Getting Financed

It’s important to get yourself pre-approved so you know exactly what you’re working with. Financial pre-qualification helps make you a more attractive buyer, may give you more room to negotiate, and helps you close faster as it speeds up the process.

One of the first decisions homebuyers face is whether to select a fixed or variable mortgage rate. Learn about the differences to prepare yourself for the homebuying journey.

There are even first-time homebuyer perks that you’ll want to know the ins and outs of, like Land Transfer Tax Rebate, Tax Credit, and Home Buyer’s Plan.

Determine your wants and needs

Before taking that first step into homebuyer territory, you’ll want to take note of all the wants and needs for your future home. This could be anything from having a main floor laundry room to an ensuite bath, or ensuring that the home comes equipped with a garage.

What about the ideal type of home that fits your budget? Are you interested in a detached? Semi-detached? Townhouse? There’s also the age of the home. Are you looking for a newer build or something in a mature neighbourhood?

Finding the right agent

Getting yourself the right agent is a big step that you want to take with some caution. Agents can help you find the best deals and uncover those hidden gems that you may have never thought to look for.

 Your ideal agent candidate should have extensive knowledge of the area, provide sound advice with years of experience, fight for you to get the best possible offer accepted, and create a stress-free environment for an easy, smooth process.

Making an offer

When it comes to making an offer, there’s more to it than just placing a bid. You’ll encounter things like:

Bidding Wars:

When multiple buyers are competing for the same property, a bidding war ensues. Learning how to navigate one can be beneficial.

Home Inspections: 

Getting a proper home inspection can save you thousands. Everything from the outside may look perfect, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t underlying issues. A good home inspector will check every nook and cranny to ensure your home is in good shape or in need of some adjustments.

Common Conditions:

Conditions are added to a homebuyer’s purchase to make sure you’re fully covered during the process. Conditions can include a home inspection, subject to financing approval, or subject to the sale of the buyer’s existing home.

Getting the keys to your home

For any real estate agent, the job isn’t complete until the buyer has the keys in hand.

While you’re knee-deep in your homebuying journey, they’ll help with navigating any of the legal aspects, like lawyers, ensure you’ve found a great home inspector that offers efficient inspections, and that everything is all set to go for your move.

Your agent should always have your best interests in mind, from start to finish, giving you peace of mind when finding your perfect home.