FAQs

Yes. Home inspections can reveal defects or other issues with the home that would not otherwise be detected, giving you the opportunity to negotiate their replacement and/or repair in the buying price with the seller.

If you’ll need the built-up equity in your current home to make a down payment on the new home, you’ll need to sell your home first in order to access those assets. If you plan on keeping the property, for rental purposes for example, your lender will need to evaluate the feasibility and risk of an additional loan on a new home while still retaining the hold home.

The minimum down payment you’d require on a home depends on the home’s purchase price. For homes costing $500,000 or less, the minimum down payment is 5% of the purchase price (in this case, $25,000). For homes costing $500,000-$999,999, the minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000 of the purchase price and 10% for the portion of the purchase price above $500,000. For homes costing $1 million or more, a 20% down payment is required.

On average, buying a home takes 10-12 weeks, from starting your search online to closing, including a 30-45 day escrow period once the offer is accepted. Market conditions play a major factor in how fast homes are sold, however, meaning it could take much longer.

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is your first step. This will tell you how much you can borrow, i.e. what kind of home you can afford, as well as indicate how much you’ll need for a down payment. Need assistance or ready to apply for a mortgage? Visit FamilyLending.ca

In order to land on a listing price, realtors will perform a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which compares your property to similar ones recently sold and currently listed in your location. It takes into consideration features, lot size, property condition etc.. This will generate a market price suggestion, which will help the realtor and seller decide on a listing price.

Generally speaking, the most popular times to move is in the spring, summer and fall months. If curb appeal is a large factor in selling your property, selling in the spring or summer is ideal, when the weather is more cooperative. Other factors like interest rate hikes, extreme weather, and changes to mortgage rules affect buying behavior, making the seasonal buyer market fluctuate.

Getting your home ready to be listed can incur some expenses. Some home repairs may need to be completed – a fresh coat of paint, landscaping, or larger renovations – which vary in cost depending on what needs to be completed. If you choose to have your home inspected prior to listing, these inspections tend to cost approximately $400-$600. And, depending on your mortgage arrangement, you may be subject to a penalty for early discharge. Talk to your mortgage broker for details.

Staging is an effective way to help prospective buyers visualize themselves in your home and help highlight the property’s greatest selling points. On average, a staged home sells for 17% more than a non-staged home. While staging is not obligatory, we often recommend it.