Getting your ducks in a row.
Purchasing a home of your own is a thrilling achievement but navigating the process can be a daunting experience. That's why we're here to help.
The RE/MAX Jazz team is perfectly positioned to guide you through the many challenges and demands that will be unique to your circumstance. Every transaction is different, each with its own DNA. With our extensive experience, professional guidance, unparalleled service and negotiating prowess, we'll get you to your perfect place in a manner that is stress free and enjoyable.
As your personal cheerleaders, industry insiders and trustworthy representatives, we strive to give you the best of the best. In the years that we've spent in the real estate marketplace, we have honed our skills and crafted our expertise to cement our position as the foremost leader in Durham Region. Our seamless execution of thousands of transactions each year translates to a level of competence that is virtually unsurpassed. As a result, we've composed a step-by-step guide that empowers you to make confident decisions when buying a home with RE/MAX Jazz. Follow along to learn more!
Step 1: Decide to Buy
Before you even go looking for a home, you have to analyze your needs and lifestyle requirements as well as your hopes and desires. Think about the type of place you're looking for. Are you looking for a lot of bedrooms and bathrooms for your family? Do you want a pool in the backyard? How about garage space, location of the laundry room, and commuting distance? Do you want to live close to schools and amenities or do you want more privacy, with cows as your neighbours? In Durham Region, the selection runs the gamut! These are just some of the things you have to consider before you start looking for your new home.
Your home search should be a process of elimination not a process of selection. There are so many variables to take into account. The style of home means a lot but let's start with the different types of ownership to help narrow the options down. Freehold for example, is when it's all yours, while condominium is when you take care of the inside and pay your fees to an association that manages the outside. Your lifestyle should dictate which best suits you.
Now its time to dig a little further.
Step 2: Hire Us
Out of the thousands of real estate agents available to hire, we have the market knowledge, community engagement, and best-in-class service to help you make the best purchase for you.
We act as your wise counsel, your representatives, advisors, facilitators and consultants and we serve your best interests, and yours alone. Your trust is something we don't take lightly.
RE/MAX Jazz boasts an unwavering commitment to delivering a personalized, crafted approach that ensures you are educated in all aspects of home ownership and current market conditions so that your purchase becomes an asset able to achieve the highest potential value and equity growth.
We are highly trained and thoroughly experienced real estate sales leaders who know the neighbourhoods, communities, towns and cities that comprise the Region of Durham, and we know them inside and out. We offer you exemplary client services to help you accomplish your goal of real estate ownership and live your happily ever after.
We are Durham Region die-hards, radically sold out on the benefits of living in our amazing municipality, and we want to make you a believer too.
Step 3: Find your Home
There are a plethora of ways of finding your dream home, but before you go shopping, let's make sure you are financially ready. Nothing kills the buying mojo like rejection from the bank after you have fallen in love and submitted an offer. We need to ensure you have a realistic budget when you go shopping. We say "realistic" because home ownership should be a calculated joy, not a suffocating burden. You can use our very handy affordability calculator by clicking here.
One thing to keep in mind is your down payment. This is a percentage of the total cost of the home that you'll need to pay. The more money you put down, the more you'll save on monthly payments and the cost of borrowing. So we always say--start saving yesterday.
Another important aspect is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. When the lender approves you for a mortgage, it gives you an idea of how much you can afford to spend on your new house, and greatly increases your decision making power.
Keeping these things in mind, you are free to go window shopping! You can start searching for houses that meet your needs and wants in areas that appeal to you. Looking for houses can be really fun and exciting but beware of getting too caught up and emotionally invested just yet until we actually start walking though properties together. Our partnership is going to take us through a variety of homes and your education has only just begun. You can browse listings in your desired area using the smart listings search on our website, here. You can also sign up for Property Matching and have listings that meet your criteria delivered directly to your email inbox, here. Or contact us and we will be delighted to assist you in setting up your search.
Step 4: Make an Offer
Now that you've found the house that you are set on, it's time to make an offer. Not all offers are the same and in this market, strategy is everything. Here's where our professional negotiating skills, insight and tremendous experience really shine. We will help you with specific terms and conditions that will be included in the offer for your protection and benefit, and we'll make sure you understand all of it.
Making an offer is not just about the price. You have to carefully look at the other details included in the sale. Appliances, window coverings, or even minor renovations can also be part of the deal. Shorter or longer closing dates can also be specified in the offer as well as other terms that may be a requirement. Over the years, we have seen it all, so you needn't worry. Every transaction is special and unique and we are here to make it a smooth, enjoyable experience for you.
If there is something in the offer that doesn't satisfy the seller, counter offers or negotiations can also be presented to help get a price that you think is fair or terms that meet your needs. The main thing is that you are fully informed and decisions are yours and yours alone.
Step 5: Close the Sale
There will always be closing costs associated with the sale that need to be paid either by or on the closing date. These can include mortgage application fees, inspections, appraisals, legal fees, land transfer taxes and so on. We'll walk you through all of this too, so that you are prepared long in advance. We even have checklists, reminders and services leading up to and after the sale, so you are never alone in the process. But once that's all taken care of, and the keys are in your hand, you're the proud new owner of a piece of real estate, something that is recognized as a great accomplishment and privilege the world over!
Congratulations, and welcome to ownership! We knew you could do it!