Homebuyer's school is where new and seasoned homebuyers get the latest strategies and tips so they are better prepared when making their next home purchase.
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What are closing costs when buying a house or a condo?
6:58
6:58
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By Brookfield Residential
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Pros and cons of buying a home before and after marriage
6:27
6:27
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6:27
By Brookfield Residential
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Don't make these biggest first time home buyer mistakes (so you get the BEST VALUE!)
8:37
8:37
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By Brookfield Residential
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Top 5 things you must consider when buying a home for the first time
7:30
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By Brookfield Residential
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Should I wait to buy a house in 2020? What market factors SHOULD I consider?
7:50
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Does staging your home help it sell? (with DIY tips to help sell your home quicker!)
8:52
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8:52
By Brookfield Residential
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What are the hidden costs when buying and owning a house?
6:21
6:21
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6:21
Wondering what the true cost of homeownership is? In this episode, we talk with Brad McCallum, realtor with Remax First, and discuss all the costs when buying and owning a home that aren't readily apparent. We talk about home maintenance costs and how location not just affects your home's cost but also lifestyle. We also explore the costs associate…
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What's the difference between closing costs and down payment?
3:16
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3:16
Wondering what the differences are between closing costs and a down payment? How do they affect you when buying a home? In this episode, we talk with Troy Champ, Mortgage Advisor with Mortgage Tree and discuss the differences between the two, how closing costs are applied when buying a home, what home builders may cover. Finally, we also look at di…
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What are the pros and cons of buying new vs. resale home?
6:33
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By Brookfield Residential
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How to design the perfect interior lighting plan for my home
5:05
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5:05
What's the best way to light up your home's interior? How about for every room? In this episode, we talk with Rebecca Hotchkiss, Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss how to choose lighting for your home, lighting maintenance, as well as the best lighting design for each room of your home. We also explore different lighting des…
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How to tell the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile (and which is better!)
4:56
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4:56
Debating whether to put porcelain or ceramic tile in your home? What are the best uses for each? In this episode, we talk with Rebecca Hotchkiss, Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss the difference between porcelain and ceramic and where the best places to put them in your home. We also explore how to clean, maintain and if th…
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How to choose the best carpet for every room in your home (including bedrooms, living rooms and more...)
6:34
6:34
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6:34
Thinking about changing carpet for your current home? How about for a new home? How do you choose the best one for each room? In this episode, we talk with Rebecca Hotchkiss, Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss choosing the best carpet for your home including: quality and durability and which carpet is easier to clean. We als…
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How to choose the best tile for every room in your home
5:30
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5:30
Looking to use tile for your new home? Which ones are best suited for each room? why?In this episode, we talk with Rebecca Hotchkiss, Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss how to choose the best tile for each room in your home including maintenance and colour. Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript…
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What are practical flooring alternatives to hardwood to use in your home?
3:59
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Looking for different flooring options other than hardwood for your home? What are the costs and maintenance? In this episode, we talk with Rebecca Hotchkiss, Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss flooring alternatives and when you would need them. We also explore how to maintain and pricing. Prefer to watch the video or read a…
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How to choose the best countertop for your bathroom (with modern ideas for design)
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Renovating or designing a bathroom? What countertops should you use? In this episode, we talk with Mackenzie Schurer, Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss bathroom countertop ideas and how to choose the best one for your home. We explore cleaning and sealing, and modern design ideas to complement the rest of your house. Prefer…
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How to pick the best (and complimentary) interior paint colours for your home
9:23
9:23
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Updating the interior paint colours of your home? Choosing colours for a brand new home? How do you choose the colour that will complement the rest of the home? In this episode, we talk with Mackenzie Schurer, Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss how to make this decision based on the type of room and complementary elements li…
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What are the best modern tile countertop ideas for your kitchen? (including cost and maintenance)
9:05
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9:05
Planning on a renovating or installing new kitchen tile countertops? What are the best types of tile? How about the latest designs? In this episode, we talk with Mackenzie Schurer, Interior Designer with Brookfield Residential, and discuss new countertop tiles for your kitchen, benefits of each, maintenance and price. We also review some tile count…
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How much mortgage can I afford? (including calculating income and debt)
7:15
7:15
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7:15
Wondering if you can actually afford to buy that home you've been eyeing? How much can you afford? How much will your lender provide? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss how much mortgage you can afford and how the banks/lenders determine how much they can lend you. We explore how y…
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How to choose the right mortgage lender (and get the best rates!)
9:17
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9:17
Planning to apply for a mortgage? Who do you talk to? How do you get the best rates? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss choosing the right mortgage lender for you. We also explore how to do your research when looking for a lender, questions you need to ask and if you can (or should…
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What you need to do before applying for a mortgage (including how to improve your credit score)
6:34
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Before applying for a mortgage, what do you need to prepare? How do you get your finances in order? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss how to prepare for a mortgage including how to understand your budget, ways to improve your credit and how the mortgage approval process works. Pre…
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Townhouse vs condo: What's the difference and which has better resale value?
5:46
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Not sure about the difference between a condo or townhouse? How do you find out which one is right for you? In this episode, we talk with Karen McDonald, Community Manager with Brookfield Residential, we discuss the differences between the home types, property tax implications of each and which has a higher resale value. Prefer to watch the video o…
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Mortgage pre-approval vs approval: What's the difference? (and why they're both important)
9:43
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What's the difference between a mortgage pre-approval and mortgage approval? What are criteria to get each? Who do you need to get approval from? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss the differences between the two approvals and their requirements. We also look at examples of why a b…
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How to buy a townhouse for the first time: A Step-By-Step Guide
10:56
10:56
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10:56
Thinking about buying a townhouse? Where do you start? What questions should you ask? In this episode, we talk with Karen McDonald, Community Manager with Brookfield Residential, and look at the steps involved in buying a townhome and how to prepare. If you are comparing between a townhouse and condo, we also discuss the differences and which costs…
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Downsizing from house to a condo: What you ought to know and expect
9:17
9:17
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9:17
Moving into your first condo? Downsizing from your house to a condo? What should you know? In this episode, we talk with Karen McDonald, Community Manager with Brookfield Residential, and discuss some tips on condo living for those moving in to their first home to those downsizing to a condo. We explore adjustments you may have to make as well as d…
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Fixed vs variable mortgage in 2019: Which is better for you? (and how to choose)
8:38
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8:38
Planning to get or renew a mortgage? Wondering whether you should go with a variable or fixed rate in 2019? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss fixed and variable mortgages as well as mortgage rate outlook for 2019. We provide examples of when to use variable vs fixed. Finally we ex…
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Who's responsible for condo maintenance and repairs? (and who pays the fees?)
7:11
7:11
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When buying a condo, who is responsible for maintaining it? What are the owner's responsibilities? Renters? In this episode, we talk with Karen McDonald, Community Manager with Brookfield Residential and discuss maintenance responsibilities, how maintenance fees are calculated and what's included in these fees. Prefer to watch the video or read and…
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How does a mortgage work? (what you MUST know to buy a home)
9:26
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9:26
In this episode of Homebuyer's School, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss how a mortgage actually works and all the elements involved when borrowing to buy a home. We explore what a lien is, what happens if you can't pay off your mortgage and mortgage portability. Finally, we talk about the types o…
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Are condos a good investment and worth buying? (what you NEED to know before buying)
6:48
6:48
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6:48
Deciding if you should buy a condo and if it's worth investing in? In this episode, we talk with Karen McDonald, Community Manager with Brookfield Residential, and discuss if condos are a good investment. We explore how your research is different when buying a condo as an investment. Finally, we see if a resale or a new condo is a better investment…
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How does the mortgage approval process work in Canada? (and how to get approved fast!)
10:19
10:19
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10:19
Thinking about or ready to get a mortgage approval? What are the steps involved? What do you need to prepare? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss how the mortgage approval works and the steps involved throughout the home buying process. We also explore mortgage approval requirements…
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What are the pros and cons of living in a condo? (so you know if it fits your lifestyle)
8:41
8:41
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8:41
Wondering if condo living is right for you? In this episode, we talk with Karen McDonald, Community Manager with Brookfield Residential, and discuss the pros and cons of living in a condo. We explore how noise travels through a condo and how it impacts you. We also review what to look for when research your condo preferences and how customizable is…
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UPDATE: CMHC First time home buyer incentive program (easier to buy a home?)
15:08
15:08
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15:08
In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss new information about the First Time Home Buyer Incentive Program from the Canada Housing Mortgage Corporation (CMHC). We discuss who can apply, impact on the mortgage stress test, down payment requirements and how it affects mortgage insurance. W…
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What homeowners ought to know about downsizing your home (tips, strategies and when to do it!)
6:08
6:08
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6:08
Thinking about downsizing your home? How do you know if and when you should start? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, Realtor with Remax, and discuss why would you want to downsize your home, how to start and when is the best time. We also explore if you should downsize your home to pay off debt and the impact of downsizing on your home eq…
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Step by step guide on how to buy a condo for the first time
17:28
17:28
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17:28
Planning to buy a condo? Want to know the exact steps from pre-approval to possession. In this episode, we talk with Karen McDonald, Community Manager with Brookfield Residential, we discuss how to buy a condo for the first time including a step by step guide. We also explore different types of condos, buying resale condos and downsizing to a condo…
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What first time home buyers need to know about buying an investment property
6:29
6:29
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6:29
Not sure if your first home purchase should be to live in or as an investment property? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, a Remax realtor, and discuss the pros and cons of buying a home as an investment property as well as explore the financial implications of moving into your investment property. Prefer to watch the video or read and tak…
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What are the real estate and housing market trends for 2019?
8:25
8:25
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8:25
Wondering if now is the best time to get into the real estate market? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, a Remax realtor, and discuss the housing and real estate trends for 2019 and beyond. We explore trends for mortgage rates, home types, if 2019 is still a good year to buy a home and expectations into the fall market. Prefer to watch the…
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What to look for when viewing a house for sale (so you don't miss key details)
9:47
9:47
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9:47
When viewing a show home or a resale home what should you look for? How should you prepare? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, a Remax realtor, and discuss what to look for when viewing a home for sale including key items that may be hidden by marketing or home preparation. We also explore how long your viewings should last, how to prepare…
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How to prepare to buy your first house (and avoid making a mistake!)
8:28
8:28
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8:28
So you're ready to buy a home but how do you prepare? Who do you talk to and what do you need to get ready? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, a Remax realtor, and discuss discuss preparing and getting ready to buy your first home. We explore what research you need to do and who you need to work with. We also look at things NOT to do, espe…
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How to get the best deal when buying a house
9:08
9:08
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9:08
So how do you make sure you get the absolutely best deal when buying a home? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, a Remax realtor, and discuss how to get the best deal on your next home purchase. We look at shopping for mortgage rates, understanding the market and how to negotiate when buying. We also explore key elements that impact getting…
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How to avoid the five biggest first time home buyer mistakes
8:59
8:59
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8:59
Worried about making a mistake with one of the largest purchases in your lifetime? What can you do to avoid them? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, a Remax realtor, and we discuss the top five mistakes when buying your first home and how to avoid them. We look at pricing and financing mistakes as well as how much research should you do in…
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Condo vs townhouse vs single family home: What are the differences? (with pros and cons of buying)
8:42
8:42
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8:42
What are the differences between a condo, townhome and a single-family home? What are the pros and cons of living in each home type? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, Realtor with Remax, and discuss we look at the differences between each and the scenarios when you would buy one over the other. Prefer to watch the video or read and take n…
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Steps to buying a house for the first time (so you don't waste time and save money)
5:12
5:12
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5:12
So you are ready to make your first home purchase. What are the exact steps in buying your new home? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, Realtor with Remax, and discuss how to buy a home for the first time and guide you with a step by step process on what needs to happen through the entire purchase: from getting your financing in place, to …
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Is it harder for millennials to buy a house in 2019 and beyond?
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5:12
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Are you a first time home buyer and/or a millennial looking to buy a home? It is more difficult to buy a home these days? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, Realtor with Remax, and discuss millennials and home buying in 2019 and if it's harder for younger people to buy a home today than it was 5 or 10 years ago and why. We also explore if …
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How to choose a real estate agent to sell your home (and get it right!)
8:29
8:29
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8:29
Ready to sell your home? How do you find the right real estate agent? How do you know if they are qualified and can fit your needs? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, Realtor with Remax, and discuss how to choose a realtor when selling your home including how to find the best one in your location. We explore if you should talk to a mortgag…
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Most important questions to ask a realtor when buying a house for the first time
6:11
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Decided to use a realtor when buying your first home? What are the key questions to ask so you are well prepared? In this episode, we talk with Kevin French, Realtor with Remax Realty, and discuss the type of questions you need to ask your real estate agent when buying a home. We also explore realtor specializations, such as product or area, and is…
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Mortgage rates explained: How do they work and how to find the best rate!
6:48
6:48
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So what are mortgage rates and how do they impact your ability to buy a home? How would you find the best rate? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with TD Canada Trust, we discuss everything about mortgage rates including; what they are, how are they determine/calculated and how to shop for and compare the best rate. Fi…
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Is it better to pay off my mortgage or invest my money?
6:16
6:16
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6:16
Which will have a better long term financial benefit? Paying off your mortgage or investing your money? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with TD Canada Trust, and discuss which one is best for you and if you should save for retirement (or save in general) first or pay off your mortgage? We also explore if it's a good …
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How to pay off your mortgage faster in Canada (and when should you do it)
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9:40
So how do you pay off your mortgage faster or earlier? Is it a good idea to? Are there any penalties? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with TD Canada Trust, and discuss how to pay off your mortgage faster and what is the fastest way to do so. We also explore if you should pay off your mortgage before your term ends an…
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What's the difference between an insured and conventional mortgage in Canada?
6:18
6:18
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6:18
Not sure which type of mortgage to get when buying your next home? What are the differences? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss the different type of mortgages in Canada, specifically insured vs conventional mortgage. We explore the benefits of each and the differing payment plans.…
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What are the best available first time home buyer programs ?
6:53
6:53
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6:53
Buying a home first the first time? Wondering what programs are available to help first time home buyers? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, dis and discuss what are the best first time home buyers programs available such as the First Time Home Buyer's Plan and the recently announced First Tim…
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Best way to start saving for a down payment on a house (and how to do it fast!)
10:28
10:28
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10:28
Planning to buy a home? What's the best way to start saving quickly? In this episode, we talk with Mujtaba Syed, Mortgage Specialist with the Bank of Montreal, and discuss top tips to save up for a down payment on a home. We also explore if you should pay off your debt before saving for a home, how much should you actually save and if it's better t…
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