Start with the bones, not the kitchen
A listing is built to sell the looks. The costs come from the bones — the roof, heating, electrical, and plumbing that photos leave out. Look at those first. See red flags in a listing for the full map.
The costs first-timers forget
Beyond the down payment: land transfer tax, legal fees, and the repairs a home will need after you move in. Use the Casaroo calculators to estimate the money side, and the repair cost guide to budget for the big fixes.
Make insurability a condition
A home you can't insure is a home you often can't finance. Before you remove conditions, confirm coverage on the specific house — see homes insurers won't cover.
Do the quick checks at the showing
You don't need to be an expert to catch a lot in a few seconds. Learn the 30-second checks and bring the right questions to ask.