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Dreaming of Home Ownership? A Toronto Realtor Shares Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

Anya stands in front of Bosley Real Estate sign
Anya (@aserealty)

Buying a home can be an exciting-yet-intimidating process, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not possible. If purchasing a home is part of your plan, however, it’s important to do your research and think strategically if you want to make the experience as smooth as possible. With this in mind, Toronto realtor Anya Ettinger @aserealty shared her top-three tips for first-time home buyers on Slice.ca’s TikTok

So, before you start dreaming of the perfect floor plan or how you’re going to decorate your new work-from-home office space, check out Anya’s advice for first-time home buyers below.

 

@slicedotca Budget for the house AND those avocados 🥑 @aserealty #homeownership #realtortok #homebuying #realtorlife ♬ original sound – Wendlo


See also: This is the average net worth for Canadians — ranked by age.

Tip 1: Get pre approved

A mortgage pre-approval may not be the most fun or glamorous step in the home-buying process, but it’s essential.

Before you start looking at potential properties, be sure to speak with a mortgage broker to set your budget. As Anya explains, “without knowing your budget, it’s nearly impossible to actually look at properties.”

Related: Want to buy a home in Toronto or Vancouver? You need to make more than $220K: new data.

Tip 2: Keep your expectations realistic

As much as it’s important to dream big, it’s also important to look at your home-buying situation realistically if you want to avoid undue disappointment.

For example, if you live in a city where you currently need at least a million dollars for a detached home, but you’re working with a $600K budget, spending hours looking at listings for million-plus houses won’t do you any favours.

“Make sure that you are aware of the market that you are buying in — and what your budget can reasonably get you in that market,” Anya explains. 

See also: This is How She Does It: Vancouver millennial became a homeowner before 25.

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Tip 3: Make sure your deposit is ‘liquid’

While searching for a home can sometimes take a long time, things can also move really quickly if you find the right property. With this in mind, it’s important that you’re able to access your deposit (i.e. that it’s “liquid” and on hand) should you need it right away. 

For example, Anya explains, if the funds you plan to use are currently stored in an RRSP or investment account and it will take a few business days to liquidate, “that needs to be done before you put in an offer.”

You may also like: These women-owned businesses are some of the coolest spots in Toronto.

Bonus tip: find the right realtor for you

Buying your first home is one of (if not the most) important purchases you’ll ever make — so it’s a good idea to take some time to make sure you have the right realtor for you on your team.

Anya’s advice? Find a realtor who is knowledgeable in the market you’re buying in — and who you also connect with and feel comfortable with.

See also: This is how Tiffany Haddish spent her ‘Girls Trip’ paycheque (hint: she’s creating generational wealth).



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