First-Time Buyer?

Congratulations on deciding to purchase a new home. Becoming an owner for the first time is an exciting experience, yet it can also be a bit daunting if you’re not prepared. Here are some tips you may find useful.

Pre-Qualify Today

This is probably the most important first step you can take. By pre-qualifying for a mortgage, you'll understand just how much home you can afford. This allows you to focus on homes that are within your budget.

Get Mortgage information at the RBC Royal Bank Mortgage Centre (http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/) or at TD Canada Trust ( http://www.tdcanadatrust.com)

Make Your Wish List

Create a list of your needs and use it as a guide to selecting the right home.
To start, some items to consider are:

• Current and future needs of your family
• Square footage and number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• Storage and cabinet space
• Entertainment space (patio, great room, kitchen)
• Neighborhood amenities
• Proximity to quality schools, transportation, work, shopping and recreation

Explore the Neighborhood

By spending time in the areas where you would most like to live, you will get a strong sense of their character. Walk through the neighborhood, visit the local stores, observe the traffic and explore the local parks and recreation facilities. It’s also a good idea to visit on different days and at different times of day.

Choose Your Builder

It's a good idea to research builders to find the best match for you. Some things to consider include:

Reputation and Experience - How long has it been in business?

Employees - Meet the sales counselor and the building supervisor. You'll be working closely with these people while your home is being built, so it's important that you have a good relationship.

Warranty - What type of warranty does the builder offer? What does it cover and for how long?

Established Communities - Tour existing neighborhoods that your builder has developed. This will give you an idea of what your community will look like in the future.

Current Home Owners - Talk to current home owners to get their perspective on the builder's quality and customer service.

Understand the Time Frame

Building a new home is a detailed process and can take time. When you purchase from Tartan, we keep you up to date on the construction progress of your home through a special password protected area on our website.

Financial Programs

There are several programs in Ontario, which are designed to help make the process of buying your first home easier. Please see links below for further information on these programs:

Land Transfer Tax Rebate (http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/refund/index.html)

CMHC - Mortgage Insurance (http://www.cmhc.ca/)

RRSP Home Buyers' Plan (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/individuals/topics/rrsp/hbp/menu-e.html)

Eligibility of buyers and properties are outlined as well as restrictions and other information.