Tips for First Time Home Buyers
There are so many options for first time home buyers on the market, but before you start searching for the home of your dreams, you should define your needs.
Here are some tips for first time home buyers that will help you to make your first home purschase in Vancouver.
It’s not a bad idea to make a “To Do” list and start doing casual research. Talk to your friends and family, drive through neighbourhoods, and look in the “Homes” section of the newspaper to get an idea of your likes and dislikes. Your home should fit the way you live and suit your lifestyle. Make a list of the qualities you want in your home. What size should it be and what area(s) would you consider living in? Determine what your minimum requirements are in a house. What must the house have for you to consider it? And make a “wish list” of things that are not essential, but would be nice to have.
How much can you comfortably afford? The size of the down payment you have available will largely determine the type of neighbourhood and home you choose. It’s important to be realistic when you are thinking about a down payment and setting a price range. You don’t want to be weighed down with something you can’t afford. At this stage, it’s a good idea to talk things over with a us.
Once you have set a realistic price range, you will want to think about lifestyle. Do you prefer a more central community with amenities within walking distance? Or would a newer, suburban neighbourhood suit your tastes better? What are you living space requirements? Do you run a business from your home and need an extra bedroom for an office? Do you have children or are you planning to start a family? These are all questions you should consider before you start shopping for a home.
Determining what your needs are for each living space, and having a clear picture of what you are looking for will save you and your REALTOR® time.
For example, do you enjoy cooking and entertaining? You’ll need an adequate kitchen and dining room. Do you have a special hobby that will require the use of a workshop? Do you plan to install a swimming pool, or are you an avid gardener? These factors may influence the size of property you are looking for.
Transportation is a big factor in determining what kind of lifestyle you are looking for. Do you walk, drive or take the bus to work? Do you prefer to be close to the city’s main public transportation routes, or do you mind a long commute to and from transit station?
If you have children, you will want to consider what schools are in the area. Visit the schools in the neighbourhoods that interest you, or contact the school board for more information. Look for parks, playgrounds and community centres? Are there other families with children nearby?
Recently developed suburban neighbourhoods have the luxury of new roads, sewers and amenities, and are often surrounded by undeveloped land. If you are considering a suburban neighbourhood, it’s important to find out what the city’s plans are for the surrounding areas. Will vacant fields be turned into parks or have they been zoned for commercial use? Often residential builders will have plans to build communities years before any stones are overturned. It’s a good idea to visit those builders and get an idea of what is planned for the community. You may avoid the possibility of a high-rise apartment building going up in your backyard.
Once you have narrowed down the type of
home and neighbourhood that suits your budget and lifestyle, we can
help you search for the perfect home. We will use various tools to try
and find properties that meet your specifications. One of the important search
tools will be the local MLS system. By sitting down at a computer we can key in your needs, choice of neighbourhoods and price range and immediately
come up with a list of suitable properties available through the MLS® system.
Also common are MLS® catalogues, which provide additional information about
each property, along with its photograph.