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Buying a Home Soon? Complete These 5 Steps First

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Canadians considering the purchase of a home in the near future should gear up for an exciting and rewarding time in their lives. Before signing a contract on a home, there are a few steps that should be completed to make the entire home buying process run more smoothly.

Learn How Much You Can Afford

Many potential home buyers consider the price of their home without thinking about the other expenses involved in home ownership. Other primary expenses that are involved in owning a home in Canada include property taxes, renovations as needed, heating and routine maintenance, and these costs can vary from markets like Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna and other areas in Canada. Meeting with a mortgage lender or a broker can help a potential homeowner realize how much of a home they can afford over the long term.

Know the Parameters

Every home buyer has those features that are most important to them when looking for a home. A family or a couple who wants to start a family soon will likely be interested in the schools, parks and other family-centric amenities that a neighbourhood has to offer. An empty nest couple or a childless person might prefer a home that is in a walkable neighbourhood or one that is only a short commute to and from work. Other considerations could include a home’s special features like a swimming pool or a fireplace, whether the home is in the city or a more rural area and the square footage.

Types of Homes Available

Buying a home in Canada means an array of different types. Not every neighbourhood will feature all types though many will have a mix. A single-family residence is one of the most common types of homes. It can also be more expensive than some others—both in terms of money and time—as the homeowner is solely responsible for all maintenance and repairs. A condo is a popular choice for those who desire home ownership but who don’t want to be responsible for the outside maintenance. Instead, each condo owner pays a separate fee for the repairs and maintenance needed for the common and outside areas.

Other housing options include townhomes in which two homes are attached so that they share a common wall and semi-detached which, in addition to sharing a wall, the home’s residents might also share parking. A duplex or triplex is often the result of a home that was previously a single-family dwelling being reconfigured into separate living spaces.

Buy or Build

Buying a home that is already built offers advantages in that a homeowner can move in more quickly.Choosing to build a home means the home buyer can choose to include those features, colours and other amenities they like best. Having a home built often means that there is a significant wait between the closing of the property and the homeowner’s move-in date.

Do a Credit Check

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage of a particular amount provides a home buyer with solid footing for choice properties. Prior to meeting with a mortgage broker or financial expert though it’s a good idea to do a credit check. This alerts the home buyer to any potential issues that might crop up when it comes time to apply for the loan.

Completing the five steps above gives consumers the information they need to help them find the ideal home. Knowing these items helps focus the search for the right home, saving time and money.

Contributed by: Greg Clarke Kelowna Realor and foremost expert in Realestate and buying and selling homes.

Greg Clarke Kelowna Royal Lepage Realtor
#1-1890 Cooper Rd., Kelowna, BC,
V1Y-8B7
Canada
Phone: 250.869.9119
gregclarke@royallepage.ca
www.GregSellsKelowna.com

quickly buy and sell your home in Kelowna with top realtor Call Us Now ! 250.869.9119

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Testimonials


Greg and his wife Sharon are an impressive business team: they are very charismatic, energetic, personable, easily approachable and strongly motivated to assist their clients in reaching their goal in a punctual and always professional manner. I have and will continue to recommend the Clarkes; a team who is sure to exceed anyone’s real estate needs and expectations!
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Neal & Florence Klose

They put me at ease


Buying a Home Soon? Complete These 5 Steps First

★★★★★


As a young first time home buyer, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started looking for my house. Greg sat down with me to sort out what specifically I was looking for, then set out to find me that property. We started looking at some listings which gave us both a better feel for what I liked or disliked. From that point, by searching the MLS system and talking with other realtors, Greg found a home a little out of my price range but with everything I was looking for. We viewed the house and it was perfect. From there he helped me go through the process of putting in an offer and negotiating the right terms. Luckily, after some back and forth discussion, we were able to come to an agreement with the sellers just within my budget. I’ve been living here now for a year and still think it was the perfect choice. Thanks Greg!
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Nathan Hokazono


Thank you both so much for all your help in finding us this great home! We are really happy here and are loving the beautiful hanging baskets too so thank you. We really appreciate all you have done and will gladly recommend you!
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Dave and Donna Blackmore

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