내 집 장만(Buying your first home)

금리가 떨어지고 집값이 많이 떨어진 지금이 집을 장만하기에 좋은 때라고 합니다. 특히 처음으로 집을 사는 사람들에게는 더욱 그럴 것 같습니다. 지금은 집값이 많이 떨어져 있지만 장기적으로 보면 언젠가 오르겠지요.

요즈음 젊은들 중에는 좋은 집을 사고 또 좋은 차를 사 마음껏 삶을 즐기려는 사람들도 적지 않습니다. 차를 사기 위해 한 달에 80-90만원의 할부금을 내거나 일억 혹은 그 이상의 돈을 지불합니다. 이렇듯 화려하게 삶을 즐기기 보다는 대중교통을 이용하면서 저축을 하는 것이 때로는 더 지혜로울 수 있을 것입니다.

이웃에 사는 가족은 최근 메르세데스 벤츠를 세대씩이나 구입했습니다. 인테리어 비즈니스를 하는 그 가족은 장성한 아이들도 벤츠를 타고 부모도 벤츠를 탑니다. 그들 옆집 사람들도 벤츠를 타고 다니니 무슨 경쟁이라도 하나봅니다.

옆집 친구 폴과 이야기를 나누며 이웃 사람들의 화려한 라이프스타일이 당장은 좋아보일지 모르지만 현명한 소비는 아닐 것이라는 데 의견을 같이 하였습니다.

어쨌든 지금이 집을 사기에 가장 적합한 때라는 건 분명해 보입니다. 이곳 북 아메리카(North America)에서 말입니다.  

<Buying your first home>

-Experts say homeownership never looked so good-

The bad news about the economy is good news for those considering homeownership.

"Interest rates are low and property prices are more affordable then they've been in years," says Shari Love, a real estate agent serving the Edmonton area.

Not only will aspiring first-time homebuyers save on their home purchase, they'll also save more in the long run than if they were renting.

"As a renter, you'll never see your money again. As an owner, you will see a return, because property prices tend to increase in value over time," Love says.

Swapping your rented apartment or parents' basement for a house or condo and a mortgage is a big step, but enough planning and budgeting can make it easier.

First, Love says, evaluate your lifestyle and spending habits, and decide if and how you can scale back.

"A lot of buyers expect to have the standard of living of their parents, which they have acquired over years and years," Love says. "They need to live within their means."

One way to save money, she says, is cutting back on transportation expenses.

"We see a lot of younger people trying to buy a home who have fantastic vehicles for which they pay $750 month," say Love, and suggests that public transportation is much more economical.

To prepare for a home purchase, Love says, individuals should regularly purchase RRSPs so they can take advantage of the federal government's RRSP Home Buyer's plan. The plan lets first-time buyer's borrow up to $20,000 from their RRSPs and repay it over the next 15 years without penalty.

When it comes to securing a ,mortgage, cash-strapped individuals choose 0% down payment and amortization period of up to 35 years. Those who can afford it, Love says, should go for 5% down to bring down the cost of their mortgage and own their home sooner.

What can help cover the cost of a mortgage, Love says, is renting out a bedroom or basement apartment.

"Rental income helps make the mortgage and the home more affordable," says Love, adding that the Alberta government offers homeowners a grant to develop a basement or above-garage suit for a tenant.(In ontario, check http://showmethegreen.ca/category/ontario/ for grant and rebate programs)

If homeownership is on your radar, but you need extra help getting a mortgage, www.homeownersoon.com may be an option.

Catering mainly to first-time buyers, this unique service helps Canadians rejected for a mortgage by the banks-because of insufficient down payment funds or an unestablished credit history-to buy a home in a timely manner.

"We fill a need in the marketplace for those who want to own a home, but can't obtain financing from major financial institutions," says Alex Kluge, relationship manager.

Participants make a small down payment that's credited to them as a deposit that will form part of their overall equity in the property. They then begin making monthly payments, which include a rental payment and a Monthly Option Credit payment (typically about 20% of the rental payment), which is saved and credited towards the purchase price of their property.

"Homeownership is one of the best wealth-building tools available," Kluge says. "This service allows people to make their dreams of homeownership come true."

(Source: 24hours Fryday, June 19-Sunday, June 21, 2009 page 20 by Sharon Aschaiek)