Buying your first home is exciting — and a little overwhelming. We’ll walk you through it step by step, so you know exactly what you can afford before you start falling in love with listings.
Start with a pre-approval
A pre-approval tells you how much you can borrow and locks in a rate for a period of time while you shop. It also shows sellers you’re serious. We’ll help you get one from the lender that suits you best, not just the first one that says yes.
Make the most of first-time buyer programs
There are several programs designed to help first-time buyers in Canada and BC, including:
- The First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
- The RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan
- BC’s property transfer tax exemption for first-time buyers
- Federal and provincial rebates on new homes
Eligibility rules and limits change, so we’ll check what applies to you when we talk.
Down payment, closing costs and what to expect
We’ll help you work out the right down payment, explain mortgage default insurance if you’re putting down less than 20%, and give you a realistic picture of closing costs like legal fees and property transfer tax, so there are no surprises.