Buying your first home in Ontario

What happens first?

Before you fall for a kitchen, work out what the whole move would cost. A lender can assess financing; you decide what payment leaves enough room for your ordinary week. Chris can help turn that budget and your priorities into a useful search.

Write a search brief you can actually use.

Separate essentials from preferences. A second bedroom you need for work is different from a paint colour you can change. Try the journeys you make often and compare the complete ownership cost. A lower asking price can describe a home that needs more work.

Take this checklist to a viewing.

Listing photos help you choose a visit. At the home, look at how you would use it and write down anything that needs investigation. Your viewing notes do not replace a professional inspection or document review.

• Walk the rooms with your furniture, storage and daily routines in mind.
• Check the parking, entrance, stairs and space you will actually use.
• Ask about the age, maintenance and ownership of major equipment.
• Note signs of moisture, repairs or alterations to discuss with an inspector.
• Ask which appliances, fixtures and rental items are included or excluded.
• Test the route to the station, work or regular commitments at a relevant time.
• For a condo, ask about fees and the documents your lawyer needs.
• For a rural property, identify water, sewage and access questions before choosing inspection scopes.

Understand the offer before you sign.

Have Chris explain the choices in the proposed agreement and bring legal questions to your lawyer. Know the deposit deadline and the source of those funds. Discuss appropriate financing, inspection and document-review conditions. A pre-approval does not settle every property or financing question.

• Confirm the purchase price, deposit, completion date and included items.
• Understand the conditions, their wording and their deadlines.
• Ask your lawyer about anything you do not understand in the agreement.
• Confirm lender requirements for this property before giving up protection.

• RECO: buyer checklist and financing cautions

Plan for the weeks after the keys.

Keep enough cash for setup, immediate repairs and a reserve. Organise insurance, utilities and moving with the actual possession arrangements in mind. Make a first-year maintenance list so the exciting part has a practical plan behind it.