One of the major milestones in a married couple’s life is finding a new place to call home together. Whether you’re ready to tie the knot with your partner or you’ve just recently wed, you’ll find that buying a house is a more complex process than buying a car or completing a gift registry. You’re in search of a place that you can lay your head to rest as well as start a family of your own. Here’s what Canadian couples should know about finding that perfect home.
Securing a Down Payment For your Home
Many Canadians will need to finance the purchase of a home with a mortgage from a bank or lender. These lenders expect you to provide a down payment to show that you have some skin in the game. Per the Canadian government, your down payment is a percentage of the property price as follows:
If the house is $1,000,000 or more, then the down payment is 20%.
For homes between $500,000 and $1,000,000, you’re expected to put 5% down for the first $500,000 and 10% down for any amount in excess.
For properties over $1,000,000, you’ll have to pony up at least 20%.
Keep in mind that 5% of a residence worth $500,000 is $25,000. Saving money for a down payment is a significant undertaking, especially for a young couple.
Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Unless you can afford to buy a house with cash, you’ll need a home loan. Before you start falling in love with various properties, get a pre-approval from a lender so you can know which properties will be covered by a mortgage. Getting pre-approved also locks in the interest rate for a loan for up to 120 days. Changes in interest rates can significantly impact your monthly loan repayment, so it’s important not to go into the house hunt blind. Keep in mind that what you can actually afford and the amount a lender is offering can be vastly different. Not all lenders are the same, so you should shop around for the best rates.
Finding a Real Estate Agent For Your Future Home
When buying a house, you’ll want to have someone on your side, representing your best interests and walking you through the process. A real estate agent is an expert on the purchasing process and brings knowledge of the local area and market analysis tools. He or she has experience in finding homes and often has other resources to help you find a property with the features that are most important to you. Your agent advocates for you and helps negotiate the best price for the house that you want. You can go through the process without an agent, but why would you, especially when many sellers have agents working with them?
Kicking the Tires
Buying a house without having an inspection done is not like buying clothes without trying them on. You cannot do a simple return if you find that the property has major problems, especially things that would have been revealed in an inspection. It’s important to hire an experienced inspector who can check the structure, the electrical and plumbing systems, and more to make sure you’re not getting more (or less) than what you bargained for. An inspector can help create a punch list of items that need to be repaired or addressed before a sale. The issues that come up may also be grounds for negotiating a lower price.
A new home is a big step in your life together as a new or soon-to-be-married couple. In addition to deciding on the features that both of you need and want, you’ll also need to get your finances together to apply for a mortgage and save money for a down payment. A good real estate agent will walk you through all the steps, helping you to find the perfect Canadian castle to call your own.
A backyard wedding can be closer and more intimate than the traditional church wedding.
A backyard wedding can be a great alternative to traditional nuptials in a house of worship or an expensive venue. This is great for couples who want to publicly celebrate their love and long-term commitment while saving money. Arranging such an affair takes some time and careful planning to ensure you don’t miss any of the important details. Before you dive headfirst into pulling together your intimate backyard wedding, consider these important tips.
Decide on Your Backyard Wedding Budget Early
As couples like Leigha and Todd from Ontario frequently prove, it is possible to hold a lovely affair for less. Intimate Weddings profiled the pair in a 2015 featured post, detailing how they planned their 2014 ceremony and reception. They opted to keep the guest list small, with only 24 people in attendance. They also opted for a backyard wedding with home-cooked food for their guests. As Leigha revealed, this allowed them to devote significant portions of their budget to food, flowers, and photography. Overall, the couple spent less than $5,000. Similarly, if you know your own upper limits for what you and your sweetie can set aside for your nuptials, it will enable you to make decisions and prioritise where you spend your money.
Is Your Backyard Ready?
Of course, the backyard or acreage in which you hold your nuptials must be prepared for you, your sweetie, and your guests. HGTV Canada published several tips in an October 2016 article about backyard weddings, recommending that you examine the land and layout of your yard first. The level of the ground is important, as you’ll need to know whether your land is flat or sloping, as well as the approximate number of people it can realistically hold. If you evaluate your yard and then realise it will not hold 100 people comfortably, you have a crucial choice to make: Either invite fewer people or decide on another location for your nuptials.
In addition, you must consider other factors besides the size and layout of your yard while planning. If your location boasts a lot of natural flora and greenery, you could save significantly when it comes to site decorations and flower arrangements. Moreover, you should think about how to accommodate parking for your guests as well as be prepared for any potential noise concerns from your neighbours.
A Wedding at Home Isn’t Always Cheaper
With a backyard wedding, the costs can be as much or as little as you make them. In other words, you can plan anything from a lavish, extravagant affair to a simple yet tasteful celebration. It’s all in the details—or rather, the prices of them. Shop wisely, and get a good idea of what each item will cost before paying any money or signing contracts. You’ll need to factor in extra items that you don’t require for an indoor celebration, like tents, tables, and seating. If you’re aiming for less expensive nuptials, consider these cost-cutting ideas:
Hold a breakfast, brunch, or lunchtime reception.
Choose fresh flowers for only the wedding party and ceremonial focal points.
Wed on an off-peak day or time, avoiding Saturday evenings.
Purchase inexpensive party decorations in bulk.
Design and print your own invitations and programs.
Planning Your Affair Takes Attention to Detail and Forethought
There’s no need to stress over your upcoming nuptials. Nevertheless, making sure that you take the time to plan the details is important to ensuring your backyard wedding happens with as few complications as possible. Thinking of the size of your guest list, your budget, your physical location, and other important factors will aid you in successfully arranging your special day.
When planning your honeymoon, it may be more financially sound to stay around your home.
Getting married can be an expensive endeavor. Even a small reception might wind up costing you way more than you anticipated. It might be useful for you to consider ways to cut back on your expenses. The costs don’t stop coming once the wedding has ended. Your honeymoon is also a financial hit. Instead of rushing off to some far-flung corner of the globe for your romantic getaway, it might be more exciting to take a look at what Canada has to offer.
There are some absolutely lovely destinations located across Canada for you and your spouse to explore. No matter what you enjoy doing on your vacations, you can be sure you’ll find something worth your time when you begin your search. To get you started, here are a few wonderful spots to consider for your honeymoon.
By the Bay
Many couples determine their honeymoon destinations based on what they are hoping to get from the trip. For some, the dream honeymoon is one that provides ample time to unwind. You and your new spouse want to spend time alone together. This means you could gain a lot from a trip to Ontario to relax at Georgian Bay. If you enjoy the thought of sitting in a lodge, watching the sunlight sparkle over the lazy waters of the bay, then this might be for you.
Immersing yourself in the splendor of nature has a way of revitalizing the spirits. There are tons of exciting activities to take part in during this trip as well. When you’re done with relaxation for a bit, take a boat out on the water and explore some of the islands located throughout the bay. Adventure awaits you when you decide to visit this amazing destination right in Ontario.
Something Different for Your Honeymoon
Those born and raised in Canada are usually well aware of the beauty of the land. This is one of the reasons some couples don’t consider sticking close to home for the honeymoon. If you’ve already been on endless hikes through the woods and seen many of the sights the country has to offer, you may want to think about something a bit different. A trip to Yukon can allow you a totally new experience with a visit to Kluane.
Kluane National Park has a diverse and appealing geography that offers couples a wealth of different activities to explore. You and your partner can hit the trails and see Canada from an entirely new perspective by hiking through a truly remarkable environment. Thrillseekers will have the opportunity to kayak in a rushing river, scale some wild heights and engage with the natural world in a spectacular manner.
City Life
Where you visit in Canada for your honeymoon will have a lot to do with where you currently live. One might find the idea of a trip to Quebec City to be quite appealing. The hustle and bustle of the city might not be the right place for everyone to live but there is a ton of fun to be had during a vacation. You and your partner will be able to take in all of the sights of the city during the day and indulge in some amazing nightlife activities after sunset.
There are many wonderful destinations to explore right in your own backyard. Instead of traveling across the planet for your honeymoon, think about the fun that can be had here in Canada. Explore all of your options and you’re bound to discover an amazing trip.
One of the major milestones in a married couple’s life is finding a new place to call home together. Whether you’re ready to tie the knot with your partner or you’ve just recently wed, you’ll find that buying a house is a more complex process than buying a car or completing a gift registry. You’re in search of a place that you can lay your head to rest as well as start a family of your own. Here’s what Canadian couples should know about finding that perfect home.
Securing a Down Payment For your Home
Many Canadians will need to finance the purchase of a home with a mortgage from a bank or lender. These lenders expect you to provide a down payment to show that you have some skin in the game. Per the Canadian government, your down payment is a percentage of the property price as follows:
If the house is $1,000,000 or more, then the down payment is 20%.
For homes between $500,000 and $1,000,000, you’re expected to put 5% down for the first $500,000 and 10% down for any amount in excess.
For properties over $1,000,000, you’ll have to pony up at least 20%.
Keep in mind that 5% of a residence worth $500,000 is $25,000. Saving money for a down payment is a significant undertaking, especially for a young couple.
Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Unless you can afford to buy a house with cash, you’ll need a home loan. Before you start falling in love with various properties, get a pre-approval from a lender so you can know which properties will be covered by a mortgage. Getting pre-approved also locks in the interest rate for a loan for up to 120 days. Changes in interest rates can significantly impact your monthly loan repayment, so it’s important not to go into the house hunt blind. Keep in mind that what you can actually afford and the amount a lender is offering can be vastly different. Not all lenders are the same, so you should shop around for the best rates.
Finding a Real Estate Agent For Your Future Home
When buying a house, you’ll want to have someone on your side, representing your best interests and walking you through the process. A real estate agent is an expert on the purchasing process and brings knowledge of the local area and market analysis tools. He or she has experience in finding homes and often has other resources to help you find a property with the features that are most important to you. Your agent advocates for you and helps negotiate the best price for the house that you want. You can go through the process without an agent, but why would you, especially when many sellers have agents working with them?
Kicking the Tires
Buying a house without having an inspection done is not like buying clothes without trying them on. You cannot do a simple return if you find that the property has major problems, especially things that would have been revealed in an inspection. It’s important to hire an experienced inspector who can check the structure, the electrical and plumbing systems, and more to make sure you’re not getting more (or less) than what you bargained for. An inspector can help create a punch list of items that need to be repaired or addressed before a sale. The issues that come up may also be grounds for negotiating a lower price.
A new home is a big step in your life together as a new or soon-to-be-married couple. In addition to deciding on the features that both of you need and want, you’ll also need to get your finances together to apply for a mortgage and save money for a down payment. A good real estate agent will walk you through all the steps, helping you to find the perfect Canadian castle to call your own.
A backyard wedding can be closer and more intimate than the traditional church wedding.
A backyard wedding can be a great alternative to traditional nuptials in a house of worship or an expensive venue. This is great for couples who want to publicly celebrate their love and long-term commitment while saving money. Arranging such an affair takes some time and careful planning to ensure you don’t miss any of the important details. Before you dive headfirst into pulling together your intimate backyard wedding, consider these important tips.
Decide on Your Backyard Wedding Budget Early
As couples like Leigha and Todd from Ontario frequently prove, it is possible to hold a lovely affair for less. Intimate Weddings profiled the pair in a 2015 featured post, detailing how they planned their 2014 ceremony and reception. They opted to keep the guest list small, with only 24 people in attendance. They also opted for a backyard wedding with home-cooked food for their guests. As Leigha revealed, this allowed them to devote significant portions of their budget to food, flowers, and photography. Overall, the couple spent less than $5,000. Similarly, if you know your own upper limits for what you and your sweetie can set aside for your nuptials, it will enable you to make decisions and prioritise where you spend your money.
Is Your Backyard Ready?
Of course, the backyard or acreage in which you hold your nuptials must be prepared for you, your sweetie, and your guests. HGTV Canada published several tips in an October 2016 article about backyard weddings, recommending that you examine the land and layout of your yard first. The level of the ground is important, as you’ll need to know whether your land is flat or sloping, as well as the approximate number of people it can realistically hold. If you evaluate your yard and then realise it will not hold 100 people comfortably, you have a crucial choice to make: Either invite fewer people or decide on another location for your nuptials.
In addition, you must consider other factors besides the size and layout of your yard while planning. If your location boasts a lot of natural flora and greenery, you could save significantly when it comes to site decorations and flower arrangements. Moreover, you should think about how to accommodate parking for your guests as well as be prepared for any potential noise concerns from your neighbours.
A Wedding at Home Isn’t Always Cheaper
With a backyard wedding, the costs can be as much or as little as you make them. In other words, you can plan anything from a lavish, extravagant affair to a simple yet tasteful celebration. It’s all in the details—or rather, the prices of them. Shop wisely, and get a good idea of what each item will cost before paying any money or signing contracts. You’ll need to factor in extra items that you don’t require for an indoor celebration, like tents, tables, and seating. If you’re aiming for less expensive nuptials, consider these cost-cutting ideas:
Hold a breakfast, brunch, or lunchtime reception.
Choose fresh flowers for only the wedding party and ceremonial focal points.
Wed on an off-peak day or time, avoiding Saturday evenings.
Purchase inexpensive party decorations in bulk.
Design and print your own invitations and programs.
Planning Your Affair Takes Attention to Detail and Forethought
There’s no need to stress over your upcoming nuptials. Nevertheless, making sure that you take the time to plan the details is important to ensuring your backyard wedding happens with as few complications as possible. Thinking of the size of your guest list, your budget, your physical location, and other important factors will aid you in successfully arranging your special day.
When planning your honeymoon, it may be more financially sound to stay around your home.
Getting married can be an expensive endeavor. Even a small reception might wind up costing you way more than you anticipated. It might be useful for you to consider ways to cut back on your expenses. The costs don’t stop coming once the wedding has ended. Your honeymoon is also a financial hit. Instead of rushing off to some far-flung corner of the globe for your romantic getaway, it might be more exciting to take a look at what Canada has to offer.
There are some absolutely lovely destinations located across Canada for you and your spouse to explore. No matter what you enjoy doing on your vacations, you can be sure you’ll find something worth your time when you begin your search. To get you started, here are a few wonderful spots to consider for your honeymoon.
By the Bay
Many couples determine their honeymoon destinations based on what they are hoping to get from the trip. For some, the dream honeymoon is one that provides ample time to unwind. You and your new spouse want to spend time alone together. This means you could gain a lot from a trip to Ontario to relax at Georgian Bay. If you enjoy the thought of sitting in a lodge, watching the sunlight sparkle over the lazy waters of the bay, then this might be for you.
Immersing yourself in the splendor of nature has a way of revitalizing the spirits. There are tons of exciting activities to take part in during this trip as well. When you’re done with relaxation for a bit, take a boat out on the water and explore some of the islands located throughout the bay. Adventure awaits you when you decide to visit this amazing destination right in Ontario.
Something Different for Your Honeymoon
Those born and raised in Canada are usually well aware of the beauty of the land. This is one of the reasons some couples don’t consider sticking close to home for the honeymoon. If you’ve already been on endless hikes through the woods and seen many of the sights the country has to offer, you may want to think about something a bit different. A trip to Yukon can allow you a totally new experience with a visit to Kluane.
Kluane National Park has a diverse and appealing geography that offers couples a wealth of different activities to explore. You and your partner can hit the trails and see Canada from an entirely new perspective by hiking through a truly remarkable environment. Thrillseekers will have the opportunity to kayak in a rushing river, scale some wild heights and engage with the natural world in a spectacular manner.
City Life
Where you visit in Canada for your honeymoon will have a lot to do with where you currently live. One might find the idea of a trip to Quebec City to be quite appealing. The hustle and bustle of the city might not be the right place for everyone to live but there is a ton of fun to be had during a vacation. You and your partner will be able to take in all of the sights of the city during the day and indulge in some amazing nightlife activities after sunset.
There are many wonderful destinations to explore right in your own backyard. Instead of traveling across the planet for your honeymoon, think about the fun that can be had here in Canada. Explore all of your options and you’re bound to discover an amazing trip.
