Understand the total costs of buying a home

Look at the whole picture and attach a dollar amount to every part of the home purchasing process. You can expect to pay land transfer tax (a percentage of the purchase price), G.S.T., legal fees (you must hire a lawyer to complete the transaction and review all documents), moving costs, home inspection fees and any home repairs you will want to make to your new home before moving in.

There are also several long-term costs involved with owning a home. Take into consideration monthly payments other than your mortgage and property taxes that you will need to work into your budget such as utility payments, home insurance, repairs and condo fees if applicable.

Determine what you want

What kind of home do you want to buy now that you know how much you afford? A condo? A small bungalow? A sprawling house with a yard and schools nearby? Consider how much space you need, what types of dwellings you are willing to look at and where you want to live.

Would you prefer a newly built home instead of a fixer-upper? Some buyers are drawn to the warranties that come with new homes and want to be able to customize a space before it is even built. Others appreciate the charm and re-sale price of an older home and are willing to put some elbow grease (and more money) into fixing it up.

How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you require? What other features are important to you? Do you need a garage for your car and a basement for storage or extra living space? Do you enjoy cooking and want a larger kitchen in your next home? These are all important factors to look at.

Then there is location to consider. What is your dream neighbourhood? Do you need to be near schools, the city centre, public transit or other amenities? Do you want to live in a quiet neighbourhood with lots of space between you and your neighbours or do you prefer to be in an urban area with lots of activity?

Start viewing homes

Now that you have a checklist of what you are shopping for, you’ll need to decide whether to work with a real estate agent or look on your own. An agent can help steer you in the right direction by imparting their knowledge of neighbourhoods and pricing trends. An agent can provide you listings appropriate to your wants and needs, objectively advise you on housing values and help you negotiate a price when you’re ready to make an offer.

Get an inspection done

Congratulations! You’ve found the home of your dreams and the sellers have accepted your offer. Before the closing date approaches, you’ll need to hire a house inspector to carefully assess the property to determine its physical condition. A house inspector can find serious problems with the property (such as plumbing, electrical or structural) that would otherwise not be obvious at first glance to you. A home inspection is a crucial part of the home buying process, and at a cost of a few hundred dollars, is a worthwhile expenditure that can possibly save you a few thousand dollars in the long run; if serious repairs are required, negotiations to fix these problems or lower the purchase price will be taken up with the seller. A home inspection can also help you with your long-term budget by providing estimates on the cost of maintaining the home over the next three to five years.