To find a home that fits your family, you must first define what specifically you are hunting for. To help answer this important question, there are some requirements you must first consider:

What are our families needs in a new home?
Where is the ideal location for our new home?
When is the ideal time to move?
How much can our family afford?

Each of these questions should present real challenges for the reader to answer. To help, we have complied some useful tools you will find in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. Navigate through these tools and topics at your own pace. When you finish, it will be no surprise that your answer to the question “what specifically are we hunting for?” will be a weighted combination of the four considerations named above.

“Plan your Hunt and Hunt your Plan” - is the golden rule to house hunting. Once you have defined your “target”, focus your search within reasonable bounds of each requirement as reviewed above. Over specifying multiple criteria or heavily weighing a single requirement for your search will drastically reduce the number of potential “leads”. Keep the search for your “target” focused, but avoid “tunnel-vision”. Remember, opportunity can only enter if the door is open.

Set specific goals for researching listings and following up on potential leads. Be pro-active in the qualification of individual leads. Asking the right question ahead of time will avoid disappointment of your vested precious time and money. When asked “tell me about your home”, a Seller will only volunteer a fixed quantity of information. It is your job to qualify leads by asking pointed questions regarding the features of a particular home or property. Carefully take notes when interviewing a landlord or property manager making sure to cross-reference the feature sheet and posted photos of the property.
When it is time to visit a property and meet the landlord be sure that you are prepared. Come with a pen and a cheque to leave a deposit. Have your rental history and references, as well as a letter from you employer which states your annual income. It is also wise to examine your credit report before the landlord does. Only go to your interview alone or with the person or persons with which you are renting. And as with any interview, show up on time and dress appropriately.
Before you sign on the dotted line…it is important that you carefully examine and understand all the terms and conditions within the lease agreement. If you do not understand parts of the agreement you may wish to consult a lawyer as there may be unexpected requirements. Again, it is very important to have all of your questions answered before you sign anything that may be firm and binding.
Remember - plan your hunt and hunt your plan!