Buying your first home

Buying your first home is exciting, and it can also feel like a lot. The good news is that it gets much easier when you take it one step at a time. Here is how I guide my first-time buyers through it.

1. Find out what you can afford

Start with a conversation with a mortgage broker or lender. They will look at your income, savings and debts and give you a comfortable price range. It is a quick step, and it shapes everything that follows.

2. Get pre-approved

Knowing your budget is a great start, but a pre-approval goes further. You formally apply for a mortgage and receive a written commitment from a lender. When you find a home at or under your approved amount, the seller knows right away that you are serious, and you will not fall in love with homes that are out of reach. The cost is usually minimal, and it makes your offer much stronger.

3. Write two lists: needs and wants

Your needs are the things you cannot do without, like the number of bedrooms your family needs, or a single-level home if stairs are a concern.

Your wants are the nice-to-haves, like a den, a view or a garage. Most first homes will not tick every box on the wish list, and that is okay. These two lists keep your search focused and make decisions much easier.

4. Have someone in your corner

Work with your own REALTOR®, someone who represents you as the buyer, not the seller. In B.C. this is set out in a written agreement, so you know exactly how I work for you and what I will look after along the way.

5. Stay organized

After a few viewings, homes start to blur together. Keep everything in one place:

• A map or saved search with your favourite neighbourhoods marked
• A list of every home you have seen
• Quick notes from each viewing
• Photos of the homes you tour, so you remember your favourites and the features you loved

6. Picture yourself living there

As you walk through, imagine each room empty, then with your own furniture in it. Does the layout work for the way you live? Is there enough natural light? Is there room to grow?

7. Use your head as well as your heart

When you find a home you love, take a breath and check it against your needs list. Does it truly work for you? There will always be other homes, so there is no need to rush into a decision you might regret.

8. Protect yourself before you commit

A little care now can save you a lot later. Before your purchase is final, make sure you:

• Include subjects in your written offer, such as financing and inspection, and a review of strata documents for a condo or townhome
• Have the home inspected by a qualified professional inspector
• Book a final walk-through within 24 hours of completion
• Confirm nothing has changed since your offer was accepted, such as an included fixture being swapped for a lesser one

You do not have to do this alone

If all of this feels like a lot, that is exactly what I am here for. I will keep track of the details, explain each step as we go and make sure you feel confident from your first viewing to the day you get your keys.