Start with what you need from your next home

Before touring homes, think about what works in your current space and what you would change. You may need a larger entrance for winter coats and boots, a quiet place to work, or room for a dining table that seats the whole family.

Keep those needs in mind as you compare these four areas. They will help you judge each home on more than its finishes.

Look beyond the square footage

Square footage tells you the size of a home, but a floor plan shows how that space is arranged. Compare room dimensions, hallway space and storage. Ask how the advertised area was measured and whether basement space is listed separately.

Walk through an ordinary weekday

Imagine carrying groceries in from the garage, preparing dinner and getting ready for work or school. Check whether open doors, pulled-out chairs or kitchen appliances would block the routes you use most. Bring measurements for the furniture you plan to keep.

Upstairs, look at the bedroom arrangement and laundry location. Consider how you would use a bonus room. It may suit a family sitting area, but an open space may offer little privacy for work calls.

Compare storage where you need it

Look inside cupboards and closets, and decide where you would keep coats, linens, cleaning supplies and seasonal items. Check whether the garage has room for your vehicle as well as the storage you need.

Review the Cami floor plans before your visit. During the tour, confirm the dimensions and features of the property you are considering.

Confirm what the purchase price includes

A furnished showhome can help you understand a layout, but its finishes and features may differ from those in another home. Ask which items are included in the quoted price, which cost extra and which are not available for that property.

Use the three groups below to compare inclusions consistently across the homes you visit.

The Cami Standards page outlines the builder’s specifications and common-wall information. Ask which specification sheet applies to the home you want to buy.

Understand the common-wall construction

Ask how the wall between the two homes is built. Request the construction details and an explanation of how the wall addresses sound transfer and fire separation. These serve different purposes, so ask about each one separately.

A quiet tour gives you only a brief impression of sound levels. If the builder provides acoustic ratings or test results, ask what was tested and how the information relates to the home. A wall rating does not describe every path that sound can travel through a building.

Look at the rooms beside the shared wall, too. Consider whether bedrooms, living areas, stairs or closets sit along it, and ask how the neighbouring floor plan is arranged.

Consider the costs and responsibilities of ownership

Compare the purchase price alongside estimated property taxes, utilities, home insurance, maintenance and any applicable fees. Use figures for the individual property where possible. Keep estimates separate from confirmed amounts so you can see where costs remain uncertain.

Ask how the property is owned and what responsibilities are shared with the neighbour. Have your lawyer review the title and relevant agreements. The term “duplex” alone does not tell you whether there are condominium fees, common property or shared maintenance obligations.

Ask for energy information you can review

Ask about the windows, insulation, heating system and ventilation equipment. If the home has an EnerGuide evaluation, request the label and report. Energy information can help you compare homes, but actual utility bills also depend on weather, household habits and energy rates.

Check the neighbourhood in person

Visit the street at a time that reflects your usual routine. Try the commute, look at parking and walk to the amenities you expect to use. When comparing homes in Riverside, consider the location of each lot and the routes you would take each day.

Check possession terms and warranty details

Ask what work remains on the home, when you can complete a walkthrough and how the purchase agreement sets out possession. If exterior work will be finished after you move in, confirm the scope and timing in writing.

For a Cami immediate-possession home, confirm the current status of the specific address. Ask about the agreed possession date before booking movers or arranging the end of a lease.

Request the home’s warranty documents, provider details and coverage start date. Alberta’s public registries let buyers check builder and property warranty information. Confirm when coverage began, especially if the home has already been occupied.

Alberta’s guide to purchasing a new home explains additional steps, including checking the title and having a lawyer review the purchase.

Choose the home that meets your priorities

After each tour, record what worked well, what you would need to compromise on and which questions remain unanswered. Refer back to the needs you identified before you started looking.

One home may offer a larger bonus room, while another has a more practical pantry and entrance. Consider which spaces you will use most often. Before deciding, get the measurements, documents or written answers you need to understand the differences.

Frequently asked questions

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