BUYER’S GUIDE
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LET’S GET STARTED! I make it possible for you to find an ideal home that fits your situation for an ideal price. There may be some compromises along the way, but ultimately, the most important factors will determine the overall success in helping you find the home that best suits you. Throughout the searching process, many questions will arise. Common preferences are floorplan/ layout, local amenities, schools, crime level, demographics, quality of life, price range, age of home and more. These preferences should always be taken into account by your agent to speed up the process and allow you to find the ideal home sooner rather than later.
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ABOUT ALISON ALISON LANG I have been personally investing in and passionate about Real Estate for the past 15 years. With a background in psychology and client care, I understand the dynamics that go into a major purchase. I strive to provide my clients with the highest level of service to give them the smoothest possible experience. With a strong passion for the industry, I work hard to keep up on industry changes, new technology and trends. My strengths are in market knowledge, property values, communication, client care and negotiating. More than 80% of my business comes from referrals- It’s important to me that my clients are happy with the outcome of our work together and call me when they’re ready for their next stage in life. Working at RE/MAX Real Estate (Central) means I’m backed by the #1 office in the World for 18 years in a row.
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I strive to provide my clients with the highest level of service, giving them the best possible real estate experience.
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YOUR CHOICES WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN AGENT 1. EDUCATION. The most important factor in choosing a real estate professional is their education in the real estate industry. They are committed to education and spend time and money on continuous training that ensures they have a solid understanding of the market and their clients’ needs. 2. EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE. You want a fulltime agent who is familiar with your area and with the type of property you want to buy. Does your agent employ a diverse range of search strategies? How tech-savvy is your agent? How many similar properties has he or she helped people buy in the past? 3. AVAILABILITY AND COMMITMENT. Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action during the course of helping you find your home. Does your agent make it a point to keep in touch with you constantly? Can your agent easily be contacted in case of emergencies or even for the simplest questions? Is your agent available on the weekends or in the evenings when most buyers are out looking? 4. RAPPORT. Does your agent take the time to listen to your goals and clarify your needs? Can your agent understand your unique situation and be genuinely concerned about the outcome of the process? Your agent will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision, so it is important to find one with whom you can get along. 6
1. MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE
It is very important to evaluate yourself and your situation to help ensure that buying a home is the right decision for you. I believe in full disclosure and the importance of planning. Some questions you should ask yourself: What reasons are prompting you to move and what is your preferred timeline? Have you been through the pre-approval process? If so, what amount have you been approved for? When I find the right home for you, are you prepared to make an offer?
2. YOUR LIFESTYLE CHOICE
Deciding on what type of home you want to live in is just as important as deciding on where you want to live. For some, location is everything. For others, home details are everything. It is important that you decide what is most important for you and what type of lifestyle you truly desire.
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7 STEPS TO BUYING A HOME 7 STEPS TO A SMOOTH HOME PURCHASE STEP 1: FIND A REALTOR® Look no further because you just found one! By choosing me as your REALTOR® you just found someone that is experienced, punctual, efficient and above all honest. I give you my email and direct phone number so you don’t have to use a paging system. You can call me 24/7 with any thoughts, questions or concerns. Ask about my 1-hour call back guarantee. “Remember: REALTOR® fees are paid through the transaction. There are no cost to use my services & expertise!” STEP 2: GET YOUR CREDIT CHECKED Have you checked your credit lately? Before you apply for a home loan, it’s a smart idea to obtain a copy of your credit. There can be errors or things that need to be addressed. It’s easier to address these problems before you find a house, than after you have found a house and are trying to close your loan. STEP 3: GET APPROVED BEFORE YOU GO HOUSE HUNTING: Getting an approval is easy and very beneficial to you. Most banks can hold your rate for 120 days. You may not be looking to buy right away so by doing this you are locking your rate in case rates go up. If rates go down you get the new rate so it’s a win-win situation! During the approval process the bank will verify your employment history and assets to ensure you’re a strong lending candidate. and welcome.
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7 STEPS CONTINUED... STEP 4: LEARN ABOUT LOCATION Narrowing down your search location can be one of the hardest parts in finding a home. Often people find a home in a location that they never thought was a possibility. That’s why it’s important to discuss your housing needs with us. Then we can help guide you to an area. We have taken the liberty of enclosing an MLS® Map to help you narrow down your search. STEP 5: PROTECT YOURSELF: I will provide you with a copy of the documents necessary to buy your new property. Read them ahead of time so that you’ll understand the questions that you will be asked, the things you need to know, and the decisions you will need to make. STEP 6: HAVE REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS. Understanding and remembering the following statements will help diffuse the negotiation, inspection and closing stages. When you go to purchase your home just remember the market value of the home is what the buyer and seller are willing to agree to. When I have come to an agreement on your property, getting an inspection is a must. It may cost a few hundred dollars but this could potentially save you thousands. During your inspection, the inspector will go over your property and discuss any deficiencies of the property with you. I will then go over the report and come up with a suitable solution if there’s a problem. STEP 7: HAVE FUN! This is a fun and exciting time in your life. I will make this process as easy and as fun as possible.
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MOVING CHECKLIST IMPORTANT INFORMATION It is important that you use this checklist in order to be well-prepared when buying a home. The last thing you would want to happen is to move into a home without the necessities in life such as electricity, gas, water, or work/school related services such as internet/phone, etc. Be sure everything is in order to keep things running smoothly during the buying process. If you need assistance, I am always here to lend a helping hand. It`s what I do! UTILITY PROVIDERS • Electricity Providers • Telephone Providers • Cable & Internet Providers • Gas Providers GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS • CRA • Post Office • Schools • Provincial Licensing • Library INSURANCE COMPANIES • Accidental Insurance • Auto Insurance • Health Insurance • Benefits Provider • Home Insurance • Life Insurance
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Broker • Accountant • Doctor • Dentist • Lawyer BUSINESS ACCOUNTS • Banking Institutions • Cell Phone Providers • Department Stores • Financial Companies • Credit Card Companies CLUBS & MISCELLANEOUS • Country Club • Health & Fitness Club • Recreation Club • Book Club • Other Club
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EXPECTATIONS, NEEDS & WANTS By determining buyers’ expectations, needs and wants, and comparing them to what the market is showing, I will help find the ideal home for you. However, it is important to understand how an agent will be able to identify these factors.
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MORTGAGES & ONLINE INFO DIFFERENT TYPES OF MORTGAGES Getting a mortgage is one thing. Getting a mortgage that best suits your situation is another. Some mortgage have less strings attached but have more strict stipulations, while others may be harder to get, but have more flexibility. It is important to have all the information about mortgages available to you before you decide to move forward in the purchase of a your home. Different types of mortgages can help you find the mortgage that best suits you. INCOME & ASSETS Most loan programs require the lender to verify all of your income sources. Typically you will need to provide pay stubs, your T-4 and copies of your tax returns. Lenders will also want to go through your assets and how much of a down payment you will have when determining your loan approval. CREDIT HISTORY All lenders review a borrower’s credit history to determine the type of credit used, the amount owed, and the borrower’s repayment history..
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It’s my responsibility to represent your interests as the buyer. This includes searching for a home, negotiating the best price, and handling all the details of your next purchased property. As exceptional agents that never settle, I provide personalized access to more available property information. I use the Internet and all online tools to help find your next home. With more than 90% of buyers checking the web, getting online is the most effective and efficient way to search for homes. My web presence and online network will help me find a home that best suits you! Below shows that 99% of people search for a home using three main search engines. I make sure to give you the widest possible access on these platforms.
81% 12% 6%
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INSPECTIONS & OFFER WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR To cover every nook and cranny of the house and discover its true conditions you must hire a home inspector with the experience and expertise. Don’t worry we have you covered, we have inspectors for hire. Here’s what our inspectors investigate in and around your new home: > Structural (Cracks in walls, concrete floor or foundation) > Electrical (Over-wiring, over-lamping, or lights flickering) > Interior (Poorly maintained/falling apart, mold issues) > Exterior (Grade sloping, eavesthrough, siding/stucco) The inspection is a process toshingles, learn about > Roof (Damaged or worn water penetration) your new home and determine the situation > Heating (Poor ventilation/circulation or older furnace) the home is in. The type of questions the > Plumbing (Drippy faucets, runny toilets, leaky pipes) inspector will ask are: > Insulation (Heat loss, poorly blown attic insulation)
It is prudent to be an informed purchaser as you make one of the largest buying decisions ever. Home inspections assist in giving you peace of mind that there are no surprises in store.
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THE OFFER PROCESS NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY I take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It is our job to find a winwin agreement that is beneficial to all parties involved. You may even have to deal with multiple offers, so make sure that yours is strong if you really want the home. As your agent, I will guarantee a thorough and objective assessment of the home’s true value to help you make the right choice. THE INITIAL AGREEMENT AND DEPOSIT An effective agreement is a legal arrangement between a potential purchaser and the property’s seller. Laws vary but in order to be a legally binding agreement, the agreement may require consideration. This consideration (initial and additional deposit) is to be held in trust pending the fulfilment of conditions or contingencies in the effective agreement. KEEP WRITTEN RECORDS OF EVERYTHING For the sake of clarity, it will be extremely useful to transcribe all verbal agreements including counter-offers and addendums, and convert them to written agreements to be signed by both parties. I will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your purchase and make sure that you have copies of everything. STICK TO THE SCHEDULE Now that you have made an offer, you and the seller will be given a timeline to mark every stage in the process of closing the real estate contract. Meeting the requirements on time ensures a smoother flow of negotiations and also ensures that each party involved is not in breach of their agreements. During the process we will keep you constantly updated so you will always be prepared for the next step.
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THE CONCLUSION It’s my responsibility to represent your interests as the buyer. This includes searching for a home, negotiating the best price, and handling all the details of your next purchased property. As your agent, I will never settle, provide personalized access to more available property information. AS YOUR AGENT, I PROMISE TO: 1. Provide you with information regarding all properties listed with the Real Estate Board online at your convenience. This includes bank sales and “For Sale by Owner� sales. Furthermore, I provide complete, daily searches of homes appropriate to your needs and budget, complete access to me at all times and instant notification on all new properties matching your search criteria. I am also always available to show you homes at your request. 2. Provide you with Mortgage Brokers, Building inspectors and Appraisers, Movers and Surveyors. 3. Advise prospective sellers and their brokerages that I am representing you and negotiating on your behalf. 4. Always demonstrate quality and professional conduct to provide the best possible real estate experience. 5. Keep everything between us. I will never disclose personal client information at any time in compliance with our privacy policy.
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REAL ESTATE AS AN INVESTMENT & A HOME Everyone needs a home, however, one cannot overlook the importance of real estate as both an investment and a home. You simply don’t want to just live, but also build capital with something tangible, valuable and essential to life.
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TESTIMONIALS “This was our very first home, so we didn’t know what to expect or what we wanted. Alison was supportive and very patient with us while we looked at everything from condos downtown to townhomes in Marda Loop and single family homes from the N.W. to the S.E. The home we bought ended up being one that she suggested to us, which we fell in love with the moment we opened the door. She helped us along the way and made the whole process a breeze!” -ANDREW AND PAULA R. “Amazing Realtor! She found me my dream house after searching for only a few days and the process was seamless. I highly recommend her services to anyone looking to buy or sell.” -BRITNI E. We were introduced to Alison through our mortgage broker and we could not be happier. She worked so hard on our very challenging sale and purchase of our 2nd home. Alison will always be totally honest with you tell you all the pros and cons of any home and then fight for you to get the best deal. I cannot recommend Alison enough. -KRYSTAL AND PATRICK MURRY.
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“Alison is an extremely hard working agent that puts her client’s best interests first. She conducts herself with the utmost professionalism, honesty and integrity. As an out of town buyer, I’ve bought two houses through Alison. In both cases, she went above and beyond on my behalf to visit properties and inspect them. She was just as quick to point out potential flaws in prospective purchases as she was in highlighting positive features. In other words, Alison took a balanced approach to presenting properties. Her attention to detail and tactful negotiation skills are beneficial to ensuring a smooth buying or selling process also. Alison genuinely cares about getting her clients the right property for their needs. I highly recommend retaining the services of Alison Lang as an agent”. -RAVINDER PUNIA Alison supported us through 80 showings in 2 months and negotiated a great price on our home. She was professional and always returned our calls or texts promptly. I would definitely recommend her! - AMANDA L. Alison was professional, came prepared and was always available for questions. Our house was only on the market for one day and we received multiple offers. Thank you Alison -CAROLYN AND RYAN
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THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY 21
Alison Lang 403.808.6641
www.alisonlang.ca