Buying

An Explanation of the Process

A REALTOR® will not take it for granted that you know all the ins and outs of the buying/ selling process. Instead, he or she will provide you with a full explanation of what to expect and that’s important so you’re not faced with any surprises along the way.

An Assessment of Your Needs

One of the first questions a REALTOR® will ask is, Why are you moving? A REALTOR® will also explore any time constraints you might have (perhaps imposed by the need to relocate for employment), your financial situation and any future plans.

A Plan to Find Your Dream Home

A REALTOR® will help you identify what you want in your new residence. A pool? A garage? An extra room? A particular building design? What about the neighbourhood? Proximity to schools or work? A REALTOR® will compare your needs, wants and budget with what is available on the market and make recommendations that save you time and effort.

He or she will also accompany you as you view houses and help you assess their suitability and price. As an expert on a property, a REALTOR® can provide facts on the neighbourhoods, the cost of heating, the condition of the furnace, and so on. In other words, he or she will work with you to achieve your dream.

Access to Properties for Sale

Multiple Listing Service® or MLS® is an exclusive service accessible only through a REALTOR® and it can be a valuable tool. Through MLS®, the details of a wide variety of listed properties are made available to the REALTOR® you work with. That can save you a tremendous amount of time and effort in your hunt for the right home

If you are interested in learning about what is available on the market please check out my MLS Section, which enables you to preview properties for sale.

Knowledge of Financing Options

REALTORS® have extensive knowledge of the financing choices available to home buyers and thier options and obtaining financing at the most attractive prevailing rates and terms.

A Skilled Negotiator

REALTORS® are experienced in arranging fair deals. He or she will assist in negotiating an offer, acting as a mediator to head off potential conflicts between you and the seller, and draw up a legally binding agreement.

Honesty and Integrity

Most real estate professionals in our province are member of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and only members of OREA can call themselves REALTORS®

When you work with a REALTOR®, you can expect not only strict adherence to provincial laws, but also adherence to a Code of Ethics. And that code is very important to you because it assures you will receive the highest level of service, honesty and integrity.

Highest Professional Standards

Before receiving a real estate license, candidates must successfully complete an extensive course of study developed by OREA on behalf of the Real Estate Council Ontario. That is only the beginning: in the first two years of practice, licensees are required to successfully complete three additional courses as part of their articling with an experienced broker. In addition, all licensees must continue to attend courses throughout their careers in order to maintain their license.

Buyer Tips

• Bi-weekly and weekly payments

Save money
pay off your mortgage about 4 years sooner.
Simplify your budgeting by making the payment line up with the way you get paid.

• Making Extra payments

An extra $1000 periodically paid on a mortgage can help save interest paid and become mortgage free faster.

• Advantages of Bigger Down Payments

Save on interest.
Save on CMHC premiums.

Steps to get you closer to your dream home

Start planning – one of the first steps on the road to purchasing a home is to save money for the down payment.

Personal Consultation- Before we go out looking at homes in person, we’ll sit down for a full consultation so we can get a better picture of your ideal scenario. we will be discussing the real estate transaction from A to Z in plain English.

Qualify for a mortgage loan – you will be subject to a credit check. Request a copy of your credit report. Carefully examine it for errors, and clean it up before you talk to a lender.

Pre-approve or pre-qualify? It’s smart to ask your lender to pre-approve, rather than pre-qualify you for a mortgage. Pre-qualification only tells how much you can afford. Pre-approval goes a step further. Although not a final loan commitment, the pre-approval letter can be shown when bidding on a home. This information is important to the sellers since they do not want to accept an offer that is likely to fail because financing cannot be obtained. Once you determine how much you can afford to pay for a home, try to stay within your budget.

Fine prints- When you decide on a lender (a bank, your credit union, or a mortgage lender) and a mortgage, get every detail in writing, in particular, the lock-in rate, privileges and fees. Read all the documents related to the purchase of the property, and have a professional review them. You’re signing a binding, legal document.

Currently renting? Check your lease for an early termination clause. If you’ll be subject to penalties, try to time your closing with the expiration of the lease.

Buy first or sell first? it’s always a risk to buy before you sell, but it’s also a big inconvenience not to find a home and have to move into a rental for a couple of months while still looking for a house to buy

What type of dwelling? Look at many homes, including an assortment of types of homes. When you view a property, list the positives and the negatives. Don’t stop your inspection at the property line. Examine the surrounding area. Is it safe, well maintained and moderately quiet? Is it convenient to work, schools and shops? Ask about zoning and that vacant lot across the street.

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