Buying a home can be an exciting and emotional experience. As a local expert, you can rely on me to guide you through the process so you can feel comfortable and confident each step of the way.
01—
Get Pre-Approved
The first step to buying a home is to understand your buying power and establish a price range. A licensed lender can help evaluate your financial standing and provide a pre-approval. Getting pre-approved doesn't obligate you to a lender, but it will help guide your decisions during the home shopping process. Having a pre-approval letter in-hand can also increase the attractiveness of your offer, particularly when a seller has multiple offers to choose from.
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The Home Search
Start your search for the perfect home today with up-to-date MLS® listings in your favourite neighbourhood(s). Fill out the contact form below and I will create a custom search website for you to view MLS® listings, select favourite properties, request showings and more! As your REALTOR®, I will also search for homes on your behalf. When you find a home that you like, we'll schedule a showing tour for you to preview the property in person.
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Making An Offer
When you're ready to move forward with a purchase, I will advise you on constructing the strongest offer possible. Then I will draw up the necessary paperwork on your behalf. There is a lot to consider when making an offer. We'll discuss the purchase price, the closing date, sale contingencies and any special stipulations for your particular purchase. Once an offer is submitted, the seller may accept, reject or counter the offer. If the seller returns a counter, we will enter a negotiation period until an agreement is reached, or the offer is rejected by either party.
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Going Under Contract
If your offer is accepted, you will be officially under contract. The purchase will not be complete until closing, but the home cannot be sold to anyone else while the contract remains in effect. At this point, you will work to satisfy your sale contingencies, which may include: financing & building inspection.
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Home Inspection
Inspecting the physical condition of your next home is a vital part of the home-buying process. A licensed home inspector will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the entire property and report any problems with the condition of the home's structure or systems. The inspector will also investigate potential issues such as pest infestations or mold. Depending on the purchase agreement, we may enter additional rounds of negotiation to resolve any problems discovered during the inspection.
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Home Appraisal
Your lender will arrange a professional appraisal of the home. An appraisal is an unbiased estimate of the true (or fair market) value of a home and is conducted by an independent third party. The appraiser will confirm the appraisal value of the property for all parties involved. If the home appraises at less than the expected value, you may have the option to renegotiate the purchase agreement or terminate the contract.
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The Final Walk-Through
Prior to closing, we will conduct a final walk-through of the home to ensure that all negotiated repairs have been completed, and that the home is in the same (or better) condition as when the original offer was made. This is the final opportunity to call out any problems identified with the home before closing. Depending on the purchase agreement, you may sign a formal contract addendum confirming that the walk-through is complete, and the condition of the home is acceptable.
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Closing!
Time to celebrate! Your lender will provide a final closing disclosure that summarizes the loan terms, monthly payments, taxes, and other costs associated with the closing. They will also confirm that you are clear to close, and you will sign all of the paperwork required to complete your purchase and loan agreement. Once the paperwork is signed by all parties and your loan is funded, you will receive keys, and you'll be ready to move into your new home!
