Questions to Ask When Viewing a House: Your Showing Checklist

The best questions to ask when viewing a house cover five areas: the home’s history, its major systems, monthly costs, permits and the sale itself. Ask them at the showing or through your agent, and write the answers down. This checklist keeps your viewings focused so you can compare homes clearly later.

How to use this list at a showing

Most showings are short, and the seller is usually not home. Your agent can ask the listing agent many of these questions before or after the visit. Bring this list on your phone, take photos, and note answers right away.

Some answers will appear in the listing or the seller’s documents. Others only come out when you ask. If an answer is vague, that’s worth a follow-up.

Questions about the home’s history

• How long have the current owners lived here?
• Has the basement ever leaked or flooded? Was it fixed, and how?
• Have there been any insurance claims on the home?
• Were there ever pest problems, such as mice, ants or raccoons in the attic?
• Has anyone done major renovations? Who did the work?
• Was a pre-listing inspection done, and can we see it?

Questions about the roof, systems and structure

These are the big-ticket items. Knowing their age helps you budget for the next several years.

Item	Ask about	What to look for
Roof	Age and last replacement	Curled or missing shingles, stains on ceilings
Furnace and A/C	Age, servicing, owned or rented	Service stickers, unusual noises
Water heater	Owned or rented, age	Rust or moisture at the base
Windows	Age, any replacements	Fog between panes, drafts, rot
Electrical	Panel size, any old wiring	Breakers rather than fuses, updated outlets
Plumbing	Pipe materials, past backups	Water pressure, staining under sinks
Foundation	Any cracks or repairs	Wide cracks, white mineral deposits on walls

For older bungalows, ask specifically about knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized pipes and whether there’s ever been an oil tank on the property. Those can affect insurance.

Questions about monthly costs and rentals

• What are the property taxes?
• What do heating, hydro and water usually cost each month?
• Are any items rented, such as the water heater, furnace or water softener?
• Is there a home security contract or solar lease that transfers to the buyer?
• For condo bungalows: what are the monthly fees, and what do they cover?

Rental contracts can add a monthly bill you didn’t plan for. Plug the real costs into our home buyer calculators to see what you can comfortably afford.

Questions about permits and the basement

Many GTA bungalows have finished basements or basement apartments. Ask:

1. Was the basement finished with a building permit?
2. Is the basement unit a legal, registered second unit?
3. Are there egress windows in the basement bedrooms?
4. Is there a separate entrance, and was it permitted?
5. If the unit is rented, what’s the lease, and is the tenant staying?

An unpermitted suite may need costly work to meet the Ontario Building Code and Fire Code. If you’re buying with rental income in mind, read up on egress window rules before you make an offer.

What to check with your own eyes

Answers only tell part of the story. While you walk through, use your senses:

• Smell for must or mould in the basement and closets. Heavy air freshener can be a cover.
• Look up at ceilings for water stains, especially under bathrooms.
• Open and close a few windows and doors. Sticking can point to moisture or settling.
• Run the taps to check water pressure and how long hot water takes.
• Walk the outside to see grading, downspouts and the condition of the roofline.

Questions about the neighbourhood and the sale

The neighbourhood

• What are the neighbours like? Is the street quiet at night?
• How far is it to schools, transit, grocery stores and parks?
• Are there any planned developments, road widenings or new transit lines nearby?

The sale

• Why are the sellers moving?
• Is there an offer date, or are they reviewing offers any time?
• Have there been any offers already?
• What closing date do the sellers prefer?
• Which appliances and fixtures are included?

The seller doesn’t have to answer every question, but flexible closing dates or included items can strengthen your offer without raising your price.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ask the seller questions directly at a showing?

Usually the seller isn’t present, so your agent asks the listing agent. Written answers are better, since they create a record you can refer back to.

Do sellers in Ontario have to disclose problems?

Sellers generally can’t hide known hidden defects that make a home dangerous or unfit, but disclosure rules have limits. Always get a home inspection, and ask a real estate lawyer if you’re unsure.

How many times should I view a house before buying?

Many buyers view a home twice, once to fall in love and once to look critically. A second visit at a different time of day shows you traffic, noise and light.

The bottom line

Good questions turn a pretty showing into a clear picture of the home’s condition, costs and history. Ask them every time, write down the answers and compare.

When a home passes your checklist, follow up with a professional inspection. For the bigger picture, our step-by-step buyer’s guide walks you from first showing to closing day.