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         - TD Canada Trust releases 2010 Repeat Home Buyers Report -

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TORONTO, Sept. 22 /CNW/ - There is no place like home, but for many Canadians, buying a home doesn't mean they plan to stay for long. In fact, one-in-five repeat buyers have owned more than five homes. Twenty-three per cent of those surveyed plan to move again within six years according to the TD Canada Trust Repeat Home Buyers Report, which surveyed Canadians who have either purchased or intend to purchase a home that was not their first home. Less than one-third say their next move will be their last.

Canadians are split on whether their next home will be larger (49%) or smaller (51%), but there is consensus that in their next house-hunt, they intend to find a fully detached home. Seven-in-ten repeat home buyers are looking for a fully-detached home - even those currently living in condos, townhouses or semi-detached homes are looking for fully-detached homes for their next purchase.

Financing their new home

Half of Canadians say the proceeds from the sale of their current home will be less than the value of their new home, meaning that they will need to take out a mortgage (51%).

Most home buyers will try to save money on their mortgage. Eighty-three per cent will put down as much as they can afford for a down payment. A further two-thirds say they will save on interest payments by choosing accelerated payments (weekly or bi-weekly instead of monthly). Sixty-one per cent will save on interest payments by choosing a shorter amortization period for their mortgage. Still, 21% say they will take out the maximum mortgage that they qualified for from their bank (this increases to 28% of those under 40).

"It is encouraging that the majority of Canadians are taking steps to save money on their mortgage," says Farhaneh Haque, Regional Sales Manager, Mobile Mortgage Specialists, TD Canada Trust. "I recommend that home buyers buy the house that fits their budget, not just their lifestyle. After all, if you buy a house that is too big for you to afford, you could be giving up that lifestyle just to pay it off."

Mortgages for repeat home buyers

Two-thirds of repeat buyers have a mortgage on their current home; 72% intend to use their current lender when they purchase a new home. The top reasons for switching among the remaining 28% are better rates (60%), better customer service (33%) and better mortgage terms (28%).

"There are many options available to repeat home buyers and a mortgage expert can help you choose the right one to save money so you can own your new home faster," says Haque.

The TD Home Buyers Report found that nearly 60% of buyers don't know that they have options or haven't thought about their options for their current mortgage. Haque offers these tips for buyers:

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    -   Take your mortgage with you when you move. Many banks will let buyers
        take their mortgage with them, even if they need to increase their
        principal amount. This gets blended at the current market rate with
        the existing principal at its original interest rate.
    -   Use your mortgage as a selling feature. If the seller's mortgage
        interest rate is lower than current market rates, the purchasers may
        be able to take on the seller's mortgage when they move.
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The TD Canada Trust Repeat Home Buyers Report showed that only one-third of repeat buyers bring their current mortgage with them to their new home and just 8% use it as a selling feature of their prior home, allowing the new owner to assume their mortgage.

Why buy another home?

The top factor that influences the decision to move is retirement (29%). Other factors include being bored of their current home (16%), investment opportunities (15%) and market conditions (15%). Fourteen per cent say they had always planned to move but were waiting to save enough money.

The top considerations for Canadians' next home are the layout of the home (98%), the size of the home (97%) - though they are divided on whether to go smaller or bigger -- and price (96%).

Selling their current home

The majority of home buyers plan to sell their current property before purchasing another one (84%). Of the remaining 16% who will keep both properties, 39% will use one as a rental property or investment property (20%).

Those selling hope to improve the resale value of their home by renovating (54%) or redecorating (52%).

Fifty-five per cent of Canadian home buyers are cautious saying they wouldn't buy a new home until their current home is sold - but 45% say they would put in an offer if the perfect home came up for sale and hope that their house sells.

About the TD Canada Trust Home Buyers Report:

Results for the TD Canada Trust Home Buyers Report were collected through a custom online survey conducted by Environics Research Group. A total of 1,000 completed surveys were collected from August 12 to 27, 2010. All participants either purchased a home that was not their first home within the past 24 months, or intend to purchase a home that is not their first home within the next 24 months.

About TD Bank Financial Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Financial Group (TDBFG or the Bank). TDBFG is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves more than 18 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TDBFG also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 6 million online customers. TDBFG had $603 billion in assets on July 31, 2010. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.