Start with a Brainstorming Session: Begin by brainstorming with anyone involved in the decision-making process. Encourage everyone to express their preferences openly.This ensures that everyone is on the same page when you are out shopping for your new home.

Create Separate Lists for Needs and Wants: Differentiate between your non-negotiable needs and your preferences or wants. Needs are essential factors that your new home must have, while wants are features that would be nice to have but are not crucial. Rank these in order of importance to help guide your decision-making process. Consider future needs - Are you planning to start a family? Do you anticipate needing space for aging parents or guests? Factor in potential lifestyle changes when outlining your needs and wants. 

Identify Essential Needs: Consider factors such as location, size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, specific amenities (like a backyard or garage), and any accessibility requirements. These are the features that are fundamental to your lifestyle and must be met by your new home.

Consider Your Lifestyle: Think about how you currently live and what features would enhance your daily life. For example, if you work from home, you might prioritize a dedicated office space. If you enjoy entertaining, a spacious kitchen or outdoor area might be important. If you workout regularly, you may want to consider homes close to a recreation center.

Be Flexible: While it's important to prioritize your needs, remain open to compromise. Rarely will you find a home that ticks every box on your list. Consider which features are non-negotiable and where you're willing to be flexible.

Review and Revise as Needed: As you view potential properties and gain more insights into the market, be prepared to revisit and revise your lists. Your priorities may shift based on what you discover during your search process.

Discuss your needs and wants with your Realtor®, that’s me!

When you have found a home that you would like to make yours, I will prepare the paperwork necessary and submit the offer on your behalf to the listing agent. I will help you negotiate the terms of the contract and the purchase price. The elements of an offer include:

• Price - I will provide you with comparable properties that have sold recently and help you better understand pricing.

• Deposit (this is a portion of the down payment, that will be held in trust until the deal closes)

• Terms & Conditions - These are the rights and obligations of both the buyer and the seller. These terms and conditions are legally binding and govern the sale or purchase of a property. Here's a breakdown of some common terms and conditions found in real estate contracts in British Columbia.

  • Financing - This is to ensure that the buyer has the funds to purchase the property at terms satisfactory to the buyer. 

  • Inspection - There are many different types of inspections, depending on the property. General inspections do an overview of the property and will outline any issues or potential problems with the property. Other inspections could include perimeter drain inspection, heat pump inspection, geo technical inspection (if land could erode),  or if the property is rural, septic inspections and well inspections are recommended. 

  • Title Review - Involves examining the legal ownership and history of the property's title to ensure that it is clear and free from any issues that could affect the buyer's rights to the property. This is done by a lawyer and they will be able to explain what is on the title.

  • Fire/Property Insurance - This allows the buyer to ensure that the property can be insured at terms satisfactory to the buyer.

  • Property Disclosure Statement (PDS) Approval - Listings are usually accompanied by a PDS.  The purpose of the PDS is to disclose important information about the property's condition and any known defects or issues that could affect its value or desirability. 

  • Review of Strata Documents (if applicable) - When purchasing a strata property it is important to review the strata minutes, bylaws and depreciation report. This will give insight into how well the property is managed and if there are any upcoming special levies that may need to be paid out.

Your lawyer will meet with you to determine what fees are owed by whom and will prepare closing documents. Part of conducting the closing will also involve ensuring all fees are paid, the seller receives the money owed and that the buyer’s title is recorded. Generally, closing happens a day before possession because the time in which all the paperwork is completed is unknown and you do not want to be sitting around waiting with your moving truck and not be able to move in. Adjustments generally happen on the same day as possession and this is where the buyer will assume and pay all taxes, rates, local improvement assessments, fuel utilities and other charges.

There are certain things that you should not do during the buying process as it affects your credit which will affect what you can afford.

• BUY OR LEASE A CAR

• CHANGE JOBS

• MISS A BILL PAYMENT

• MOVE MONEY AROUND

• OPEN A LINE OF CREDIT

• MAKING A MAJOR PURCHASE