The Site Visit
Whether there is a model or not, you should ask to be shown the exact lot that you are interested in. This way you can see exactly what is nearby, what the view is, where the sun will fall, where street utilities are located and so on. In the case of a high-rise suite, you may not be able to determine the view from a particular floor, but you will get a sense of the general surroundings.
It’s also a good idea to visit a home you are interested in both during the day and the evening and thoroughly check out the neighbourhood. Talking to neighbours is always a good idea, especially if their home is built by the same builder. Most people will accommodate your questions and be frank in telling you their experiences.
Visit previous developments by your builder and talk to owners there. If they are still satisfied after a few years, you probably will be too. Information on specific builders, including the number of claims in the past 10 years, is available on Tarion Warranty Corporation's Web site or by calling 1-877-982-7466.
