Guides to running a house search

Written for the parts of buying a house that nobody hands you instructions for: what to write down, what to look at in a basement, how to choose between two places you both like, and how to do any of it with another person without it becoming an argument.

• How to keep track of the houses you are seeing

  The tabs, the group chat and the camera roll stop working around the fifth viewing. What to record for every place, where to keep it, and how to keep it honest.

  6 minute read

• What to look for at a house viewing

  A viewing checklist for Toronto and the GTA: the outside, the basement, the wiring and plumbing that cost money, and the condo questions to ask before you offer.

  7 minute read

• How to compare two houses when you like both

  Separate what is fixed from what is fixable, compare the monthly cost instead of the asking price, and rank the shortlist before you discuss it with anybody.

  5 minute read

• How to plan a day of house viewings

  Booking, routing and note taking for a Saturday of showings in the GTA, including how many to book and what to write in the two minutes between houses.

  4 minute read

• How to house hunt with your partner

  Agree the brief before the listings, separate the two arguments you are actually having, rate places independently, and keep the notes you would not say out loud.

  5 minute read