Let Mike and Nikki give you a general idea of the basic steps to buying a home. Even if you’ve bought a home before, it’s hard to remember it all!
Please note these guidelines may vary depending on the situation.
Basic Steps to Buying a Home
Get Pre-Approved
The first step is to select a lender to get a pre-approved mortgage. He or she will give you written confirmation for a fixed interest rate for a specific period of time. From this, you can determine the price range for a home that you can afford.
Find a Realtor
We will work together to help you find the right home in the price range you are able to afford, as well as the area you would like to buy in. Essentially, we can protect your interests and make the home-buying process easier for you. We’re there to educate and guide you from the beginning until the end of the process.
Start Looking
After discussing your requirements in a home, we will email you or give you a print-out of properties that are currently available in your price range and that meet your needs and preferences for a home.
Make an Offer
Once you have found the home you would like to buy, we will fill out a Contract of Purchase and Sale and we will present the offer on your behalf. If you wish to have any items in the house included in the purchase price – such as appliances, window coverings, mirrors, firewood – we will ensure that these are added to the Contract of Purchase and Sale.
The Negotiating
We’re here to negotiate on your behalf to help you get the best possible deal. Your offer will be (1) accepted, (2) counter offered, or (3) rejected. When the offer has been accepted by both sides and signed, it becomes legally binding. Most offers are subject to home inspection, insurance, and financing. We will choose a “subject removal” date for these three conditions; it is important that all subject-to-clauses will be removed by the date specified.
The Offer is Accepted
After the offer is accepted, you will need to make a deposit. The deposit can be either an email money transfer, cash or a bank draft. Email money transfers and bank drafts should be made payable to “RE/MAX Coast Mountains In Trust”. Email money transfers should be emailed to johnevans@remax.net. Bank drafts and cash can be brought to our office at 519 3rd Avenue West. The deposit will go into a trust account and will be included in the transaction on the completion date (the completion date is the date on which the sale is registered in the Land Title Office and the purchase price is paid).
Home Inspection
It’s time to look closely at every detail of the home’s structure. You’ll need to hire a professional home inspector who will give you a written report and let you know if something is not functioning properly, needs to be changed or is unsafe.
Insurance
You’ll need to arrange insurance to take effect on your completion date. Once arranged, please advise us that you have approved fire/property insurance.
Financing
If you were pre-approved, set up an appointment with your lender to arrange your mortgage and get documentation to confirm that you have financing available. Please advise us when this is arranged or have your lender email us confirmation that you have financing available.
Removal of Subjects
Once you have ensured all subjects that are in your Contract of Purchase & Sale are fulfilled, we will meet to sign a “Subject Removal” form to remove your conditions (inspection, insurance and financing) from the contract. After this, the SOLD sign will be put up at the home you are buying.
Lawyer/Notary
It is time to find a lawyer or Notary that you will find suitable to complete your transaction. When your subjects are removed, we will email the contract papers to your lawyer/Notary’s office. Please provide us with the name of your lawyer/Notary and contact numbers for this purpose. You will need to contact them to ensure they can represent you.
Lawyer/Notary Appointment
Approximately one week before completion, arrangements should be made with your lawyer/Notary to sign all legal documents.
Utilities/Services
You should arrange to have all necessary utilities/services connected in your name for your possession date. These may include BC Hydro, Pacific Northern Gas, Internet, telephone, and TV.
Keys
On the possession date, when the registration is complete and we have been advised by the lawyer/Notary that you are legally the rightful owner, we will give you the keys!