BUYERS
03 02
ABOUT RE/MAX CORE 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
BUYERS INFO 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. 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 a pproved 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. 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. These things define your lifestyle choice and are not only necessary, but convenient.
03 05
03 06
TRUSTED 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?
THE RIGHT AGENTS 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. 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? 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? I will be your guide and partner in this crucial decision, so it is important to find one with whom you can get along.
03 07
08
TRUSTED 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.
MORTGAGE INFO 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, 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. 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.
03 09
03 10
finding a home 4 u
is our
business TRUSTED 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.
ONLINE FACTS LET’S GET ONLINE! My innovative site connects sellers with buyers and gives you access to potential listings that fit your criteria before they are exposed to the masses. I use 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. My 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. I make sure to connect to these sources in order to utilize every avenue, including my own, in order to find that ideal home for you.
81% 12% 6%
03 11
12
TRUSTED ADVICE PREFERENCES, QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS Throughout the search 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.
BUYER’S PREPARATION 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. 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.
03 13
14
TRUSTED 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.
WANTS & NEEDS 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. I 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? I will guide you through this process so you completely understand what you should be asking for.
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. I 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
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 • Water & Sewage • Cable & Internet Providers • Gas Providers
BUSINESS ACCOUNTS • Banking Institutions • Cell Phone Providers • Department Stores • Financial Companies • Credit Card Companies
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS • CRA • Post Office • Schools • Provincial Licensing • Library • Veterans Administration
CLUBS & MISCELLANEOUS • Country Club • Health & Fitness Club • Recreation Club • Book Club • Other Club
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Broker • Accountant • Doctor • Dentist • Lawyer
03 19
613.739.5959 485 Industrial Avenue Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 0Z1, Canada www.remaxcore.com