Buying a home is a big investment – likely the largest one you will ever make. The cost to buy a home should be carefully considered to avoid the risk of financial difficulty in the future.

Since this decision has a large impact on your wallet, we want to take some time to explore the many costs associated with buying a home. Doing your homework and knowing the average cost of these services in your neighbourhood will help you choose a home within a realistic price range.

Deposit: Depending on your location and the price of a home, you may need to put a deposit on a home as a security measure to ensure you don’t lose it to another interested buyer. If you are required to pay a deposit, it will become part of your down payment once you have purchased the home.

Down Payment: In Canada, the minimum amount you need to put down on a home is 5%. While this is realistic for most first time home buyers, having a down payment of 20% or more will help buyers avoid paying Mortgage Loan Insurance.

Land Transfer Tax: When you buy a home, you are required to pay a land transfer tax to the province upon closing. This tax is normally based on the amount paid for the land, as well as the remaining amount on any mortgage or debt assumed as part of the arrangement to buy the land. Cost will vary depending on your municipality, the size of the land and other factors.  Alberta, Saskatchewan, and parts of Nova Scotia do not have Land Transfer Tax at all, while other provinces use a tiered system.

Appraisal Fee: An appraisal will normally cost between $200 and $300 but can vary depending on your location. This will help prevent you from borrowing more than you need to, and will prevent lenders from giving you too much.

Home Inspection: A home inspection is a necessary step in your home buying process and will normally cost an average of $350 depending on the size, age, and condition of the home. This helps ensure there are no unexpected maintenance or home improvement costs upon purchasing the home.

Property Insurance: While property insurance is likely already something you have factored into your budget, it’s important to do your research and find a reasonable quote that will ensure you are covered should anything unexpected happen.

Mortgage Insurance: There is mortgage life insurance, which is designed to protect the repayment of a mortgage if anything were to happen to you. There is also mortgage loan insurance if your down payment is less than 20% of the total house cost. Premiums for this type of insurance range from 0.5% to 3% and increase if you are self employed.

Lawyer Fees: The fee you will be charged by your lawyer will vary depending on the person representing you and must be paid upon closing. Ask your real estate agent for advice as they likely have a preferred trusted lawyer they can refer you to.

Title Insurance: Title insurance is a one-time-fee that provides protection from losses related to the properties title or ownership. Learn more about what it is in this blog post.

Property Taxes: The cost for property taxes is expressed as a dollar rate for every $1,000 estimated to be the market value of your property.

Maintenance and Energy Costs: Potentially your largest ongoing homeowner expense, these costs include lawn care/ yard work, professional services, additions/upgrades and the cost of keeping the house running year-round. You can use our monthly home budget planner to help map out all of these costs.

Moving Expenses: It’s easy to forget about the small things when moving, but it’s important to remember they can add up quickly! Consider the cost for phone, electricity, and other utility installations and don’t forget about movers, a moving truck and feeding your friends who are helping out!

Now that you have a better idea of the cost to buy a home, it’s time to hit the books to find out how much these services will cost in your area. Make a list, create a budget, and get started!

Download our Hidden Costs of Home Ownership guide to find out more the cost to buy a home. Looking for information on a cost not listed above? Leave a comment & we will do the research for you!

All decisions require a certain degree of planning.  To help avoid running into a financial disaster when buying your home, we’ve created a Monthly Home Budget Planner.  This tool is designed to help you consider costs before purchasing a home, and will help you gain a better understanding of all the costs you can expect to pay after the sale has gone through.

In completing your budget it’s important to consider your monthly fixed expenses such as your mortgage and insurance payment, as well as variable expenses including groceries, transportation, and uninsured health services. You also need to keep in mind how much you are spending on entertainment like dining out, vacations, and shopping expenses.

Financial institutions recommend that your total housing costs should not exceed 32% of your monthly income and this checklist will help you ensure you stay within this guideline.

How To Stick to a Budget:

Budget planning is something that is important throughout home ownership. Thankfully, technology today makes it easier than ever to stay up to date on your expenses, making it foolproof to stay within a set budget. Consider apps like Mint, MoneyWise, or Expensify to help track expenses and act as an online home budget planner.

Now that you have the tools you need, it’s time to get started. Remember to be honest when creating your budget – even if it means you’re forced to admit you likely don’t need to buy that five dollar coffee each morning!

As a potential new homeowner, we’re here to bring you back to the days of chalkboards and textbooks to remind you of the importance of doing your homework to help make the most of your real estate investment. By following these tips, you will have a deeper understanding of the different types of mortgages so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to choose the right one for you.

Do Your Credit Report Homework

Before you start applying for your mortgage, be proactive and get a copy of your credit report. Once you have it, thoroughly check for errors and other items which may need to be addressed. Since your ability to get a desired mortgage rate largely depends on the information contained in your credit report, it’s important for you to ensure that all the information is correct.

Get Organized

Prepare the necessary documents in advance. This will save you time and ensure a smooth application process. Depending on the type of mortgage you’re applying for and your employment situation, various documents may be necessary. Use this TD checklist to identify some of the paperwork you may need to begin collecting.

Get the Stamp of Pre-approval

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage helps you understand how much you can borrow before going through the mortgage application process. This is an important step as it will influence your decision on the upper price limit of your house purchase, and will provide some realistic boundaries before diving head first into the process.

Consider the Future

Your mortgage should be planned in accordance with your future. Your plans may change, but the end goal should always be to reduce financial risks. Think about how long you’re planning on staying in the house, whether or not you should consider saving for a larger down payment, and how much of a risk you are willing to take.

Inform Yourself

It’s important to be well informed prior to applying for a mortgage. Understanding the options and procedures involved with buying real estate will be hugely beneficial to your plans and finances. See below for a better understanding of the different mortgage types.

• Conventional Mortgage: If you have 20% or more as a down payment on the property, your bank lender will offer you a conventional mortgage.
• High Ratio Mortgage: This type of mortgage will allow you to borrow more than 80% of the property’s purchase price. Keep in mind that with this option, you will also have to pay mortgage loan default insurance.
• Vendor Take-Back Mortgage: While this is not the most common type of mortgage, it means that the seller helps the buyer purchase the property using a portion of the purchase price. This type of mortgage is more common when interest rates are higher.
• Assumable Mortgage: This type of mortgage allows the buyer to take over the same monthly payments at the same interest rate the seller was paying until the term is completed. At that point, the buyer will need to qualify for a new mortgage.
• Blanket Mortgage: This type of mortgage is restricted to housing co-ops in most cases, and occasionally condos. With this type of mortgage, the owners of the units will pay their own portion of the mortgage either by qualifying for a portion of the blanket mortgage, or by obtaining their own mortgage.
• Portable Mortgage: A portable mortgage allows you to transfer the mortgage from one property to another without penalty

Being well informed and educated on the mortgage application process is important when it comes time for you to apply. Understanding your options will be greatly beneficial seeing as this is one of the most important steps in your home buying journey. We’ve created a downloadable resource to help guide you through the application process and get you set on your journey to home ownership.

If you have questions about applying for your mortgage, or the different options available to you, make sure you reach out to your RE/MAX agent who will be able to help.

As a potential new home owner, we’re here to remind you of the importance of doing your homework to help make the most of your real estate investment. By following these top mortgage application tips, you will be one step closer to making a good investment and having your dream home become a reality.

Do Your Credit Report Homework

Before you start applying for your mortgage, be proactive and get a copy of your credit report. Once you have it, thoroughly check for errors and other items which may need to be addressed. Since your ability to get a desired mortgage rate largely depends on the information contained in your credit report, it’s important for you to ensure that all the information is correct.

Get Organized

Prepare the necessary documents in advance. This will save you time and ensure a smooth application process. Depending on the type of mortgage you’re applying for and your employment situation, various documents may be necessary. Use this TD checklist to identify some of the paperwork you may need to begin collecting.

Get the Stamp of Pre-approval

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage helps you understand how much you can borrow before going through the mortgage application process. This is an important step as it will influence your decision on the upper price limit of your house purchase, and will provide some realistic boundaries before diving head first into the process.

Consider the Future

Your mortgage should be planned in accordance with your future. Your plans may change, but the end goal should always be to reduce financial risks. Think about how long you’re planning on staying in the house, whether or not you should consider saving for a larger down payment, and how much of a risk you are willing to take.

Inform Yourself

It’s important to be well informed prior to applying for a mortgage. Understanding the options and procedures involved with buying real estate will be hugely beneficial to your plans and finances. Your mortgage is a long-term commitment, and like all big decisions, it needs to be researched and well thought out ahead of time.

Buying a home is a big undertaking, and all aspects should be carefully considered before any decisions are made. Not only do you want to find your dream home, but you want to do it within a reasonable budget. In hopes of staying within that budget, you may decide to cut some corners by carefully analyzing the things you want over the things you need.

In making these decisions, you may decide to skip using a Buyer’s Agent. Is this a good decision? No. Here’s why:

• It’s free! The cost of using a Buyer’s Agent is covered by the seller out of the sale of their home. This means that choosing to use an agent will not only make your home buying journey much easier, but it won’t add a single penny to your budget.
• A Buyer’s Representation Agreement is what an agent will use to define the nature of your relationship and ensure they represent your best interests.
• If you are buying during a high volume period like the spring or fall, there will likely be a high level of inventory for you to choose from. Your agent will help you create a wish list and filter through all of the current listings to help you find your dream home.
• Your agent is an expert in their area. They will help you navigate through comparable properties, location advantages/disadvantages, and pros & cons of transportation options in the area.
• When it comes time to put in an offer, your agent will help you come up with a strategy and implement that strategy to ensure your success.
• Negotiation is a skill your agent will have perfected and is one that will help you get the best deal, and possibly beat out other potential buyers in a multiple offer situation.

Hopefully we’ve convinced you of the benefits of a hiring a Buyer’s Agent. So, why should you choose a RE/MAX Agent?

The answer to this question is simple. RE/MAX Agents have a reputation of being the most trusted, high producing agents in the industry. They are the best in the business selling 1 in every 3 homes in Canada and will ensure you are taken care of throughout the home buying journey.

There are many things you can change and upgrade in a home. One of the only exceptions to that rule is location. It is important for you to choose a location that not only fits your needs, but also is in a community you would feel comfortable calling home.

When beginning your home search, it might be easy to get distracted by the features of a home, but it is extremely important to take time to think about where you would like to live, before you can dive deeper into the type of home you would like to live in. Fortunately, we have put together a five-step guide to help navigate you through this very important step of your home buying journey.

Step 1: Urban Vs Suburban

There are pros and cons to living in both, but one important factor is the cost of living in each location. If you prefer to live in the city, look at all your options to see what your budget will get you in the city, versus what it will get you in the suburbs. After weighing both options, the question remains, Urban vs. Suburban?

Step 2: Explore the Neighbourhood:

Depending on if you are a young professional, are raising a young family, or are downsizing, you are likely looking for a likeminded community and neighbourhood where you will fit in. While conducting online research is a great place to start, nothing is better than first hand experience. These tips will help you choose the perfect neighbourhood.

Step 3: Research Proximity to Work and School

Did you know that many Canadians feel that the time it takes to get to work is often as important as the job itself? According to the survey, commute time could be a deciding factor in choosing one job over another, and the same applies for choosing the location of your home. When choosing a neighbourhood, take some time to research the proximity to work and schools. Don’t forget to use the Travel Time calculator on the search page of remax.ca to help you take the guesswork out of choosing a location.

Step 4: Think About Family & Friends

Finding the right locations means considering your distance to family and friends, and how long it will take you to get to them. If a new location will mean you are further away from the people closest to you, you must consider if it is still the right option for you.

Step 5: Look Into Crime Rates

One of the main reasons your house feels like home is because as soon as you walk through the door, you feel safe. Getting a good understanding of what happens in the neighbourhood you are considering moving to can easily be done by conducting research on the crime rates in that area, compared to the other areas you are considering.

Your Real Estate Agent is also a great resource for information on the many neighbourhoods within a city.  Once you’ve decided on a general area, you can search for an RE/MAX Agent by city on remax.ca.

Although you may just be starting your search for your dream home, this is one of the most important steps that cannot be taken lightly. Dive deeper into the five steps you need to consider when choosing your dream neighbourhood by downloading “Choosing the Perfect Location in 5 Steps” from the RE/MAX Ultimate Home Buyers Guide.

When looking for a place to call home, it’s easy to get sidetracked by thinking with your heart rather than your head. Although it takes less than seven seconds to make a first impression, a quick decision could lead to an unavoidable case of buyer’s remorse. In order to avoid this, we have listed a checklist for the top ten house hunting tips you need to know before you attend a viewing.

1. Location: There are many things that can be changed, upgraded, or improved after you have purchased a home, but the location isn’t one of them. You need to think about the proximity to work, schools, and other attractions you frequently visit and also research any new developments or upcoming changes to the area in the future.
2. Smells: While air fresheners and open windows can clear out certain scents, it’s important to pay attention in order to sniff out other potential issues. For example, if you notice a damp smell, it could mean the home has poor ventilation or issues with mold.
3. Even Floors: Noticing a slanted floor is one of the major hints that there could be a large structural issue with the home. If you do notice something, you can ask your Agent to inquire with the owners or make note of it for the home inspection if you decide to go that far in the purchase process.
4. Lighting: Natural lighting is something that is often overlooked in your house hunt, especially if you are viewing a home at night, or in the middle of winter. Think about how important natural lighting is to you, and plan your viewing times around when the lighting will be optimal.
5. Shape & Size of Rooms: It is important to take a good look at the layout to make sure not only you but also your furniture can fit comfortably in the space.
6. Parking: Is there enough space for everyone in your household to park or will this become an added expense? Additionally, if there is parking available, will your vehicle fit?
7. Laundry: If there is laundry in the home, you need to make sure it is in an accessible location. If there is no laundry, is it in a convenient location you can easily get to with or without a car?
8. Storage Space: Depending on how creative you can get with your storage, you will want to make sure that there is enough room to store your belongings without things becoming cluttered or unliveable.
9. It looks perfect, but are you missing something? Professional staging can sometimes fool buyers into thinking a property is perfect while diverting their eyes away from potential issues. Don’t let the professional décor and scent of fresh baked cookies take your attention away from the things that matter.
10. Assess the Kitchen and Bathrooms: The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most costly rooms in a home. Make sure you pay special attention to these rooms to avoid getting stuck with unwanted repairs or updates after purchasing the home.

While a home inspection will help advise you of any potential issues, it is still a good idea to pay attention to these things in the initial stages of your home search. This will also help ensure you don’t waste money on unnecessary home inspections.

Now that you know what to look for, how do you keep track of it all? Lucky for you, we’ve created a House Hunting Comparison Worksheet to help you track the pros and cons of each home you visit!

You just walked through a brand new listing, and are now a firm believer in love at first sight. From the moment you walked through the front door, you knew it had to be yours. The walk-in closet, open concept plan, and luxurious backyard were exactly what you’ve been dreaming of and may have been enough to make you overlook the leaking faucet in the bathroom and strange smell coming from the basement.

Sometimes when viewing a home, it is easy to let staging get the best of us. We get so caught up in the pretty wrapping that we forget to look inside to see what makes the home tick.

It is a classic example of never judging a book by its cover, and can be easily solved with a home inspection. When buyers put in an offer, there is the option to insert a home inspection clause. When you hire a professional home inspector, you can save yourself time, stress, and avoid potential financial risk by proactively identifying any issues within the inner workings of the home. The home inspector will do a visual inspection of the structure and components of the home to ensure everything is performing correctly and is in safe working condition. The home inspector will pay special attention to the following areas of the home:

• Roof
• Ventilation
• Fireplace
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Appliances
• Exterior
• HVAC
• Structure

How Much Does an Inspection Cost?

The cost of a home inspection will vary depending on factors including the age, size, and location of the home. Always make sure you choose your home inspector carefully by doing your research and taking a close look at their qualifications and credentials. Choosing a reputable inspector could save you from running into unplanned and often costly issues in your new home.

Ask your me for a list of recommended Home Inspectors in your area. We’ve also created a Home Inspection Checklist for you to take with you when viewing homes. This easy to complete checklist will allow you to do an initial inspection of the home upon your first viewing and will be a good reminder to help you look beyond just the staging.

Choosing to buy a home requires you to make a lot of decisions. You may need to decide on location and the type of house you want, whether or not you will do any renovations, and which Real Estate Lawyer you will hire to close the sale and give you the keys to your new home. So how do you find the best Real Estate Lawyer? Fortunately, we have provided some tips to help you make at least one of the many decisions that come with buying a home!

Your Real Estate Agent is there to help guide and advise you through most aspects of the home buying process, but it is a Real Estate Lawyer who will help you navigate through all the legal requirements. In the RE/MAX Ultimate Home Buyers Guide, we have provided you with an Interview Checklist that lists all the questions you need to ask to ensure your potential lawyer has the experience and qualifications that will best fit your needs.

The Real Estate Lawyer Interview Checklist will help you get answers to the following questions:

• How long have you been practicing law?
• How long have you been involved with real estate law?
• Where did you graduate?
• How long have you worked on real estate in this province?
• Have you dealt with similar cases before?
• How long will you proceed with my case?
• Will anyone else be working on my case?
• How will I be billed?

It is important you choose a Real Estate Lawyer you not only trust, but one you can understand and easily work with to ensure all legal matters in the home buying process are properly taken care of. Before you meet with a Real Estate Lawyer, download the guide and equip yourself with the questions you will want to ask in that first meeting.

There is nothing like receiving a handwritten note from a loved one, delivered the old fashioned way directly to your mailbox. Sure, bills, letters, cards and more can easily and more efficiently be accessed online, but where is the fun in that?

You have nearly reached the end of your home buying journey, and although the road has been long and winding, you have reached the final stage! Your fingers are itching to dive into unpacking and settling into your new home, but first you need to let your family, friends, companies, and government agencies know where they can reach you.

For family and friends, you can easily send a change of address card via mail or email, but there are a few more steps when it comes to informing government agencies.

• Click here to change your address with the Canada Revenue Agency
• Contact your local Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transportation to find out how to change your address on your health card and drivers license.
• You can easily change your address by visiting the Canada Post website or at your local post office.
• If applicable, it is important to change your address for the Employment Insurance program that you can easily do here.

This may seem like a daunting task, but fortunately, we have a tool that will help! Our Change of Address Notification Worksheet will help you ensure that the right people are informed, and no one is left behind. Once everyone has been informed, you can go back to unpacking and organizing, and can rest easy knowing that your friends and family will be able to easily find you to wish you well in your new home.

You cleaned, re-organized, and staged your home in preparation for the iconic red, white and blue sign to be planted firmly on your front lawn. In the time it took to sell, you found your dream home, crossed all the “t’s” dotted the “I’s” and began the countdown until the keys to your new home are in your hand. The day has finally arrived, which means you have one last challenge to face: Moving Day!

Whether you’re a first time buyer moving into your first home, upgrading to accommodate your growing family, or even downsizing, moving can be a stressful experience.

In an ideal world, planning for your move six weeks in advance will help you ensure you are well prepared come moving day. Allowing yourself plenty of time will give you the chance to sort through your belongings and determine which items will be making the move with you, and which ones will be the newest addition to your local landfill. If there is a time to get rid of the coffee table from your dorm room, or the bedroom suite that has seen better days, now is it. Here are a few additional moving tips that will make your life much easier!

• Pack the items you will need first in a clear plastic bin
• Pack your plates vertically so they are less likely to break
• Take a photo of how you electronics are connected so you can know where the wires go
• Wrap your breakables in clothing to save on bubble wrap
• Keep your glassware safe by packing it with clean socks

Whether this is your first move, or you have moved so many times you are an unofficial expert on the topic, anything to make this potentially stressful day a little easier can make or break the overall success of your moving day. Fortunately, our printable moving checklist is here to help!

From the tasks you need to check off six weeks in advance, to the two-week countdown, right down to moving day, this moving checklist will help you ensure you are not only well prepared, but that your move is easy and stress free so you can enjoy the first day in your new home.