A HOMEBUYER’S WISH LIST
Two local experts cite 10 things to keep in mind when buying a new home or condo in today’s market
These days, a buyer’s wish list for a new home or condo can be pretty lengthy. Mary Lamey, a broker with Century 21 Vision, and Catherine L’Espérance, an interior designer at Atelier MZ, help break it down into 10 must-have features:
1. A sustainable neighbourhood.
Lamey said buyers should ask themselves a series of questions: “How walkable is it? Is there good access to public transit? Can you walk to a dépanneur or grocery store? Are there parks and green spaces?”
If neighbourhood development is smart and green, a variety of services will be accessible by foot or public transit, and the general location and design of the neighbourhood will reduce the need for travelling. If there’s undeveloped land around the new home, Lamey advises buyers to find out if there are plans for the space.
2. An open plan.
Open floor plans generally work best in homes with less square footage, making them ideal for many of the new condos being built.
“An open floor plan is much more spacious, even with the same amount of square footage,” L’Espérance said about the practicality of not being confined by too many walls. “Rooms can be repurposed; closets can become a shower in a bathroom, or two bedrooms can become a large living room.
“But find out which walls are structural before deciding whether a layout can easily be changed.”
3. Natural light.
Lamey said it’s important to be aware which way the home or condo faces. “If you’re a morning person who likes to bask in the early morning light, you’ll want an east-facing condo to get maximum light,” she said. “If you’re a night owl, you’ll want your bedroom to face west so that the sun’s early rays don’t jolt you awake. Maybe you don’t care, but at least you should be aware.”
4. Good sound and heat insulation. Poorly insulated exterior
and/or interior walls can lead to a load of problems, not least of which is high utility bills. “Poorly insulated walls can significantly add to an electricity bill and make living surrounded by noisy neighbours a pain,” L’Espérance said in discussing the importance of a home’s foundation and bones.
5. Big-ticket items. “Don’t be fooled by style. A new roof is worth 100 times more than that flashy kitchen island,” said Lamey, who cautions buyers against being fooled by fancy kitchens and bathrooms. “Good windows, quality brick and new plumbing are big-ticket items and worth more in the long run.”
6. Quality kitchen and bathroom construction.
“Look for solid wood or veneered cabinetry and neutral floor tiles,” L’Espérance said in citing the importance of long-lasting building materials.
7. Architectural details.
“Fireplaces — functional or not, mouldings, and high ceilings all add character that is impossible to mimic,” L’Espérance said. Architectural details are an important element of style that add charm and warmth and make a place feel like home.
8. Nice common areas.
It’s important to consider whether the common areas make a good impression. “I’ve been to bus station washrooms that are more welcoming than some condo vestibules,” said Lamey, who advises buyers to take a close look at the paint, carpeting and lighting in the common areas of condominium developments.
9. An outdoor space.
L’Espérance said even the most basic urban outdoor spaces can become dreamy outdoor sanctuaries. “Although Montreal summers are short-lived, it’s one of the simpler pleasures in life to sip a coffee on a balcony in the morning, or host friends on a hot summer’s night in a small backyard,” she said.
10. A co-ownership agreement you can live with.
“The agreement, also sometimes called the declaration of co-ownership, is the law and it can make or break you,” Lamey said in describing the legally binding contract which includes details like whether or not pets and/or barbecues are allowed. Condo buyers should read and understand the document before buying.