Buyers Need to Know...

What I Do for You
What You Need to Do
My Commitment to You
Purchasing From a Builder
Costs of Buying a Home

As a buyer, there is no financial cost for you to have a realtor work for you. The only cost is one of time and commitment.

What I Do for You

  • Fully explain agency relationships
  • Educate you in the buying process and the market trends in the location you choose to live.
  • Arrange to financially prequalify you with a financial institution that will offer you the best mortgage rate with terms that fit your needs.
  • Arrange for and show you properties that meet your needs and finances.
  • Do a market analysis on the subject property and assist you in offer pricing strategy.
  • Explain the importance of home inspections and Status Certificates.
  • Prepare a written offer to purchase the property you choose with all the terms and conditions reviewed, approved and understood by you.
  • Provide a preliminary estimate of closing costs (see Closing Costs).
  • I always negotiate and protect your best interests.
  • I will accompany you during the home inspection and advise you on the home inspection report.
  • Prepare and deliver appropriate notices.
  • Deliver upon completion all pertinent paperwork to the Vendor’s agent, you and your lawyer.

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What You Need to Do – Make a List of All Your Needs and Wants

Be prioritizing all your needs and wants you will help narrow down what is important to you and in what order. By communicating these criteria for choosing your home, you will save valuable time and help me find you a home.

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My Commitment to You

  • You will never feel pressured. I want to find you a home that you will enjoy and pay a fair price for – I will search until we find that home.
  • You will be educated and knowledgeable about the market place during the buying process through my buyer package.
  • I will provide excellent customer service using the most up-to-date technology.
    I will provide full disclosure about the properties we see.
  • All our communications are confidential.

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Purchasing From a Builder

For new developments, there are also other costs.

  • GST (7% of Purchase Price)
    This is only for new homes or condos bought from the developer. This tax is not for resale homes.
  • Special Levies on New Homes (Cost Varies)
    Make sure you consult a lawyer to go over all the fine print in your Agreement to Purchase before buying. There are many developers levies included in the document such as educational and construction levies.
  • Interim Occupancy Fees (Cost Varies – Condos Only)
    Between the time you are able to move into your new condo and the time it is registered as a condominium corporation, all buyers must pay an interim occupancy fee. This fee varies and is stated in your agreement how much payment is due. You are paying interest on the builder’s mortgage – almost like rent. None of this money paid will go toward the mortgage of your new condo. Your mortgage only starts when the condo gets registered which could take anywhere from three months to two years after your initial move-in date.
  • Contingency Costs (Cost Varies)
    If your home is not built on time, then other arrangements must be made in the mean time. New homes and condos are rarely built on time, so be prepared!

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The Costs of Buying a Home

This checklist identifies a number of costs buyers frequently encounter when purchasing a property, and may be required to close the transaction.
The Buyer should review the list carefully with their Realtor to determine which items apply to their purchase.

Cost of Buying a House Checklist
Legal Fees $600-700
Registering the Mortgage $200
Disbursements $600

ADJUSTMENTS –Taxes/Utilities -

LAND TRANSFER TAX -
$0 -$55,000 =0.5% of purchase price
$55,000 - $250,000 =1.0% of purchase price less $275
$250,000 - $400,000 =1.5% of purchase price less $1,525
$400,000 or more =2.0% of purchase price less $3,525

CMHC INSURANCE FEE
(Less than 25% Downpayment) -
Can be added to Mortgage Amount -
Loan to Value up to 95% = 3.75% of Mortgage Amount
Loan to Value up to 90% = 2.5% of Mortgage Amount
Loan to Value up to 85% = 2.0% of Mortgage Amount
Loan to Value up to 80% = 1.25% of Mortgage Amount

CMHC APPRAISAL & APPLICATION FEE $235
8% RETAIL TAX ON CMHC FEE -
HOME INSPECTION $300
SURVEY $1000

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Sellers Need to Know...

Why Choose Me?
Comments from Past Clients
Listing at the Best Price to Sell
Preparing Your Home
Costs of Selling Your Home

The decision to sell your home is an important one. The person you choose to sell your home is an equally important decision.

Why Choose Me?

  • I have a full marketing plan to provide maximum exposure that will attract the buyers that would be interested in your home.
    Proven Quality Results – In the past six months my listings have sold for 97% of asking price within 26 days on the market. I will work to get the best price for your home.
  • I will provide you with a market analysis and a competitive pricing strategy.
  • Communication & Activity Report – I have a plan in place to keep you up to date on how I am marketing your home and the response from potential buyers.
  • Guarantees – You can cancel your listing at any time if you are not satisfied with my services.

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Comments from Past Clients

"...I just wanted to let you know that I really feel I lucked out with having you as my agent. I basically picked your name out of a hat, and you made me feel quite comfortable with the whole process."

-Andrew Longwell

"I just want to take a minute to tell you how wonderfully Lindsay's condo has worked out for her. As soon as she moved in she was welcomed into the 80 Cumberland family... So, I just wanted to say that it all worked out beautifully for us. Thank you, once again, for steering us through the process so gracefully."

-Sally Long

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Listing at the Best Price to Sell

With a proper market analysis, you will be able to see the value in your home compared to others’ in the marketplace.

Listing Close to Market Value: This will allow you to get the best possible price in a short time on the market.

Listing Over Market Value: Your home may stay on the market for a while and potential buyers may thing you are not serious about selling your property. Buyers today are more educated about Real Estate and know market value. You will ultimately end up reducing the selling price.

Listing Under Market Value: Be careful, you may get what you ask for! By undervaluing your property you get the buyers’ attention, but you will usually end up getting market value or scaring off those who don’t want to be involved in a bidding war.

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Preparing Your Home

Homes that show well sell faster and for more money. Here are five important tips.

  • Remove all clutter. Store excess items. Open all doors. Reorganize closets and cupboards leaving some empty space. Leave on all lights.
  • Clean! Make sure everything is spotless – especially kitchens and bathrooms. Make the home smell fresh and airy.
  • Neutralize. Reduce personal collections. Store any religious or political objects. Refresh paint with neutral colours.
  • Stage Vignettes. Dramatize activities that would go on in the home (e.g., dinner settings, a lit fireplace, books by an easy chair, music in the background)
  • Personalize. Display photos of your home in different seasons. Leave candies and treats for those viewing your home.

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Costs of Selling a Home

The following checklist identifies a number of costs sellers frequently encounter when selling a property, and may be required to close the transaction. The seller should review the list carefully with the Realtor to determine which costs apply on the property.

Actual costs vary from home to home. Once having determined the costs applicable to selling your home fill in the costs individually and add together for the total.

Costs of Selling a Home Checklist
Legal Costs

  • Lawyer's conveyance costs $1K-1.4K
  • GST on legal fees

Real Estate Commission

  • Commission of 5%
    (2.5% of sales amount for each agent)
  • GST on real estate commission
  • Other $

TOTAL COST = $

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