Category Archives: First Time Home Owner

Home Buyers Demand Smarter Designs

 

The results of Better Homes and Gardens magazine’s Next Home Survey are in, and buyers have spoken.

Prospective new home buyers list energy-efficiency, organization and comfort as their top priorities in considering their next move. Demand for traditional McMansions appears to be waning as more and more people come to value intelligent design over wow factor.

“We continue to see a ‘cents and sensibilities’ approach when it comes to buying or improving a home,” said Eliot Nusbaum, Better Homes and Gardens‘ executive editor for home design. “Today’s homeowner is also looking for a home that fits the entire family?from a multi-tasking home office, to expanded storage space, to a living room that can adapt to advancements in home entertainment and technology.”

The results of this survey may influence upcoming new home designs that will go into production later in 2010 and beyond.

Other interesting findings include:

  • 36% of buyers expect that their next home will be “somewhat smaller” or “much smaller” than their current home.
  • 87% plan to have high-efficiency heating and cooling in their next home and 86% plan to have high-efficiency appliances. 24.6% want geothermal heat.
  • 48% say that green building materials and practices will be “more important” when selecting their next home.
  • 59% are interested in floor plans that incorporate space for a home office and 85% want a separate laundry room.
  • 68% want an outdoor grilling and living area.
  • A kitchen with an eating area is a priority for 67% of respondents and 62% consider comfortable family gathering space a top priority.
  • Despite an overall emphasis on downsizing, 37% are looking for a three-car or larger garage, up from 29% in 2008


 

Home Inspection Checklist for Canada

 

  • A home inspection by a qualified inspector is a vital step when buying any home. Before committing to a purchase, the homebuyer should hire a home inspector to ensure the home is in proper condition. Except in British Columbia, where licensing is required, home inspectors are not regulated in Canada. If for no other reason than that, it’s important that the homebuyer understands what she should expect from a proper home inspection.

Exterior

  • According to Griffin Home Inspection Services Inc., a Canadian home inspection company, homebuyers can expect a complete inspection of the exterior of the home and its functions. This includes the roof, exterior wall cladding, flashings and trims. It also includes anything else on the outside of a home, including doors, decks, balconies, rain gutters, retaining walls, driveways, patios, walkways, railings and steps. The final written home inspection report to the homebuyer should detail the condition of each of these things. The home inspector should inspect the roof by getting up on it—not from the ground.

Interior

  • The interior of the home, including floors, walls, ceilings, stairs, railings, the garage, countertops, cabinets, doors and windows will be inspected by the home inspector, and the conditions of each should be accurately detailed in the written report. The total time to complete a thorough home inspection is approximately two to three hours, and most of this time will be devoted to the interior and the systems of a home.

Systems

  • Homes are systems, not just walls and a roof. They have intricate components that keep them functioning, safe and healthy for the occupants. Systems examined during a home inspection include mechanical ventilation systems, air conditioning, heating, electrical systems and plumbing systems. If there’s a fireplace in the home, the chimney and flue must be inspected, as well as components of any gas fireplace or wood stove. The conditions of these systems will be detailed on the home inspection report.

Support

  • The support systems of the home will be inspected. This includes both the foundation and the framing of the home.

Repairs

  • The final written home inspection report should explain what repairs need to be made to the home, if any. Home inspectors will not perform repairs themselves. Be wary if a Canadian home inspector recommends a company to perform the repairs. This is forbidden by the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors. An appearance of conflict of interest can place the credibility of the home inspector in question.

Mold

  • Home inspectors in Canada are not required to test for mold. Mold is a frequent problem in homes, and unsuspecting homebuyers risk buying homes that pose serious health risks because of toxic mold lurking in the walls. Most home inspectors in Canada will not pull back carpeting or drywall to check for mold. A 2010 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation investigative report said the company hired five home inspectors to inspect a home infested with mold, and no inspector found it.

Homebuyers wishing to be certain the home they are considering is not infested with toxic mold may need to hire a qualified mold inspector in addition to the home inspector.
Contact FamilyLending.ca for more information.

Home Inspection Checklist for Canada | eHow.com


Step1: Is Homeownership Right For You?

 

 
So, you’ve finally decided to fulfill a lifelong dream and buy your own home… how exciting! You are ready to fulfill your dream of having a place to call your own.Buying a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you’ll ever make. Prepare by learning about the process of homebuying and the responsibilities of homeownership. The differences between renting and buying a home are vast, and there’s a long list of pros and cons for both options. And, remember — there is no one best decision for everyone. Before moving forward, though, here are some questions to consider.

  • Do you have the necessary financial management skills?
  • How financially stable are you?
  • Are you ready to take on the responsibility of all the costs involved in homeownership, including mortgage payments, repairs, and maintenance?
  • Are you able to devote the time required for home maintenance?

There are pros and cons for both renting and buying. Everyone must make his or her own best decision. Buying a home is not for everyone. Take a moment to think through the advantages and disadvantages of both owning and renting. Use this worksheet to guide you.

Read over your completed worksheet and then think carefully. Are the advantages of owning your home really bigger than the advantages of renting? Are the disadvantages of owning your own home really smaller than the disadvantages of renting?

If homeownership is for you, you must be both financially and emotionally ready. Buying a home isn’t only about money. You should listen to your heart… and take an honest look at your lifestyle.

Videos

Take a look at some other people’s experience of homebuying.

 

Source CMHC

Posted By : Robb Nelson  FamilyLending.ca

Home Prices Rise for Second Consecutive Month: Teranet

 

According to the latest numbers the correction of housing prices late in 2010 seems to have been a short-lived phenomenon, as for the second consecutive month prices increased overall in four of six Canadian metropolitan markets. 

Canadian home prices in January were up 0.4 per cent from the previous month, according to the Teranet–National Bank National Composite House Price Index. It was the second consecutive monthly rise, following on three consecutive monthly declines. January prices were up from the previous month in four of the six metropolitan markets surveyed: 0.9 per cent in Vancouver, 0.5 per cent in Toronto, 0.4 per cent in Halifax and 0.3 per cent in Montreal. Prices were down 0.6 per cent in Ottawa, a fifth straight monthly decline, and one per cent in Calgary, a fifth decline in six months.

 

“January’s price increase confirms that the correction experienced towards the end of 2010 was short-lived,” said Marc Pinsonneault, senior economist with National Bank Financial Group. “In fact, market correction is now a local phenomenon (Ottawa and Calgary). At the national level, January’s prices were still one per cent below those in August 2010, but they were 5.5 per cent above their pre-recession peak.”

 

The 12-month gain in the composite index slowed to 3.9 per cent in January, the seventh consecutive month of deceleration. The largest 12-month rise was 8.2 per cent in Halifax. The 12-month increase was 6.4 per cent in Montreal, 5.3 per cent in Ottawa, 5.1 per cent in Vancouver and 3.9 per cent in Toronto. Only in Calgary were prices down from a year earlier, by 3.4 per cent.

 

Data for February from the Canadian Real Estate Association show generally balanced conditions in major urban markets. Relative to the average, conditions in Calgary were better for buyers and conditions in Vancouver better for sellers, a finding consistent with the movement of the Teranet–National Bank indices for these markets. The Toronto market is no longer tightening. Between January 17, when the federal minister of finance announced that the maximum amortization period for an insured mortgage would be reduced to 30 years from 35 years, and March 18, the announced effective date, the resale market may have been influenced by the prospect of this change.

 

According to Pinsonneault, market conditions are currently balanced in Canada. However the situation differs among regions. Conditions look somewhat tight in Vancouver and Toronto, while they are still favourable to buyers in Calgary. While house prices are high relative to income and rents, and a reduction in the maximum amortization period for insured mortgages from 35 to 30 years took effect recently, “there is no perspective of a sudden and severe price correction in Canada, given the fact that employment is well into expansion territory,” said Pinsonneault.

Source MortgageBrokerNews.ca   
Call FamilyLending.ca for more information. 


Canadians Save by Renewing, Renegotiating Mortgages With Brokers

 

The Mortgage Broker channel in Canada is highly competitive. Research shows that consumers recently renewing their mortgages with Mortgage Brokers came out way ahead of those renewing with other channels.Maritz Research Canada recently conducted a study of 2,000 Canadians. The study focused on Canadians’ opinions of the mortgage industry and specific feedback on their mortgages and experiences with mortgage professionals.Those who renewed or renegotiated recently with a Mortgage Broker reported an average rate decrease of 1.4 per cent from posted rates, compared with 1.0 per cent among all renewers. It is easy to understand why Broker market share is 27% on early term renegotiation and has potential to grow much higher.

Just one-third of Canadians say they have a good or full understanding of the services provided by Mortgage Brokers. The importance of awareness is clear: Broker market share is roughly twice as high among those who have a good or full understanding of Broker services when compared with those who have a lesser understanding.

The findings demonstrate that Mortgage Brokers could benefit from better explaining their services to home buyers in their local communities. Satisfied clients can also help their friends and families to save on mortgage renewals and renegotiation’s, by passing on their knowledge to alleviate any uncertainty about the Broker process.
Contact FamilyLending.ca for more information.

 

Original Article from REICO