Buying a home is an exciting time — but it also requires a lot of time and effort.

Whether you’re planning to purchase your first property, making an investment or you’re ready for something new, purchasing a home ushers in new chapters to our lives that are both exciting and oftentimes — pivotal.

As always, my mission is to set you up for success.

These 4 steps can will help make the home buying process manageable and easy.

1. Knowledge is Power

Start your home buying research as early as possible.

Get an idea for neighbourhoods and home styles you think you might like.

If you’re purchasing new construction, you might be able to get in at a low-cost but there are other risks involved.

For presale, keep an eye on any homes that have significant (or even incremental) changes in asking prices. This will give you a sense of housing trends in specific areas.

2. Get pre-approved

Find out how much home you’re able to afford prior to starting your real estate search.

Knowing your budget and being able to shop within it will make your search much easier.

To get pre-qualified for a mortgage, contact your bank who will take you through the process. You just need to provide some basic financial information such as your income, the amount of savings and investments and what’s financially smart for you.

There are also a variety of different affordability calculators to give you an idea for how much debt you should take on in comparison to your income.

3. Contact a Real Estate Agent

Working with an experienced professional can save you significant amount of time and money.

Realtors have expert knowledge or the different neighborhoods, home valuations and market stability depending on the period of year. The reality is, they manage extensive parts of the home-buying process that relieve a lot of frustration for you.

If it’s your first time, the home-buying process can be emotional and draining at times.

Purchasing a home is up there on life’s “big decisions” list.

Regardless if you’re purchasing as an investment or planning to plant down roots for a while, realtors do the heavy lifting while you get to enjoy the fun parts.

4. Shop for your home and make an offer

You know I talk a lot about being proactive in real estate, and that’s especially important in the Toronto and GTA markets.

Homes move quickly and properties are in high-demand.

When you start shopping, your agent might take you through multiple different houses. This will help you to really narrow down your preferences and non-negotiables while on the search for your dream home. You’ll want to evaluate both the property and the neighborhood before deciding if it’s the right home for you.

There’s no denying that buying a home is an exciting process. Getting an idea on the fundamentals will help you to make the best decision possible. If you’re looking to get into the real estate market anytime soon, contact me to help.