GETTING STARTED

When purchasing a home, you are faced with a multitude of decisions. Finding that perfect home is not an easy task, and obtaining a mortgage loan can be a complex and tiring process. Once you've made the commitment to reach that home-purchasing goal, though, the rewards you can achieve are unquestionable.

Assisting you every step of the way, we will make the process of purchasing a home easier, more enjoyable, less time-consuming, and less expensive than if you undertook this challenge on your own. We will help you prepare so that sellers perceive you as a preferred buyer, help you locate and assess properties for sale that match your specifications, and guide you through the myriad of details attending the actual purchase.

Your first step in the home-buying process is to define the reasons why you want to purchase a new home. To stop paying rent? To start building equity? To have a place of your own? To raise a family? To move up to a bigger house?

Determine the style of home you prefer and the area in which you'd like to live. Be specific.

Develop a needs vs. wants list. Everyone has a picture of their ideal home. This home would include all the features you not only need, but have long desired. However, when it comes time to buying a home, these desired features constitute additional costs. While it's nice to think about having an artfully landscaped backyard, or built-in appliances, these are usually considered luxury items, which can add considerably to the price of your property.

Begin the list with items you absolutely need like adequate room, garage space and number of bedrooms. How much space do you really need? Does your situation require a one-level home, or are stairs acceptable? Basic needs should be considered first. After these have been established, you can consider additional features if you can manage these benefits financially. With such a list in your hands, you're less likely to be caught up in the excitement of the pursuit. You'll have a good idea of what you want, the features within your price range, and whether or not you can afford those additional items.

Think of yourself as zeroing in on a target, going from the general to the specific. Consider area (Cloverdale, White Rock, Langley); neighbourhood (older and settled or brand new). Check out the neighbourhoods you're considering, and ask around. What amenities does the area have to offer? Are there schools, churches, parks, or grocery stores within reach? Consider visiting schools in the area if you have children. How will you be affected by a new commute to work? Are there infrastructure projects in development? All of these factors will influence the way you experience your new home, so ensure you're well-acquainted with the surrounding area before purchasing.

Once you've narrowed down your list, you're ready to take the next step in the purchasing process: getting pre-approved with a mortgage company. While getting pre-approved may sound daunting, it actually just involves getting an idea of what you can afford. When you're pre-approved, this means that a lender has reviewed your credit history, verified your assets and employment, and has approved your loan before you've found a home to purchase.

Pre-approval gives you substantial leverage: sellers immediately see you as a serious buyer. Not only will you know the exact price range you can afford, but you'll also be able to negotiate a better deal and move more quickly when you see a house you like. Depending upon market conditions, a seller may lean towards an unconditional offer, so you'll have less negotiating power if you have to wait for mortgage approval. Banks and financial institutions have developed many programs catered specifically to home buyers. Once you review your needs and objectives with a lending officer, you'll be one step closer to purchasing your home.

Contact us and We'll be happy to refer you to a mortgage professional with an excellent reputation and track record for successfully acquiring loan approval for his/her clients.

It is a very time consuming process to view every home available that meets your needs. We can do much of the work for you, by establishing your needs, then reviewing a range of properties and advising you of potential matches. We have our fingers on the pulse of housing trends and prices and access to the best possible resources and communication systems available today to help you locate homes on the real estate market that match your specifications. A comprehensive knowledge of the available homes in your neighborhood is one of our strongest assets and will be a major factor in allowing us to negotiate a reasonable price for the home you want.

Once you've been pre-approved and know what price range you plan to stay within, we can help you determine which properties fit your needs and wants, using the (MLS) Multiple Listing Service system. As Realtors we are privy to any new homes coming onto the market, which ensures you get access to these homes before the general public. 

Start your search now - and view our current listings!

When you find a home that you think will work for you, we will prepare a Market Evaluation. This is a list of all the homes currently for sale, homes that have recently SOLD and some homes that were on the market and did not sell (expired). This helps determine if the price the seller is asking is reasonable in today's market.

An Offer is prepared when you have found a home that you are wanting to purchase. Your Offer (Contract of Purchase and Sale) is where you put into writing the price you are willing to pay, the dates you want the money to transfer, the day you want to move in and the subjects or conditions that you want to be a part of your contract. Subjects are an important part of your offer and include such things as: financing, home inspection, title searches, receiving strata documentation, etc.

This is the time for us to get you the best price. Once your offer has been written, we will take it and present it to the Seller and their Realtor. The Seller and their Realtor will decide whether or not they will accept the offer, reject the offer or counter the offer. Your offer can go back and forth several times before everyone has come to an agreement on all terms of the Contract.

Once you have agreed upon the terms and conditions in the contract, you will need to work on fulfilling the obligations in the contract, this process is called the subject removal process. Typically you will need about 7-10 days to remove your subjects so that the deal can become firm. You might need to hire a Home inspector or have the home appraised by the financial institution. We will provide you with a "To Do" list so that we are able to stay organized and get everything done in an organized fashion. Once these are fulfilled you must sign a subject removal form, firming up the purchase and considering it SOLD!

You will need to choose a Lawyer or Notary Public to do your conveyancing. This is when the title to the property is transferred into your name. Shop around and make sure the place you choose can accommodate your purchase at the time of completion as well as getting yourself a competitive price. Notaries are not always less expensive than Lawyers.

It is our job to guide you through this complicated process, from beginning to end. Contact us today, together we will prepare a unique system to suit your particular needs and goals. From helping you find your dream home to closing the deal - and every small or large step in between - We will be there to ensure your journey to life behind a new door is a smooth one!