The Process

So, you are ready to buy a home?  You may be wondering what to do next?  Below I have outlined the seven most common steps in the home buying process:

1.  Hire a professional Realtor:  A professional realtor has connections to everything that you will need.  From mortgage professionals, to home inspectors, your realtor is your best resource

2.  Get a pre approval for a mortgage.  Talk to a bank or a mortgage broker and find out not only how much you can afford, but how much you are willing to spend.  It is much easier to buy a property when you know what you can afford

3.  Start looking.  This is where the realtor comes in real handy.  Realtors have access to new listings up to 10 days before the general public.  Hunting on MLS.ca, or checking out the newspaper may leave you frustrated, and without a home.  Rely on the realtor to find you the property you are looking for.

4.  Making an offer.  Your realtor will help you prepare an offer in a variety of ways.  He or she should show you comparable sales, guide you on the value of the property you are looking at, draft the documents, present the offer (Hopefully in person!) to the seller, and negotiate a final sale price

5.  Removing Subjects.  When you write an offer, there are conditions or subjects to the purchase.  Generally these include getting final approval for a mortgage, a home inspection, seeing legal documents regarding the property; including title and a disclosure statement.  There is generally a week to satisfy yourself that the property you are buying is the one you want

6.  Lawyer appointment.  This usually happens a couple of days before you get your keys.  Your lawyer or notary will meet with you, go over the documents, have you sign your life away, and take some of your money

7.  Getting your keys.  Your realtor will meet with you on the day of possession, walk through the property with you, and make sure that there are no surprises. 

This is the simplified version.  My job as a professional realtor is to help you avoid the pitfalls that can await you as you are buying property.  I look forward to serving you.  If you need any more information, simply send me a message and ask for the free, no obligation home buyers guide