GUIDE TO PURCHASING A HOME
# 1 Our initial meeting is a critical first step to buying a home
During this initial meeting, we go through all the steps to
purchasing a home to understand your needs as a buyer.
#2 - Acquire a Pre-approval to Determine the Purchasing Parameters
Viewing homes without a pre-approval can lead to disappointment.
Wise buyers discuss their financial situation with a reputable lender
and acquire a pre-approval before a home search. A pre-approval
creates an opportunity for you to not just understand what you
qualify for, but decide what you can afford as well. Having a preapproval
greatly enhances your negotiating position - especially in a
competitive market. Offers presented with a pre-approval letter
provide a better probability of being accepted and result in
increased negotiating power.
#3 - Viewing Suitable Homes
There are four criteria every buyer uses to find their home: location,
price, size and style or condition. These criteria, along with your needs
and wants, will determine the properties we search for and the
homes we initially view. I will provide insight and experience to assist
in determining which homes will provide you with the highest value.
The process of viewing homes provides you with the information to
make the best decision possible. Helping you find a home is a process
of elimination, not a process of selection. Viewing homes in person
and not just online to determine what you like helps you accurately
see the room sizes, condition and privacy of the home and
neighbourhood. I will offer different options and pose a variety of
questions when viewing homes to help you examine all angles.
#4 - Write the Contract, Deposit Money and Perform a Home
Inspection
The best way for buyers to prepare for the contract phase of the
transaction is to review a blank copy of the purchase contract.
Reading the contract prior to making an offer will make you much
more comfortable during the negotiation phase. We will also go
through the purchase agreement in detail. My position is to make
sure you are legally protected in your home purchase.
Placing a deposit on the home is the best way of communication to
the seller that you are serious about purchasing their property.
Deposit money is kept safe in a trust account until those funds are
used to close the transaction. Funds must be in our trust account
within 24 hours of offer acceptance unless otherwise specified in the
offer. The deposit amount is generally a minimum 5% of the intended
purchase price.
After the contract is fully accepted and all terms are agreed upon, a
home inspection can be performed if the contract allows. The
inspection will allow you and the inspector you hire to take a more
through look at the property. This inspection will give you a greater
understanding of the condition of the property you are purchasing.
#5 - Last Steps to Moving into Your Home
Removal of Conditions from the Contract:
After financing has been approved, we will work towards
removing all other conditions of the sale. All conditions must
be met and signed off by the date agreed upon in order for
the purchase contract to continue. Failure to remove the
conditions by the deadline results in voiding the offer to
purchase.
After all conditions have been removed, the final documents
will be executed. Our office will forward all appropriate
documents to your conveyancing lawyer. Usually 1-2 weeks
before the closing date, you should set up your home
insurance, and your lawyer should be in contact with you to
sign all closing documents. If you have not been notified by
your lawyer, please do not hesitate to contact me.
At this time you can set up your power, water and any other
services to be transferred to your new home on your
possession date.
1 week prior to your possession date, I will be contacting you.
Once the money has been transferred, your lawyer will
authorize the release of the keys and I will arrange a time to
bring you the keys to your new home. Then it's time to move
in!
