ATTENTION NEWLYWEDS  | You've found your soul mate, planned your dream wedding and a fabulous honeymoon. Next step …the nesting process. Time to find a place you can both call home. Often this involves melding two households into one or moving out of your parents' home. You may both already own a home or condo and the final step in merging your domestic lives requires delicate negotiations and nerves of steel. | | | | Buying a home can be fun and exhilarating and on the down side frustrating and disappointing at times. There are ways to ensure you have a positive and productive experience. First stop …pick a realtor. | | | | A realtor will be your best asset. Pick someone you feel comfortable with and who has the time to guide you through the process. A realtor who is familiar with the area you are interested in living in can provide you with valuable information on not only real estate but also about the community. Your realtor will assist you with financing information and that brings us to the next and most crucial point …good credit and financing in order to get a mortgage. | | | | | | There are a number of steps to getting mortgage financing. A particularly important step and one many people don't give much thought to - is the credit check. As a routine part of the application process the lender will order a copy of your credit history. | | | |  | Your personal credit history is compiled by credit bureaus which collect information from various sources including banks, retailers and other public records, creating a credit report. Information such as: what credit and debit cards you have, the types of accounts you have at various financial institutions, information about personal loans, mortgages, student loans, etc., is all part of the report. | | | | The credit bureau does not rate you - it merely provides information on your credit history. The lender will examine the credit report to aid in determining whether to lend you money. If the lender has any concerns about something on the report the lender may ask you for an explanation. Though lenders usually work as quickly as possible in processing mortgage applications - the process can be slowed down if the lender needs to go back to the applicant for an explanation concerning items on a credit history. So, don't worry, but be prepared to answer questions the lender may have - often a simple explanation will do. | | | | | | Honesty is the best policy - and that certainly holds true when applying for a mortgage. If you think there might be any credit problems - tell the lender up front and ask about the lender's policy prior to applying for the mortgage. By getting a copy of your credit report before you apply for a mortgage you may be able to avoid surprises and possible delays that may occur in having to answer questions about your credit report. | | | |  | Once you've been approved and you know your budget, it's time to go shopping. It's a good idea to do some preliminary research on your own. Determine where you want to live. Pick a neighbourhood and research it. Distance from work, friends and relatives is important as are the amenities. If you don't drive, a bus route is imperative. It's easy on the internet. Royal LePage has an award winning website that is a wealth of information --an easy way to see homes and help determine where you want to live plus much more! | | | | Contact your realtor who will meet with you to discuss your wants and needs. Now the fun begins! Your realtor will have the information to help you find the best home for you. It is a process that ensures you get to see the right homes in the right areas at the right price. Working with your schedule, a realtor will make appointments to show you homes and will do the necessary background research. Your realtor can check on what homes have sold for in the area to help you arrive to the proper price to offer to ensure a smooth and fair transaction. | New Arrivals  | New Burlington resident
Yanna
Took her time arriving on Feb 28 at 4:11 am and weighing 8 pounds 7 ounces | | | |  | Our new Oakville Resident
Bridget Rose
Arrived quickly on March 15th at 10:02 a.m. | |
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