BUYERS GUIDE
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ABOUT SUSAN
WHAT I STAND FOR ABOUT SUSAN MACARZ From a young age, Susan honed her love of fine homes in a ‘Real Estate” family. Her Dad, a successful real estate , land and community developer, nurtured Susan’s flair for home decor and passion for beautiful design. With an enthusiasm for sales, Susan was soon redesigning model suites, giving a great perspective of how meticulous design works as a sales tool. As she concentrated on interior design and marketing, Susan absorbed a ton of knowledge, sales strategies and negotiating skills from her father. In the early 90’s, Susan went for more, focusing her career on real estate sales and marketing. Never settling, she achieved her Real Estate Broker license designation and has gone on to win many RE/MAX awards of distinction. In 2005 she won the award for Top 3 Individual Transactions in a population over 150,000; as well as a member of the 100% Club, RE/MAX Platinum Club, and RE/MAX Hall of Fame. Susan has always looked for more innovative ways to lead, but it’s her art of negotiating that has truly set Susan apart over the years. She has a knack for looking at a deal from all sides & finding inventive solutions to get it done. Quite frankly, Susan is a Smart Marketer & a Sharp Negotiator! Susan’s warm personality and intuitive reading of market trends has earned her the position of trusted real estate advisor to many. Her dedication, integrity, discretion and professionalism is a true definition 3 of her character.
THE BUYING EXPERIENCE WITH SUSAN REASONS 1-2 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 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.
THE BUYING
EXPERIENCE THE BUYING EXPERIENCE WITH SUSAN REASONS 3 3. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Another important decision during the buying process is proximity to important things such as schools, work, grocery stores, and amenities such as shopping centres, restaurants, parks and recreation centers
expert advice
ARE YOU DEALING WITH AN EXPERT? Did you know that the average agent sells or helps clients buy only 6 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? 05 5
FINDING THE RIGHT AGENT Because I am an experienced, well-oiled agent, I ensure my client’s expectations are always met. Real estate is so much more than just a job, it is my passion, and my duty is to provide all my 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 I am not perfect, I strive to offer my clients excellent service, excellent communication, trusted advice and a personal touch. I truly believe in people, their dreams, and care about all of my clients, who I now consider my extended real estate family.
THE RIGHT
R E A LT O R ÂŽ KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN LOOKING FOR AN AGENT... 1. EDUCATION The most important factor in choosing a real estate professional is his or her education in the real estate industry. I have advanced training and education, allowing them to be among the top agents in the world 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 buy 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? 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 07 7 process? I will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision.
ARE YOU READY TO BUY A 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, 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 home. Find out how I can help you find the mortgage that best suits you.
MORTGAGE
INFORMATION INCOME & ASSETS Most loan programs require the lender to verify all of your income sources. Typically you will need to provide pay stubs, your 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.
expert advice
REAL ESTATE AS AN INVESTMENT AND 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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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!
PREPARING
YOUR MOVE 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 • Cell Phone 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 • Other Club
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ONLINE FACTS & TOOLS 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 us find a home that best suits you! 99% of people search for a home using three main search engines. I make sure to give you the widest possible access to these platforms.
GOOGLE - 81% YA H O O - 1 2 % BING - 6%
FINDING YOUR
HOME ONLINE S T EP S B UYE R S TAK E WH E N SE A R C HI NG F O R A HO M E INTERNET - 51% REALTOR® - 34% CALL ON YARD SIGN - 4% FRIEND/RELATIVE/NEIGHBOR - 4% OPEN HOUSE - 4% NEW BUILDER - 2% LOCAL NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE - 1% 13
YOUR GTA A
C R E AT I N G P O S S I B I L i T I E S T H R O U
AGENT
UGH IDEAS & DREAMS
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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 house you can afford. I 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 your 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 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.
BUYER’S
PREPARATION 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 the things you cannot live without in your new home. (Large Bedrooms, Large Closets, High-end appliances, proximity to amenities and schools, etc.). Lower-priority items are those that are an added bonus, but not necessary. (Jetted-tub, landscaped yard). TOUR HOMES IN PERSON AND ONLINE Some people look at several homes before finding just the right one. And others find “the one” immediately. Thanks to the Internet, you can streamline your search process significantly by checking out homes for sale online. You can visit open houses and preview everything that’s for sale in your market on one of my websites.
expert advice
WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS I 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. 17
MAKING AN OFFER NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY I take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It is my 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 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.
THE OFFER
PROCESS 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 I will keep you constantly updated so you will always be prepared for the next step.
expert advice
PURCHASE A 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 known as a Purchase and 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. 19
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 feeling 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 areas of the house both structurally and mechanically and 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 repairs.
YOUR HOME
INSPECTION HERE ARE A FEW HOME INSPECTION TIPS: • Ensure the home inspector checks for visible issues with plumbing, electrical systems, roof, insulation, walls, ceilings, floors and windows, and the condition of the foundation. • Ensure your 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 tips and easy fix-ups, if necessary. • Ensure that in the end, you receive a detailed report that summarizes the condition of your home.
expert advice
A HOME THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS Contact me anytime you need to know what’s really going on in the market. If you have questions, then I will have the answer! When you’re ready to take the next step toward finding a home, I am here to help. I will make sure to match you with a home that best suits your needs in the right neighborhood 21
TESTIMONIALS This letter is firstly to thank you for the professional way in which you handled the sale of my property. You responded to my every requirement & gave me solid advice about the manner in which to prepare from & list my property, & advised on how to achieve the best result for me. After a very busy weekend open house, you expected & prepared me for multiple offers & handled all agents respectfully as they each presented their offer. I felt that I could rely on your professional opinion & approach at all times & am extremely happy with the end result of my selling price & closing date options. - K. Lasky (Seller and Buyer) Thank you for representing us so well in the sale of my mother’s home. I was impressed throughout the process by your interpersonal intelligence & tact, your focus on value add design changes, your energy & most of all your integrity, transparency & commitment to putting your clients’ interest first. It was a delight working with you, & I truly appreciate your efforts on our behalf. I wish you every success in the future. - D. Morley (Seller) Susan was highly recommended to us by a friend who has dealt with her for many years. Our house being a unique duplex, we thought would be a challenge to sell....we were prepared to be patient, but to our surprise after 3 weeks on the market Susan brought the perfect family that needed the space & location....We were totally satisfied - we achieved our price & were happy that our home was going to this family. It was a pleasure meeting & working with Susan. I would highly recommend Susan as a professional realtor, who will help you achieve your real estate goals with minimal stress. Thanks Susan! - R & S Silberman (Seller) Moving? Selling and buying, selling or buying can be stressful and overwhelming too. Susan Macarz made it easy—every step of the way—and I mean every step of the way, from start to finish. Susan is an excellent real estate agent, professional, knowledgeable and an amazing negotiator… and I swear she must work 24/7 because I could always reach her, day or night. She was very supportive throughout and… she listens. I highly recommend Susan. I made the right choice. - Tina Marie Pecile (Seller and Buyer)
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416.487.5131 susan@susanmacarz.com www.susanmacarz.com