Home Buying Team

Aside from you and your family, a lot of

people are involved in buying a home.

Some-like your lender and lawyer-are

often an essential part of the process. Without

them, buying a home would be nearly impossible.

Regardless of who is on your home buying team,

it's up to you to make sure they look after your

interests and meet your needs.

A good real estate representative can advise you

on current market conditions, what price offers are

realistic, and which conditions to add when making

an offer to purchase. Plus, they can save you time and trouble by showing

you only those homes

or neighbourhoods

that suit your

requirements and

budget. So when

discussing your

needs with a realtor,

be as specific as

possible about the kind

of home you're looking

for-and your price range.

To help you finance the purchase of a home, you

will need a mortgage. An ever-increasing range of

mortgage types, terms, and rates are available, so be

sure to look at what's on offer from a variety of

lenders, including banks, trust companies, credit

unions, pension funds, insurance companies, finance

companies, and mortgage brokers.

Hiring a lawyer is a good way to ensure that your

legal interests are protected. Your lawyer will review

any contracts you need to sign, especially the Offer

to Purchase, to make sure that all documents say

exactly what you intend.

If you're buying a new home, are custom-building

your house, or are carrying out extensive

renovations, you may need to deal with a builder or

contractor. To ensure their quality and credibility,

ask for references, talk to previous customers about

their work, and visit other housing developments

they've worked on. You can also check with Tarion,

Ontario's Home Warranty Corporation. Find out if

they are a member of the local home builders'

association or ask for a provincial license number to

ensure your contractor is registered.