If you’re thinking of buying   your first home or upgrading to a new one, the inventory of homes on the   market come Spring is definitely plentiful – providing for a great selection   of homes to serve your unique needs.

Still, there are also generally more people out looking at   homes in the Spring as well. And while some homebuyers feel anxious about   securing their dream home as soon as possible, it’s important to take the   time to be patient and make sure the home is a good fit for you and your   family.

After all, home-buying is likely the largest investment you’ll   ever make, and doing your due diligence when determining which house to buy   ensures that fewer surprises arise after your moving day.

Following are three top considerations to keep in mind when   looking for your new home this Spring:

1.   Get preapproved for a mortgage. Not only will this step help you compete   against other buyers who have not been preapproved, but it will also ensure   you only look at home’s within your price range – saving you the trouble of   falling in love with a home you can’t afford. Your mortgage broker or lender   will be able to get you preapproved before you start browsing homes.
2.   Think about what you need. Jotting down specifics regarding what you   “need” in a home – as opposed to what you “want” –

will help determine the types of homes you   should be viewing. It’s rarely possible, however, to find a perfect home for   your needs, tastes and budget. While it’s important to weigh your priorities   before you start your home search, it’s equally important to be flexible and   willing to change your mind once you see what your true options are – viewing   properties can shift your priorities. And remember that if you can only find   places that require too many compromises, it’s okay to keep looking – new   homes come on the market daily!

1.   Look past the staging. Many sellers enlist staging professionals to help sell their   homes faster and at a higher price. While this often makes listings more   visually appealing to buyers, some major flaws may be covered up through   staging. And while minor cosmetic issues can often be overcome with a simple   fix such as a coat of paint, larger, more costly issues can arise with a home   if you don’t notice poor conditions before you buy. Some things to look for   include: leaks around plumbing fixtures and ceilings (thanks to upper floor   bathrooms); stains on walls or ceilings; evidence of mould; poor workmanship   on flooring, moulding, windows and doors; or aging and worn seals around   windows and doors.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about buying   or selling a home, or you’d like some useful tips, information and answers to   your questions are just a phone call or email away!

The Angela Calla Mortgage Team

604-802-3983

callateam@dominionlending.ca