It is important to establish your financial plan, rather than relying solely on the amount of money that a mortgage broker or bank may approve you for. Often times, lenders may pre-approve you for a larger amount than you are comfortable spending, which is why it is crucial to determine the monthly payment that fits comfortably within your budget before engaging with a lender. This would require creating a comprehensive household budget, while taking into account the various changes, other than mortgage payments, that may occur once you move into your new home. For instance, if you have previously lived in an apartment or shared a living space, there may be unforeseen expenses such as condo fees, water or home insurance fees that you may not have previously considered, and which could easily disrupt your budget.

Although it is technically possible to shop for, view, and make an offer on a home without the assistance of a real estate agent, it is often not the most optimal decision. By opting to work with an agent, you can avoid the added stress and complications that may arise during the home buying process. I can assist in identifying properties that align with your preferences, scheduling showings, and facilitating the offer process. Additionally, our knowledge of the market can prove invaluable in guiding you towards the best options available. With our expertise, we can provide insight into certain homes or neighborhoods to avoid, hidden gems worth considering, and offer a strategy to help you find your ideal home for the right price. Best of all, our services come at no cost to you, so why not take advantage of the benefits of working with a real estate agent?

Once you have selected the perfect home, we will work with you to craft a fair offer based on the value of similar properties to trade recently. Depending on what the home is listed at, and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. With more than $70,000,000 in transactions, we know our way around the negotiation table, and will be able to help you obtain your property at the lowest possible price.

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

On the day of closing, your lawyer will be in contact with the sellers lawyer to facilitate the transaction. Your lawyer will arrange to have the remainder of the funds owing on the transaction sent to the sellers lawyer on the day of closing to be held in trust. Once those funds have been received, the sellers lawyer will have title of the property changed into your name, and have the keys released to you, closing the transaction.