What to expect Moving From A Condo To A House:
In the wake of the pandemic, more and more people are looking to leave their downsized spaces in hopes of buying a house. If you are thinking about upsizing, here are some things I think you should know.
Garbage Day
When you live in a condo, you can easily and quickly transport your garbage down a chute whenever you please. When you move to a house it is important to sort out your recycling, organic waste and garbage according to the collection days in your neighbourhood. It is also important to note that there are yearly fees for waste management based on the size of your bin as well as an annual fee for large item collection. If you want to learn more about what those fees look like, please click here.
Off And On Street Parking
You may be a two car household moving to a one car driveway. You may be moving to a house that does not offer parking at all. There are many reasons to consider where you will park your car. Ask your real estate agent if you need to apply for on-site parking for your new house. If there is no parking available, you will need to obtain a permit for street parking as you cannot park anywhere in Toronto for more than three hours without a permit. Parking permits are issued on a six month basis, but you can apply for two consecutive terms at once.
Winterizing
Buying a house involves taking on responsibilities that your condo fees would normally take care of. One example of this is winterizing your property. Before the first frost you need to prepare your home for winter. Examples of tasks you need to do are emptying your garden house (so that it does not freeze and ruin the hose), and covering your outdoor furniture and storing any cushions or accessories indoors. Ensure that you own a shovel or snowblower, salt or sand, and good winter boots. You can also inquire to your neighbours if there is anyone local that does snow ploughing in your neighbourhood if that is something you want to consider.
Yard Maintenance
Just as there are tasks for you to do to prepare your home for winter, there are also things you need to do throughout the year to maintain your yard. You will need to set aside a couple weekends in spring to weed, plant and maintain your property. Things you will need to consider purchasing are a lawnmower, a hose, a rake, a sprinkler, and possibly even a shed if your garage does not allow you the space to store your lawn maintenance gear.
It is also a good idea to check on the health of your trees with an arborist every few years. They will be able to tell you which dead branches should be trimmed or which are at risk of hitting yours or your neighbour’s house.
These are just a few things to consider when upsizing to a house that you would not have had to think about when living in a condo. If you would like to know more tips, please feel free to reach out to me here. I would love to help you feel adequately prepared to move into your big new space!
