If you’ve already bought a home—or even two—you might assume you know exactly what to do next. But here’s the truth: what got you here likely won’t get you there.
At the Dekker Team, we’ve walked thousands of clients through the homebuying journey. And what we’ve learned through 35+ years of real estate is that every new purchase—especially one with higher stakes, like a forever home or investment property—requires a new level of clarity, strategy, and preparation.
In this episode of LIFE’s Inside Track, we share a powerful framework to help you break free from reactive decisions and step into intentional momentum. We call it the 90-Minute, 90-Day, 90-Week Framework, and it’s changing how families across Ottawa approach buying with confidence.
Let’s break it down.
🕒 90 Minutes: The Mindset Reset
You might think 90 minutes isn’t enough time to do much—but when used intentionally, it can lay the foundation for the entire process.
Start here:
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Sit down with a notebook or your partner and define your “why.”
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Ask: Why do I want to buy? What am I solving for? What will life look like after this move?
This isn’t a fluffy exercise—it’s your compass. When you get clear on the emotional and practical drivers behind your decision, everything else lines up with more clarity. Wanting more space is different than wanting financial freedom. Hoping for stability is different than trying to keep up with peers. Know your reason, and it will guide every step to come.
And if you’re not clear yet? That’s okay. Book a 15-minute clarity call with our team. Sometimes, a conversation is all it takes to identify the path forward.
🗓 90 Days: The Preparation Window
You might already feel ready to buy—you’ve got a down payment saved, you’ve been browsing listings, you even know what neighborhood you like.
But here’s where many people falter: they skip the prep.
Within 90 days, here’s what we recommend:
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✅ Pull your credit report (know your score before anyone else does)
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✅ Gather your financial documents—T4s, notices of assessment, employment letters, etc.
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✅ Create a realistic spending plan that accounts for more than just mortgage payments (think insurance, maintenance, taxes, and even renovations)
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✅ Connect with your real estate team: mortgage broker, REALTOR®, inspector, lawyer, insurance advisor, and possibly even a contractor
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✅ Discuss your “must-haves,” “nice-to-haves,” and “do-not-wants” with your buying partner or family
It’s also time to consider what kind of property you’re really ready for. A first-time home? A second home? An investment property? Maybe even multi-unit residential?
The earlier you define what you want and what you won’t compromise on, the easier it will be to act quickly when the right property becomes available.
And if you don’t have a team in place yet—don’t worry.
We’ve assembled a network of trusted, proven experts who will serve you with the same care and wisdom we offer. You’re not in this alone.
📅 90 Weeks: The Long Game That Pays Off
Sometimes, you’re not ready to buy in the next 90 days—and that’s perfectly okay.
Maybe you’re just beginning to save. Maybe you need to clean up past debt. Maybe your life circumstances are changing.
That’s where the 90-week mindset comes in—just under two years of intentional building.
What can you do in 90 weeks?
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📈 Automate your savings—even starting with $25 biweekly
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🏦 Open a First Home Savings Account (FHSA) and begin maximizing your $8,000/year contribution limit
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📊 Track your savings visually with a thermometer, chart, or app
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🧠 Study the market with a REALTOR® who teaches you the why behind every listing
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🤝 Join our workshops to grow in financial and relational alignment
The most successful buyers we’ve worked with are the ones who took the time to build their foundation before it was time to act.
90 weeks will pass anyway. Why not let that time work for you?
🚧 Why Flexibility Is the Final Key
Even when your planning is perfect, your timeline might not be.
You may find your ideal property faster than expected—or it might take months or even years. We’ve had clients wait over three years for a specific type of home or investment opportunity. And because they had done the upfront work, they were able to act immediately when the right one came along.
So here’s your encouragement: prepare with focus—but move with flexibility.
Life changes. Rates change. Inventory shifts. Kids grow. Careers evolve.
That’s why we coach our clients to build margin—not just in their budgets, but in their timelines, expectations, and communication with loved ones.
🎯 Your Next Step: Come to the Workshop
On Wednesday, July 23 from 6:30–9:00 PM, we’re inviting you to a special in-person workshop:
Building Wealth Wisely. With the focus of how to help your children buy their first home while strengthening your retirement.
You’ll learn:
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How to build wealth across generations
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Smart strategies for FHSAs, joint ownership, and leveraged investing
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What to do now—even if buying is months or years away
📍 Held at Solid Rock Realty, 5 Corvus Court, Nepean
🎟️ Bring yourself + your teen (ages 15–21)
🔗 Register here: https://dekkerteam.com/events
💬 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re 90 weeks away or 90 minutes from making an offer, the key is intentionality.
It’s not just about buying a house—it’s about buying wisely, for your life now and your legacy later.
And if you’re not sure where to start?
📞 Book your clarity call today at DekkerTeam.com—we’ll help you make a plan that fits.