Buying a Home is not only a big and important decision in your life, but it's also very personal and emotional one. As someone who represents you and looks out for your best interest, I would like to guide you through this experience and help you make it as hustle free and pleasant as possible.

As a home buyer, you want your relationship with your real estate agent to be built on expertise, trust and mutual respect. To buy the perfect home takes careful planning and preparation and I will be here to help you.

What can I do for you as your Sales Representative:
  • Educate you about the current market conditions
  • Discuss and analyze your wants and needs against your budget
  • Help you find homes that fit your criteria
  • Coordinate the work of other professionals you'll need during the process
  • Negotiate with the seller on your behalf
  • Make sure all the required paperwork is fully completed, accurate and that deadlines are met
  • Work with you to resolve any challenges that may arise

Here are a few things to consider when getting ready to buy a new home:

Understand Financing and get Pre-Approval
Like many things in life, planning ahead is the key to success. So, you should know the price range you can afford before you start shopping. While knowing how much you can afford is the first step, sellers will be much more receptive to potential buyers who have been pre-approved. You'll also avoid being disappointed when going after homes that are out of your price range. With Pre-Approval, the buyer actually applies for a mortgage and receives a commitment in writing from a lender. This way, assuming the home you're interested in is at or under the amount you are pre-qualified for, the seller knows immediately that you are a serious buyer for that property.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:
  • Down payment - this is usually the percentage of the total cost of a home that you'll need to pay. The more money you put down, the more money you'll save on monthly payments and insurance and, in the long run, interest paid.
  • Knowing what you can afford - how much house you can afford comes down to 3 factors: your monthly mortgage payment, your down payment and the amortization period or length of time it will take to pay off the loan
  • Getting pre-approved - this will really help you figure out what you can spend on a home because you'll know before you start shopping. And you'll be protected against rising interest rates as well

Think of your requirements before beginning your search
Comply the list of your needs and wants for your new residence. For example, 4 bedrooms and a double garage are on the "need" list, and pool, deck or finished basement are on the "want" list. As your Real Estate Realtor I can help by using a variety of tools to identify properties that meet your requirements.

Location
There's a lot to consider when narrowing down your list of what to look for in a new home. Usually, location is right at the top.Choice of location is sometimes limited by the price you can afford but it is still important to consider factors such as commute to work, schools, family, shopping and entertainment. So, what to consider when choosing the location of your future home? If you have children or are planning to have them in the future, it's important to think about what school you want your kids to go to. Daily Commute is another factor to consider. It's a good idea to think about how long your daily commute will be and how long you are willing to drive in traffic each day. If you are going to use a public transport, this also should be checked. Remember: the location of your home and the commute do impact your quality of life and your family lifestyle. Do you need to be close to schools, public transit, highways or where you work? Those can be huge factors when choosing an area to live. And let's not forget proximity to other amenities like parks, grocery stores, doctors and recreational centers.

Decide on the type of house you want
Do you know the difference between a freehold (it's totally yours), a condo (you take care of the inside and pay fees to an association to look after the common areas and maintenance) and a co-op (similar to condos but instead of "owning" your unit, you buy shares in the whole building and pay maintenance and repair fees)

This is only the beginning in your search for the right house. Finding the house, making an offer, negotiating the price, doing the residence inspection, closing the sale and moving - these are the steps to acquiring your new home.

Doing all of these things may seem rather overwhelming. That is why having a professional represent you and keep track of all the details when you buy the property will help you navigate seamlessly through the process.

Please email me or call me directly to discuss any of these matters in further detail and I will be glad to help you find your new home.