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Any tips for first time house buyer?

keys8014

Hero Member
Feb 4, 2021
313
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Our house income is on lows, ~$80,000 per year. But will increase soon.

We are currently renting 2 rooms for $1300 in toronto, everything included, (lot of people said this is cheap), but its basement rooms.

We are planning to buy a house, even townhouse is fine. In GTA or outside GTA, not too far from GTA.

Our credit score is above 800.

Is there a guide for first time house buyers? Any tips from senior members here?
 

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,587
13,518
Our house income is on lows, ~$80,000 per year. But will increase soon.

We are currently renting 2 rooms for $1300 in toronto, everything included, (lot of people said this is cheap), but its basement rooms.

We are planning to buy a house, even townhouse is fine. In GTA or outside GTA, not too far from GTA.

Our credit score is above 800.

Is there a guide for first time house buyers? Any tips from senior members here?
How big of a downpayment do you have?
 

mattjp1

Hero Member
Jul 23, 2017
549
152
Plan in some buffer for interest rates hikes to come. Bank of Canada might announce 0.5% increase today, probably more to come although noone knows to what extend. That will increase the interests you pay on your mortgage. Make sure you are not stretched too much on whatever rate the bank gives you and make sure you can take the payments if the rate goes up to 4, 5 6% (which might or not happen in the future, noone knows).
 
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GuyanaGirl

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Jul 4, 2016
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Go to a bank and get pre qualified before looking . They will help you understand how much you can realistically afford. Take time to pick your realtor who will understand your needs and budget . Most realtors will want to ensure you are prequalified before meeting
 

ethelstan

Full Member
Sep 16, 2016
28
10
Our house income is on lows, ~$80,000 per year. But will increase soon.

We are currently renting 2 rooms for $1300 in toronto, everything included, (lot of people said this is cheap), but its basement rooms.

We are planning to buy a house, even townhouse is fine. In GTA or outside GTA, not too far from GTA.

Our credit score is above 800.

Is there a guide for first time house buyers? Any tips from senior members here?
The rule of thumb is income x 5 is the maximum mortgage you can afford. So $80K * 5 = $400K.

A decent 1BR+DEN in GTA (Say Vaughan, Mississauga, North York) probably runs you closer to $600K. So you should have about $200K saved up at this point.

Pay attention to property tax, condo maintenance fee, transfer tax (1 time), legal cost.

With that said, go to a mortgage broker and get pre-qualified.
 

cangar

Member
May 18, 2018
17
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Our house income is on lows, ~$80,000 per year. But will increase soon.

We are currently renting 2 rooms for $1300 in toronto, everything included, (lot of people said this is cheap), but its basement rooms.

We are planning to buy a house, even townhouse is fine. In GTA or outside GTA, not too far from GTA.

Our credit score is above 800.

Is there a guide for first time house buyers? Any tips from senior members here?
@keys8014
This is Garima.I have been helped by this forum many times for so manyyears.It would be great if I could help back someone.Please let me know what kind of housing are you looking for.
 

prseeker2017

Star Member
Jun 18, 2017
86
23
@keys8014
This is Garima.I have been helped by this forum many times for so manyyears.It would be great if I could help back someone.Please let me know what kind of housing are you looking for.
Any new/ precon townhomes/ semi detached available for 850k in Oakville/ Mississauga/ Milton/ Halton?
 

zabrodov

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Sep 19, 2018
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Plan in some buffer for interest rates hikes to come. Bank of Canada might announce 0.5% increase today, probably more to come although noone knows to what extend. That will increase the interests you pay on your mortgage. Make sure you are not stretched too much on whatever rate the bank gives you and make sure you can take the payments if the rate goes up to 4, 5 6% (which might or not happen in the future, noone knows).
It's done automatically. When the OP will apply for mortgage, he will have to pass the stress test anyway.
 
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zabrodov

Hero Member
Sep 19, 2018
655
362
Gatineau
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Montreal
NOC Code......
4163
App. Filed.......
11-11-2018
AOR Received.
11-11-2018
File Transfer...
24-01-2019
Passport Req..
02-08-2019
LANDED..........
02-09-2019
Is there a guide for first time house buyers? Any tips from senior members here?
Move out of GTA, so that you could afford a decent place with your budget. Are you tied to your current location jobwise?

Try to avoid condos as condo/association fees can easily add up to the half of your mortgage
 

steaky

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Nov 11, 2008
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You need to carefully choose a realtor, that's really important. Also, when you'll get to the renovation of your house, think about the specialists you'll work with and check their portfolios. You can even imagine how long it took me to find Kitchen Cabinets for Sale king of prussia , and I wasn't even that picky. But at least I don't regret working with them at all.
You should post in a German forum.
 

Norma Walton

Newbie
Sep 7, 2022
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Toronto
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Our house income is on lows, ~$80,000 per year. But will increase soon.

We are currently renting 2 rooms for $1300 in toronto, everything included, (lot of people said this is cheap), but its basement rooms.

We are planning to buy a house, even townhouse is fine. In GTA or outside GTA, not too far from GTA.

Our credit score is above 800.

Is there a guide for first time house buyers? Any tips from senior members here?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best tips for first time house buyers will vary depending on your personal financial situation and geographic location. However, some general advice for first time home buyers includes:
1) Start by assessing your needs and wants, and then create a budget that reflects those priorities.
2) Make sure you are familiar with the different types of mortgages available, and consult with a mortgage broker to find the best option for you.
3) Have a down payment saved up, as this will help you qualify for a mortgage.
4) Be prepared for unexpected costs – such as repairs or maintenance – that may arise after purchasing your home. On my website, I have a blog post titled "Eight Tips for First-Time Home Buyers in the GTA." You can visit Norma Walton's website if you'd like.