The Largest Number of Homes for Sale
10 Tips to Become a Homeowner
Buying a home in Canada means dealing with a difficult real estate market. However, becoming a homeowner is not impossible. Check out these 10 tips to help you buy your first home.
Save Up a Down Payment
You can use your
savings, of course. But there are several programs that can help you increase
your down payment and thus reduce your mortgage and your monthly payments. These include the Home
Buyers’ Plan (HBP), tax
credits and other homeownership
programs.
Talk About It With Your Loved Ones
You may be able to get a financial gift
from a relative, but they could also co-sign your loan with you, allowing them
to help you get into your first home without having to put up any money of
their own. The best thing to do is to have an open and serious discussion about
this, if it is a possibility in your situation.
Check Out Municipal Offers
Some cities have
programs that encourage home ownership in their communities. Make an in-depth
list of what’s available in your area. These incentives may help you decide
where to buy your home.
Evaluate Your Borrowing Capacity
Meet with a mortgage consultant at your bank to evaluate your borrowing capacity.You must get pre-approved for a mortgage
before you start shopping around.
Rebuild Your Credit Score
Get into the habit of checking your credit
score, which shows how you are managing your credit (both credit card
payments, loans, etc.).Also learn how you can
improve
your credit score. It won’t hurt when you apply
for a mortgage.
Assessing Your Needs
Take the time to write down a list of your real needs (type of home, location,
number of rooms, etc.) and a list of “extras” that, although not necessary,
would be greatly appreciated. This exercise will allow you to better target
what you really want and help you search better.
Open Your Horizons
Once you have analyzed
your needs, you will see if it is possible to make compromises. For example, are you ready to buy a house without a garage
in one of your desired cities or to buy a property with a garage in a
neighbouring municipality? Broaden your search and compare. Stay open to
possibilities. Remember, your first home may not be the home of your dreams,
but it is a stepping-stone to getting it.
Surround Yourself
With Professionals
To become a homeowner, you will need to surround yourself with professionals (a
notary, an insurer, an inspector, etc.) to guide you efficiently, answer your
questions and support you through all the steps. Among
other things, consider the advantages of buying with a real estate broker, because they will be the key factor
in the success of this big project.
Anticipate the Associated Costs
Becoming a homeowner means, of course, buying a property, but there are many
other costs associated with it, such as inspections, transfer duties, legal
fees, moving, renovations, etc. Make
a list of the costs you should expect to avoid unpleasant surprises and
better manage your budget.
Don’t Rush Into Anything
Don’t forget that buying your first home in the current real estate context is an adventure that may generate intense emotions. Be informed, keep your eyes open, but don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Don’t try to rush things. The important thing is not to go fast, but to do it right.
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