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FOUR THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU BUY

FOUR THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU BUY

Before you jump into the world of homeownership, there’s some important things to think about and do to help set you up for success!


1. Start saving for a down payment

The thought of saving up a large sum of money for a down payment can sound overwhelming and somewhat unattainable, but as the adage goes: There’s no time like the present! Start today by setting aside a percentage of your monthly income in savings, and you will be surprised how quickly the funds can add up!  If and when you receive unexpected additional funds, decide ahead of time that you will set these aside into your savings.


As you are saving, set a goal for how much you need for your down payment. In Canada, the minimum down payment is a percentage of the purchase price of the home, and this will vary depending on which bracket your new home falls into.  The guidelines are:


  • If the purchase price is less than $500,000, the minimum down payment is 5%.
  • If the purchase price is more than $500,000 and less than $1 million, the minimum down payment is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the remaining balance. 
  • If the purchase price is $1 million or more, the minimum down payment is 20%. 


2.  Get Pre-approval to determine what you qualify for

In the pre-approval process, a bank or lender looks closely at your credit reports, employment history, etc., and determines whether or not you are a suitable applicant for a mortgage. They also determine the maximum amount of a mortgage that you qualify for, giving you a better idea of what you can afford in your home purchase.

Although it will vary from lender to lender, your pre-approved mortgage will be valid for approximately 90 days. 


With your pre-approval, you will be given a locked interest rate, which is a commitment from the lender to hold a specified interest rate for the length of time your pre-approval is valid.  You are not obligated to use the lender of your pre-approval for your actual mortgage, however if interest rates increase significantly during your pre-approval term, the rate lock provided through that particular lend protects you from a higher interest rate when it comes time to buy.


3.  Determine your budget

Figure out what you will comfortably be able to afford by creating a Monthly House budget.  List all sources of revenue and foreseeable monthly expenditures, including approximate mortgage payment, utilities, and other obligatory expenses (ie. Student loan, car payment, etc.).  By doing so, you will better be able to determine what you are comfortable with for your monthly mortgage payment. In the aforementioned pre-approval process, the maximum mortgage you qualify for may not necessarily be the amount with which you are comfortable. Determine your desired cash flow and you will have a better idea of the purchase price of your future home.


 

4.  Find a good realtor who knows your area

We’ve got you covered here! RE/MAX First is home to over 200 amazing real estate professionals!  Our office is the fastest growing brokerage in Calgary, and our agents are known to be some of the best in the industry. RE/MAX First is currently ranked the third top producing brokerage in Western Canada, meaning that our agents are producing results – they are helping their clients buy and sell in a tough market.  Contact us today to get connected with a realtor who will help you with your real estate dreams!

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