Before you choose a new neighbourhood to call home, you need to ask a few questions. Not every neighbourhood fits for every buyer. Some are better for families and others fit better for young couples. Here are a few questions to consider asking yourself and about the neighbourhood.
For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.
Questions to Ask Before Deciding On a Neighborhood
Ask Yourself the following:
- How much home can you afford? - Getting a pre-approved mortgage will give you an idea of how much you can afford, but you must take it a step further. Look at your budget and make sure you figure out the payment you think you can afford.
The architecture of homes in Canada is much like the demographics of the country: a melting pot of styles and designs. From the sprawling ranches to the towering Victorians, every street in the country has its own personality and priorities. To make a buyer's search more efficient and make buying a home more satisfying, it helps to understand the functionality as well as the aesthetic features of each type of home. Buyers can use this short guide to set their priorities and find the style that's right for them.
Not long ago, big homes were more popular among home buyers. Now, with rising costs and populations, the extra space and maintenance demands have caused another shift in thinking, to one that prefers smaller homes. Oftentimes, it is more financially draining to keep up with taking care of a larger home and paying related taxes or outstanding mortgage loan balances. With the new minimalist trend, downsizing has more popular appeal, both for those starting out and for others looking to reduce their stresses of owning a large home.
If you're ready to start moving towards purchasing a home instead of renting, it's important to know how to make this a smooth process. There are a few steps to take first. Here are some of the things that will make your home buying process easier.
It's easy to get caught up in excitement when you feel you've found the perfect home. A home inspector can provide a sober eye and give you an unbiased view of the home you are buying and any potential problems it might present.
No matter how many precautions a new homeowner takes, there's always going to be an element of risk with such a major purchase. Find out how home warranties work for both brand-new and resale homes, so you know what you're getting into.
A new generation of Edmonton home buyers are looking for specific amenities including fresh interior designs and plenty of creative outdoor space. The millennial demographic—a group of young people born in a 20-year period spanning the early 1980s to early 2000s estimated to be about 90 million in North America. Not since the Baby Boomer generation has there been a group so large, influencing the real estate industry to such a great extent.
Buying a fixer upper is a big commitment. Fixer uppers need time, attention, a lot of hard work and a good pool of money for making repairs. If you're a home buyer thinking about purchasing a fixer upper in the next few months, knowing what you're getting yourself into can help you decide if this is the right move for you.
Most people who own homes today likely started their adult life in a rental home or unit. In addition, recent statistics from the United States Census Bureau show that more than 31 percent of American homes occupied in 2016 housed renters, instead of owners, a number that seems to be trending higher. The dream for many, however, continues to revolve around home ownership, even though they may currently be renting. If you're renting right now, are you ready to make the leap into homeownership?
The next few years are expected to usher in a broad new range of technology-based building innovations. Just how quickly they become mainstream and whether they will become the new norm for the construction industry still is open to question.