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H om e, L aw n & G ar de n, T hu rs da y, M ay 9 , 2 01 3 6 27 Main St. S., Georgetown 905-702-7719 For style & function that's all about you! We provide top quality custom cabinets & countertops at competitive rates with unsurpassed service. *FREE ESTIMATES* Celebrating over 25 YEARS!! WE LOVE WORKING IN HALTON HILLS! Thank you to our valued customers for your continued support. We look forward to providing top quality custom- designed kitchens & baths for many more years to come! Margaret & the Kabinet Pro Crew R.R.2, Conc. 8, GEORGETOWN 905-877-8830 Boucher & Sons Windows & Doors Ltd. vinyl windows doors & patio doors soffit & fascia seamless eavestrough vinyl siding Selection of colours - FREE ESTIMATES Free Exterior Colour on Windows for the Month of May!! A young homebuyer's checklist Almost two-thirds of young Canadians (63 per cent) are looking to purchase their fi rst home within the next two years, ac- cording to a recent RBC Home Ownership Poll. But these 18-34-year-olds have signifi - cant concerns about making the leap. Almost half of respondents (49 per cent) in this age group cited affordability as a reason they had not yet purchased a home, while one-third (34 per cent) said they were saving money for a large down payment. "Buying your fi rst home is a major mile- stone and you want to ensure you are both fi nancially and emotionally prepared," says Michael Schmidt, manager of client seg- ment strategies. "There are no 'do-overs' when buying your fi rst house, so it's impor- tant to arm yourself with the right advice to avoid unexpected costs down the road." First-time buyers could also ben- efi t from the wisdom of current owners. Three-in-fi ve Canadian homeowners admit they made at least one mistake when they bought a house, including underestimat- ing or overlooking signifi cant renovations that the property needed, not having a big- ger down payment, and lack of a home in- spection. Schmidt provides the following tips to combat some of common home buying mistakes: • Put saving on autopilot: Down pay- ment saving takes discipline. So when you get your paycheque, pay yourself fi rst. One of the easiest ways to commit to this plan is to arrange for pre-authorized transfers from your bank account to your savings account. • Understand the total cost of owning a home: Purchasing a house is more than just a regular mortgage payment. Budget for both one-time expenses (such as land transfer tax, property surveys, and legal fees) and ongoing costs (property tax, utili- ties, condo fees) and balance those costs against your lifestyle. • Create a rainy day fund: Major repairs and upgrades are inevitable. Keeping a separate emergency fund will ease unex- pected costs such as a leaky roof or a fur- nace repair. More information is available online at /www.rbcroyalbank.com/mortgages/fi rst- time-home-buyers. --www.newscanada.com