Buying a Home

If you are a first time buyer and want to learn more about the process, you are most welcome to call Stan with any questions you may have. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) website also contains some good information, including this step by step guide to home buying.

Below are some of the factors to consider in your search.

Affordability

While the overall price of a home is important, affordability is a more personal matter that needs to consider your family income, expenses, savings that can be used as a down payment, your credit rating, the amount lenders are willing to loan you, current interest rates, and whether or not you’ll need mortgage insurance.

The CMHC website provides an online affordability calculator, as well as a number of worksheets to help you determine an appropriate price range. Most financial institutions and mortgage brokers will also allow you to apply for a mortgage before you actual select a home to purchase. This pre-qualification will provide you with the upper limit of what you can borrow.

Confused? Give Stan a call at 604-855-2122.

Size

Square footage is a common descriptor of the size of a home, but most people can’t really visualize the difference between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet. It’s often much simpler to think about what you need space for, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and how many cars you need to park. Also think about dining and leisure space: do you want a kitchen eating area and a formal dining room? Do you need a rec room for the kids while you entertain in the living room?

When you have your list ready, Stan will search both public and private listings to find the home that’s perfect for you.

Location

Location has always been one of the most important factors for buyers, and Stan can be a really big help on this topic. He knows the neighbourhoods, where the newest developments are, which areas are being revitalized, along with school locations, transit routes, and other amenities. For general information about each community, visit the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s website.

Let us Help You Find the Perfect Home

To help you get started finding the right home, please provide us with the following information: