NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO BUY A HOME

If you are tired of renting and have always wanted a home of your own, now is an excellent time to take the home ownership plunge.

Attractive mortgage interest rates, government incentive programs and an excellent supply of homes for sale are making the dream of home ownership possible for more would-be buyers.

Consider Using Your RRSPs
You may want to take advantage of the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan. The program allows you to use your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions (up to $20,000 per person, $40,000 per couple) to buy or build a home. You must be a first-time buyer or at least not have owned a principal residence for four consecutive years in order to qualify under the plan. Remember, no income tax is deducted from these funds as long as they are repaid to an RRSP according to the government's repayment schedule.

Lower Down Payment Requirements
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Home Loan Insurance Plan is designed to give buyers lacking a larger down payment the opportunity to get into the market sooner. Under the program the minimum down payment requirement for federally insured mortgages for buyers is just five per cent. The home can be new or resale.

Examine Your Needs
It is never too early to start considering where you would like to live and the type of house that best suits your needs. This is where a REALTOR's services prove invaluable. REALTORS have access to the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) which is a co-operative listing system that offers maximum exposure of homes listed for sale. A REALTOR can help you zero in on the type of home you want with a quick search on the computer. Once you have defined a few key parameters like price, location and number of bathrooms, a REALTOR can provide you with a customized list to assist you in your search.

Defining your focus is important because there are plenty of housing options available in the Greater Victoria area. You will have to choose the property that is right for you from among new houses, resale homes, townhouses and condominiums. A REALTOR is a highly trained professional who can help you choose the one that best suits your current and projected
lifestyle.

A REALTOR will accompany you as you view homes and provide you with all the pertinent information to make an informed decision.

So, if you are ready for home ownership, now is a good time. Many Canadians would agree that owning a home is one of the best investments you can make and helps provide financial security for retirement.

This information is provided by the Victoria Real Estate Board for the information and benefit of consumers.