Thinking of Buying?
Linda understands the relationship between homebuyers and Agents must be based on trust, mutual goals and understanding–this is why we always keep your interests first and foremost. The real estate process requires negotiation of complex issues; She is committed to working in your best interests. She will help you secure the best possible price, with the most favorable terms, in the shortest period of time.
When searching for your dream home, it’s important to be well informed of the Real Estate market. To help you with this process, consider the following factors: What features do you require in a home to satisfy your lifestyle now? Five years from now? Will your needs change? What’s your budget? These are decisions only you can make, but we will do everything possible to match you with your dream home.
Buying a home should be an exciting time and it will be as long as you are prepared for the journey. Here are 10 things you need to sort through before and during the home buying process.
Your first 4 steps as you will see have to do with whether you are personally and financially ready to buy a home. If the answer is yes then continue on and have an appointment with a mortgage broker to Get pre-approved (at this point you will now know how much money you have with your downpayment and the money that you have been approved to receive from a lender)
Steps 5 through 9 is the fun, but can be hectic party of the journey, so this is where you want to have a Realtor that you will have great communication with and that you can trust is going to do the best job for you. It's a big expense, and can be costly if you don't have a Realtor that represents you. Take the time to interview and find a Realtor that will be with you all the way.
Steps 10 and 11 are the finishing touches where the lender takes a look at the offer you have made and the home you have bought and works through hopefully approving the financing. During the same time the home inspector, of your choice, will go through the home inside and out and give you an overall report on the condition of the home.
Step 12 is the closing and if your lender approves your mortgage and the home inspection didn't uncover any major problems with the condition of the home, your Realtor will now have all the papers forwarded to the lawyer/notary, of your choice, and this is where all the legal workings happen with the final result the home in your name and the keys in your hands!
- Be sure you're ready to buy a home - consider costs of owning as well as upkeep
- Determine how much you can afford - do a budget of money coming in and then all your current monthly expenses, including the soon to be mortgage payment to see what you are can afford and are comfortable with.
- Organize your personal information - you will need your SIN; tax documents, a pay stub and employer information; information on any loans or credit cards; value of your assets; and the source of your down payment and closing costs.
- Get pre-approved - make an appointment with a mortgage broker or your bank and have them find out for you how much a lender will give you.
- Find a real estate agent - Take the time to interview and find yourself a Buyers' Agent, this is a Realtor that will represent you, not the Seller. Make sure you are comfortable with the Realtor you choose.
- Search for a home - Together you and your Realtor will sit down and go through all the information pertaining to your purchase.
- Research areas and neighborhoods of interest
- Visit selected homes
- Make an offer on the home you want
- Arrange financing
- Schedule a home inspection
- Prepare for closing