One of the best things you can do before buying a home is to drive and walk through the neighbourhoods you’re interested in moving to. Go at different times of the day and different days of the week. You’ll get an idea of how many children live near by when you go on Monday morning. Talk to people who live there to get a sense of how friendly the people are.

Notice the curb appeal of the homes in the area. Do the neighbours seem to care about their landscaping and take pride in their homes and neighbourhood?

Be aware of noises as you walk through the neighbourhood. Can you hear the sound of traffic on the nearby highway or perhaps a train in the distance?

The local planning department at city hall can tell you if there are any plans for new developments in the area. Future developments like a shopping mall or high-rise may have both a positive and negative effect on the neighbourhood.

Be sure to research the schools in the area.

How long does it take you to get back and forth to work? Try the commute and see.

Tell your agent the top three things you like about your current location and the top three things that would like out of your next home and together you can focus on what’s really important…finding the ‘right’ home for you.