03 02
ABOUT THE AGENT TOP LUXURY REALTOR Your information goes here...(Below is just a filler) Brad Van De Walle found his calling in 2009 when he became a REALTOR®. Since then, Brad has created a powerful, successful, reliable team of agents across Canada. His ability to connect with all types of people, his understanding of the real estate industry and a unique sales approach have made Brad one of the most innovative agents in the country. Brad believes personal development, camaraderie and self respect create individual and team success. Brad has now started Agent Marketing Group, something he has dreamed about for some time. Agent Marketing Group was formed with one goal in mind; to bring together exceptional agents, marketing and services to produce exceptional results. Pride in the team radiates through Brad’s actions and personality. His career, his business partners and most importantly, his clients mean everything to him. “Agent Marketing Group is not in this for the transaction. We care about our clients, they become our friends, and we want what is best for them”. A savvy entrepreneur, Brad has found success in so many different areas of business. His understanding, experience and ambition has pushed him to become one of the most well-known, well-connected and well-liked people in the real estate industry.
03 03
03 04
WHY CHO OSE U S? 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. The Agent Marketing Group is so committed to education that we spend 25k a year just on training. This allows us to learn and be among on the of the top teams in the world. 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. Do they employ a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies? How tech-savvy is your agent? How many similar properties have they been able to sell in the past? 3. AVAILABILITY AND COMMITMENT. Your agent should be capable of prompt and decisive action during the course of selling your property. 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. EMPATHY. 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 listing agent will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision, so it is important to find one with whom you can get along.
03 05
03 06
TRUSTED ADVICE II SELL YOUR HOME WITH A PROFESSIONAL Our proven and successful marketing plan is designed to create results and get your home SOLD - fast! A comprehensive understanding of the luxury market and years of innovative marketing experience accelerates the selling process.
BUYI NG A HO M E I STEPS TO BUYING A HOME PART 1.... When purchasing a home, you are faced with a multitude of decisions! The primary one is whether you are actually prepared to purchase a home. Locating the perfect home is not always an easy task, and obtaining a mortgage loan can be a complex and tiring process. Although, once you have determined that you are ready to move forward with the required effort towards your home-purchasing goal, the rewards are unquestionable. While at your side each step of the way, we will make the process of purchasing a home easier, more enjoyable, less time-consuming, and less expensive than if you undertook this challenge on your own. We will help you prepare so that sellers perceive you as a preferred buyer, help you locate and assess properties for sale that match your specifications, and help you through the myriad of details attending the actual purchase. We are always familiar with the current homes on the market, and we know neighbourhood values well, so can help you determine which properties are fairly-priced and in good condition before you start your search. YOUR FIRST STEP Your first step to buying a home is to first ask yourself why you want to buy a home: to stop paying rent? To start building equity? To have a place of your own? To raise a family? To entertain business associates? To move up to a bigger house? Next, list what kind of home you’d like and where you would like to be. Be specific. Separate the “must haves” from the “want to haves.” Think of yourself as zeroing in on a target, going from the general to the specific. Consider area (city, suburban neighborhood, country); community (north, south, east, or west side); neighborhood (older and settled or sparkling new); a particular school zone; recreational facilities; and other community services such as transportation, day care, library, stores, entertainment). Ask yourself how many minutes you are willing to commute to work. Think about home styles. How much space do you need? Does your situation require a one-level home, or are stairs acceptable? Consider size and kind of property. Do you want a newer home, or maybe an older one to fix up? Someday you or your heirs will want to sell. Consider how long you expect to live in this particular home.
03 07
08
BUYING A HO M E II STEPS TO BUYING A HOME PART 2.... LOAN PRE-QUALIFICATION Once you have addressed the above needs, your next step in the purchasing process is to get pre-qualified with a mortgage company. This can be done over the phone or even online in a matter of minutes. Call us and we will refer you to a mortgage professional who has an excellent reputation and track record for successfully acquiring loan approval for his/her clients. WE WILL FIND THE RIGHT HOMES FOR YOU Once you’ve been pre-qualified and know what price range you want to stay in, we can help you determine which properties fit your needs by using the (MLS) Multiple Listing Service system to locate them. We have the best possible resources and communication systems available today to help you locate the homes on the market that match your specifications. You can even search our listings on our website. WE WILL HELP YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY We will help you complete your financing and inspections, and close the transaction. Our top priority is to make sure that your home buying experience is pleasant, cost-efficient, and successful. The buying process can be a stressful one, but we assure all our clients that we will be by their side every step of the way. The Agent Marketing Group wants to make the process as easy and seamless as possible for all our clients and ensure that they reach their real estate goals.
03 09
03 10
finding a home 4 u
is our
business TRUSTED ADVICE VIEW HOMES ONLINE AND IN PERSON The internet has provided us with great accessto view homes on line and made the home searching process more efficient. However, it is important to view homes in person as well. As the buyer, it is important to get a larger perspective and better feel of the home you are interested in buying and seeing it live and in person give you the best perspective.
O NLI NE TOOLS LET’S GET ONLINE! Our innovative site connects sellers with buyers and gives you access to potential listings that fit your criteria before they are exposed to the masses. Our team uses the Internet and all online tools to help find the home that best suits you. With more than 90% of buyers checking the web, getting online is the most effective and efficient way to find your next home. Our web presence and online network will help speed up this process. Below shows that 99% of people search for a home using three main search engines. We make sure to connect to these sources in order to utilize every avenue, including our own, in order to find that ideal home for you.
81% 12% 6%
03 11
12
MORTGAGES & PREP 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.. DETERMINE YOUR PRICE RANGE The best place to start when buying a home is to find out how much house you can afford. A Greater Okanagan agent 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. 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).
03 13
14
WANTS & NEE DS BEFORE YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO BUY, WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU? MOTIVATION - What are the reasons you have decided to buy a home? Does your motivation justify your needs and wants? TIMING - What is your timeline and when are you looking to move into your home? PRICING - What is your price range? Typically this is one of, if not the most important factor when looking at purchasing a home. Does the home you are looking for fit your budget? DECISION MAKING - Will anyone else be involved in the decisions moving forward or are you the primary playcaller? LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION. - You’ve heard this before, but understand that there’s so much more to a property than simply where it is located. A desired location might come with many compromises. Are you willing to compromise? HOME SIZE - How important is size? Obviously it matters, but if you are able to get something that meets your minimum requirements in a desired location but lacks some of the other things you want, would you be willing to compromise on those other things? These are common questions that you may need to ask yourself during the buying process. LOT SIZE - How big a backyard do you want? Enough room to entertain or for the kids to run around and play in? Does it matter what direction the backyard faces? FLOOR PLAN - What type of layout would you like in your home? Closed-compartments or open concept? Newer homes and newly renovated ones tend to have an open concept with a high focus on the kitchen, master bedroom and ensuite (if any), however, older homes usually are space defined by walls and compartmentalized with more focus on gathering spaces and less focus on the kitchen, master bedroom and ensuite. AMENITIES - What other features are you looking for in your new community? Shopping, transit, schools, proximity to work, local coffee shops, grocery stores, bike trails, parks, recreation facilities, etc. Amenities play in to your everyday lifestyle. Their convenience could make a huge different on the way you live your life. Consider this as an important factor when deciding what home fits your needs.
03 15
03 16
THE OFFER
GETTING STARTED All offers will be made in writing and presented to the seller’s representative/agent. All accepted terms and conditions carry through the life of the contract unless both parties agree to amend in writing. Below are some of the items we need to pay close attention to when writing an offer: PURCHASE PRICE You want a good buy but your offer must also be reasonable to the Seller. Low-ball offers can sometimes upset the seller and prevent further discussions. Make sure your offer is fair and reasonable. We will guide you through this part of the process to help find a reasonable offer to present, but ultimately, you decide how much the property is worth and what you are willing to pay for it. INCLUDED ITEMS What items do you want to included? (Fridge, washer, dryer, hot tub, window coverings?) EXCLUDED ITEMS What items do you not want to be left behind? Sometimes, the sellers will leave behind things they do not want. E.g. Deck furniture, barbecue, shed, outdoor garden light fixtures, etc. Make sure you are specific if there is something you do not want left behind. INITIAL DEPOSIT The importance of this item is often overlooked. This shows commitment and will secure the property for you. METHOD OF PAYMENT Will this be a cash sale or a traditional mortgage and how much of a down-payment are you providing? POSSESSION When does the property legally change ownership, when do you receive keys? This is important for you because it helps you organize the transition of your move and make necessary arrangements. SELLER DISCLOSURES What information about the home should you be asking for? We will guide you through this process so you completely understand what you should be asking for. *After considering all terms, the seller may ACCEPT, COUNTER, or REJECT the offer. Be prepared to counter if necessary.
HOME INSPECTIONS BE COMPLETELY INFORMED BEFORE YOU BUY THE INSPECTION PROCESS Hiring an experienced home inspector will help you discover it’s true condition and what you can not see. We have a group of trusted inspectors who can assist you in making sure your potential purchase is a safe one. Some of the things home inspectors investigate are:
> 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) Roof (Damaged or worn shingles, water penetration) Heating (Poor ventilation/circulation or older furnace) Plumbing (Drippy faucets, runny toilets, leaky pipes) Insulation (Heat loss, poorly blown attic insulation)
The inspection is vitally important if you want to learn about your new home and determine the condition the home is in. Being an informed buyer means you should always be aware of the potential pitfalls of the buying process and understand what to expect throughout the process.
03 17
03 18
M OVING CHEC KLIST 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, we are always here to lend a helping hand. It`s what we do! UTILITY PROVIDERS • Electricity Providers • Telephone Providers • Water & Sewage • Cable & Internet Providers • Gas Providers GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS • CRA • Post Office • Schools • Provincial Licensing • Library • Veterans Administration 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
03 19
AMG (587) 432-82531 info@agentmarketinggroup.com www.agentmarketinggroup.com