Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. So when it
comes time to signing on the dotted line, make sure you don't make that
decision alone.

To help you put together the right team of professionals, Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offers the following list of experts and what
they should bring to the table:

Real estate agent. Among other services, your real estate agent will help
you find a home, write an Offer of Purchase, negotiate a purchase on your
behalf and save you a considerable amount of time, trouble and headaches.
When choosing the agent you want to work with, don't be afraid to ask
questions or call your local real estate association for advice.

Lender or mortgage broker. Many different institutions lend money for
mortgages, including banks, trust companies, credit unions, caisses
populaires, pension funds, insurance companies and finance companies. It can
be a good idea to shop around and speak with more than one lender before you
make a choice. Many Canadians choose to work with a mortgage broker because
mortgage brokers don't work for any specific lending institution, they can
often help you find a mortgage with terms and rates that will suit your
needs.

Lawyer (or notary in Quebec). A lawyer can help protect your legal interests
by ensuring the property is clear of liens, charges or clean-up orders and
will review all contracts before you sign them and your Offer (or Agreement)
to Purchase. Make sure your lawyer or notary is a licensed, full-time
professional who understands the local laws and regulations, has reasonable
fees and can explain things to you in plain language.

Home inspector. When considering purchasing a home, you should hire a
knowledgeable and professional home inspector. He or she will be able to
tell you if something in the home is not functioning properly, what repairs
need to be done and whether there may have been any problems in the past.

Insurance broker. An insurance broker will help you with property and
mortgage life insurance. Your lender can also help you with mortgage life
insurance.

Appraiser. An appraiser will assess your property's worth and help protect
you from paying too much.

Land surveyor. You may need the services of a land surveyor if the seller
does not have a current Survey or Certificate of Location.