• Stick to budget.
• Shop around for a good mortgage rate.
• Account for future variations in income.
• Pay off as much debt as possible.
• Get your Credit report and correct errors.
• Pre-Qualify for your mortgage.
• Seek services from a well-informed real estate agent.
• Get a buyer's agent if you are not comfortable with the idea of working with a seller's
  agent.
• Find a reputable Home Inspector.
• Get prices of similar houses in the neighborhood from your real estate agent.
• You can make an offer contingent upon certain conditions (like getting an acceptable
  home inspection, etc.).

Home Buyers Checklist

Zoning
Check zoning, building regulations and municipal plans for the area. They may affect any plans you may have for additions or renovations.

Resale value
Estimate the resale potential of the house. This is an important consideration, especially if you may need to relocate again soon.

Community Features
Drive through the area and evaluate the level of essential services. Check transportation and shopping facilities. Look at the proximity and types of schools in the area.

Is the house a solid investment?
Carefully examine all aspects of the house's construction, including plumbing, wiring and foundation walls. Bring along an expert if you feel unable to assess these properly. Ask your agent for the names of three building inspection companies. An investment of a few hundred dollars could save you thousands.

Possible repair costs
Try to determine what repairs you may be faced with over the coming years. Check the condition of the roof, capacity of electrical services, age of furnace and driveway paving. If you think your space needs may change, look for renovation potential - size of lot, exposure, room layout and so on.

What will the added costs be?
Consider all expenditures you may have to make over and above actual purchase cost; repairs, furniture, landscaping, renovations, decorating and moving.

Buyers Costs
Be prepared for unexpected costs such as legal costs, survey, appraisal fees, land transfer tax, and adjustments on closings such as heating oil, hydro and property tax (Property Purchase Tax and Goods and Services Tax ).

Analyzing the Homes that you Visited

Must Absolutely Have
Commute, General Location, Nuisances, Traffic, House Condition, Price Range, Type of House, Size of House, Number of Bedrooms, Number of baths, Other

Would want to Have
Deck, Porch or Patio, Master Bedroom, Kitchen, Back Yard, Other

Good to Have
Hospital, Appliances, Basement, Other

Remarks
House 1:
House 2:
House 3: