Its always good to understand the purpose of your move and how it will make your life better. Do you want to be closer to grandparents, to help with childcare? Do you want your kids to be able to walk to and from school? Close to your church? Closer to work for a shorter commute? Do you need a bigger yard for your dog? Is privacy a concern? There are a million reasons to move, but you need to know what is important to you.

This is a very important step for us both
You need to fully understand the expenses of owning a home and how much of your hard earned money you’re going to be paying every month towards your home. It is not just a mortgage that you need to take into consideration. Have you budgeted for:
• taxes
• insurance
• utilities
• your mortgage
• maintenance
And don’t forget additional expense to get your home initially set up, such as landscaping, furniture, building a garage, renovations, etc.

Items to provide and ask your mortgage broker include:
• Employment stubs
• Letter of employment
• Summary of debt

Additional considerations include:
• Will you have renters?
• Do you need a home improvement loan to build a garage or finish a basement?
• Do you qualify for any government subsidies or programs?

When you work with mortgage broker that we also know and trust, it helps provide confidence to the negotiating real estate agent when your offer is presented. As your representative we are here to get you not only the best price, but all the items you want included in the contract, possession time frame and the know how to move this transaction along so when it comes to getting approved, conditions removed, and the transfer of funds on possession day, there are no delays.

Now that you’re pre-approved with a financial institution that we both have confidence in, let’s start the search for the perfect home!

a) Location
• communities
• schools
• friends
• churches
• shopping
• transit
• amenities
• accessible to main roads

b) Type of home:
• Bungalow
• Two-story
• Bi-level
• Four level split
• Lofted
• Duplex
• Suited
• Condo

c) How to do you or your family live in your home?
• Do you entertain lots?
• Do you need school spaces?
• Do you play the piano?
• Do you need a home office?
• Home gym?
• Multi-car garage?

d) Placement on lot?
• Do you want your backyard to have sun in the evening or morning?
• How can you get protection from the wind?

e) You may be pre-approved for more than you would like to spend. What is your budget range for this home?
• $_______ to $________

f) Do you want to sign up for listing alerts?

a) We are required to give 24 hours notice to show a home. Please give us at least 26 hours notice from when you would like to view a home, so proper arrangements can be made. The more notice, the better. 

b) Be respectful of each home owners time

c) Ideally do not take children on showings, so you can concentrate on this huge decision.

d) Wear easy shoes to take on and off and ensure you are well fed and watered

e) Be respectful of people homes; do not touch their items, go through the cabinets or use their washrooms

f) Do not book the appointment if you think you may have to cancel. There are too many people involved in this process and it is a large inconvenience for that to happen

a) We will need: driver licences of those who will be on the purchase contract, bank or mortgage broker information, lawyer information, bank draft or cheque for initial deposit when presenting the contract. Home buyers may also need to sign a dower (depending on marriage status)

b) Included in the contract will be the offer price, additional items that you want to negotiate, condition removal date and possession date
Conditions include:
• Subject to the sale of your home
• finance conditions
• home inspection
• Current Real Property Report (RPR)
• compliance letter
• proof of proper permits pulled from city
• Response time for the seller to respond
Once these items have been finalized, then the negotiating back and forth begins! Once both parties have mutually agreed on the terms of the contract, it will be considered an “accepted offer”.
We will send everything to the bank/mortgage broker and lawyer, however you need to keep in mind the condition dates and be punctual with additional information needed by each.

Congratulations, your financing is approved, the home inspection has gone well, you have received/given all the appropriate documentation to remove conditions. This home is unconditional and you are legally bound to take possession of the home.

Approximately 2 - 7 days before possession, the lawyers will set up an appointment for you to sign all the mortgage documents, making sure that everything is ready for possession day.