1.

Be definitive about buying 
(i.e. Decide you are going to buy a home)

2.

Get qualified for a mortgage. It is extremely important that you know exactly what you can qualify to buy and what you’re comfortable borrowing. (contact me to do a quick mortgage application)

3.

Get educated. This is difficult and time consuming. Either spend the time it takes to be an expert or hire one. Real Estate agents can offer you a certain crash course in your preferred real estate in a few hours. The best part is that it is free. Buyers don’t have to pay an agent a fee, the seller does. (feel free to ask me who I recommend)

4.

Know all the hidden and exposed extra costs. There are several refunds and breaks available to first time home buyers. Including;  Provincial and Municipal Land Transfer Tax Refund, Home Buyers Tax Credit, RRSP Home Buyers Plan (use your RRSP’s tax free towards your down payment)

5.

Do not rush into anything but do not drag your feet either. Currently, and for the past eight years the real estate market in Ontario and the rest of Canada has been very strong.

Rushing into buying before you have seen four to eight properties or have been very well schooled by a knowledgeable and honest real estate agent is unwise.

Equally unwise is wasting everyone’s time by dilly dallying when the right property comes your way. Be decisive and make your move. Indecision usually costs a buyer more than making an educated decision.

6.

Make an offer – just do it!

7.

Cold feet. Everyone except for sociopaths gets cold feet. It’s expected and it’s ok. If you’ve followed steps 1-6 you’ll be ok. Proceed with confidence.

8.

Do not chicken out! There are hundreds of stories of first time buyers that lost their nerve. Every single one of them was worse off for it, and most of them ended up realizing this fast and deeply regretted their decision to bail.