Canadian women are becoming a growing force in the real estate market and taking charge of their financial futures by getting onto the home ownership ladder.  Whether you're a 1st time buyer or a 1st time on your own buyer; purchasing a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you will ever make. 
Here are a few simple tips you can follow that will make the process a little less stressful and help ensure you make the right decision:
Are you ready?
Whether you are looking for your first house; buying up or downsizing; a good first step is to check your emotions.  Are you emotionally ready to make a move?  A good second step is to ask yourself some practical questions.  The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) provides examples and worksheets  on their website that will guide you through the entire home buying process.
Find a Realtor
We have all seen the for sale by owner signs springing up on lawns lately; and yes I am biased; but there are advantages to using a professional Realtor® when you purchase a property.  A Realtor® will handle setting up the appointments to view the properties; we have access to historical information about the property that isnt readily available to the public (previous sale prices; previously repaired fire damage; zoning by-laws etc); will draw up the documents for an offer and supply your lawyer and mortgage broker with copies of all paper work.  We do the leg work and we do it for free.
Any Realtor® will attest that referrals are the life blood of our business.  This makes friends and family your best resource when deciding who you want to work with; their knowledge of the industry and if they will be a good fit for your needs.  And remember; your Realtor® is there to help you - help them by being honest about your expectations.  Finding you the right house is a team effort.
Get educated
Know what you want and what you can afford.    Doing your homework will save you both unneeded stress and frustration.  See a mortgage broker and get pre-approved.  If you dont have one; ask your Realtor® to refer a few.  Talk to more than one but don't make the mistake of doing too much mortgage shopping.  Too many applications for financing can make you seem like a credit seeker which can have a negative affect on your credit rating.  And lastly; research the area you want to buy in.  A good resources are realtor.ca and royallepage.ca.
Make a wish list...and get ready to change it. 
A lot of times when I start working with a new client (and sometimes even ones Ive worked with before) they will have a list of things that their home has to have.  Unless you are working with a builder and starting from scratch finding a resale property that perfectly fits the bill isnt always possible.  Sometimes what you think of as a deal breaker when you set out becomes a minor detail when you've viewed a few properties . Think of your wish list as a starting point that will evolve with your search.  Be open minded and look past the furniture and decor.  Look at the important things like; condition of the roof; type of insulation; age of the window etc.  Walls can be painted and the furniture rarely comes with the house.
Now that you've bought, decide on a lawyer to handle the closing
If you dont have one; get a referral from your Realtor® or someone you trust and ensure you set aside enough cash for your closing expenses and moving costs. A secure home is a safe home so change the locks on your new house (or have the existing locks retumbled); get a security system and make sure your windows lock securely; even the second floor ones.   Once youve moved in pace yourself when it comes to renovating and decorating.  Before making any big decisions; figure out what you want and/or need and buy the needs first.  Rushing out to buy new furniture before youve gotten to know your new home can sometimes be a mistake.      
 
Whether you are ready to buy or still thinking about it; empower yourself with knowledge by doing your own research and talking to professionals along the way.  Homeownership can give you financial and emotional security.  There is nothing yummier than having a place for you and your family to call home that is all yours.  Brings a whole new meaning to the term Homegirl. 
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