for paying monthly heating, cooling, electricity, and internet bills, so it\u2019s important to be prepared for such costs. Once you know the average cost of utilities, you can decide if it fits within your budget. We also recommend comparing the cost of utilities for the home with that of other homes in the area. If it seems to be above average, learn more about the energy systems and appliances in the home to determine what might be responsible.<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

4. What are the neighbours like?<\/h2>\n

Buying a home isn\u2019t just about the property itself, it\u2019s also about the neighbourhood. The neighbours living on your street can impact how much you enjoy living there. For this reason, we recommend asking the seller about their neighbours. They might respond by saying how warm and friendly they are and how close everyone is on the street, or they might say that they don\u2019t have much of a relationship with their neighbours. You can also ask if there have ever been any incidents with neighbours, but keep in mind that the seller may be hesitant to disclose such issues for fear of scaring buyers off. Try to gauge from their initial reaction, body language, and tone of voice whether they\u2019re being truthful.<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Is anything in the house rented?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s not uncommon, especially in the GTA, for certain equipment to be rented. For example, hot water tanks, air-conditioning units, or security systems may be rentals. Find out this information in advance so you\u2019ll know the true costs of the home should you choose to buy it.<\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Does the house have a history of pests?<\/h2>\n

Always ask about pests. The older the house, the higher the odds that it has a history of pests. If they answer in the affirmative, seek out more information by asking questions about the specific types of pests and warning signs (\u201cWere there droppings, signs of nesting, gnawed wood or wires?\u201d). You\u2019ll also want to ask questions that relate to the likelihood of a pest infestation happening again, such as \u201cWhat was done to solve the issue?\u201d and \u201cWhat was done to prevent reoccurrence?\u201d<\/p>\n

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