BUYING A HOME

First Time Buyers

As a first time buyer, you're likely to have many questions about selecting, financing and buying your first home. How do we start looking for a home? How much money will we require to purchase the home? How much will the mortgage payments be each month and can we afford it? How does the home buying process work and what can we expect along the way? These are just a few of the questions you're bound to have at the beginning of your exciting journey to buying your very first home!

We can provide the answers to your questions and walk you through the entire process, from viewing potential homes to making an offer to setting up mortgage financing. Although buying your first home can be overwhelming, you can be confident that we will be available to help you every step of the way. We can make buying your first home simple and straightforward, eliminating any confusion and doubt and allowing you the opportunity to enjoy your first home, worry-free.

WORKING WITH A REALTOR

Deciding to buy a home is usually a complex process. The role of the Realtor is to respect the circumstances of clients and to provide a sense of comfort and assurance that they are buying the property at a fair price and by helping to educate clients on Real Estate matters, thereby enabling them to make informed decisions. The "Working with a Realtor" form provides a overview of your relationship you can expect to have with your realtor.

[Click here to download a copy of the "Working with a Realtor" form in PDF format]

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HOW TO MAKE AN OFFER

When you have found a home you are interested in buying, we will walk you through the process of drafting an offer to purchase.

[Click here for more detailed information on how to make an offer]

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TYPICAL EXPENSES

There are many costs that homebuyers incur, especially upon purchasing your first home that you should expect to pay. Some of the expenses related to buying a home are one-time costs, while others are continuing costs.

Your largest cost at the beginning is your down payment. As a first time buyer, this would likely represent only 5 - 10% of the purchase price.

[Click here to view what other costs you are likely to incur while buying a home]

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FINANCING

Mortgage Brokers

HOME INSPECTIONS

A home inspection is an objective visual examination of a home's structure and systems.

Why get a home inspection?
There are a number of reasons why we recommend a home inspection including:

• To ensure you are not surprised by major defects
• So you can be advised about the various elements of the home including - heating and cooling systems, structure, electrical and plumbing
• To learn about how the mechanical systems work and need to be maintained
• Most homeowners are not expert in the numerous components of house construction
• A third party can be objective as there is no emotional attachment

Home inspectors are often referred by family or friends. Listed below are some professionals we have worked with before: