Buying a home: step by step 

Are you wondering whether you should leave your rental unit and get a home of your own? It’s an exciting project but you’ll need to think it over carefully and do some planning and preparation. Review these steps before you take action.

527689848

Thinking it over

Wondering whether to become a homeowner? Before making the big move, it’s important to maximize your chances of success. Drawing on our vast experience of helping future homeowners like you, we’ve put together some information that answers the most frequent questions. It will help you give your project some careful thought!

Is owning a home the right move for you?

Rent or buy? Which lifestyle is most advantageous for you?

Take the test

Can you afford to buy a home?

Here are some ideas for taking your first steps towards buying a home

See what’s involved

Determine your down payment

Your down payment reduces the amount of your total mortgage and therefore has an impact on the interest you pay. Have you taken everything into consideration?

Determine the right amount

 
505090456

Planning

Have you found the home of your dreams? Before you jump into the world of home ownership, you need to do some planning. Do you have the minimum down payment? Do you know about all the expenses involved in buying a home and, most importantly, can you pay them? Take a long, hard look at your finances. That way, you’ll be sure your choices fit well with your personal situation.

What mortgage calculators don’t tell you

It’s so easy with online mortgage calculators and simulators! You immediately know how much you can borrow, what your payments will be and even how much you could save based on your payment options. But are the calculators and simulators really telling you everything?

Why get pre-approved for a mortgage?

There are many steps in the process leading up to the day you move into your new home. Discover the advantages of having mortgage pre-approval right from the start. 

Get pre-approved

Fixed or variable rate?

Security or cost savings? Stability or fluctuations? Is there a hybrid solution? Can you guarantee your rate while you’re searching for a home? We have the answers to your questions!

Find your rate

 
beraterin schttelt einer jungen frau die hand

Preparing

Are you ready to make an offer on a home? Wherever your home buying project takes you from here, being prepared is the best approach. This stage often happens quickly. It determines whether your project will be successful and how it will play out. Be positioned to take action by making sure you already have your papers, documents and questions on hand when you meet with an advisor. 

Be ready for the first meeting with your advisor 

To make sure the process runs smoothly and you can start enjoying your new home as soon as possible, follow these simple ground rules for the first meeting with your advisor.

Follow the guide

Mortgage application overview

Your mortgage application determines whether or not you can buy the home you want. Discover what’s involved in the application process which could mark the beginning of an important new phase of your life. 

Learn about mortgage applications

Mortgage insurance: what is it and how do you sign up?

You have access to a variety of insurance options for your mortgage loan. Find out how they can impact you and see which ones apply to you.

Discover how to insure your mortgage
Back
Terms of use
National Bank’s virtual assistant

When using our Virtual Assistant Service (the "Chatbot"), you accept these Terms of Use, which are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, you agree to consult these Terms of Use from time to time and acknowledge that your continuing use of the Chatbot means that you have accepted any changes that may have been made. Your continued use of the Chatbot means that you’ve read, understand and agree to these Terms of Use, the Terms of Use for our website, our Online transaction services, and to our privacy policy. You also understand any other agreements that you have with us will continue to apply when you use the Chatbot.

1. Our Services and your responsibilities

The Chatbot is an automated service which is integrated into our online banking platform.

The Chatbot is preprogrammed to answer general questions concerning the use of our online banking platform solely for informational purposes. The Chatbot is not able to answer questions on personal monetary transactions or products you hold with us.

By using the Chatbot, you understand and agree that:

  • The Chatbot does not provide financial advice or financial planning services.
  • The Chatbot does not conduct any banking transactions.
  • The Chatbot may not be able to answer all your questions. Therefore, it may not be able to provide you with the information you require. You must judge whether the answer provided responds to your question accurately. In the case of uncertainty, a customer service representative would be happy to help you. You can call us toll free at 1-888-483-5628 or 514-394-5555.
  • The Chatbot is not a complaint service. You cannot use the Chatbot to file complaints. If you have any complaints, you can contact us at the number indicated above.
  • We monitor, record and store the discussion that you have with the Chatbot to improve our interactions with our clients.
  • You will not provide the Chatbot with any confidential, personal, or private information. For example, you will not provide the Chatbot with your login information, PIN or other personal banking information.

2. Limitation of Liability

You acknowledge that we won’t be liable for any losses or damages that you may suffer as a result of your use of the Chatbot, including if the Chatbot is unavailable for any reason.

We cannot guarantee that the results obtained via the Chatbot will be accurate and reliable and that the answers provided will meet your expectations.

We will not be held liable for damages you incur as a result of:

  • Any delay, error, interruption or omission on our part or any other event beyond our control.
  • Any deficiency or technical error or any unavailability of our systems and wireless networks.
  • Your failure to meet any of your obligations.
  • Any amendment to or suspension, refusal or blockage of the Chatbot.
  • Any decision or measure you take in response to information and data obtained via the Chatbot.
  • Any other damages you may incur that are not caused by negligence on our part.

3. Language

You have requested that these Terms of Use, and related documents be drawn up in English.

4. Governing Law

These Terms of Use are governed and must be interpreted in accordance with the laws in force in the province or territory where you reside. If you reside outside Canada, the laws in force and the courts of competent jurisdiction are those of the province of Quebec.

Virtual assistant