David St Jean Real Estate Group Buyers Guide

Each office independently owned and operated.

Buyer s Guide ’

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Exceptional Agents.

Exceptional Results.

WE LCO M E

The David St. Jean Real Estate Group shares space with the top 100 Agents & Teams in Western Canada – a fact we feel will provide you the best possible real estate experience.

Our highly successful and sought-after group of Real Estate Professionals focus on providing unprecedented service and results to our Buyers and Sellers. We utilize the very best in tools, technology, and industry partnerships to delight and deliver unexpected results. Our Team of hard-working professionals is driven by a vision of success through collaboration, integrity, and an un-paralleled client experience.

Melinda Chisholm REALTOR, Buyers Specialist Melinda provides comprehensive knowledge and tailored service to all her Buyers. The ability to be both confident in and comfortable with a life-changing decision is of the utmost importance, and Melinda succeeds in bringing this mentality to every client interaction.

Kassy Draper REALTOR, Buyers Specialist Kassy has been in home sales since 2010 and has grown an impressive portfolio of custom homes and renovation projects. With a keen eye for home layouts & design, Kassy is fueled by her love for finding her Buyers a better way to enjoy everyday life – most of which is spent in the home.

Kim McCurdy REALTOR, Buyers Specialist Kim brings a wealth of knowledge from her years in new home sales and as a business owner and entrepreneur. She is driven by the goal of making each Buyer experience enjoyable and as stress-free as possible. Through education and superior customer service Kim always delivers!

Starla O’Neal REALTOR, Buyers Specialist Starla brings her bright personality, considerable energy and determination to all of her Buyers interactions. Combined with her wealth of real estate knowledge, Starla is a force. Starla is our Beaumont area expert and loves the small town feel.

Kimberleigh Wyton REALTOR, Buyers Specialist Kimberleigh has a passion for people and a knack for finding properties whose value will beat the market! Kim has proven killer instincts when it comes to selling and negotiation. She loves to work with new builds, infills, renovations, and investments properties.

Joshua Yap REALTOR, Buyers Specialist Growing up in Edmonton, Josh is proud to call this city his home.

After finishing his studies at the University of Alberta, he pursued a career in Real Estate. Josh will work tirelessly with you to identify your real estate goals and vision – delivering the very best solution!

David Yaremchuk REALTOR, Buyers Specialist David loves the challenge and triumphs real estate provides, always striving to find the best solutions and outcomes for his clients. David plays for the Edmonton elite football club in the semi-professional Alberta football league and keeps busy as a single Dad of three young kids!

David Rojek REALTOR, Commercial Specialist David Rojek is someone quickly recognized as a connector. He has an uncanny ability to meet people, put two and two together to create dynamic opportunities. This is why he has excelled at serial entrepreneurship his entire life. From working as the President in multi-million dollar companies to launching his own advertising and media company servicing national clients such as Telus, Bell, Rogers and Spirit Halloween, real estate the natural step for this talented negotiator. He is here to assist with all types of Commercial needs.

James St. Amant Inside Sales Assistant For over 8 years James has been helping our Buyers find their perfect home. James’ passion is to show our clients that whether it’s their first home or forever home, real estate is a great investment.

Tara Hvatum Inside Sales Assistant Tara takes great pride in providing excellence in all aspects of Buyer transactions. She is a great listener and uses this skill to identify the home criteria that will best suit our Buyers.

Jessica Regehr In-house Graphic Designer/ISA Jessica Earned a Bachelor of Business Honours degree which provided her with a strong foundation in sales, marketing, and industry best practices. Combined with her extensive SEO and social media experience, she is a great asset to the DSJ Real Estate Group.

Sara Piech Client Care & Administrative Manager Sara is our Client Care & Administrative Manager; expertly supporting our team & clients with her natural aptitude for secondto-none service. Sara brings considerable experience in Executive Support, Residential Real Estate and Private Mortgage Lending.

Kim St. Jean REALTOR, Director of Operations With a BCom. from the University of Alberta and over 20 years experience in corporate and entrepreneurial environments, Kim brings a wealth of business knowledge to the team. Kim is involved in recruiting the best industry agents and creating supporting processes & strategy for the business.

DAVID ST. JEAN I was born and raised in the Edmonton area and bring nearly 20 years’ experience as an award winning, top producing real estate agent. When I am not busy selling real estate and supporting my team, I am part of several charitable committees and group initiatives. I give generously to the Stollery Children’s Hospital with a portion of each home my clients buy or sell. I was also involved with the naming rights of RE/MAX field and various other RE/MAX family facilities you may see in the Edmonton area.

I have a strong background in sales, but my passion is people. I enjoy meeting, networking and forging lifelong lasting relationships. In building the David St. Jean Real Estate Group, I have been fortunate to have helped many agents achieve & exceed their career goals. For me, this is everything. Passing on my experience and knowledge to fellow professionals is the ultimate reward.

I look forward to working with you & being part of your real estate journey.

Exceptional Agents.

Exceptional Results.

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NOT YOUR AVERAGE AGENTS Did you know that the average agent sells or helps their client buy only 8 homes per year? Did you know that 45% of real estate agents spend less than $500 per year on training and professional development? These are the facts, so how do you know if your agent is an expert when it comes to helping you buy a home?

David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

BUYER’S I N FO THE BUYING EXPERIENCE 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. We believe in full disclosure and the importance of planning. Some questions that you should ask yourself are: “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?”

2. YOUR LIFESTYLE 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 key that you decided what is most important for you and what type of lifestyle you truly desire.

3. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Another important decision during the buying process is proximity to important things such as school, work, grocery stores, and amenities such as shopping centers, restaurants, parks and recreation centers. These things define your lifestyle choice and are not only necessary but convenient.

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EXPECTATIONS, NEEDS & WANTS By determining a buyer’s expectations, needs, wants and comparing them to what the market is showing, an expert will help find the ideal home for you; however, it is important to understand how an agent will be able to identify these factors.

David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

TH E R I G H T AGEN TS Because we are an experienced and professionally trained team; we ensure our client’s expectations are always met. Real Estate is so much more than just a job, it is our passion, and our duty is to provide all our clients with the necessary services to help them reach their Real Estate goals. Having the RIGHT AGENT helps.

IT ALL STARTS HERE...

Many agents offer great service, but not-so-great advice. Others offer great service, great advice, but lack communication. Though we are not perfect, we strive to offer our clients exceptional service, excellent communication, trusted advice and a personal touch. We truly believe in people, their dreams and care about our clients, who we now consider part of our extended real estate family.

KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN LOOKING FOR AN AGENT...

1. EDUCATION The most important factor in choosing a real estate agent is his or her education in the Real Estate Industry. We have advanced training and education, allowing them to be among the top agents, earning prestigious designations in the various fields of real estate.

2. EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE You want a full-time agent who is familiar with your area and with the type of property you intend to sell. Does he or she employ a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies?

How tech-savvy is your agent? How many similar properties has he or she been able to help clients but in the past?

3. AVAILABILITY AND COMMITMENT Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action during the course of finding your home. Does your agent make it a point to keep in touch with you constantly? Is your agent easy to contact in case of emergencies or even for the simplest questions? Is your agent available on the weekend or in the evening when most buyers are not 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? We will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision so it is important to find one with whom you can get along with.

“FOR THE MOST OF US, OUR HOME IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST INVESTMENT. WHEN IT’S TIME TO BUY, WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU MAKE THE BEST DECISION IN PREPARATION FOR YOU HOME. IN THiS BOOK, YOU WILL FIND DETAILED INFORMATION ON HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF TO BECOME AN EDUCATED BUYER.”

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REAL ESTATE IS 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.

David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

M O RTGAG E I N FO READY TO BUY YOUR HOME? GETTING STARTED You’ve decided you want to buy a home, now what? The first and most important step to the home buying process is financing. You can’t do anything until you know how much you can afford. To get started, you need to understand what lenders are looking for from a borrower. There are three main factors that help determine if you qualify for home financing: Income, Assets and Credit History.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MORTGAGES: Getting a mortgage is one thing. Getting a mortgage that best suits your situation is another.

Some mortgages have less strings attached but have more strict stipulations. Others are harder to get but have more flexibility. It is important to have all the information about mortgages available to you before you can decide to move forward in the purchase of a home. Find out how I can help you find the mortgage that best suits you.

INCOME & ASSETS Most loan programs require the lender to verify all your income sources, typically you will need to provide pay stubs 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, and the amount owed on the borrower’s repayment history.

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WE HAVE YOU COVERED QUESTIONS & CONCERNS Throughout the search process, many questions will arise. Common preferences are floor/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.

David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

MOVIN G CHECKLI ST PREPARING YOUR NEXT MOVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION It is important that you use this checklist in order to be well prepared when buying a home.

The last thing you want to happen is to move into a home with the necessities such as, electricity, gas, water, 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, we are always here to lend a helping hand. It’s what I do!

UTILITY PROVIDERS • Electricity Providers • Telephone Providers • Water & Sewage • Cable & Internet Providers • Gas Providers

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Broker • Accountant • Doctor • Dentist • Lawyer

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS • CRA • Post Office • Schools • Library • Provincial License

BUSINESS ACCOUNTS • Banking Institutions • Mobile Providers • Department Stores • Financial Companies • Credit Card Companies

INSURANCE COMPANIES • Accidental Insurance • Auto Insurance • Health Insurance • Benefits Provider • Home Insurance • Life Insurance

CLUBS & MISCELLANEOUS • Country Club • Health & Fitness Club • Recreation Club • Book Club

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KNOW THE MARKET - TOURING HOMES IN PERSON & ONLINE Some people look at several homes before finding just the right one, others find “the one” immediately. Thank to the internet, you can streamline your search process significantly by checking out home for sale online. You can visit and preview everything that’s for sale in your market.

David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

ONLINE FACTS & TOOLS LET’S GET ONLINE! We use the Internet and all online tools to help find your next home. With more than most buyers checking the web, getting online is the most effective and efficient way to search for homes. Our web presence and online network will help us find a home that best suits you!

Most people search for a home using three main search engines. We make sure to give you the widest possible access on these platforms.

81% 12% 6% STE P S BUYER S TAKE WH E N S E ARC H I N G FOR A HO ME INTERNET - 51% REALTOR® - 34% CALL ON YARD SIGN - 4% FRIEND/RELATIVE/NEIGHBOUR - 4% OPEN HOUSE - 4% NEW BUILDER - 2% LOCAL NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE - 1% KNEW THE SELLER - 1%

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WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS! We want to point you in the right direction and provide you with a little bit more understanding of the process, the questions you should ask and what you should expect from an expert advisor. Remember if they’re not experts, then they’re not qualified to help you find your ideal home.

David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

BUYE R’S P R EPARATI ON BEING AN INFORMED BUYER You’re ready to buy or maybe you’re just ready to start seriously thinking about buying. There’s a lot you can do to prepare. With so much information available at your fingertips, you may already be doing a lot of your own research. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you get started: DETERMINE YOUR PRICE RANGE The best place to start when buying a home is to find out how much you can afford. We can refer you to a mortgage broker who can assist you with determining how much of a down payment you can afford, comfortable monthly payment and the type of loan that fits you needs best. Serious buyers who are highly motivated should go through the effort of getting pre-approved. Not only will this allow you to focus on your home search, but it will also position you as a serious buyer in the eyes of sellers when the time comes to make an offer.

MAKE A LIST AND PRIORITIZE Imagine your ideal home and location. Now, make a list of everything you envisioned. Take that list and break it down from high to low priority. High priority items are things you cannot live with or without in your new home.

TOUR HOMES IN PERSON AND ONLINE Some people look at several homes before finding just the right one, while other find “the one” immediately. Thanks to the internet, you can streamline your search process significantly by checking homes out for sale online in your market on one of my websites.

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PURCHASE & SALES AGREEMENT Once an offer on a property has been made by a buyer and accepted by the seller, they enter into a legal contract know as a, Purchase Sale Agreement.

This document outlines the specific terms and conditions of the transaction and is acknowledged by both parties by the signing of the document.

David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

M O RTGAG E I N FO MAKING AN OFFER NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY We take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating the contractual terms very seriously. It is our job to find a win-win 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 agents, we will guarantee a thorough and objective assessment of the homes 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 fulfillment of conditions of contingencies in the affective 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 into written agreements to be signed by both parties. We 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 allows for a smoother flow of negotiations and 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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A HOME TO SUITS YOUR NEEDS Contact us anytime you need to know what is really going on in the market. If you have questions, then we will have the answer! When you’re ready to take the next step forward finding a home, we are here to help. We will make sure to match you with a home that best suits your needs in the right neighbourhood.

David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

H O M E I N S P ECTI ONS IMPORTANCE OF AN INSPECTION It is a good idea to make sure what you think you are buying is indeed the property you are buying. It is so important to feel comfortable with your purchase during the home buying experience. Feeling comfortable starts with financing, but then leads into feelings confident that your purchase is sound.

Having a professional home inspector is the way to gain peace of mind. A proper inspection will cover all the areas of the house both structurally and mechanically and will give you an objective view of the property. A qualified home inspector will also provide you with a written report indicating areas of concern and the estimated cost of the repairs.

HERE ARE A FEW HOME INSPECTION TIPS: • Ensure the homes inspector checks for visible issues with plumbing, electrical systems, roof insulation, ceilings, floors and windows and the condition of the foundation.

• Ensure the home inspector gives you a close and personal look at your new home. It takes about three hours to go through all the systems and if there are any problems, you will see them with your own eyes. They will also give you maintenance and easy fix-up tips if necessary.

• Ensure that in the end, you receive a detailed report that summarizes the condition of your home.

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David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

TESTIMONIALS WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING...

David St. Jean is very hard working. He is a very talented person. I would recommend him to more people. He is a very good realtor.

- G.S. Melinda Chisholm makes your home buying experience extremely comfortable. Doesn’t pressure you into settling on something, answers all questions you may have, is willing to re-visit the same home multiple times if that’s what you want, drives outside of Edmonton for the sake of seeing a showhome, etc. Overall a great agent to work with.

- K.T. Joshua Yap was very helpful, informative and if he didn’t know he found out in a very quick time frame to help us decide. He got us the best bang for our buck and if we were to purchase another house I would use his services again.

- G.S. Kim McCurdy was very helpful in our purchase. She provided feedback and answered all of our questions with patience. She also provided helpful recommendations and referrals. She was very responsive, and we would be more than happy to use her again in the future!

- A.M. Kassy Draper, was outstanding! She was able to find us the perfect home even though we had some hurdles! She was with me every step of the way as my other half wasn’t able to view the home in person until possession day! Kassy, answered all our questions right away and made signing the documents a very easy process from a distance!!

- J.F. I absolutely loved working with Kim Ross to find my new home! Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable, she also made the process fun. She totally understood my needs, and she worked very hard to help me find just the right home - for me. Plus her interior design background is a huge bonus! In addition, Kim has lots of patience and she seamlessly shifted gears with me as I explored different homes and areas. I’m immensely grateful for that as Kim ended up finding me the perfect home. I’m thrilled. It was also a bit of a stressful time for me and Kim understood and respected my circumstances and really helped me through. I’m immeasurably grateful for Kim and would highly recommend her.

- L.H.

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David St. Jean Real Estate Group | RE/MAX® River City

TESTIMONIALS WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING...

Kimberleigh Wyton consistently provided market knowledge and an excellent customer experience. She helped to navigate my buying experience to make things simple and easy for me while maintaining a high degree of professionalism. I would highly recommend working with Kim and look forward to using her services again in the future!

- R.R. All I can say to my realtor - Melinda, she is a complete package! At the young age, Melinda is so very professional, smart, very knowledgeable in all aspects of building, selling, and buying a home. She is very thorough (very familiar with AB building codes) and very helpful in documentation process! All of my questions were answered, and all of my requests were granted! I will have her again as my realtor on my future purchases! I’m just speechless with the customer service she provided! Hands Down!

- S.C. Kim listened to our needs and wants. She knew the style I was looking for and made sure we viewed the homes that fit our needs. She was wonderful to work with and helped us through the stressful pieces of home buying. Thank you for finding our beautiful new home, Kim! - C.R. Started my search for my first home on my own where I met Joshua at one of his listings. He continued to help me on the way by sending multiple listings meeting my requirements. He was very knowledgeable as I knew little about the market. Continued helping me by providing a great mortgage broker along with a lawyer as well later on. Was able to close a deal within a small amount of time with the right home. Would recommend him to anyone looking to purchasing a home.

- P.S. David is the best realtor you can find!! Always willing to walk the extra mile. He also has a very excellent team. I would highly recommend choosing him as your realtor to buy or sell.

- M.S. David - Great agent - very helpful and dedicated. Understands the market well and provides good advice. I highly recommend him to buyers and sellers alike.

- K.M.

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Each office independently owned and operated.

780.964.SOLD Old Strathcona Branch 780.439.7000 100, 10328 - 81 Avenue, Edmonton, AB. T6E 1X2 South Edmonton Branch 780.485.5005 2852 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, AB. T6J 6V7 St. Albert Branch 780.457.3777 13120 St. Albert Trail, Edmonton, AB T5L 4P6

Info@DavidStJean.com www.DavidStJean.com