Everything you need to know about buying a home

Purchasing a home is a major milestone that tops many people's lifetime to-do lists - and maybe their list of financial fears too. But it certainly doesn't have to be a scary or stressful experience. With time, care and research, you can take control of the home buying process.

The main function of REATOR's^® is to act on behalf of buyers and sellers in the purchase or sale of real estate. We play a prospecting role by finding real estate suitable for you, as the Buyer.

If you're reading this, you've come to the right place. As your SMART Realty REALTOR^®, we have many responsibilities when guiding you through the home-buying process such as:

Determining what makes a suitable property - By taking the time up front to discuss what your needs and wants are in a home, we help you focus your efforts and save you time by only looking at properties that match up with your goals and budget.

Access to properties on the market - This includes properties listed for sale with our team, our brokerage, co-operating brokers, properties on the Multiple Listing Services^® (MLS^®), exclusive listings, unadvertised properties and properties without For Sale signs.

Negotiating an offer - Once you've identified the home that's right for you, your SMART Realty REALTOR^® will act as a mediator between you and the seller, to help you secure the home for the best price and terms. We will see you through any conditions in an offer, like financing and home inspection for example, in order to complete the transaction in an efficient and competent manner. Once you've completed all your conditions, you can sign on the dotted line and consider your new home to be yours (almost!)

As a homebuyer, you can expect to see an array of different home styles and designs. You've got the choice of single-family, condo, townhome, lakefront, acreage, luxury; you can also choose bungalow, multi-storey or split level. In addition, you can choose a pre-existing home or new construction. In other words - you've got options. But what's most important is that you choose a home that complements your lifestyle and your income. To narrow down your choices:

Once you've identified your must-haves, browse listings on remax.ca and ask your RE/MAX SMART Realty Agent to send you listings that meet your criteria. Your REALTOR®️ will coordinate showings for properties you'd like to see in person.

FOUR THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN VIEWING HOUSES ONLINE

When it comes to house hunting online, there are lots of things a potential buyer can do to get a feel for a property by simply using the tools that are available online. Your RE/MAX SMART Realty agent is also a great resource to lean on, as they often have lots of information on the property that may not be included in the MLS listing description.

Analyze the Photos

Make sure you take a look at all of the photos and spend some time noting where windows are and what the natural light is like in the space. Another good thing to consider when looking through the photos is how your own furniture will look in the space. If the photos of the home are furniture free, allow yourself to mentally place furniture where you think it may look best. If the property is staged, take into consideration where different furniture pieces are placed and how you could change the furniture layout to work for you and your style.

Take Note of Potential Fixes/Renos

If you're looking at a property online that may not be quite your style or that needs some upgrades, take note of those. See what elements of the home work for you and which areas you would consider renovating or giving some TLC in the future. And remember paint colour is an easy, relatively inexpensive change that makes a huge difference in a home!

Consider the Outdoor Space

One thing many people forget to take into consideration when viewing  home online is the outdoor space. Whether it is a small balcony or a large backyard, outdoor space is definitely something to try to get a feel for when viewing a home virtually. Take account of what furniture you may need to fit into the space or invest in, and what sort of maintenance will be required. Consider how exterior maintenance may be affected by different seasons. Will you need to trim and maintain trees or clear snow from a large driveway?

3D & Virtual Tours

Many realtors now provide 3D tours or virtual walkthroughs of their listings. 3D Tours allow you to view a property from the comfort of your own home, while also giving you the freedom to virtually navigate your way through the property. This will give you a chance to get a feel for the floor plan and layout of a home without having to actually set foot on the property.

Make sure you are ready both financially and emotionally.

Work with a mortgage broker or your bank. They will work with you on what you require to submit the application. Once approved, this will determine how much you can afford to spend on a new home.

Work with a RE/MAX SMART Realtor® to help guide you through the process. The right agent will discuss your price range, ideal locations, current market conditions and much more!

Your RE/MAX SMART Realtor®  will get you information on new homes that meet your criteria as soon as they're listed. They'll work with you and for you to ensure you find your dream home.

Your experienced RE/MAX SMART Realtor®  is a valuable resource as you consider different properties. They will be there when you have questions regarding the homes you're interested in. They can tell you what is a good deal...and when to walk away.

Your RE/MAX SMART Realtor® will help create your offer tailored to your needs including the right subject clauses down to the closing date that best works for you.

You may receive a counter offer but don't be worried! Your RE/MAX SMART Realtor® will negotiate for you to ensure you get the best possible price nd terms for the house you love.

It's crunch time! The next few weeks are busy as you need to schedule and remove every one of your subject clauses by the specified date. You'll likely need to schedule an inspection, appraisal, financing approval and several others. You will also need to provide a deposit to put down on the home. The deposit will be a pre-determined amount given in trust to the listing brokerage, to show the sellers you are committed to this home. Don't worry, that money goes towards the purchase price of said home if all goes well! During this busy time lean on your RE/MAX SMART Realtor® if you have any questions or are unsure about next steps.

Once you have completed all your subject clauses, and everything has gone smoothly, it is time for you to sign on the dotted line and consider your new home to be yours (almost!)

You will need to provide your SMART Realty agent with your preferred lawyer to have the official title transferred into your name,. You will meet with the lawyer to sign all the legal documents before you move in. This typically happens a few days before you take possession of your new home.

Congratulations you are officially a homeowner! The date pre-determined by you is move-in day! You can now move in to