If the numbers add up and you’re ready to buy a home in 2015, this could be a very exciting year for you and your family. These 5 tips can help get you in your dream home before the calendar year runs out:

Know Your Needs, Wants & Goals

If you’ve made the decision to buy a home, there are still plenty of considerations to keep in mind. You and your significant other need to discuss your needs and wants. If one of you wants to live in an historic farmhouse in the countryside but the other wants a swanky condo in the Market, you need to align your visions. Do you plan on having children in the next couple years? Then you’ll want to buy a larger home in a neighbourhood with good schools. Will your son be off to university in September? Then perhaps downsizing is a better option. Take stock of your current needs and future goals and find a home that fits your lifestyle.

Consult an Ottawa real estate agent

Ottawa real estate agents can provide great advice and recommendations on how to find the perfect home this year. They know the best neighbourhoods, best home style to suit your needs, and have great experience in negotiation and finding potential problems which can cost a lot of money and cause a lot of stress down the road. Trust an Ottawa real estate agent to be your guide to home buying in 2015.

Turnkey or Fixer-Upper?

In Ottawa real estate, there are many different homes from which to choose. Fortunately, that means there is something to suit every personality type. If you want a turnkey house, with modern touches and contemporary upgrades, then there are many great options on the market in 2015. If you think you’re pretty handy and would rather customize a house to your exact specifications, then a fixer-upper or home without renovations already completed could be right for you.

Search and Tour

Once you have a general idea of what kind of home you’d like to live in, take the time to tour neighbourhoods and see what ambiance suits you and your family best. Winter is a great time to get a feel for certain areas, noticing which homeowners take impeccable care of their property even in the harsh Canadian weather. An Ottawa real estate agent can help you set up appointments for showings to see the inside of houses and get a feel for what’s on the market and which house is perfect for your family.

Don’t Get Attached

With such a great real estate market in Ottawa this year, it won’t be any surprise if you find a home worthy of an offer. But you may have competition or the home may be overpriced, so it’s important not to get attached. Trust the guidance of your Ottawa real estate agent as they negotiate on your behalf to get the home for a fair value. In the case that someone’s bid is over your budget or a home inspection reveals that the home has fundamental problems, don’t be afraid to walk away.

With these tips in mind, you should easily find the perfect Ottawa home for you and your family well before the calendar flips into 2016.