CMHC's Homebuying Step by Step Guide

Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you will ever make. To help you make smart homebuying decisions from start to finish, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers step by step tips.  Homebuying Step by Step guide walks you through five key steps to buying a home and includes a number of user-friendly worksheets and a helpful glossary.

Step 1: Is Homeownership Right for You?

Take a moment to think through the advantages and disadvantages of both owning and renting. Spend the time to educate yourself about the process of home buying and the responsibilities of homeownership.

 

Step 2: Are You Financially Ready?

Before you begin shopping for a home, know how much you can afford to spend. Start by evaluating your financial readiness with the help of CMHC’s Household Budget, Mortgage Payment, Debt Service and Mortgage Affordability Calculators. These tools will help you establish your financial situation, determine how much you can afford and the maximum price that you should be considering.

It is a good idea to meet with your mortgage professional to discuss your needs and get a mortgage pre-approval.

 

Step 3: Which Home is Right for You?
 

Once you have a good understanding of your finances, think about the type of home you would like to buy and the location. Consider your current and future housing needs and what is important to you.

You will want to assemble your team of professionals who will assist with the buying process, answer your questions and provide you with reliable information.


Step 4: The Buying Process
 

Begin the search for a home by seeking the help of a realtor, searching online, reviewing newspaper ads or real estate magazines and/or spreading your intentions through word-of-mouth. After you find a home you wish to buy, you will need to submit an Offer to Purchase. A realtor can guide you through the negotiation process. Then, finalize your mortgage, prepare for closing day and arrange to move.


Step 5: Now That You're a Homeowner
As a responsible homeowner, ensure that you make mortgage, property tax and insurance payments on time while setting aside an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. Prepare a monthly budget and account for maintenance and renovation which are a normal part of homeownership.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers a variety of publications, calculators and online tools to help you make informed and responsible homebuying decisions.

The information is provided by CMHC for general illustrative purposes only, and does not take into account the specific objectives, circumstances and individual needs of the reader. It does not provide advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. The information is believed to be reliable, but its accuracy, completeness and currency cannot be guaranteed. Neither CMHC and its employees nor any other party identified in this Article (Lender, Broker, etc.) assumes any liability of any kind in connection with the information provided. CMHC stake holders are permitted to distribute the materials at their expense. The above mentioned stake holder organization is responsible for the distribution of this document.

Ottawa Real Estate Market, "Steady as she goes, Captain."

As the leaves continue to fall in Ottawa, we are seeing an increase in units sold, as well as an increase in average sale price. Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,073 residential properties in October through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,059 in October 2011, an increase of 1.3 per cent. The five-year average for October sales is 1,067.

"Compared to the five-year average, Ottawa is right on track, indicating that we are not experiencing a real estate downturn in Ottawa, but a slow, steady incline in units sold and average sale price," notes Ansel Clarke, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. "Ottawa continues to be great place to buy and/or sell a home."

October's sales included 237 in the condominium property class, and 836 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

The Ottawa market continues to be on track historically in regards to the number of sales to date as well. Since 1999 the number of sales through the MLS® System in Ottawa has ranged from a low of 11,329 to a high of 14,783. Sales for the first ten months of the year are at 12,768. Year-to-date average sale price is also up over 2011.

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in October in the Ottawa area was $346,492, an increase of 2.5 per cent over October 2011. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $267,037, an increase of 3.0 per cent over October 2011. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $369,016, an increase of 1.8 per cent over October 2011. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

"Although the Ottawa market is characterized as stable and steady, there can be pockets of our market where fluctuations, such as larger increases in price, exist," explains Clarke. "This is why it is important for buyers and sellers to talk to their Ottawa area REALTOR® for more information about the housing market outlook where they live, or want to live."

Ottawa Real Estate Sales Report

September sales historically on track in Ottawa
"There has been a lot of attention recently on the need to "cool" the real estate market across the country," said Ottawa Real Estate Board President, Ansel Clarke. "While there may be a need in some areas, we emphasize that real estate is local, and conditions and prospects will vary among major market areas and indeed within market areas. Historically the Ottawa housing market has not experienced volatility in prices or number of units sold."

"While average price information does not indicate the value of a specific property, it is useful to identify trends," continued Mr. Clarke. "Since 1956 the average price in the Ottawa area has decreased only five times year over year and has increased by 15 per cent or more only five times as well. The Ottawa market can be characterized as stable and steady although there are pockets of our market area where we see larger increases in price."

"As for the number of sales, we are on track this year to match historical levels of activity. Since 1999 the number of sales through the MLS® System in Ottawa has ranged from a low of 11,329 to a high of 14,783. Sales for the first nine months of the year are just under 11,700."

New mortgage rules and continuing uncertainty about job losses in the public service may have contributed to recent decreases in the number of sales through the MLS® System of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. Members sold 993 units in September 2012, down from a near record high of 1,201 in September 2011. The average price of properties sold for the month was $351,585, up from $347,236 last month and $335,623 in September 2011.

"Some buyers are deferring their decision to purchase until their employment status is clearer. Meanwhile, sellers will want to ensure that their properties are priced appropriately. We encourage buyers and sellers to talk to their Ottawa and area REALTOR® for more information about the housing market outlook where they live, or want to live," concluded Mr. Clarke.

                                                                                                    - courtesy of Ottawa Real Estate Board