10 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes.

As a first-time buyer, there are some homebuyer mistakes you should avoid to ensure a smooth and successful experience:

THINKING YOU DON’T NEED A REAL ESTATE AGENT

You might be able to find a house on your own, but there are still many aspects of buying real estate that can confuse a first-time buyer. Rely on your agent to negotiate offers, inspections, financing and other details. The money you would have saved on commission can be quickly gobbled up by a botched offer or overlooked repairs.

GETTING YOUR HEART SET ON A HOME BEFORE YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK

The house that’s love at first sight may not always be what it seems, so keep an open mind. Plus, if you jump in too fast you may be too quick to go over budget or you might overlook a potential pitfall.

CHOOSING A FIXER-UPPER BECAUSE THE LISTING PRICE IS CHEAPER

That old character home may have loads of potential, but be extra diligent during the inspection period. What will it really cost to get your home to where it needs to be? Negotiating a long due-diligence period will give you time to get estimates from contractors in case you need to back out.

COMMITTING TO MORE THAN YOU CAN AFFORD

Don’t sacrifice retirement savings or an emergency fund for mortgage payments. You need to stay nimble to life’s changes and overextending yourself could put your investments—including your house—on the line.

GOING WITH THE FIRST AGENT WHO FINDS YOU

Don’t get halfway into house hunting before you realize your real estate agent isn’t right for you. The best source: a referral from friends. Ask around and take the time to speak with your potential choices before you commit to a realtor.

DIVING INTO RENOVATIONS AS SOON AS YOU BUY

Renovations may increase the value of your home, but don’t rush. Overextending your credit to get upgrades done fast doesn’t always pay off. Take time to make a solid plan and the best financial decisions. Living in your home for a while before renovating will also help you plan the best functional changes to the layout.

CHOOSING A HOUSE WITHOUT RESEARCHING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

It may be the house of your dreams, but annoying neighbours or a nearby industrial zone can be a rude awakening. Spend some time in the area before you make an offer and talk to local business owners and residents to determine the pros and cons of living there.

RESEARCHING YOUR BROKER AND AGENT, BUT NOT YOUR LAWYER

New buyers often put all their energy into learning about mortgage rates and offers. But don’t forget that the final word in any deal comes from your lawyer. Like finding a real estate agent, your best referral sources for a lawyer will be friends and business associates.

FIXATING ON THE LOWEST INTEREST RATE

A reasonable interest rate is important, but not at the expense of heavy restrictions and penalties. Make a solid long-term plan to pay off your mortgage and then find one that’s flexible enough to accommodate life changes, both planned and unexpected. Be sure to talk your Dominion Lending Centres mortgage professional to learn more.

OPTING OUT OF MORTGAGE INSURANCE

Your home is your largest investment, so be sure to protect it. Mortgage insurance not only buys you peace of mind, it also allows for more flexible financing options. Plus, it allows you to take advantage of available equity to pay down debts or make financial investments.

If you are ready to search for your first home, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Dominion Lending Centres mortgage professional today for expert advice you can count on.

Published by DLC Marketing Team

Top 5 Reasons to Stay in the Home You Love as You Age.

According to a report by Mustel Group and Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, 86% of Canadian baby boomers and older homeowners want to live in their home for as long as possible. However, given the challenges associated with aging – such as reduced mobility and memory loss – many question whether they may be better off in an assisted living or nursing facility.  There are, however, a number of unique advantages to staying in the home you love as you age, which we’ll explore below

1. Maintaining your independence

As you get older, it’s natural to become slightly less independent – you may need help doing the grocery shopping or with certain household tasks. But if you stay in your home as you age, you’ll likely be able to maintain more independence than if you move into a residential facility. At home, you’re in control of your routine, your meals, and your surroundings, while in an assisted living facility, you usually have less control over these things.

2. Staying close to your community

When you’ve lived somewhere for a long time, you’ll likely have friends and neighbours within walking distance. Having regular social interactions is especially important as we get older, it’s good for your mental health and will help stop you from feeling lonely. More importantly, having a flourishing social life as we age has been connected to a 70% reduction in cognitive decline compared to more isolated individuals. This is a huge benefit to aging in place. At home, you’ll be able to easily visit neighbours as well as having friends and family over whenever you want.

3. Keeping your home comforts

For most of us, our house is a place of familiarity, security, and peace. It’s the place we’ve spent years building into a home and where we’ve made many cherished memories. The emotional benefit of aging in place is therefore huge. On the other hand, moving to a facility can take an emotional toll on a person’s wellbeing, putting them more at risk of stress and depression. Furthermore, there’s evidence that familiar smells and surroundings can help trigger memories of those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

4. Staying healthier and safer

Many people chose to move into a nursing home or assisted living facility believing it to be the safer and healthier option. And while this may be true for those with severe needs, there are other factors that need to be considered. Feeling homesick can lead to stress and depression, which in turn can lead to greater cognitive and physical decline. Residential facilities also carry a greater risk of infection, which can spread much more easily when living at close quarters with others.

5. Saving money

There’s no denying that aging in place has its expenses. You may need to pay someone to help you with household chores, grocery shopping, or personal care. You may also need to adapt your home for mobility. Despite this, aging in place is typically less expensive than an assisted living facility or nursing home.

Deciding whether to age in place or move into an assisted living or nursing facility is a personal choice that should be made after careful consideration. If you decide that staying in your home is the right option for you, the CHIP Reverse Mortgage can help you with the associated costs.

The CHIP Reverse Mortgage allows you to access up to 55% of your home’s value in tax-free cash. What’s more, the loan isn’t repaid until you leave your home, meaning there are no required monthly repayments. What you do with the money is up to you. You could use it to adapt your home, purchase mobility aids, or pay for an in-home caregiver – helping you stay as independent as possible in your own home.

Written By: Agostino Tuzi
Post Sponsored by HomeEquity Bank