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Nor will the size of the down payment necessarily prevent you from buying a home. There are several ways to finance the purchase of a home by maximizing the The median-home-price listings in the business sections of our daily papers shouldn’t keep you from buying either. Remember, “median” means that half the homes for sale are above this figure and half are below it You’ll discover that prices are significantly different, depending on where you look and the type of house you buy. So what’s the good news, you ask? The answer is that real estate values are expected to continue increasing over the long term. And why is that good news? Because the sooner you buy your first home, the sooner the tendency of property to appreciate will help you. Let’s fact it. It is more difficult for the first-time buyer today than it was when our parents purchased their first homes. Over the years in many Ontario real estate marâ€" kets, increases in home prices have exceed- ed the gains in median family income. The average down payment required to buy a home has also increased more rapidly than our incomes, in many cases. Matching dreams with reality If it will make you feel any better, most people who first look at home prices are equally shocked. Probably the most expen- sive thing you’ve bought so far is a car or an apartment full of furniture. Now you’re looking at prices that are five, ten or even twenty times the amounts you paid for those other consumer goods! ou’ve weighed the option of rent- i ing or buying and have decided you'd like to buy a home. But a quick look in the papers or a conversation with friends immediately discourages you. “Look at these prices,” you say to yourself. “I can’t afford to buy in this market!” Direct Line 845-9180 MAKE HOUSE Enter 24-Hour Ta'lking Ad, 7414 ALE HUMPHRIES DARLING DEAL! $154,909 _ REPRESENTATIVE flyLngyour first fiome (Excerpted from the book How To Buy Your First Home, produced by the Ontario Real Estate Association. For your free copy, call OREA at (416-445-9910). The best way to deal with this reality is to match your financial capabilities with the home that meets as many of your needs as possible. Many firstâ€"time buyers purchase what is commonly known as a “starter home.” There’s nothing wrong with this approach. In fact, it’s good common sense to avoid buying a home that will stretch your budget to its breaking point. Remember, the starter home is just that - a way to get started in long-term real estate investment. Reality soon sets in, however. Our dream home sells for several hundred thousand dollars and the down payment is more than we earn in two years. Not to mention the payments, which are three times our take- home salary each month. Where do we get these ideas? Often they relate to our parents’ home or our grand- mother’s house in the country. We associate warm memories with those places and natu- rally want to duplicate the feelings. Most first-time buyers want their dream home right away. White picket fence, trees shading a huge yard, several thousand square feet of living space and a full fin- ished walk-out basement, overlooking a stream in the valley below. You know the picture. Your dream may be somewhat dif- ferent, but just as appealing. So don’t let appearances fool you. Despite today’s prices and down payment requirements, somewhere there’s a home with your name on it. The important thing is to get into the market as soon as you are able to afford your home. funds you have available for a down payâ€" ment. A smamous 51m saasmou: _$.1 73.509 _ Enter 24â€"Hour Ta'lking Ad, 7405 a YOU WANT TO own A HOME? .$.1. 79:500. _ _ ‘_ Enter 24â€"Hour Talking Ad, 7408 Enter 24-Hour Ta'lking Ad, 74172 C uuaan av LAKE’S EDGE! . .$439:5°0_ _ ‘hLLLi-IJM LX8W%WJJ maswa Luge IS AFFORDABLE m nismmi _ -A __29_9_.u.00° - DOUBLE uvma AREA "no: AS mos: $299909. _ __ me: me: ron FAMILY «mama: $.31 9:909 _ , a A Absolutely charmin , this lovely home built in 18 2 and later extended offers all the luxuries of modern day llvlng. 4 bdrms., elegant principal rooms, den/family room all with excellent taste in decor. Situated on beautiful, mature .25 acres. Excellent location, steps to town, harbour and lake. Rare opportunlty! 55791110 - SPACIOUS - GRACIOUS! Pride of ownership is reflected In the condition and beauty of this home. Positively lovely throughout with elegant livin room, w/fireplace, separate din ng room, charming family room w/fireplace, Iar 9, pretty kitchen. O/L large patio an garden. Magnificent property with mature trees and flowers. Prestigious locale. Enter 24-Hour TaIRing Ad. 7406 Enter 24-Hour Ta'lking Ad, 7413 6.247 Enter 24-Hour Ta'lking Ad, 7409 EILEEN GRAHAM 842-70m EILEEN GRAHAM 842-7000 . Ideal starter. o Freehold townhome with lovely property. . Excellent, convenient location in North Ookville. $139,900 f TOWNHOME OPPORTUNITY! EILEEN GRAHAM 842-7000 mguun sv'smmu um 599,000 Enter 24â€"Hour Talking Ad, HEW 6;... emu ONLY FOUND IN mus _$_249._900_ _ A A A Unlque layout with very charming amblence. 4 bdrms., exceptional master, elegant IIving room w/fireplace, separate dining room. O/L pool and garden, large family room w/flreplace, sheltered patio, inground pool and beautiful, mature roperty. Peaceful, restigious ocation. $435,000 or $3.5 /monfh. All the ingredients for family enjoyment wrth sunroom, recreation room, inground pool. Lovely mature treed property with privacy hedge. Prime property for expansion. Ideal family location In East Oakville. Also forI relnt at $1,425/month. Excellent va ue $219,900 - EAST OAKVILlE BUNGALOW Enter 24-Hour Ta'lking Ad, 7411 EILEEN GRAHAM 842-700) EILEEN GRAHAM 842-7000 Enter 24â€"Hour Taflking Ad , 7407 FABULOUS noon-mm ‘ .$.29‘!s_.0°9. _ fidmm