Homebuyer's School

So you're ready to buy a home and reviewing your budget. What other costs, besides the purchase price of the home, do you need to know? In this episode, we talk with Kristy Seibert, Area Manager with Brookfield Residential, and discuss what are the closing costs on a new home including costs for lawyers, landscaping, homeowner association fees and more. We also explore if you can move some of your closing costs into your mortgage. 

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

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/whats-included-in-the-closing-costs-when-buying-a-home

We discuss the following items: 

• Closing costs on a new home
• Potential homeowner association fees
• Other types of hidden fees
• Are there any additional costs for living in a brand new community?
• Can you move some of your closing costs into your mortgage?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Planning to install hardwood stairs in your home? How much do they cost? Are they durable? In this episode, we talk with Deborah Armstrong, Senior Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss hardwood stairs installation costs, durability and how slippery are they. We also explore if they are ideal for homes with pets and if they are waterproof.  

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

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-much-does-it-cost-to-install-hardwood-stairs

We discuss the following items: 

• Cost to installing hardwood stairs and how are they installed
• Durability
• Are hardwood stairs slippery? And what about carpet runners?
• How waterproof are they?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

In this episode, we discuss what you should know during a home inspection for a new construction home. We explore what questions to ask when meeting your construction team and knowing what's covered under a new home warranty. We also talk about why an inspection is a great opportunity to learn how your home works. 

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

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/what-to-look-for-in-a-new-construction-home-inspection

We discuss the following items: 

• What are the key items of your new home to review when going through a home inspection?
• What are some questions to ask and things that should be a concern?
• What does your new home warranty cover if there are any repairs or defects to be made
• Why a home inspection is a great way to learn how your new home works

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Thinking about including some upgrades when buying a new home? What do other home buyer's include? In this episode, we talk with Jessica McNabb, Area Manager with Brookfield Residential, and look at the most common upgrades home buyer's usually select, how these upgrades impact your mortgage, and timelines when upgrades can be included with a new home purchase. 

Prefer to read and take notes? See the transcripts:

http://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/new-home-upgrades-typical-home-buyers-choose

We discuss the following questions: 

• What does the typical home buyer choose to upgrade?
• Are these upgrades included in the mortgage?
• When's the cutoff to include/choose upgrades during a new home build?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

So you've scheduled (or about to) an appointment to get pre-approved for a mortgage. What are the items you need to have at this meeting? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mobile Mortgage Specialist with TD Canada Trust, and discuss what documents you need to bring to your mortgage pre-approval meeting. We see if there are any costs to get pre-approved, if you can do it all online and other ways to prepare for your appointment.

Prefer to read and take notes? See the transcripts:

http://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/documents-needed-for-mortgage-pre-approval

We discuss the following questions: 

• What are some items you need to bring to the mortgage pre-approval process?
• Is there a cost to get pre-approved?
• Do I need to go to a bank to get pre-approved? Can I do it all online?
• Other ways to prepare for a mortgage pre-approval meeting

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Ready to start exploring your housing options? Getting a mortgage pre-approval essential but how long do you have to wait? In this episode, we discuss how long it takes to get pre-approved for a mortgage, the average time for pre-approval and questions you need to ask your mortgage specialist or advisor. 

Prefer to read and take notes? See the transcripts:

http://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-long-for-mortgage-pre-approval

We discuss the following questions: 

• How long does a mortgage pre-approval take?
• Key questions to ask your mortgage specialists or advisor?
• What's the average timeline for approval?
• and more...

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mobile Mortgage Specialist with TD Canada Trust, on how to get a mortgage pre-approval in Canada, the steps to get started, differences in mortgage specialists, collateral and more...

See video with transcription:

http://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-to-get-pre-approved-mortgage-in-canada

We discuss the following questions: 

• How to get pre-approved for a mortgage in Canada
• Steps to applying for a mortgage in Canada and 
• What banks look for during the pre-approval process
• Does type of job matter? Full-time? Part-time? Consultant?
• Difference between mortgage specialists for banks and private organizations

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

In this episode, we talk with Troy Champ, Mortgage Advisor with Mortgage Tree, we discuss minimum down payments requirements at different purchase levels and if there are any provincial differences. 

See video with transcription:

http://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-much-do-i-need-down-payment-when-buying-a-home

We discuss the following questions: 

• How much do I need for down payment in Canada?
• Difference between different provinces?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

In this episode, we talk about the average or typical down payment when buying a home. 

See video with transcription:

http://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/average-down-payment-when-buying-a-home

We discuss the following questions: 

• What's the standard, typical down payment on a home?
• Is there a difference on down payments for a resale vs. a new home?
• Does the type of home affect down payment? Condo vs. Single Family vs. Town home?
• Is there an average down payment that first home buyer's can afford?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

In this episode, we talk with Cory McDonald, Community Advisor with Brookfield Residential, about the costs of building vs. buying a home. We also look at the benefits of each and the impact of resale. 

See video with transcription:

http://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/cost-of-building-a-house-vs-buying-which-is-better

We discuss the following questions: 

• What are the costs of building vs. buying
• Benefits of building and buying
• Can you buy land directly from a developer?
• How does resale impact your decision?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca