A Practical Guide to Buying a New Home
What This Guide Will Help You Do
Feeling uncertain does not mean you are unprepared. It means you are making an important decision and want to make it thoughtfully.
Whether you are buying your first home or considering a newly built home for the first time, this guide will help you understand the basics, define your priorities and ask useful questions as you explore your options.
Information To Get You Started
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
There may never be a time when every part of buying a home feels certain. Interest rates, home prices, personal finances and life plans can all change. Instead of trying to predict the perfect time, use your own readiness.
Ask yourself:
- Do I have a comfortable budget that allows for homeownership costs, savings and everyday expenses?
- Have I saved enough for my down payment and other purchase-related costs?
- Is my current home and location still supporting my lifestyle, or would more space, a different layout or a shorter commute improve my day-to-day life?
- Are there government homebuyer incentives, rebates or programs available today that could help make homeownership more affordable?
- If I wait another year, will I realistically be in a stronger financial position, or could rising home prices and the cost of waiting make homeownership more difficult to achieve?
Waiting may make sense if you need more time to save, reduce debt or clarify your plans. But if your finances, goals and lifestyle align, it may be worth exploring your options sooner rather than later.
There is no perfect time to buy a home. The right time is the one that works for your circumstances.
Why Buying a New Home Is Different
Buying a newly built home gives you more opportunities to choose a home that fits your lifestyle today and your plans for the future.
Depending on the home, community and stage of construction, buying new may offer:
- Modern floorplans designed for how people live today
- Opportunities to personalize features and finishes
- Energy-efficient building practices and materials
- New home warranty coverage
- New systems, materials and, where included, appliances
- Fewer immediate maintenance and repair concerns
The homebuying experience can be different, too. Instead of focusing on renovations or competing for existing homes, you may spend more time exploring communities, comparing floorplans and choosing the features that matter most to you.
You will also have direct access to Mattamy team members who are available to answer questions, provide guidance and help you explore your options.
Steps to Buying a New Home
Setting our Decarbonization Targets
Mattamy has committed to achieving a 10% GHG reduction in our FY2025 sold homes as compared to code-built homes,1 which is considered a 31% reduction from a typical resale home built in 2005/2006.
By setting near-term targets, we aim to drive action and deliver immediate results.
We are committed to reporting against these results in 2025.
Important Information This article is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, mortgage, legal or tax advice. Homebuying requirements, costs, financing options and available programs may vary by location and individual circumstances. Buyers should consult qualified financial, mortgage, legal and tax professionals for advice about their situation.