Buy Smart TipsThe most important step is to interview a few realtors. Ask your friends who they would be happy referring you to. Look around your neighbourhood. Check out the internet. Find someone you are comfortable with; someone who will work directly with you and not fob you off to their ‘selling agent’.Get qualified and approved financially. Ask your realtor who he/she uses for a lender or mortgage broker then, sit down with that person and get pre approved. Don’t expect to be able to buy real estate with a vague promise from a bank. Being pre approved means you have a commitment in writing from a lending institution stating that it will lend you a certain sum on a stated set of terms and interest rate. Make a list of the things you absolutely cannot live without. This would include the number of bedrooms, dining room, garage etc. For instance if you have a home business, then an office or development space to build one in your home would be crucial. Include in this list your family’s recreational expectations as well. If you walk your energetic dog everyday, then if would be important to live near an off leash park or a pathway for you and Rover to work out. Do you expect your children to walk to school or are you more comfortable with them on a bus? Those answers will help immensely in determining which neighbourhoods you will be most comfortable in. As to the other list of the things you absolutely want or wish to have, expect that list to be modified as you go about looking at property with your realtor. Price, Location, and Possession will all have an influence on this wish list. Make sure that you and your spouse have set aside times that the kids can be babysat during your real estate search days, as you will need your wits about you when you look. We can do all the sorting and selecting which will narrow the field. Then we can show you only those properties that fit your criteria. In other words, your search will be “focused”. You won’t be wasting your time. Always carry your cheque book and be prepared to write an offer. Your cheque for the deposit must accompany an offer and the amount will be determined when we meet for our first interview - even if you intend on borrowing 100% of the purchase price. Get our comprehensive list of closing costs so that you know what to expect at the end. For example how much does it cost to have a home inspection, or condominium document inspection, or legal fees, and so on. |
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RE/MAX
First Calgary, Alberta
(403) 278-4105
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