Homebuyer's School

About to finalize buying your home? What are the closing costs you need to be aware of? In this episode, we talk with Brad McCallum, Realtor with ReMax First, and discuss the additional costs you need to be aware of when buying a home, when they occur and where they come from. We also discuss if you can buy a home without any closing costs.

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/what-are-closing-costs-when-buying-a-home-or-a-condo

We discuss the following items: 

• What are the closing costs when buying a house or condo?
• When do you pay the closing costs and to whom?
• Can you buy a home without closing costs?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Should you buy a home before or after you are married? In this episode, we talk with Brad McCallum, Realtor with ReMax First, and discuss the pros and cons of buying a home before and after getting married. You'll learn key family and economic conditions that will impact your decision to buy a home.

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/pros-and-cons-buying-a-home-before-and-after-marriage

We discuss the following items: 

• Pros and cons of buying a home before marriage
• Pros and cons of buying a home after marriage
• Family and economic factors when buying a home

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Planning on buying your first home this year? What are the top mistakes other first time home buyers make and how do you avoid them? In this episode, we talk with Brad McCallum, Realtor with ReMax First, and discuss some common mistakes when buying your first home such as assuming every home on the market is a good buy or being not ready to actually make a purchase. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/avoid-biggest-first-time-home-buyer-mistakes

We discuss the following items: 

• First time home buyer mistakes to avoid including:
  • Trying to time the market
  • Assuming every home in the market is a good buy
  • Assuming every home in the market is overpriced
  • Being not prepared to buy

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Before buying a home, what do you need to consider and prepare for? In this episode, we talk with Brad McCallum, Realtor with ReMax First, and discuss what are the top five things you absolutely MUST consider before buying a home for the first time. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/top-5-things-to-consider-when-buying-a-home-for-the-first-time

We discuss the following items: 

• What you must consider before before buying a home including:
  • Understanding the value of a home
  • The cost of buying (not just monetary)
  • Location
  • Future needs
  • Lifestyle

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Thinking about buying a home in 2020? What are some things you need to consider? In this episode, we talk with Brad McCallum, Realtor with ReMax First, and discuss what are the key factors to look if you are planning to buy a home in 2020. We explore if you should time the market and what non-monetary reasons to consider. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/should-i-wait-to-buy-a-house-in-2020

We discuss the following items: 

• Should you buy a home in 2020?
• Should you try to time the market when buying?
• What other reasons, besides home value, to consider when buying a home

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Ready to sell your home? Is staging your home required?  In this episode, we talk with Brad McCallum, realtor with Remax First, and discuss if staging actually helps sell your home faster. We explore how to make your home "less personal" for visitors and if it's better to have an empty home or a staged home. Finally, we provide some DIY staging tips if you don't want to pay for professional staging. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/does-staging-your-home-help-it-sell

We discuss the following items: 

• Does staging your home help it sell?
• How to "de-personalize" your home when selling
• Is it better to have a home staged or completely empty?
• Making sure your home is clean while selling
• Do it yourself staging tips

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Wondering what the true cost of homeownership is? In this episode, we talk with Brad McCallum, realtor with Remax First, and discuss all the costs when buying and owning a home that aren't readily apparent. We talk about home maintenance costs and how location not just affects your home's cost but also lifestyle. We also explore the costs associated with new and resale homes. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/hidden-costs-when-buying-a-house

We discuss the following items: 

• What is the true cost of homeownership?
• Cost of home maintenance
• How where you live directly and indirect impacts costs
• Cost of buying new vs resale home

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Wondering what the differences are between closing costs and a down payment? How do they affect you when buying a home? In this episode, we talk with Troy Champ, Mortgage Advisor with Mortgage Tree and discuss the differences between the two, how closing costs are applied when buying a home, what home builders may cover. Finally, we also look at differences between the two regarding new and resale homes. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

http://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/are-down-payments-and-closing-costs-the-same

We discuss the following items: 

• Differences between a down payment and closing costs 
• What's included in closing costs? 
• The difference in closing costs between new and resale home? 
• What home builders cover in relation to closing costs?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Planning to buy a new home? Wondering if you should buy new or used? What are the pros and cons? In this episode, we talk with Cory McDonald, Community Manager with Brookfield Residential, and discuss whether to buy a new or resale home and the benefits of each. We talk about pricing and additional fees as well as the impact of location when making your decision. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/pros-and-cons-of-buying-new-vs.-resale-home

We discuss the following items: 

• Pros and cons of buying a new home vs a resale home
• Impact of location and community
• Which is cheaper?
• Additional fees to consider

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

What's the best way to light up your home's interior? How about for every room? In this episode, we talk with Rebecca Hotchkiss, Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss how to choose lighting for your home, lighting maintenance, as well as the best lighting design for each room of your home. We also explore different lighting design ideas. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/plan-interior-lighting-design-for-my-home

 We discuss the following items: 

• How do you choose lighting for your home?
• Home lighting maintenance
• Lighting every room in your home
• Lighting design tips

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca