Guidance For First-Time Home Buyers in Calgary
posted in Mortgage News
It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying your first property, and while the process doesn’t have to be complicated, (and often isn’t, especially if you seek help from a mortgage broker) there are mistakes that many make when they rush things, or don’t seek professional guidance.
To help you purchase your first property in Calgary, we’ve compiled the following short guide:
Firstly, meet with a mortgage broker
Known as pre-qualification, you’ll need to know how much you can afford to spend on buying a home, and an experienced, local mortgage broker can help you determine this.
Secondly, get pre-approval
Pre-approval helps sellers view you in a more favorable light, and is when the buyer applies for a mortgage and receives a written commitment from the lender. By seeking pre-approval, the seller will know that you’re serious about buying the property, and while there is usually a small fee for pre-approval, many lenders allow you to pay it when the loan is closed.
Next, make lists of what you want from a property
One list should include vital information such as the desired number of bedrooms, and whether it should be a one, or two-story home, while the other list should include your wishes, rather than essentials. For example, would you like to have a pool, a large yard or an open plan layout inside. You may not get everything on your wish list, of course, but it can help you narrow down your search.
Optional, is to hire a real estate agent
This isn’t essential, but can be helpful, provided you choose one who is working exclusively for you, and not the seller.
When beginning your search, try to be objective
Letting your heart rule your head when it comes to finding the right home, may work for some, but for others, it can be disastrous. Think carefully about whether the property you’ve chosen meets all – or at least, most – of your needs, and can you visualize you (and your partner and/or family) being happy there?
Don’t forget these important things
Include inspection and mortgage contingencies in your written offer
- Make sure you get the property inspected by a qualified inspector
- Within 24 hours of closing, ask for a second walk through
- Check that no changes have been made that you didn’t agree to
There are a lot of things to watch out for when buying your first home, but with appropriate guidance from professionals such as a mortgage broker, real estate agent and financial advisor, you can breeze through the process and find a Calgary home you’ll be happy in for many years to come.