A house can have a garage and still leave you with a parking problem. When the driveway is shared, I want to know whether you can actually get to your parking space with the car you drive, whether the arrangement fits your household, and what your lawyer can confirm about access.
Try the driveway with your own vehicle
If the seller allows it, drive all the way to the parking space or garage during your showing. Check the narrowest point between the houses, how much room you have to turn, and whether you can open the garage door and get out of the car comfortably.
Then think about a normal weekday. If you have two cars, can either person leave when they need to? Where would a guest park? Where does the snow go when both neighbours need to keep the lane clear? A driveway that works for the seller’s compact car may feel very different in your pickup or SUV.
Find out what’s shared and where you can park
Ask the seller how they use the driveway, where each household parks, and how they handle snow removal and repairs. If there’s a written agreement, ask for a copy. I’d also have your real estate lawyer review title and any right-of-way documents to confirm what access and parking rights come with the property. In particular, ask whether the shared lane is for passing through and where you’re entitled to leave a vehicle.
If parking is a must-have for you, I’d raise those questions before you commit. A good relationship between the current neighbours tells you how things work today. The documents help you understand what you’re buying.
Price the parking you can actually use
When I compare homes in Hamilton or Burlington, I look at how the parking works in practice. A shared lane that leads to a garage you can easily use may suit you just fine. If getting in and out means coordinating with a neighbour every day, I’d compare it with other homes that have similar access before deciding what to offer.
If you qualify for my buyer rebate, I’ll show you how it applies to your purchase. If you’re also selling, I can explain how my low commission listing fee fits into the cost of the move.
If a home you like has a shared driveway, send me the listing. We can look at the parking layout before the showing and identify what to verify before you make an offer.