It’s no secret that some housing markets have gone wild in Canada – namely Greater Toronto and Vancouver, where demand for homes continues to rise with prices in lockstep, while supply is dwindling.

Recent measures aimed at cooling these hot housing markets seem to be having their desired effect – including new mortgage rules, Premiere Wynne’s 16-point Fair Housing Plan in Ontario, and Vancouver’s foreign buyer’s tax.

Despite signs of markets cooling, homebuyers are hot to trot when it comes to snagging their dream home.

A recent home-buying survey by TD reveals that 60 per cent of respondents are willing to go over budget if it means getting their foot in the door. In fact, 56 per cent would up their spend by as much as $50,000. That’s no chump change.

“Emotions are playing too big of a role in the home buying process and are tempting buyers to spend more than they can afford,” says Roy D’Souza, associate vice-president, Real Estate Secured Lending at TD Canada Trust. “$50,000 might lose its sticker-shock compared to the overall price of a house, but it’s still a substantial amount of money that could be used to meet other financial needs… Keeping your feelings in check is critical to making objective decisions that match your short- and long-term financial plans.”

  • 58% of those surveyed said they’re worried that an interest rate increase will affect their ability to afford a home.
  • 43% of respondents worry about job stability and other personal issues.

If you’re planning on buying a home, making sure you understand where your money’s coming from and where it’s going.  If you still find yourself challenged, visit a financial planner to ensure you’re not spending more than you can actually afford.  TD offers these additional tips to home-buying within your budget:

Buffer Zone

Maintain a financial buffer of at least three to six months to soften the blow of interest rate increases or bumps in the road.

Get Real

The mortgage you qualify for and the mortgage you can afford are two very different things. Look at your lifestyle now, and a few years into the future, and assess how your mortgage payments and ongoing home costs are going to impact you. When buying a home, you might have to make some compromises in lifestyle to afford home ownership.

Homeowner state of mind

Buying a home involves more than just mortgage payments. Ongoing expenses include home insurance, property taxes, maintenance and utilities. Each month before you buy a home, set aside all anticipated expenses to make sure you can sustain that lifestyle.

When you’re ready, we’re here to help. It’s important to be honest and up front about your budget with your real estate agent. This will arm them with the knowledge they need to ensure they can negotiate on your behalf, without going to high, and also present you options that will fall in your range, no matter what the market conditions are like.