Buying a house is a marathon, not a sprint. To keep it simple, you need to focus on three phases: , finding the place , and closing the deal . 🏗️ Phase 1: The Money Foundation

: You’ll sign a mountain of paper, wire your down payment, and finally get the keys.

Spend no more than of your monthly income on the mortgage.

: Be ruthless. You can change the paint, but you can’t change the location or the number of bedrooms easily.

: Compare at least three properties thoroughly before making a decision to ensure you aren't panic-buying. 🤝 Phase 3: The Offer & Closing This is where things get "legal."

: Your bank will hire someone to make sure the house is actually worth what you're paying. If it's not, you may have to cover the "appraisal gap" in cash.

: Your agent will help you pick a price. You'll likely include "contingencies," which are "get out of jail free" cards if the inspection is bad or your loan falls through.

💡 : Use a Home Affordability Calculator to see how your current salary translates to a monthly payment. How to Buy a House for Dummies : r/PersonalFinanceCanada