Looking to buy a home in Toronto, the average buyer will look through dozens of detailed real estate listings. Knowing how to read a real estate listing is important. Relating that to what your preferences and must-haves are, you won’t waste any time while perusing real estate ads.

Look beyond the obvious and learn how to dig into the information or lack thereof to make a decision on whether a property is worth a viewing. What may look amazing based on the description and the photos may not be that way when you come to view it. Reduce the risk of disappointment and read the details right. Here is what to look for in an Etobicoke real estate listing.

Square Footage

A lot of people want to know the square footage of a home before they decide on a viewing. Especially if you have or intend on having a family, square footage matters a great deal.

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

A big selling point for all homebuyers is the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. If you’re planning for a family, having those extra bedrooms are incredibly important. If you don’t have a family, an extra bedroom can be converted into a home office or home gym. This all factors into square footage.

Quality Of Photos

If a real estate listing has no photos, skip it. That’s a big red flag. The more photos, the better. There should be photos of every room of the house so that you can get a real sense of the property design.

Neighbourhood Description

Look at the surrounding area. Some neighborhoods have better reputations than others. Each one of us may be looking for something a little different depending on our interests, be it entertainment, dining, schools, public transit, proximity to your work, and other factors.

Year The Home Was Built

Older homes usually require more maintenance. They will likely bring up more on a home inspection that necessitates fixing. If you’re looking for a turnkey property, an older home may require too much upkeep for some.

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Previous History Of The Home

If it’s an older home, it will certainly be helpful to know if there have been major renovations and repairs done. The totality of these details you may not get from a real estate listing, however, asking for further info from the agent before you schedule a viewing is smart.

Number Of Levels/Storeys

You want a full understanding of the layout of the home, especially if having multiple storeys is a consideration. If there is an attic or a basement, hopefully, an ad has photos and/or describes what state these rooms are in.

Days The Property Has Been Listed

If a property has been on the market for a long time, the owners may be willing to accept a reduced offer or make certain accommodations to get the property off their hands.

As realtors, we write real estate listings all the time. These listings are detailed and thorough, complete with professional-quality photos and ensuring would-be buyers have all the info they need to make a call on whether it’s for them or not long before they view it.

Are you looking to buy a home in Etobicoke or Toronto? Call us at Adrian + Andrea.