(Part 1) For most Canadians, buying a home is the single largest financial transaction they will ever encounter and it's critical that prospective homebuyers prepare themselves before they start their search. This week we look at the some tips for those navigating the home buying process:
1. Know what you can afford. A mortgage pre-approval offers peace of mind by helping you determine the price range of homes you can shop for and the maximum mortgage you can afford. Remember that final mortgage approval is also based on your information and the property that is to be mortgaged.
2. Lock-in a mortgage rate before you begin shopping for a home. Many financial institutions will lock-in a rate for up to 120 days when pre-approving potential borrowers for a mortgage. Remember to renew the 120-day period if mortgage rates fall during this time, or better yet let an Invis mortgage professional do this for you.
3. Be specific about your lifestyle needs. Remember to consider not just the home itself but the property as a whole, including the neighbourhood and its proximity to work, shopping, restaurants, and other important places you'll be spending your time at.
4. Don't confuse an appraisal with a home inspection - you need both! An appraisal determines the worth of the property by estimating the market value of the land and building. A home inspection inspects the adequacy and condition of the building and all major systems.
5. Place conditions on your offer. Conditions provide you with the flexibility of withdrawing your offer if you are unable to obtain the necessary financing, or if the inspection reveals structural problems with the home. Even with pre-approval, homebuyers who make an offer without conditions do so at their own risk.