National Adult Literacy Database

This document, one of a series of free self-help guides prepared by Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, is aimed at first-time home buyers.

The authors explain how to decide whether you can afford to buy a house and, if so, how big a mortgage you can afford to carry. They discuss the upfront costs of home-buying, including the down payment, appraisal costs and legal fees. They also discuss other costs, like appliances, moving expenses and service hook-up fees, and offer suggestions for cutting down on expenses.