Buying a house for the first time is exciting – and a bit unnerving for many people. There is a lot that goes into the home buying process. What you don’t know can cost you money, time and stress. That is why it is of the utmost importance to work with an experienced realtor when you are a first-time home buyer.

There is more to buying a house than walking through the front door, falling in love with the home and placing an offer. If it were that simple, there would be no need for realtors. The last thing you want to do is to overpay for a house, be on the hook for costly repairs that you didn’t see coming or find out the community is not what you had envisioned. These are the areas in which my experience as a local realtor is priceless.

Buying your first home is one of the most important choices you will make and I am happy to provide a list of steps for buying your first home.

Step 1: Start Looking!

Don’t wait until you are ready to buy to begin researching the areas you like.  Research prices, as well as the neighborhoods, schools, accessibility, stores, etc.  If you do not know how to begin, a professional realtor already has all this information available. In fact, finding the right realtor who knows the area is a vital part of this first step.

Step 2: What’s Your Budget?

Before you contact a mortgage broker for pre-approval, it is best to know where you stand financially. How much will you be able to afford as a down payment? What kind of mortgage payment will you be able to carry comfortably?

Step 3: Get Preapproved

If you are a first-time home buyer, you may not understand the pre-approval process. Preapproval requires providing additional documents, which may be bank statements, tax statements, as well as proof of employment. The mortgage company will check your credit and review any outstanding debt and if all goes well, you will be pre-approved for an extended period of time which will give you a much better idea of what price range you will be working with.  Sellers also like it when potential home buyers are preapproved because it reduces the risk of the sale falling through.

Step 4: Go House Hunting!

This is the fun part. Your realtor will discuss your needs, desires and requests with you and put together a selection of houses for you to view. As a first-time home buyer, you might fall in love with the first house you see but I strongly advise that you do not jump head-first into an offer. I always advise my clients to look at a few homes to really get a feel of what they want. There is much more to selecting a house than a quick look. Pay close attention to the size of the rooms, if the home needs painting or new floors, parking, lighting, plumbing and the surrounding homes.

Step 5: Make an Offer

When making an offer on a house, be prepared to negotiate.  Your realtor will take care of presenting the offer to the buyers.  Your offer is a legal document, so ensure you read and understand everything that is outlined in the paperwork.

Step 6: Home Inspection

This is a critical step as you want to get a good inspection to ensure that your new home is in good shape.  Buying a home is a big financial investment, so it only makes sense to have your dream home professionally inspected before signing on the dotted line.  Even if you are a dedicated do-it-yourself, who is well-versed in-home improvements, a home inspection can find problems you might miss, and could detect serious structural issues.

Step 7: Sign on the Dotted Line

The closing of the house is an exciting time for any first-time home buyer. Buying a home will be one of the biggest transactions of our life.  It may take some time to go from pre-approval with a mortgage lender to actually closing on a home.  You owe it to yourself to make the right decisions by choosing a reliable and experienced realtor.

If you follow the steps above, you will be in a prime position to shop for your new home with confidence.  

About Me

Born in Toronto, Ontario, I have been in sales for over 30 years.  At the young age of 23, I was a successful store manager for a large well known Retail Shoe Company in Toronto, which led me to work for a large Floor and Wall Fashions Distributor in Warehouse Management and Sales. Beginning in 2004, this valuable experience led me to a successful and dynamic career in Real Estate.  I then achieved my Broker's license in 2008 and I am always continuing my education in this exciting field.

I find myself so fortunate to live and work in Lagoon City.  Over the years, I have met so many wonderful people who have become my neighbours and friends.  I truly believe in creating a better community through connecting people with the right homes.  My integrity and honesty will always keep you on the right path and my dedication to finding or selling your home goes beyond expectations.

Richard McGuigan is a professional CENTURY 21® Real Estate Broker at Century 21 B.J Roth Realty Ltd, residing in Lagoon City, Ontario and providing you with the highest quality service possible. His personal knowledge of the Real Estate market in Lagoon City and surrounding areas is combined with the power of the CENTURY 21 brand - the most recognized name in Real Estate today.  Let Richard assist you in finding your dream home in our beautiful waterfront community.  Contact him today for a free home evaluation.

Over the last several years, we have all learnt the importance of a thoughtfully designed home office.  Winter arrived with a vengeance right before Christmas and, luckily, many of us have the option to work from home and when you do, you need a bright, uncluttered space with some privacy from the rest of the house. Your office can have an enormous impact on your productivity and if you plan to show off your home in the future to potential buyers, a stunning home office is a major benefit to many these days.

Here are some ideas that I am pleased to share with you because investing in a space that’s designed for focus and productivity, you’ll be investing in your career, not to mention the value of your home.

The Need for Natural Light

Natural light is instrumental in any well-laid-out workspace. Getting enough natural light in the workspace provides benefits to both the quality of the work you are able to get done and it could also impact your health. 

To reap all of the benefits of natural light in your home office, consider a window renovation. Whether you’re installing windows where there used to be none or simply enlarging the existing windows, renovating the windows in your home office will bring in more natural light and give the room a polished appearance.  If you don’t get much morning sun in your apartment or home, step outside for a little fresh air and soak up that sunlight and vitamin D before you start your work day. 

Keep it Clean

Things have a habit of collecting in home offices... all kinds of things--especially if you have kids.  They say a cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind, and for most people this saying rings true. Make it a habit to purge your home office of paper piles, coffee cups, garbage and whatever else is taking up space and not serving any purpose.

Keep it Green

Did you know that many houseplants can actually help to purify the air in your home? This is just one reason why plants make a great addition to your home office.  If your office is feeling a bit stale, whether in the air quality, or just the tone of the decor, bringing some beautiful greenery in will definitely give you a breath of fresh air in your space.  Spider plants are a great choice, especially for beginner plant parents, because they’re very low maintenance. 

Think Up and Down

There are some downsides to a home office. One of the problems is that home offices tend to be tiny, even when your office is a dedicated room. When you’re setting up your home office, don’t just think side-to-side. Think vertically to maximize your storage options. A hutch, tall bookcases, or even floating shelves can give you more storage without taking up precious floor space.

Add a Door

Especially if more than one member of your household is working from home, ensuring that you have privacy in your workspace is crucial. Interruptions are the enemy of focus, but a door addition in your home office is an excellent solution.  Consider installing elegant French doors to close off your home office space, or even a sliding door for modern spaces. New interior doors will elevate your home office space while providing practical benefits.

Working from a home office looks like it’s here to stay and in order to work successfully from home, you will definitely need to be organized.  A home office can be anything—and anywhere—you want. In a cozy corner or spread out across the basement, the options are only limited by your space and your imagination.

About Me

 Born in Toronto, Ontario, I have been in sales for over 30 years.  At the young age of 23, I was a successful store manager for a large well known Retail Shoe Company in Toronto, which led me to work for a large Floor and Wall Fashions Distributor in Warehouse Management and Sales. Beginning in 2004, this valuable experience led me to a successful and dynamic career in Real Estate.  I then achieved my Broker's license in 2008 and I am always continuing my education in this exciting field.

I find myself so fortunate to live and work in Lagoon City.  Over the years, I have met so many wonderful people who have become my neighbours and friends.  I truly believe in creating a better community through connecting people with the right homes.  My integrity and honesty will always keep you on the right path and my dedication to finding or selling your home goes beyond expectations.

Richard McGuigan is a professional CENTURY 21® Real Estate Broker at Century 21 B.J Roth Realty Ltd, residing in Lagoon City, Ontario and providing you with the highest quality service possible. His personal knowledge of the Real Estate market in Lagoon City and surrounding areas is combined with the power of the CENTURY 21 brand - the most recognized name in Real Estate today.  Let Richard assist you in finding your dream home in our beautiful waterfront community.  Contact him today for a free home evaluation.

As I reflect on the past year, I am truly grateful to live and work in such an amazing community.  This past April, I joined Century 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd. Brokerage, and I am pleased to announce that it has been a seamless transition.  This move has allowed me greater flexibility, independence, and creativity in my work, and the ability to continue to serve you with all your real estate needs and always with satisfactory results.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Hard work also paid off earlier this year as I was awarded with the Century 21 Outstanding Achievement Award of Excellence in Recognition of Exemplary Performance for the First Quarter.  To all of my clients that made this possible, I want to thank you for trusting me with your real estate needs.  I am deeply humbled and honoured.

I would also like to send a huge thank you to Joe & Anna, the owners of our local Italian Eatery - Lanterna Restaurant & Marketplace, as they have been my loyal supporters for years and I appreciate all that they have done, providing advertising, making amazing food for our residents and always providing donations for my giveaways.  Supporting local business within my community is very important to me. 

This year I also took part in the Golden Heart Virtual Challenge for Easter Seals Kids.  Beginning on June 1st, I competed in a 221 km virtual trek in 45 days to support kids living with physical disabilities in Ontario.  I reached my goal of raising $2100 to help send kids to camp and purchase equipment that is essential for mobility and accessibility through Easter Seals Canada.  I am proud to be a Two -Time Golden Heart Award Club Member, knowing that all the money I raise helps children with disabilities.  I also want to thank everyone who came out and donated in support of this very important cause at the Century 21 B.J. Roth Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament this past July at Bear Creek Golf Club.  It was such a fun filled day, all in support of Easter Seals Canada.  

This holiday season, I hosted a 12 Days of Christmas Give Away where all participants had a chance to win baskets full of locally bought items and it was a huge success. 

Are you selling your home during the holidays?  Think clean, cozy and simple. Always remember to create an environment that makes prospective homebuyers feel comfortable and warm the moment they walk through your front door. Outside temperatures can wreak havoc on driveways and walking paths that may be blanketed in snow and ice. Always make sure to keep your property safe for potential buyers by making sure your driveway, front steps and any walking paths are cleared.

I wish you all a safe holiday season filled with peace, joy, and wonderful memories. A sincere heartfelt thank you for your confidence, friendship, and loyalty this past year and I look forward to supporting your real estate needs in 2023.

 About Me

Born in Toronto, Ontario, I have been in sales for over 30 years.  At the young age of 23, I was a successful store manager for a large well known Retail Shoe Company in Toronto, which led me to work for a large Floor and Wall Fashions Distributor in Warehouse Management and Inside Sales. Beginning in 2004, this valuable experience led me to a successful and dynamic career in Real Estate.  I then achieved my Broker's license in 2008 and I am always continuing my education in this exciting field.

I find myself so fortunate to live and work in Lagoon City.  Over the years, I have met so many wonderful people who have become my neighbours and friends.  I truly believe in creating a better community through connecting people with the right homes.  My integrity and honesty will always keep you on the right path and my dedication to finding or selling your home goes beyond expectations.

Richard McGuigan is a professional CENTURY 21® Real Estate Broker with Century 21 B.J Roth Realty Ltd, in Lagoon City Ontario and provides you with the highest quality service possible. His personal knowledge of the Real Estate market in Lagoon City and surrounding areas is combined with the power of the CENTURY 21 brand - the most recognized name in Real Estate today.  Let Richard assist you in finding your dream home in our beautiful waterfront community.  Contact him today for a free home evaluation.