If you’re looking for a new Toronto home
where your family can make memories, you’ll definitely want to enlist the help
of a family oriented REALTOR®. What
is a "family oriented” REALTOR®?
You’ll know one when you meet one! A family oriented real estate broker is one
who understands the types of challenges today’s family’s face, and the kinds of
space a family needs to grow and thrive. They approach homes with an eye that
sees not only how the house will support the family’s current needs, but how it
can support them as those needs change. A family oriented REALTOR® sees
not only the home but the neighbourhood amenities, and asks questions like: How
close is the nearest elementary school/high school? Are there parks for running
and playing nearby? Is there a community hub such as a recreation centre, or a
library within walking distance? Is the area safe? Is the traffic noisy or
dangerous? Are there any health hazards to be aware of? Are there trees or wild
spaces in the vicinity?
A family oriented REALTOR® may
have children of his/her own, or not. Being family oriented only requires that
a real estate broker knows and respects the needs of 21st century
families, and is able to see prospective homes through that lens.
Making Ends Meet
Before going to view properties, it’s a
good idea to calculate the amount of mortgage that your family will be able to
secure. There are some good tools online, including the Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corporation’s "Is
Home Ownership Right for You?” interactive
site. You can follow up online explorations with an appointment at your
financial institution.
However, if you don’t have the kind of cash
flow that will allow you to put a down payment on a million-dollar property in
Toronto proper, you may want to keep an open mind about other locations in the
GTA. You may well find that relocating to Brampton, for example, will allow you
to purchase a much larger and more luxurious home in a family-friendly
neighbourhood. With GO Transit and ready access to the area’s major highways,
you may have a simple commute to work. Many people with young families have
found it to their advantage to look outside the downtown core. Rather than being
stretched to the limit with mortgage payments, these families have been able to
buy a comfortable home, but still have disposable income available to take
unforgettable family holidays, to buy state of the art electronics, or to
afford regular trips to visit Grandma and Grandpa.
Where to Begin
Once you ascertain the upper limit of your
pre-approved mortgage, do a little online sleuthing. Look at listings to see
what your mortgage will purchase downtown, then check listings in locations
such as Mississauga, Hamilton, Brampton, or Aurora and contrast and compare. It
may be that you will opt to remain in Toronto in a condo or modest home. Or it
may be that you will begin exploring new horizons.
Decide what works for your family, and then
find a broker who will help you to search for just the right home, in just the
right neighbourhood.