Thinking about buying a home in Toronto? Whether you’re eyeing a family house in Seaton Village, a Victorian in the Annex, or a condo downtown, the home inspection only tells part of the story. Inspectors cover the big stuff — roof, furnace, wiring — but they don’t tell you if the kitchen has room for your microwave, or if the upstairs shower pressure feels like a drizzle.That’s where this list comes in. I put together a Savvy Buyer’s Checklist for Toronto buyers who don’t want surprises after move-in day.
- Walk the property line. You’ll want to know exactly where your yard ends (and where neighbour disputes could begin).
- Test fences and gates. If you’ve got kids or pets, they need to actually close properly, not just look good from the street.
- Garage reality check. Does the opener work? Can two cars actually fit with the doors open? In the Annex, parking is gold — don’t assume it works.
- Look for drainage issues. Puddles near the foundation are future headaches.
- Check for exposed water lines. Above-ground pipes may look harmless in July, but in January they’ll freeze solid.
- Time your walk. How far is the TTC? A park? Shoppers Drug Mart? In Seaton Village, being two minutes from Christie Station can change your commute.
- Try every lock and knob. Stubborn deadbolts aren’t “character.”
- Open every window — twice. Once to see if it moves, again to see if it closes. Painted-shut windows are basically wall art.
- Interior doors count too. A bathroom door that won’t latch will drive you crazy.
Toronto buyers love a sleek kitchen — but check the practical stuff too.
- Run the taps. Upstairs showers should feel like showers, not mist.
- Open all the doors. Fridge, oven, dishwasher, microwave — do they bump into walls or block each other?
- Spot for a microwave. Stagers often leave them out to make kitchens look bigger. If you use one daily, make sure there’s room.
- Count outlets. Between your toaster, kettle, and espresso machine, you’ll need more than two.
- Look under the sink. Fresh caulking could be hiding old leaks.
- Location matters. Basement laundry = cardio. Above the basement = convenience.
- Drain check. A laundry room without a drain means even a tiny leak becomes a disaster.
- Peek at the panel. Neat labels = good. Chaos = electrician bills.
- Check around the furnace. Fresh paint can be a cover-up, not a glow-up.
When you’re buying a Toronto house, comfort is everything — especially in older homes in the Annex or Seaton Village.
- Sun patrol. East-facing bedrooms = sunrise wake-ups. West-facing family rooms = summer saunas.
- Noise check. Pause in each room — do you hear Bloor traffic, neighbour chatter, or a roaring furnace?
- Storage test. Empty closets always look huge. Open them and imagine your real-life stuff. Spoiler: it won’t fit like the stager’s wicker baskets.
- Lift decorative rugs. They might be hiding stains, warped floors, or cracked tiles.
- The sniff test. Heavy candles usually mean something stinks.
- Reception check. Walk with your phone. Dead zones make working from home in Toronto even harder.
- Switch safari. Flip them all. Mystery switches are amusing for about five minutes.
- Thermostat placement. If it’s in the sun or draft, expect constant hot-cold battles.
- GFCI outlets. Kitchens, bathrooms, basements — safety first.
- Basement walls. Fresh paint may be hiding water issues.
Let’s be honest: sellers want their homes to look their best. And who can blame them? Just remember:
- Furniture against walls may be hiding vents or damage.
- Curtains drawn might be covering a bad view.
- Scaled-down furniture makes small rooms feel bigger.
- No TV staged in the living room means you should ask: where will yours actually go?
- Background music could be covering traffic noise.
- Showings at “just the right time” may avoid rush-hour sounds or neighbour drama.
Buying a home in Toronto isn’t just about granite countertops and pretty staging. It’s about whether the house lives well when the groceries, the dog, the laundry, and the Wi-Fi all hit at once.If you’re looking at homes in Seaton Village, the Annex, or anywhere in Toronto, keep this checklist handy. Touch everything, open everything, and trust your instincts. Sellers will always want their homes to shine — your job is to look past the polish.
Thinking about buying in Seaton Village or the Annex?
I live here, I work here, and I know these neighbourhoods inside out. If you want a Realtor who mixes MBA-level analysis with Four Seasons service (and a sense of humour), let’s talk.
