Buyer Notes买房话题
Before the viewing: set your budget and priorities看房前，先理清预算和重点
Beautiful photos can make a home feel right before you have considered the practicalities. Before booking viewings in Ottawa, give yourself a short brief you can return to when a property makes a strong first impression.
Set a comfortable budget
Consider the full cost of living there. CMHC identifies property taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs alongside the mortgage; condo fees may also apply. Leave room for your other spending and an emergency reserve. Bring that budget to a mortgage professional, then choose a search range you feel comfortable sustaining.
Choose three priorities
Separate what you need from what you would enjoy. Commute, layout and accessibility may matter more to your routine than finishes. Choose three priorities, then name the trade-offs you could accept. For example, a smaller yard may be reasonable if the location gives you back time every day.
Use the same questions at every viewing
Walk through a typical weekday: where would you work, store winter gear and park? Note the condition questions you want checked, and review the surrounding streets as well as the rooms. Write down one strength, one compromise and one unanswered question before the next visit. That small habit makes your shortlist easier to compare.
照片里的房子很容易让人心动，但真正住进去以后，影响生活的往往是每天通勤多久、空间够不够用，以及每月开支能否轻松承担。预约看房前，先写下一份简单的需求清单，看到喜欢的房子时，也有依据判断它适不适合自己。
先算清每月的住房开支
预算要把入住后的日常开支一起算进去。加拿大按揭及房屋公司（CMHC）提醒屋主，除房贷外，还要考虑地税、保险、保养维修；部分房屋另有管理费。留出生活开支和应急储备，再与贷款专业人士核对融资安排，确定自己愿意长期承担的价格范围。
选出最重要的三件事
把“必须有”和“有了更好”分开。通勤、格局、上下楼是否方便，可能比装修风格更影响日常生活。先选出最重要的三项，再想清楚哪些地方可以让步。例如，院子小一点能否接受，换来的是每天少花一些时间在路上？一起买房的人也最好提前聊清楚，避免看过几套之后才发现彼此的重点不同。
每套房，都用同样的标准看
试着想象一个普通工作日：在哪里办公，冬衣放哪里，停车是否方便？把需要进一步核实的房屋状况记下来，也留意周边街道。每看完一套，写下一个优点、一个取舍和一个待确认的问题。当天结束后再放在一起比较，比只记得哪套厨房漂亮，更容易筛出真正合适的房子。
Further reading: 参考资料：CMHC: Now that you're a homeownerCMHC：入住后的房屋开支与预算. General guidance; your property's details and plans need an individual review.。本文提供一般思路，具体安排需结合房屋和个人情况。
If you are still sorting out your priorities, share your preferred areas and what daily life needs to look like.如果还没想清楚从哪里开始，可以说说你关注的区域，以及日常生活里最在意的事。
Talk through your buying plans一起理清买房需求 →