It’s a sad but stark reality: when buying real estate, far too many Canadians fail to take the basic precautions or perform standard due diligence prior to submitting an offer. Instead of running the numbers, comparing mortgage rates, and consulting with a professional mortgage broker, home hunters are simply throwing caution to the wind and diving into the housing market head first. This approach is crazy – real estate is typically the largest and riskiest asset someone could ever buy. The housing crisis of the past few years has certainly showed us how problematic and unpredictable investing in real estate can be. Continue reading
Category Archives: First Time Home Owner
Are Your Ready to Buy?
You’ve had it with your roommates and you’ve had it with paying rent. You’re ready to move out and you’re seriously considering taking the leap into homeownership. But just because you want to buy a home, doesn’t mean you should. Before you start planning your housewarming party, take a minute to sit down and consider everything that comes along with homeownership. From mortgage rate trends to better budgeting, there’s more to buying a house than simply signing an offer. Continue reading
How to Buy a Foreclosed Home
It’s no secret that foreclosures have rocked the American real estate market over the past five years, but what about the Canadian real estate scene? While our major housing markets have faired better than that of our neighbour, there are still many foreclosed properties available across the country. First time home buyers and investors alike are jumping at the chance to take advantage of this surge of inventory thanks to affordable investment opportunities. But you can’t reap the rewards until your experience the risks. If you’re considering bidding on a foreclosed home it is important that you first understand the pros and cons of purchasing a property that’s in financial limbo. Continue reading
Is Your Home Underinsured?
Did you know that a large number of Canadian homes are underinsured? The following are six important steps to make sure your home is protected against the unexpected.
1) Know Your Policy And What it Covers
Your policy type should reflect your type of home and your needs. It’s important that you review your policy basics and have a good understanding of what you are and aren’t protected against. If you own an older home, or one that has special features (carved moldings or hardwood floors, for example), you will want to make sure you have special coverages in place to protect these items. Continue reading
Should You Use Your RRSP To Buy Your First Home?
Purchasing your first home can be tough, especially when it comes to scrounging up a sizable down payment. In Canada, you must be able to cough up a 20% down payment in order to avoid purchasing costly mortgage insurance. If you’re struggling to find enough cash to meet this requirement, don’t throw in the towel quite yet. Under the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), first time home buyers in Canada can borrow up to $25,000 tax free from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) in order to help with their down payment and lower their monthly mortgage requirements. Continue reading