Start with your budget, not the listings
Down payment options, using investments or other assets, getting pre-approved, and the costs that come on top of the price.
Free download · 5-page guide
First-Time
Home Buyer’s Guide
What to know before you start looking, and the right questions to ask before you buy.
Buying your first home is exciting, and it can also feel overwhelming. It comes with many decisions, and you don’t have to make them alone. I put this guide together to give you a clearer picture of what to think about before you buy.
- How to set a budget you’re actually comfortable with
- The hidden costs of buying, at closing and every month
- What a builder’s eye looks for that buyers often miss
- How to read a list price before you make an offer
A little preparation now can save you stress, money and second-guessing later.
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What’s inside
Four steps from renting to owning
Know what you’re looking for
Draw your blueprint: the neighbourhood that fits your routine, must-haves vs. bonuses, and which home styles stretch your budget.
Love it? Look closer.
Inspections, permits, what stays with the home, and how to read the price tag so you can shape the right offer.
Stay steady until you get the keys
The simple habits that keep your financing, deadlines and final walk-through on track until closing day.
My builder’s eye
Fresh paint and good staging can hide a lot. Thanks to my construction background, these are the things I look at that buyers often miss:
- Age of the roof, windows and doors
- Age of the furnace, A/C and water heater
- Signs of water in the basement or attic
- Cracks in the foundation or uneven floors
- The electrical panel and visible wiring
- Grading and drainage around the home
I’m not a home inspector, and this never replaces a professional inspection. It helps you know what to ask about.
No one expects you to be an expert.
Every question you ask now is one less surprise later.
Meet your agent
Effie Zab
With my background in construction and years of working alongside designers, I will help you see what other buyers miss, and what really makes a home worth it.
Let’s talk about your first home. I’ll walk you through every step, with a builder’s eye and a designer’s sense of what makes a home functional and works for your needs.
Download the free guide