Canadians are no strangers to stress. On the contrary, often studies argue that we work too much and relax too little. And unfortunately, when it comes time to buy their first house, many Canadian home buyers spend this exciting step in their life fretting and anxious instead of enjoying the new chapter of their life. As a long time Calgary realtor, I strive to make sure all of my clients can relax enough to appreciate this very special time in their lives.
Learn about Mortgages.
Over the years, I’ve learned nothing helps home buyers to feel more confidence and less anxiety than a strong understanding of mortgages and the mortgage journey. For better or for worse, mortgages are an integral part of buying your first home. Having an understanding of mortgage rates (and how they compare between lending institutions) and of mortgage features (and how they benefit your family) is useful for anyone, but for those purchasing a home in the near future, a little knowledge can go a long ways in helping you to feel less worried.
Budget Like a Pro.
Houses are expensive. Interest is expensive. Utilities and internet and taxes and repairs are all expensive. It’s no surprise to anyone that financial stress is a big problem for many young home owners. That’s why I encourage all the clients I work with to learn to budget like a pro. Your home costs, which include all the expenses I just mentioned, shouldn’t be more than a third of your monthly budget. This leave you with the financial wiggle room to tuck away 3-5% of your home’s value every year into a saving account. That way, when the roof needs to be replaced or you want to invest in better windows, you’ll have the money waiting.
Work with a Professional.
While learning about mortgages from the internet and keeping a strict budget will help to alleviate some of your home buying anxiety, the best option for new home buyers is still to work with a professional. Real estate experts like me have years of experience. We can help prepare you for each step of the home buying process and make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Our knowledge of different neighbourhoods and possible pitfalls makes us an unbeatable resource for all of the answers you want.
Buying your first home should be an exciting time! Don’t let the house buying processes stress you out and rob you of this new experience. Instead, work with a Calgary realtor with the expertise you need. Call me today!