• The purpose of the initial appointment is to understand your needs and wants as a buyer. This may be the most critical meeting of the home-buying process, during which the entire purchasing pathway will be discussed.

• Whether you are purchasing your first home or returning to the market, the home-buying process involves a variety of costs that you should be aware of before beginning your search for the perfect property. It is essential that your realtor provides a comprehensive overview of these fees, ensuring you are fully informed of the financial commitments ahead. Below is a list of common fees associated with purchasing a home:

o Deposit

o Down Payment

o Property Transfer Tax (PTT)

o Goods and Services Tax (GST)

o Foreign Buyers tax (if applicable)

o Home Inspection Fees

o Appraisal Fees

o Legal Fees (Lawyer or Notary Public)

o Strata Fees (If Applicable)

o Property Taxes

o Home Insurance

o Moving Costs

• By discussing these fees in detail, you can better prepare for the financial aspects of your home purchase and move forward with confidence.

• It’s important to keep in mind that viewing homes without a pre-approval can often lead to disappointment. With our list of preferred service providers, we will help you connect to a mortgage specialist that will set you up for success. With a pre-approval, you’ll not only understand how much you qualify for, but also be able to determine what you can afford on your monthly payments.

• When searching for a home, buyers typically consider three main factors: location, price, and style or condition. These criteria, along with your wants and needs, will ultimately determine the properties we search for and the homes we initially view.

• We will setup a MLS search based on your criteria and send you emails with any new properties we think would be a good fit for you and your needs.

• The process of viewing homes is essential to gather information in order to make the best decision possible. It’s important to note that finding a home is a process of elimination, not a process of selection. Therefore, taking the time to view homes that you may not like is not a waste of time. In fact, it helps us build a frame of reference to better understand what you like and ultimately find the perfect home for you!

• To prepare for the future contract phase of a transaction as a buyer, we will provide you with a copy a of Contract for Purchase and Sale in order to help you become familiar with the inclusion of recommended terms and conditions.  We understand how overwhelming contract negotiations may seem, and it’s our goal to help you through the process in the best way possible.

Congratulations, you found a home you want to make an offer on!

Here are the next steps:

o We will prepare the Contract for Purchase and Sale including any subject clauses required.

o We will negotiate the offer on your behalf.

• Negotiation may involve a counter offer. 

• The counter offer process occurs when one party responds to an offer with revised terms or conditions, effectively rejecting the original offer and making a new offer.

• This process allows both parties to negotiate terms until they reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

o Once the offer is accepted, your 3 Day Recession Period commences.

Here are the next steps towards fulfilling your subject conditions as per the contract.

• Conduct due diligence as per the contract

• Finalization of the pre approved Mortgage details – which may include an appraisal (if applicable)

• Mortgage Approval (if applicable)

• Home inspection

• Review strata documents (if applicable)

• Title Review

• Property Disclosure Statement

• Home insurance approval

see our real estate glossary to familiarize yourself with any unknown terms

• After completing your due diligence, obtaining a fully approved mortgage, are satisfied with the home inspection, and secured the necessary insurance and other clauses specified in your contract, you will be ready to “remove subjects”. Once all subject clauses are successfully removed, the contract becomes subject-free and the deal is now firm.

• Once subjects are removed, you will be required to provide a bank draft (approximately 5% of the purchase price), which is securely held in trust until closing and becomes part of the purchase price.

• A lawyer or notary plays a key role in real estate conveyance, especially during the closing process, by witnessing and authenticating documents to ensure that the transfer of property ownership is legally valid and properly executed. They serve as an impartial third party, providing a layer of protection to all parties involved in the transaction (buyer, seller, lender, etc.)

• With our list of preferred service providers, we will help you connect to a Lawyer or Notary that will make this process a smooth transition!

• After the deal becomes firm and the deposit has been handed over, the next step will come about a week before the sale completes. At that time, you will meet with your notary or lawyer to execute the final documents involved with your sale.

• Some common - but sometimes forgotten - tasks to complete as you get closer to moving day:

o Obtain home insurance

o Prepare to move

o Arrange the moving truck

o Cancel utilities of current home

o Setup utilities of new home

o Pack! This is best started as early as right now!

• We will communicate with the seller’s agent to verify when cleaning is scheduled (if applicable) and make a plan to handover the keys.

• On the completion date specified in the Contract, the monies are transferred and your lawyer or notary will complete all necessary paperwork to transfer ownership (title).

• On the possession date specified in the Contract, we get to hand over your the keys, garage door openers, and any relevant documents or warranties that come with the property. and you finally have possession of your new home!

• Now that you have keys to your new home, you can move in and celebrate successfully buying your home!

• We will always be in touch to make sure you are satisfied with your home and be there should you have any further requests.