You've saved and saved and pondered and pondered and finally you've decided you're emotionally and financially ready to own your own home. Congratulations. Now what do you do? The answer is: read this article. It outlines what you can expect from entering the Oceanside market for the first time as opposed to the Mississauga real estate market. As a first time buyer of Oceanside real estate you need to determine what your budget is and what you want most in your new home or condo. You also need to find a trustworthy realtor to help you. We can steer you in the right direction.
Budget
Buying your first home goes hand in hand with getting approved for your first mortgage, because unless you are independently wealthy, even the smallest of Arlington homes, which are not nearly as expensive as Oceanside homes, will be beyond your means. To get an idea of how much house you can afford, you can use these rough figures: a down payment should ideally be around 20% of the purchase price and your monthly mortgage payments shouldn't come out to be more than about 30% of your income.
What You Want in a Home
Once you've determined how much you're able to spend on your home, it's time to make a list of requirements for what you want in your new property. Be realistic. Obviously everyone wants a backyard pool and a fireplace, and perhaps on your budget you can afford these features in a Markham home, but here in Oceanside things are more expensive. Decide what is absolutely necessary (i.e number of bedrooms, safe neighborhood) and go from there. Divide your list into needs and wants to help give you more options when it comes to looking at properties. Looking at every home in your budget range in Oceanside would take half your lifetime, so this list is essential.
Finding a Realtor
After you've decided how much you can afford to spend and what you want in a home, it's time to approach a realtor. You can, of course, attempt to find a home and negotiate a price yourself, but the whole process goes much more smoothly with a realtor and you'll get a better deal. Remember that selling a Burlington, Ontario home for sale is not the same as selling an Oceanside condo, so be sure to hire someone local. Talk to a few before you make your decision and follow your instincts as to who you would trust with your money.
How to Choose a Home
When you're touring potential properties with your realtor make sure to pay attention to everything he or she says as well as to the nuances of the property and the feel of the neighborhood. Try to picture yourself living there. Take a digital camera and notepad to record your impressions for future reference. If you find a home that is perfect for you, don't waste time viewing every other house in the inventory before you make an offer. Like Streetsville real estate, Oceanside homes are selling like hot cakes and you may miss out.
| 