10 Tips for Buying a New Inner City Home in Calgary
- July 15, 2017
- By Cody Battershill
10 Tips to Help With Your New Inner City Home Purchase
Are you thinking about buying a new inner city home in Calgary sometime soon?
There are several items of critical importance when you buy a new infill property, the first being the implications of such a decision not only on your family and way of life, but also financially.
With so many factors to consider, it's crucial you get only the best advice / professional representation and have all the information necessary to make the best decisions.
Here are 10 simple tips to follow that will make sure you get the best value and an new inner city home that fits your wants, needs and lifestyle to the fullest.
#1 - Choosing a community
While all inner city communities in Calgary offer short commute times to downtown and ample access to nearby amenities, some are better than others in certain regards.
Take distinguishing factors like walkability to a business revitalization zone or easy access to the river parks and pathways into account when choosing an inner city neighbourhood as not all offer such quick-and-easy access as others do. Also make sure to answer the following questions:
- How long does it take to get to and from work?
- Is public transportation an option to do so?
- Is an active community centre important for me?
- Where are the elementary, junior and senior high schools located?
- Is a walkable lifestyle an option?
#2 - Research the builder
If you're buying a new inner city home in Calgary, there are some questions you'll want to find the answers to:
- What is the builder's history?
- What kind of properties are in their portfolio?
- How long have they been in business?
- Do they have other similar projects in Calgary?
- Are there online reviews and if so, are they good?
- Is there any black marks on the builder from the Better Business Bureau?
Learn more about choosing the right home builder and product today.
#3 - Visit at different times
If a new infill catches your interest, it's best to visit at different times of day - morning, afternoon and evening - to understand how much natural lighting enters the home.
Different times of day may also have different activity levels on adjacent lots that may or may not be favourable for you.
- Also see our Calgary Infill Buyers Guide to Noise
#4 - Get a home inspection
So your really keen on making an offer on a new inner city home. That's great! It's important to remember, however, that just because it's been built recently doesn't necessarily mean its flawless. There could very well be issues that a professional home inspection would catch.
Have a third-party home inspector take a look for you - it's well worth the cost to ensure peace of mind and confidence in buying the infill.
#5 - Ask for leftovers
If a new infill home in Calgary has just been recently built, chances are there's some leftover building material laying around. It never hurts to ask the builder for this material as it could come in handy for repairs at a later date.
It can be troublesome to find the same materials for such repairs one, two or even five years down the road as most new inner city homes are not the cookie-cutter type and in some cases are fully customized.
#6 - Get a list of materials
Once again, knowing what your home is built with may save you heaps of time and money on repairs in the future. Ask the builder for a detailed list of all materials used for reference if need be.
- See more at our Calgary Inner City Buyers Guide to Materials
#7 - Understand traffic routes
Getting to and from a new infill home in Calgary can sometimes be difficult especially if there are only a few accessible routes.
This is especially true for during rush hour; depending on you and your family's work / school / hobbies / lifestyle, you'll want to consider what effect nearby traffic patterns would have on your daily routine.
#8 - Confirm fencing and landscaping
Always confirm fencing and landscaping with your home builder!
Proper landscaping is crucial to getting the most satisfaction out of your purchase while proper fencing can make or break your privacy, especially in the inner city where density is higher than in most suburban communities.
- Find out more at our Calgary Infill Buyers Guide to Fencing and Landscaping
#9 - Get everything in writing
Leave no detail out of the written contract between you and the home builder!
A contract is a legally binding document and if there's a dispute about something that was to be included or done by the builder that wasn't and it isn't mentioned on paper, the builder is not obligated to take care of it.
- Learn more at Calgary Inner City Buyers Guide to Written Contracts
#10 - Change the locks
Once you take possession of a new infill home, make sure you head to the nearest department store and buy some new locks for your entrance way doors.
During construction of your home, its possible that a handful of contractors were given keys to the property so that they could complete their work.
Changing the locks will ensure that absolutely no one else has keys to your newly built infill other than the people you choose.
- See more at our Calgary Infill Buyers Guide to Changing the Locks
More Inner City Tips
See our Calgary Inner City Home Buyers Guide for a complete list of tips to help you with your next new infill home purchase today!
Questions About New Inner City Homes in Calgary?
There are many details to review as a buyer when purchasing a new infill home in Calgary's inner city. As a new home and infill expert, it's my job to protect your best interests and guide you through these questions while taking care of all the details for you.
Call me anytime at 403-370-4180 or message me below for a prompt response. I am looking forward to helping you accomplish your inner city real estate goals in Calgary!
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