Things to consider when buying a home.

Buying a home is a big decision, especially for the first-time buyer. And once you have decided to become a homeowner there are a lot of things to consider before you actually make your purchase.

Here are some points to keep in mind. Seek the advice of a REALTOR who is a member of the Calgary Real Estate Board. As a well trained professional, the REALTOR will give you valuable assistance in determining the course to be taken when considering the following points, with the result that you will find the home that is best suited to your requirements and budget.

The good news is there is no cost to the purchaser to use our services. The seller of the home pays a fee to the listing agent and the listing agent pays the selling agent for bringing selling the home. Call us to help you with any questions or concerns you have before you view any homes.

The first thing to take into consideration is to determine what you can afford. What kind of down payment do you have? What kind of mortgage can you obtain? What kind of payments can you afford based on your current income?

One key point that first-time home buyers should be cautious of is of over or under spending. Some people spend more than they can afford and find themselves in serious financial difficulty. But equally painful is the mistake of buying the cheapest house you can find, only to suffer shortcomings for years to come.

Next on the list is location. Where do you want to live? Can you afford the neighbourhood? A REALTOR will be able to give you average house prices for the area. Examine the types of homes in the neighbourhood and see if the community suits your lifestyle. Take a look at other houses in the area and see if they are well maintained.

Buy a house as if you are buying it to sell. Features such as a driveway, even if you don’t own a car, can be an asset when you decide to sell. And even if you don’t have children, it’s still good to look for a house that is close to a school. Other features that may help you sell your home in the future include: a garage, large yard, fenced yard, and being close to shopping malls and grocery stores.

Don’t underestimate the convenience factor. Commuting to work, shopping and church may wear you down. Know the size of the home you need, or at least the number of bedrooms. This will limit your tour of houses to those best suited to your needs.

Because you can’t expect to find a house with all the features you want, you should be prepared to compromise. Make a list of priorities. You may have to trade off certain features for those you consider more important.

This shopping list will also guide you to the house that will come closest to the one that will meet your present and future needs. It will also help your REALTOR find the most suitable homes and cut down the time you will have to spend touring houses.

When you tour a home, remember first impressions mean a lot. When you enter a home, beware of the frills. Don’t let eye-catching features persuade you to buy the wrong house. Some buyers skip careful considerations of major factors because a charming fireplace, glamorous lighting fixture, or fancy interior décor caught their eye.

Conversely, you may not like the way the vendor has furnished the house or his or her level of housekeeping. Try to look past the surface features to the house itself.

Evaluate the house room by room. Is the living room large enough? Does your lifestyle make a family room a necessity? Lifestyle also determines the size of the kitchen you need. Bedroom sizes and the number of bathrooms are other important considerations.

Ask which appliances and fixtures are included. Check the basement for dryness and ask about the wiring, plumbing and heating systems.

Find out about zoning. Ask the local planning department about area development. Also, if you are thinking about future additions and improvements to your new home, find out about local bylaws.

Drive around the neighbourhood and check out community services, make sure there is adequate fire and police protection nearby and that garbage is collected regularly. Look for schools, parks and playgrounds and take a drive around the area during rush hour.

Once you have done your homework and you really feel the house is right for you, it’s time to buy.