Buying Tools
Each listing includes a complementary 'walk score' feature and Interactive real-time rate Mortgage Calculator.
- Define your needs and wants – Make a list of the things you simply can’t live without, then list some nice-to-haves.
- Understand market conditions – Supply and demand can change from neighborhood to neighborhood.
- Knowing what you can afford – How much house you can afford comes down to 3 factors: your monthly mortgage payment, your down payment and the amortization period (see Mortgage Calculator).
- Getting pre-approved – This will really help you figure out what you can spend on a home.
- Choosing the right neighborhood – Do you need to be close to schools, public transit or where you work?
- A home inspector – An absolute must in saving you from some unpleasant surprises later on.
- A legal professional – When it comes to complex legal documents, it takes a lawyer experienced in Canadian real estate.
- Make sure to have the gas, electricity, cable and phone hooked up at your new home.
- Change the locks. Their maybe spare-keys (with relatives, neighbours etc).
- Inform your key contacts – Work, Canada Post, doctors, friends, pharmacy, etc… – of your change of address.
