Home Buying Goals? 5 New Year’s Resolutions to Keep
Get prepped the right way.
If home buying is on your to-do list next year, there are some tasks to tackle before you hit the streets. Admittedly, many of these New Year’s Resolutions relate to finances, and rightly so. A home is likely the biggest investment you’ll make in your lifetime, so here are five New Year’s Resolutions that you’ll definitely want to keep this year.
START SAVING FOR YOUR DOWNPAYMENT
This is arguably the biggest, most difficult and most time-consuming part of the home buying process. Think about it – the average home in Canada is in the half-million range. To avoid taking out a high-ratio mortgage, you’ll need at least 20 per cent as a down payment, or $100,000. It’s important to start thinking about how you will come up with the money – whether it’s using your RRSPs through the first-time Home Buyers’ Plan, savings, or financial help from the Bank of Mom and Dad.
CHECK YOUR CREDIT RATING
This one’s important, because your potential mortgage lender will be doing the same. A credit score is a number between 300 and 900 that rates your creditworthiness. According to credit-rating company Equifax, a score of 690 or higher is considered “good.” Lenders will use this score in tandem with other factors, such as your debt-to-income ratio, to determine mortgage eligibility.
CREDIT CLEAN-UP
Remember that phone bill you forgot to pay a couple of years ago? It can come back to haunt you. Even a one-day-late payment is still considered “late,” and can negatively affect your credit rating – and your potential to qualify for a favorable mortgage. If you’re not happy with your credit score, take some time to bring it up to par before you start the pre-qualification process.
GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE
You’ll want to take advantage of this low interest-rate environment, while you still can. Interest rates will rise sooner or later (some argue sooner!) so getting pre-approved for a mortgage will lock in your rate for up to 120 days. A mortgage pre-approval is not an obligation to purchase in this time fame, nor are you committed to that particular lender. It’s just a written confirmation of your lending amount and the promised rate, allowing you to shop with confidence within a budget you know you can afford.
START SHOPPING
Online is a good place to start your search, but nothing beats first-hand experience. With budget in mind, bundle up and hit the streets to explore different neighborhoods and the amenities you’ll have access to. Do you rely on public transit? Is an active night life important to you? Daycares and schools? Parks and rec? Highway access? How close (or far!) do you want to be from family and your workplace? Think about your day-to-day needs and anticipate how they might change over time.
Last but not least… work with the right real estate agent who has experience in the area and the type of home you plan to purchase. They will make setting up viewings easy and be ready and, on your side, to negotiate the best price when it comes time to finally make an offer.