The buyer's guide.

Here are a few tips to the century-old aspiration of purchasing a home:

• Know what you're looking for. Having a plan when searching for your new home is critical. Know your "must-haves", your "nice-to-haves" and your "definitely-nots". Getting what you want is easier when you map out what you are looking for in your next home.
  
  
• Mortgage pre-approval. Find out how much your bank is willing to lend you. They will take into account your income, debt, down payment, and credit history. Get the pre-approval in writing with a guaranteed interest rate, which is usually valid for 90 days.
  
  

• More than just the down payment. Ensure that you are able to budget more than just the down payment. Property purchases come along with closing costs (such as land transfer tax and legal fees) and other future expenses; experts suggest saving an extra 1-3% of the purchase price to cover these costs.
  
  
• Making the offer. The offer process can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Once you've submitted your offer, the seller can accept, reject, or sign it back at a different price and/or with different terms.

Speak with a Trilogy agent for all things real estate. We are here to help.