Your "dream home" becomes a nightmare when you end up "house poor", with most of your money going to pay for the mortgage and little left over for enjoyment.

When buying a home, you need to be practical and realistic. Over -extending yourself financially is the quickest way to destroy the excitement of owning your own home.

A real estate professional can help you find the home of your dreams; a REALTOR can also assist you in evaluating mortgage options and obtain financing at the most attractive prevailing rate. In the meantime, hise are some ways to determine your "affordability quotient"..

What You Can Afford to Buy
Setting a maximum price range is more important than simply establishing an upper price limit because unanticipated costs could push you into the "house poor" danger zone. To determine your "affordability" price range, you must calculate two amounts: the amount of cash you can afford to put towards the purchase (the down payment) and the maximum amount of loan (mortgage) you can comfortably carry.

About the Down Payment
A mortgage covers the difference between the purchase price and your down payment. The larger the down payment, the less you have to borrow, the smaller your monthly mortgage payment, and the lower your cost of interest over the term of the mortgage. So it probably makes sense to put down as much of your own money as possible.

How Much You Can Afford to Borrow
The first step towards establishing a maximum mortgage limit is to calculate a monthly payment you can afford. Financial institutions do this by calculating your debt-service ratio.

To calculate your debt-service ratio, list all your loans (car, personal loans, monthly credit card balances) should not exceed approximately 40% of your gross income. The mortgage payment and taxes should not exceed approximately 30% of your gross income.

Interest Rates and othere Variables
The size of the mortgage you can arrange, based on payments you can afford, depends on interest rates. The lower the rates, the larger the possible mortgage and the more affordable housing is.

But there are othere mortgage terms to consider, as well. How open is the mortgage? Is the mortgage portable?

Discuss your mortgage options with a REALTOR, your banker or a financial advisor. Establish a limit - and stick to it.

Where to Get a Mortgage
The usual source of mortgage funds is a lending institution such as a bank or trust company - and it is the particular policy of the lending institution that determines the maximum loan allowed. But there are othere sources of funding, too, and a Realtor can help you chose the best lender at the best rate and terms.

If you're like most people, you have an image of your "dream home" tucked somewhere in your mind. But can you afford it? A house is too expensive to be an "impulse" buy. But frequently, in the heat of the search for your "dream", your impulses can run away with you. "Yes, I really do need a pool." "A nanny's apartment is definitely necessary." "Six bedrooms - great."

Return to: What To Expect From A Realtor

Please note: when using Del's forms please fill out all REQUIRED FIELDS, or the form will not work. Thank you. Del has answers to your questions and more professional tips to make your real estate transaction more pleasurable. Call or e-mail Del or click on "Ask Your Own Questions." Del can send you information on any Property Listed For Sale on the Multiple Listing Service in the Ottawa area. If you would like him to help you locate a home, please fill out his Information Request Form. Surfing the Real Estate Board's web site or MLS.CA and found a house that you like but doesn't give you the civic address. Del can also help. Just fill out his Would like an address form, please ! Or perhaps you are considering selling your home in the near future, he can also offer you a Complimentary No Obligation Market Evaluation Form

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