Halted Your Home Buying Due to The Pandemic? Use This Time to Finalize Your Wishlist

Many of those who planned to buy their "dream home" early this year are still looking at homes online based on various reasons associated with the Coronavirus pandemic.

As we spend more time in our current place, we're getting to know it better. Seeing our homes in a new light has helped us become more familiar with the features that work and do not work for us. 

Can't wait to move? You're not alone - nearly half of Canadians have the same plan! From global comparison site finder.com, 14 million Canadians are prepping for a housing makeover this year – with double the amount opting to buy instead of rent their new digs. 2021 could be Canada's biggest moving season yet.

“The COVID pandemic ushered in a new way of thinking about what home means, and that is influencing much of what today’s home shoppers are looking for. Garages, large backyards, and space for pets always rank high on buyers’ wish lists, but those features have grown in importance. The survey results highlight that the pandemic has elevated our relationship with family as well as the need for our home to serve multiple purposes, especially the ability to work remotely. As a result, we are placing a premium on the need to accommodate extended family, and features like a home office and broadband internet.” - George Raitu, realtor.com®’s senior economist

To help you figure out what you really like and don't like about your current home, here's a list of guide questions:

In general:

What do you like best about your current home?

Is there something you realized you hate about your place?

If you could rate your home on a scale of 1–10, what would you rate it?

Inside your home:

• How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you really want?

• Do you have a new need that your current home can not accommodate? (e.g. a home office, workout space, extra room for homeschooling the kids, etc.)

• Do you have enough space for storage?

• Is your place already well-lit or do you want to have more natural light?

• How’s your kitchen? Is it updated and spacious enough? Since dining out is not an option because of the pandemic, you’re cooking meals more often. The kitchen is the heart of the home after all, so its size and layout is also important.

• Are you satisfied with your home fixtures and finishes? 

Outside your home:

• What architectural style do you prefer?

• Do you have an outdoor space? If so, do you love spending time there, especially now that we have limited exposure outside?

• Is there anything you want to improve in your home's curb appeal?

• Do you enjoy taking care of the yard?

• Is your garage spacious?

• What other features you don’t have right now that would you love to have? (e.g. pool, firepit, etc.)

• How about the home’s upkeep? How much time and effort does it take to maintain your current place? 

Your neighborhood:

• Are you happy with your neighborhood? 

Coronavirus has brought out the best and worst in all of us. Think beyond your dream house — think about the community you want to be part of too! The pandemic gave many neighborhoods an opportunity to go above and beyond for each other, providing essential items like food or toilet paper, even decorating with Christmas lights as a sign of hope during these otherwise dark times. What kind neighborhood environment do you picture yourself being a part of?

• What’s your travel time for basic necessities, such as going to the grocery store or to the doctor for medical appointments? 

Also, think about the neighborhood walkability, nearby parks, gardens, facilities, and other activities.

• Are you satisfied with your commute? 

Despite the pandemic forcing many of us to work from home instead of going to the office, accessibility to transit networks is still important when choosing your next neighborhood.

Once you have figured out what you want, contact your real estate agent to have them set you up inside their real estate portal. Using this portal, you can search for houses that meet your criteria automatically and receive their listings via email. It is possible to mark listings that interest you as favorites for future reference or book a private showing to view a home in person.

Here at Santa Sells Houses, we provide the same service to buyers looking to purchase a home in or near London, Ontario, Canada. To get started with our free real estate buyer’s portal, you can visit our Property Search Page to get started. If you want to know more, contact us for more details.