7 Steps from Rent to First Home

Many people put off home-ownership, spending years renting and paying their landlord's mortgage when they could have been growing their personal assets. When is the best time to get into the Vancouver market? As soon as you can.

As the saying goes; You're going to pay someone's mortgage, might as well pay yours.

So how do you get there?

Step 1 Captain, My Captain 

Start Building Your All-Star Team of Professionals by Finding a Realtor. The most important advisor in the process of securing your first home will be your Realtor. They need to be knowledablge, professional, approachable and above all else; easy to communicate with. You'll have many questions and you want someone that will not only have the answers BUT will have the time to walk you through them. 

Step 2 

Get your finances in order. Do you have enough to cover a down payment and closing costs? Are you using a gift or inheritance from family? Have you updated your budget? Now is the time to have those conversations to see what you have to bring to the table for the next step;

**Did you know that First-Time Homebuyers can withdraw up to $35,000 from their RRSPs to put towards their downpayment?

MORE INFO --> Governent of Canada Home Buyer's Plan

Step 3 Get Pre-Approved.

The next person on your team should be your mortgage broker. You can work with a mortgage advisor at your bank or a mortgage broker. An advisor at your bank represents only the products their bank offers while a mortgage broker has access to many different lenders (including most financial institutions). Mortgage brokers are able to shop around to find you the best rate especially for folks that are self-employed or have less standard income streams. Availability and responsiveness is also very crucial with this part of your team.

Should you not have a broker in mind, I will send you a list of my trusted mortgage partners.

Step 4- Needs, Wants and Nopes

Now that you have a budget it's time to come up with your lists.

One of the best parts about Real Estate for me is that there are all different strokes for all different folks. Which is why modern homes downtown sell just as much as character homes in East Van! Most homeowners should plan to be in their home for at least 5years so you should also be looking at that 5 year plan for you and your family when bulding these lists. 

Needs are your deal makers, without these you won't make an offer on a home. 

Wants are your deal sweetners, nice perks but you can live without them for at least another 5 years.

Nopes are your deal breakers, you'd rather keep renting than compromise on these.

Step 5-You're an Active Buyer 

Hit the concrete (bring your slip ons, laces will only slow you down) and start looking at homes. Seeing homes in person is where you'll start refining your needs, wants and nopes. The average home buyer looks at more than 5 properties before finding a home they love enough to write an offer.

Step 6- Make an Offer

You've found the home that meets all of your needs and you're ready to make an offer.

This is where an excellent Realtor and mortgage broker team will help you by using proven strategies to present a competitive offer and negotiate on your behalf to secure you a property with favourable terms.

Step 7- Accepted Offer and Completion

Your mortgage broker and Realtor will walk you through every step from the accepted offer date to completion date (the date money is exchanged for title of your first property) and possession date (when we hand you the keys!)

What's in your way?