Think long term when buying a home. What kind of home do you need now? What will you need in 5 to 10 years?

Consider:

  • the location and neighbourhood
  • the size of the property and home
  • the type of home — for example, detached, duplex, row house or condominium
  • the travel distance to work, recreation and services
  • any special features you want or need — for example, accessibility or efficiency upgrades
  • your lifestyle needs and possible changes in the future
  • your preference for a new, resale or custom-built home

COMMON TYPES OF HOMEOWNERSHIP

Options vary slightly between provinces, but you can choose between the following ownership types in Canada:

  • Freehold — you own the building and the land
  • Leasehold — you own the building and rent or lease the land
  • Condominium (or “strata”) — you own your unit and share common elements
  • Co-operatives (co-ops) — you buy a share in the building and live in one of the units

If you’re considering a condo, make sure you review all the financial and technical audits for the condominium corporation to avoid surprises later on.

Find out more in the condominium guide.

CHOOSE YOUR HOMEBUYING TEAM

It’s important to have a team of experienced professionals to help you during the buying process. Take the time to check references before deciding who to work with.

Your homebuying team may include:

  • a real estate agent
  • a home inspector
  • an appraiser
  • a land surveyor
  • a builder or contractor
  • a lawyer or notary
  • insurance and mortgage brokers

If you work with a real estate agent, they can usually refer you to other qualified professionals for your team.

READY TO START YOUR HOME SEARCH?

Download the guide and workbook for complete information and customized calculators. Save your workbook regularly to track your budget, calculations and notes.

*Important: To use this interactive PDF, right click (Ctrl + click on Mac) the link to save the file, and then open it in Adobe Acrobat.

Date Published: March 31, 2018