Information for Buyers

We're glad that more people are becoming curious about this market! It's an exciting and rewarding situation, with interesting old homes in good condition, new luxury developments, plucky condos downtown, and well-planned family residences with lasting financial and utilitarian appeal.

Searching for a home

Despite (and perhaps because of) the great selections in homes in this area, buyers are having a difficult time zeroing in on the home or property that is uniquely appropriate for their needs.

Search for homes

Just remember: Browsing the listings for months is one way search out the deals, but weighing the investment potential of each property can be difficult, and many homes for sale are never listed publicly.

The Home Buying Process

As you begin to think about buying a home, you're probably acutely aware that this is likely to be your greatest investment ever (short of children or a good marriage), and you might be wondering if there's anything you reallyneed to know as you go into this process. This is where your real estate professionals come in. With the help of a trained agent, you can come out on top of a closing that might otherwise have pushed your retirement ahead a decade! This happens all the time to buyers, who are left reflecting on the relatively small commission that would have brought a Realtor into the bargain to help them.

If you'd like to know about the home buying process, we'd love to tell you all about it. Contact us!

Five Reasons to buy your home with a REALTOR®

Get access to all the listings.
Know all the facts on properties you're interested in.
Negotiate with the help of a real estate professional.
Finance your home faster.
Make a solid investment that pays off down the road.

New homes for sale hit the market daily. As your representative, we'll be in regular contact with sellers and other real estate agents to ensure you see all the newest listings right away, whether or not they're made public. Often, our clients can put in offers with little or no competition and walk away with an impressive deal on the property of their choice. Your agent will also make sure you see only the properties that meet your needs and investment preferences, so that you don't spend time on listings that aren't of interest. As you compare the best deals, we'll provide you with important information about the home, its neighborhood, zoning issues, utilities, and nearby plans for development.

Many real estate transactions include an extensive negotiating process, and as your buyer's Agency it will be Our job to represent you here and get the best deal possible. We'll also attend property inspections, make sure any and all agreed-on repair work is carried out, and handle paperwork related to the sale. We can also help set up the financing for your invesment, and work directly with a broker to provide you with a seamless service package.

Working with a dedicated agent on your next home purchase will save you time, and add professional assurance to every step of the process. With the guarantee of a solid investment, the decision could also make you more wealthy when it's time to sell. To get in touch with us today, please contact us whenever you'd like.

Information for Sellers

Getting the most for your home or property means doing more than putting a "For Sale" sign out front. In a competitive market where new homes for sale are added daily, your listing needs to be seen in a variety of places in order to stand out. And sometimes the right buyer is waiting out of state, or even in another country. To ensure sure your home gets noticed and sells without a hitch for full market value, consider working with a top professional. It could mean the difference between no sale, and the payoff you've been waiting for.

Five Reasons to Sell your home with a REALTOR®

Sell with a custom marketing plan.
Get your home listed and talked about everywhere, not just in the local paper and on your street.
Attract buyers via the Internet.
Have all the paperwork taken care of for you.
Negotiate with the help of a real estate professional.

As your Seller's Agency, we'll quickly put together a custom marketing plan with an effective price. A well-priced home will often generate competing offers and drive up the final sale value. Our market analysis takes into account the most actively searched prices, and home values throughout your area, including expired listings, and properties still on the market. In marketing your home, we also develop a listing that emphasizes its unique and sellable aspects. We then put your home in front of thousands of buyers, establishing it on the local MLS as well as broader ones, new listings sheets, and Realtor publications. Our network of professional real estate contacts and buyers throughout the nation will also have the opportunity to check out your listing. In addition, we'll use the Internet, and this professionally optimized website, to make your listing highly visible. With more than 80 per cent of buyers checking the web first when looking for a home, that's a part of your marketing strategy you can't afford to miss.

Without the help of a Realtor, marketing your home can be time consuming and difficult. Advertising in the media is often expensive, and many buyers are reluctant to consider homes listed "For Sale by Owner."

When we list your home, we do so at no additional cost. When you start to get offers, we can represent you during the emotionally charged negotiating process and ensure you get the best price, with favorable closing terms that are clearly spelled out. As your professional aides, we also and take care of all paperwork related to the sale.

For most of us, our home is our biggest investment. When it's time to sell, get the value you deserve with the help of a professional Realtor. If you'd like to get in touch about your next home sale today, please

First Time Home Buyer's Guide

Benefits of Home Ownership?

Pride of Home Ownership

Pride of home ownership is the number one reason why Canadians desire their own home. There is no landlord looking over your shoulder. You are able to make home improvements knowing that any appreciation that results, will be to your benefit. Home ownership gives you and your family a sense of stability and security. It's making an investment in your future.

Appreciation

In Canada, especially in the last few years, homes have appreciated considerably and in doing so have added substantially to owners net worth. Unlike stocks and bonds, you get to live in your real estate investment. Also, in Canada your principal residence is exempt from capital gains taxes.

Mortgage Reduction Builds Equity

Each month, part of your monthly payment is applied to the principal balance of your home loan, which builds your equity. You can borrow against a home's equity for a variety of reasons such as home improvement, sending your kids to university or college, or starting a new business. Why pay-off your landlord’s property when you can own your own?

Homeowners accumulate wealth for the future while enjoying the benefits of a shelter that they have can use, improve and sell. Their home is a safe haven for investment.

Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

First – do you have the financial resources? You should have five percent of the purchase price of a home for the down payment, but ideally even more. Are there other priorities in your life e.g. starting a new business, which require your savings? If not, buying a home should be on your radar.

Second – do you expect to stay in your new home for some time? Moving can be expensive and you will want to build some equity before having to relocate. Your job and home life should be stable.

What Can You Afford?

If you haven't already gone through the mortgage pre-qualification process, you will need to meet with a lender or mortgage broker. They will establish how much of a mortgage you will qualify for. Mortgage rates vary considerably and it is paramount that you shop around for the best rate, terms and options.

Our Mortgage Calculator will help you determine what monthly mortgage payment and the maximum mortgage you can manage. Note: if you are buying a condo, the amount of your monthly assessment has a direct impact on how much you can afford to spend on your mortgage.

First time homebuyers may want to take advantage of the federal government’s Home Buyers’ Plan. Under this plan, you may use up to $25,000 of your RRSP towards the purchase of a home. The money is tax-free as long as you pay it back in the next 15 years. Ask your RE/MAX Sales Associate for details.

Questions To Ask When Assessing Home Features

Do you need several bedrooms, more than one bathroom, space for a home office, a two-car garage?
Do you want air conditioning, storage or hobby space, a fireplace, a swimming pool? Do you have family members with special needs?
Do you plan to have children? Downtown or suburbs? Proximity to recreation or work.
Do you need a substantial backyard? Pets?
Is there adequate storage space?
Will any remodeling be required to make the home move-in ready for you?
What service providers (cable, Internet, telephone, Satelite) are available in the area, and is the house completely wired for each? Can you hear me now – how good is the cell phone reception?
How much are the yearly property taxes?
How much do utilities run each month? Does the house use gas or electric for the furnace, water heater, and appliances?
How old are the major appliances, and which are included with the house?
Have there been any major repairs to the house, and if so, when were they completed? For example, how old is the roof? Has water ever damaged the basement or foundation?
Ever had problems with insects, such as termites and spiders, or rodents?
Older homes need to be carefully examined - Windows may need caulking or new sashes, bathroom tiles may need grouting, home may need rewiring (planning on a hot tub or sauna?), a new hot water heater, or a new furnace.

Location, Location, Location

How far will you be commuting and what is the traffic like? Factor in cost of fuel.
Where will your children attend school and how will they commute?
Are there recreational facilities and parks close by?
Are you close to family and friends?
Is safety or high crime an issue?
Is the property close to an obstacle or negative influence? (i.e. an apartment building, shopping centre, school, radio tower, power lines, LRT or railroad track, highway, airport or commercial project).
Access to schools, work, recreation, shopping centres, public transportation, cultural attractions, libraries, churches and hospitals
Adjacent undeveloped land - what is proposed for this or other green space?
Heavy traffic can be noise nuisance and hazard for children
Distance from the unit to amenities, parking, walkways, roads, public transit
Does the neighborhood reflect positively on the value of the condo and your lifestyle choice?
Does this neighborhood, for any reason, have a poor reputation?
Is the future economic climate for the area good? Are businesses moving in? Is there government investment?
Are people moving in or out of the neighborhood? What is their age, income level, family size?
Are there plans for this neighborhood that you may be unaware of (i.e. a future highway, a commercial development or a new housing development) that will provide competition on resale?

Noise and Privacy

Proximity to highways, driveways, parking lots, playgrounds, trains.
Proximity to elevators, garbage disposal, fire exits, heating and air conditioners.
How well is the building soundproofed.
Visit at different times/weekends to check noise levels and activity.