Step 01
Getting Started
We’ll talk about your goals, your timeline, and what you should understand before beginning your home-buying journey.
First-Time Home Buyers in BC
Your First Home Starts With a Plan.
Buying your first home is exciting. It can also come with a lot of questions.
How much can you comfortably afford? How much do you need for a down payment? When should you get pre-approved? I'll help you understand the numbers, prepare for lender requirements and navigate the process with confidence.
You don't need to know every answer before getting started. We can work through the important decisions together.
Personal guidance from planning and pre-approval through closing.
Your Homebuying Journey
Start With the Stage You're In Today.
Explore the entire homebuying process or start with the question that's most important to you right now.
Your Starting Point
Getting Started
Understand the steps involved in buying your first home and start building a plan that works for you.
Explore the Planning Guide
Build Your Savings
Down Payment Planning
Explore minimum down payments, your savings timeline and the other expenses to prepare for.
Plan Your Down Payment
Understand Your Numbers
Mortgage Pre-Approval
Learn how lenders assess your finances and what a pre-approval does and doesn't tell you.
Learn About Pre-Approval
Find the Right Fit
Finding Your Home
Explore communities, housing types and practical considerations involved in choosing a home.
Explore Local Buying Guides
After an Accepted Offer
Conditions & Financing
Understand financing approval, inspections, subject removal and what needs to happen next.
Follow the Buying Process
The Final Steps
Closing & Moving In
Prepare for legal signing, closing costs, completion and the day you finally receive your keys.
Explore the Final Steps
Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming.It doesn't have to.
There are a lot of moving pieces when you buy your first home: your down payment, closing costs, affordability, mortgage approval, and everything that happens between an accepted offer and getting the keys.
My job is to make the process easier to understand, answer your questions honestly, and help you feel prepared before you make one of the biggest decisions of your life.
What the Process Looks Like
From your first question to getting the keys.
Step 02
Down Payment
We’ll review how much you may need, where your down payment can come from, and the other costs you should prepare for.
Step 03
Mortgage Pre-Approval
We’ll review your income, credit, down payment, and monthly obligations so you understand what may be realistic.
Step 04
Buying Your Home
Once you understand your numbers, you can begin house hunting and make an offer with greater clarity and confidence.
Step 05You're Home
Closing & Moving In
I’ll guide you through the final mortgage approval and stay involved through completion so you know what to expect before getting the keys.
You do not need to understand every step before you begin.
The goal is simply to know what comes next, what decisions matter at each stage, and who you can ask when something is not clear.
Start With Your Comfortable Budget
Your maximum approval amount isn't necessarily the amount you'll feel comfortable paying every month.
Understanding Affordability
How Much Home Can You Comfortably Afford?
Before falling in love with a property, it's worth looking at the bigger financial picture. Lenders consider income, debts, credit, your down payment and housing expenses.
We'll consider mortgage payments alongside property taxes, strata fees where applicable, heating and other costs.
Down Payment Planning
You May Not Need 20% Down to Buy Your First Home.
Many first-time buyers assume they need to save 20%. Depending on the property price and mortgage requirements, a smaller down payment may be possible.
We'll also plan for closing costs, moving expenses and mortgage default insurance where applicable.
Understand the minimum down payment
Set a realistic savings goal
Plan for closing costs
Review available first-home savings programs
Mortgage Pre-Approval
Know What the Numbers Look Like Before You Fall in Love With a Home.
A pre-approval can help you understand what may be realistic based on your income, credit, debts and down payment.
I'll help you prepare lender documentation and explain what a pre-approval does and doesn't guarantee. Final approval still depends on the property, updated documentation and lender review.
Before You Start House Hunting
A Clearer Budget Makes for a Better Home Search.
Quick Answers
Answers to Common First-Home Questions
Clear answers to some of the questions that come up most often when preparing to buy your first home.
How Much House Can I Afford?
See how income, debts, down payment, mortgage rates, property taxes and other costs affect affordability.
Read the answer
Can My Mortgage Be Declined After Pre-Approval?
Understand why pre-approval isn't final approval and what can still affect financing.
Read the answer
Do You Really Need 20% Down?
Find out when a home can be purchased with less than 20% down and how minimum down payments work.
Read the answer
How Much Money Do I Need to Buy a Home?
Look beyond the down payment to legal fees, inspections, property transfer tax and other expenses.
Read the answer
What Is Mortgage Default Insurance?
Learn when default insurance applies and how the premium affects your mortgage.
Read the answer
What's Happening With Mortgage Rates?
Explore current mortgage rate signals and what they may mean for borrowing.
Read the answer
Helpful Advice
Common first-time buyer mistakes.
Every one of these mistakes is avoidable. Knowing about them ahead of time can save you stress, money, and disappointment.
Waiting too long to talk to a mortgage broker
Many buyers wait until they've already found a home before asking questions. Starting earlier gives you time to understand your options, your budget, and any hurdles before they become stressful.
Assuming you need a 20% down payment
This is one of the biggest myths I hear. Many buyers purchase with less than 20% down. The right answer depends on your purchase price and your individual situation.
Shopping at the top of your budget
Just because a lender may approve a certain amount doesn't always mean that's where you'll feel financially comfortable. Your mortgage should support your life, not stretch it.
Making large purchases before your mortgage closes
Buying furniture, appliances, or a new vehicle before your mortgage funds can affect your approval. It's usually best to wait until everything has officially completed.
Choosing a mortgage based only on the interest rate
The lowest rate isn't always the best mortgage. Features, flexibility, penalties, and your future plans can all be just as important.
The Good News
These are all preventable.
My job is to help you understand your options before they become expensive surprises, so you can move forward with confidence.
From Accepted Offer to Getting Your Keys
Closing & Moving In
The Accepted Offer Is Just the Beginning.
Once your offer is accepted, there are still important steps before the keys are yours: financing approval, inspections, condition removal, legal signing and completion.
I'll help coordinate mortgage requirements and keep you informed along the way.
Follow the Home Buying ProcessContinue Exploring
Plan Your First-Home Purchase
Explore practical tools and guides to prepare your down payment, understand closing costs and follow the buying process.
Mortgage Tool
Down Payment Calculator
Estimate the minimum down payment, default insurance and mortgage for a home you're considering.
Calculate what you may need
Planning Tool
Down Payment Savings Roadmap
Set a savings goal, estimate your timeline and build a practical plan.
Build your savings plan
Mortgage Tool
Closing Costs Calculator
Estimate property transfer tax, legal costs and other purchase expenses.
Estimate closing costs
Guide
Home Buying Process
See what happens after your offer is accepted through completion.
Follow the buying process
First-Time Home Buyer Guidance
Buying Your First Home in Your Community
Explore local homebuying guidance, from neighbourhoods and property types to mortgage considerations in the community where you're hoping to buy.
Common Questions
Questions first-time buyers often ask.
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Asking questions is part of the process.
The minimum down payment depends on the purchase price, the type of property, and how you plan to use it. We’ll review your available funds and determine what may work for your situation.
A Note From Kiersten
Start with a clearer picture of what's possible.
Buying your first home comes with a lot of questions. A quick conversation can help you understand what may be realistic, what to prepare for, and what your next step could look like.
Let's TalkLet's Talk About Your First Home
Ready to Start Planning Your First Home?
Whether you're just beginning to save or ready to get pre-approved, I'd be happy to help you understand your options.
We can talk about your goals, income, down payment and what an affordable purchase might look like.
Let's Talk About Your First HomeYour inquiry comes directly to me. No obligation to proceed.
