Determine What You Can Afford

Purchasing a home involves one-time costs and monthly expenses.

The largest one-time cost is the down payment. It usually represents between 5-25% of the total price of the property.

In addition to the actual purchase price, there are a number of other expenses that you might be expected to pay for. These are listed below:

Typical One-Time Expenses

EXPENSE	PAID
Mortgage Application and Appraisal Fee	At time of application
Appraisal Fee	At inspection
Property Inspection (optional)	Closing
Legal Fees	Closing
Legal Disbursements	Closing
Deed and/or mortgage registration	Closing
Property Survey (sometimes provided by seller)	Closing
Land Transfer, Deed Tax or Property Purchase Tax (in Quebec within 3 months following signing)	Closing
Mortgage Interest Adjustment and Take Over Fee (if applicable)	Closing
Adjustments for Fuel, Taxes, etc.	Closing
Mortgage Insurance (and application fee if applicable)	Closing
Home and Property Insurance	Closing and on-going
Connection charges for utilities such as gas, water and electricity	Date of move
Moving Expenses	Date of move

Other costs may include landscaping, redecorating, furnishings, appliances and repairs.

Typical monthly costs incurred with home ownership are mortgage payments, maintenance, insurance, condo fees, property taxes and utilities.

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Adrien has answers to your questions and more professional tips to make your real estate transaction more pleasurable. Call or e-mail Adrien or click on Ask Your Own Questions. Adrien 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. Adrien 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 Free No-Obligation Market Evaluation Form.