You’re ready to buy your first house! Congratulations!
 
At this point, you may be receiving advice from dozens of people - where to look, how the market is, home features you need, et cetera. However, there are still a few things you cannot forget about. The first is to recognize that buying a house is a huge accomplishment! The second is that buying a house is a serious business. This isn’t like buying a TV that you can return if it doesn’t work. Before you buy a home take a look at our 6 tips that could save you in the long run.
 
1. You Need To Work With The Right Real Estate Agent
 
There are a lot of real estate agents out there and while some are great, others aren’t. You need to do your research when picking the right real estate agent to help you find your dream home. To start, look at their Google reviews and their social media pages to see the type of homes they buy and sell. Take some time to get to know them before actually reaching out.
 
2. Stay On Budget
 
When you find the right real estate agent, develop a budget based on what you have saved for your deposit and what other funds you may need in the future. Find the perfect number and stick to it. You might find you have some wiggle room but do not go over budget! You need some money set aside in case of repairs or renovations. If the fridge breaks down a week after you move in, can you afford a new one?
 
3. You Need To Use Your Other Senses
 
When looking at homes you need to harness the power of three other senses to help you make the final decision. How does the house smell? Is it musty or fresh? Are there any unusual sounds? What does the street traffic sound like? And lastly, what do the walls, floors and surfaces feel like? Are there any bumps, dips or cracks?
 
4. Do Not Pressure Yourself
 
If you find a house you like but you’re not 100% sold, do not feel pressured to put in an offer just because you think it’s fine. A house shouldn’t be “fine”. This is your home, you need to feel comfortable here.
 
5. Love At First Sight Can Be Dangerous
 
Compared to where you are currently living, every home probably looks like “the one”. From the front steps you may become infatuated with the life you could build here, but please take a step back. When you look around a house you need to take off the rose-coloured glasses and pull out your magnifying glass. You need to ask questions, talk about the expenses and look around the neighbourhood. Do not gloss over important details because the house seems to have it all.
 
6. Find A House That Fits You Today and Tomorrow
 
First-time home buyers often only think about what they need presently. But, you do need to take into consideration what you want your future to look like and will this home help you achieve it. If you want kids but the backyard isn’t very big, will that be a problem? You love to entertain but there isn’t street parking, is the driveway big enough for guests? Make a list of what you want to do or achieve in your dream home. Then consider the list every time you walk through a house. 
 
Your first house will be a big change from your current situation. This is your space and your home. You have control over what you do here. At Knowledge Broker we want you to have that control and power throughout your real estate journey. We want to give you the tools and advice you need to find the best house for you today and tomorrow. If you have any questions on how to get started please contact us today! 

At Knowledge Broker, our goal is to create an open-source of information for all our clients. We want to ensure that, at the end of the day, they get exactly what they want and what they need. If you know someone who could use our help or services please put them in touch with us or send us their details using the contact information below.
  

JOSHUA CAMPBELL (@knowledgebrkr)
Real Estate Broker
Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre, Brokerage
joshua@knowledgebroker.ca
249 Avenue Road • Newmarket, ON L3Y 1N8
289.210.6007