For Buyer

Good to know:

Generally a registered agent has the experience of hundreds of similar transactions and the knowledge, skills, capacity, software, techniques, discipline and rules to deal with any normal or abnormal situation could occur during the transaction in a reasonable time.

The client must come first. The agent will put your interests before his/her owns.

Everything you discuss with your Real Estate Agent is strictly confidential and all the data the agent collects about you are used only for the transaction.

Ask the right questions. He/she is qualified and willing to give you the answers or to refer you to the person or entity that can answer your questions.

How I can help you as Real Estate Representative:

  • A buyer representation helps to protect your purchase.
  • I take care about all the paperwork for you.
  • Can help you to have an idea of how much you can afford to pay for a house
  • Help you to determine what types of houses are on the market and which one it fits your needs.
  • Locate properties of interest and present them to you.
  • Determine if the price of these houses is in a range common to the respective neighborhood considering what the property offers and its general condition.
  • Visit properties for you and advice you about pros and cons (first assessment) of each one you can be interested in. If you want and have time, see bellow “What to Check When You Buy a House”. It is a list to help you to decide whether to consider the property as a purchase possibility and/or to negotiate the price.
  • Work with you on an eventual offer (help you fill an offer and present it on your behalf)
  • Negotiate on your behalf if you ask for.
  • Refer you to other professionals if you ask for.

What you have to determine before starting:

  1. What kind a house you want
  2. What neighbourhood you like
  3. Price range
  4. List with pros and cons
  5. Pre approval of a mortgage

What other professionals you usually need:

  1. Home Inspector
  2. Mortgage broker (or a financial adviser from your bank)
  3. Insurance broker (or your car insurance company)
  4. Real Estate Lawyer
  5. Moving Company (or a bunch of good friends and a rental truck)

Expenses other than mortgage:

  1. Land transfer tax.
  2. Home inspection.
  3. Real Estate Lawyer
  4. Moving expenses.
  5. Appraisal (usually the bank asks for an appraisal and includes the cost in the mortgage)
  6. Service Companies hook-up costs.

What to Check When You Buy a House:

Note: - part of the bellow are checked by your home inspector, but not all.

  1. General
    • Landscape: if the land (backyard, front yard, sides) is lower than the neighbors, if there is a flood danger when it rains; also check for flood signs inside (walls, baseboards, floors).
    • Separate entrance in basement; how big (furniture move), position to the exterior and the main floor.
    • Structure:
      • cracks in the walls and foundation (outside and if possible inside).
      • wood bins (floor) if 10” or 8”, termites signs (outside also around the walls).
    • Rain water from the roof: eaves (big or small), where it goes, corners leaking (big it’s easier to clean).
    • Roof: type, status, 18” from the walls, main door covered for rain.
    • Sidewalk around the house (inclination – not to the wall, detached from the house, status).
    • Attic: height, insulation, status, vents, fans from bathroom or kitchen.
    • Garage: automatic door, lights, receptacles (to be at least 60cm-2feet from the ground).
    • Shed: lights, receptacles, halls from mice, well closed around the ceiling-roof).
    • Parking / driveway: how many pads (cars), measures, status, inclination.
    • Fridge, stove, washer, dryer: type, age, status.
    • Smoke and CO detectors.
    • Room dimensions (dining 9’x10’)
    • Windows: - type, age and status, coverings:
    • Outside: distance to the ground, wood around, water protection
    • Inside: water infiltrations, wood around, big enough, position in room (furniture).
    • Stairs: too steep, light, handle, 3way switches (also at the entrance).
    • Storage: entrance, halls, rooms.
  2. Living and Bedrooms
    • Thermostat: type, position (hot air, air return, TV and other objects)
    • Hot air outlets number and position (furniture).
    • Lights and switches (living, dining on the ceiling).
    • Receptacles: position, grounded or not.
    • Floor: type, colour, status, creaky, baseboards.
    • Furniture arrangement possibilities:
      • bed (closed, doors, window, receptacles, hot air, air return)
      • coach, sofa, TV, table, desk.
    • Lights and switches everywhere: halls, dining, living, stairs, etc.
  3. Plumbing
    • Leaks
    • Furnace, AC: age, type, condition.
    • Hot water tank: rented or owned, distance to the electric installations.
    • Hot air outlets everywhere (bathroom, kitchen, rooms).
    • Air return: position, door, distance to the floor.
    • Sink in the laundry
    • Water pressure (open more faucets, taps).
    • Water evacuation (WC and tub in the same time).
  4. Electric
    • Panel:
      • circuit number (more wires in a breaker)
      • Amperes, Aluminum wires.
    • Receptacles: position, grounded or not.
    • GFCI in bath, kitchen, laundry sink and outside.
    • Dryer: check the position, exhaust and receptacle.
  5. Kitchen
    • Dishwasher (if there is not one, space for installing one).
    • Fridge: type, age, big or medium (if not, is there space for one).
    • Stove: type, age, status
    • Window: big enough and accessible.
    • Cabinets and countertop: type, material, age, status.
    • Exhaust fan, GFCI, Light, Floor.
    • Double faucet (or space for a double one).
    • Garbage and Recycling bin space.
    • Room for a small table.
  6. Bathroom
    • Window – not in the tub and big enough; where it opens?
    • Tub or shower.
    • Toilette: type, age, height.
    • Fan, GFCI, Light.
    • Storage, Cabinets (check the depth).
    • Floor
  7. Basement
    • Walls: wood or drywall, insulation, check humidity, water stains.
    • Floor: check humidity, flood signs
    • Entrance (separate or possibility to separate); walk out (prefer to the back yard)
    • Stairs:
      • lateral oriented (along the wall), oriented to the utility and/or laundry room.
      • eventual possibility to close and separate for an in-low (if interested)
    • How high it is (measure with the hand up or a measuring tape).
    • The windows: - height, weight, distance to the ground outside, type (material), quality, how they open.
    • If there are enough, eventually if you consider separating the basement, can you have at each room (bathroom) a window?