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How To Buy Your First House

You’re interested in getting into the property market and you want to find out exactly how to do it. But you probably have lots of questions, right? Like what is a mortgage? Or how much do I need for a down payment? To start off, here are some of the different steps involved in buying a house for first time homebuyers:

  1. Start saving
  2. Calculate a down payment
  3. Figure out a budget
  4. Qualify for a mortgage
  5. Factor in all your costs
  6. Look into mortgage/home insurance

Buying a new home is a huge milestone – but the process can be a little difficult to navigate. Sometimes, just the thought of a down payment on a house is enough to get your heart racing a little faster. It’s understandable. As a first-time home buyer, if you’re purchasing a house or a condo, it can be intimidating. Here’s a further breakdown of the steps we mentioned above that will help you get ready to jump into the property market.

What’s the best way to save for a home?

It’s never too early to start saving for a home. A pre-authorized transfer from your chequing account to your savings account is a great option to help you save for your big purchase– that way money is put away before you have the time to spend it.

Here are some more really useful tips to grow your savings for a down payment even faster.

How much do you need to save for a down payment?

A down payment is the amount of money you put down on your house or condo. It’s then deducted from the purchase price of your home. House prices can vary and so do down payments. The more money you can save for your down payment, the better. The required down payment can vary depending on the value of the home but generally ranges between 5 – 10%. For high value homes, the minimum down payment can be as high as 20%1.

You can also use this easy TD down payment calculator to help you figure out how much you need to save.

How much can you afford to spend on a home?

A good rule of thumb, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, is that your monthly housing costs (for example mortgage payments, utilities, home insurance) shouldn’t be more than 30% of your gross monthly income2.

The TD mortgage affordability calculator is also a great tool to help give you an idea of how much you can afford.

How do you qualify for a mortgage?

Before we talk about qualifying for one, let’s start with what is a mortgage? A mortgage is basically a loan you take out to pay for your home. You have to apply for a mortgage. These are some of the factors that will be taken into consideration and will dictate if you get approved and the mortgage amount you qualify for:

  • Income
  • Expenses
  • Debt
  • Employment
  • Credit history
  • Amortization (length of loan term)3

What are the different costs you need to factor in when buying a home?

There are more costs that need to be covered besides the price tag of the home you want to purchase. In fact, there are lots of additional costs to keep in mind when you establish your budget. Some of these costs that may or may not apply to you include:

  • Legal fees
  • Home insurance
  • Land registration
  • Adjustment costs
  • Appraisal
  • Home inspection
  • Moving costs4

Is there a difference between mortgage insurance and home insurance? Do you need both?

Mortgage insurance and home insurance are two very different things. Home insurance protects you financially if something happens to your home for which you're covered. For example, if your home is damaged or destroyed by fire or your dishwasher leaks and floods your house. Whereas mortgage insurance protects the lender in case someone can’t make their mortgage payments.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), mortgage insurance is mandatory if the down payment is less than 20% of the full cost of your home5. Considering the size of the investment when you are purchasing a new home, it would be advisable to always have home insurance. If your home is mortgaged, your lender will require you to carry home insurance at all times.

Exhilarated. Excited. And probably nervous. These are just some of the feelings you’ll most likely experience when you’re buying your first home. But it’s all worth it in the end. Because eventually you’ll feel confident once you’ve gone through the process. You’ve done your homework and now hopefully you’re one step closer to getting approved. Then the real fun begins – the search for your future home.

Want to know more? Here are more really helpful and practical things to consider when you’re in the process of buying a new home.

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