Tony Nicastro Real Estate Marketing Buyers Guide

B U Y ER S

G U ID E

W I T H TO N Y N I C AST R O

K E E P I N G I T R E A L I N R E A L E S TAT E

ABOUT TONY NICASTRO Tony Nicastro has been active in the real estate industry as a property investor, renovator, corporate developer and owner for over 20 years. He prides himself in his thorough knowledge of the real estate industry. Whether you are looking for residential, commercial, investment/revenue property or are a first time home buyer, you can rest assured that Tony has the expertise to walk you through the process.

Leveraging his experience as a successful business owner in Inner-City Calgary, Tony is known for his hard work, integrity, professional service and strong negotiating skills. He prides himself in the fact that the majority of his clients are repeat and referral customers and sees this as a reflection of his commitment to placing his client’s best interests at the forefront of all that he does! Tony has built his business by building strong relationships with his clients and the communities that he serves.

Tony Nicastro 403.620.3634 tony@tonynicastro.com www.tonynicastro.com

BUYERS INFORMATION 1. MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE It is very important to evaluate yourself and your situation to ensure that buying a home is the right decision for you. It is important to understand what is motivating you. 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?

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 to identify your preferences and the type of lifestyle you desire.

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

A R E Y O U DE A L IN G WITH A N E X P E R T ?

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?

RE/ MAX T I DB I T From a single office that opened in 1973 in Denver, Colo., RE/MAX has grown into a global real estate network of franchisee-owned and -operated offices with more than 100,000 sales associates.

PERFORMANCE MATTERS WE ALWAYS OUTPERFORM Real estate is so much more than just a job, it is my passion and duty to provide all my clients with the necessary services to help them reach their real estate goals. Having the RIGHT AGENT helps.

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

1. EDUCATION The most important factor in choosing a real estate professional is their education in the real estate industry. I also have advanced training and education.

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. Will your agent employ a diverse range of marketing and advertising strategies? How tech-savvy is your agent? How many similar properties have they 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. Will your agent make it a point to keep in touch with you constantly? Will your agent easy to contact in case of emergencies or even for the simplest questions?

Will your agent available on the weekends or in the evenings when most buyers are out looking?

4. RAPPORT Will your agent take the time to listen to your goals and clarify your needs? Will 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.

MORTGAGE INFO 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 the financing. You can not 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 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 income sources. Typically you will need to provide pay stubs, 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.

MOVING CHECKLIST 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

INSURANCE COMPANIES • Accidental Insurance • Auto Insurance • Health Insurance • Benefits Provider • Home Insurance • Life Insurance PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • Broker • Accountant • Doctor • Dentist • Lawyer

K E E P I N G I T R E A L I N R E A L E S TAT E

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 who search for a home use three main search engines.

I make sure to give you the widest possible access on these platforms.

*12% *81% *6%

BUYER SEARCH ONLINE! More than half of all homebuyers search online FIRST when looking to purchase a home. It is vitally important that you are able to view the full range of potential homes to find the one that’s right for you.

KEEPING IT REAL IN REAL ESTATE Leveraging his experience as a successful business owner in inner-city Calgary, Tony is known for his hard work, integrity, professional service and strong negotiating skills.

Tony prides himself in the fact that the majority of his clients are repeat and referral customers and sees this as a reflection of his commitment to placing his client’s best interests at the forefront of all that he does! Tony has built his business by building strong relationships with his clients and the communities that he serves.

w w w. t o n y n i c a s t r o . c o m

live!

MEET WITH TONY

With over 20 years’ experience as a realtor, Tony prides himself in his thorough knowledge of the real estate industry. Whether you are looking for residential, commercial, investment/revenue property or are a first time home buyer, you can rest assured that Tony has the experience and expertise to walk you through that process.

Let’s Meet for Coffee!

BUYERS PREPARATION 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 payments 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. Others find “the one” immediately. The Internet allows me to streamline your search process significantly by checking out homes for sale online. You can also visit open houses and preview everything that’s for sale in your market.

K E E P I N G I T R E A L I N R E A L E S TAT E

NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY 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. I will also 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 legally binding, 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 I will keep you constantly updated to prepare you for the next step.

A SK FO R A F R E E HO M E E VA L UAT ION A well-priced home will generate lots of interest and sell quicker. There’s even a chance of receiving multiple offers resulting in a higher final sale price. Our free market analysis takes into account the most actively searched prices and comparable homes in your community so that you have a detailed evaluation of what your home is worth in today’s real estate market.

RE/ MAX T I DB I T Customer service – built on a foundation of drive, experience and education – is the cornerstone of RE/MAX success.

The RE/MAX track record built over the past 40 years is proof that a focus on the customer’s needs, backed by the ability to deliver, remains as important as ever.

HOME INSPECTIONS THE PRICE IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT 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. Financial approval can make one feel comfortable, but confidence comes from making a sound investment.

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.

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.

ST EPS B U Y ER S TAK E WH EN SEAR CHING FO R A H OME INTERNET - 51% REALTOR® - 34% CALL ON YARD SIGN - 4% FRIEND/RELATIVE/NEIGHBOR - 4% OPEN HOUSE - 4% NEW BUILDER - 2% LOCAL NEWSPAPER/MAGAZINE - 1% KNEW THE SELLER - 1%

K E E P I N G I T R E A L I N R E A L E S TAT E

TESTIMONIALS “Tony was my second REALTOR® and I dearly wish he had been my first! Tony was clear and specific about what I could expect as a seller in this market, listened to what my priorities were and then, set about making it happen. The offer and acceptance were just the start of his work. Tony was on top of, or a step ahead of, everything the buyer’s REALTOR® wanted/needed/or just threw my way.

Throughout the whole process, he provided solid advice and plenty of support. I couldn’t imagine trying to get this done without Tony on my side.”

- Katie “Exceptional client service! Tony helped my husband and I sell our condo and purchase our new home. Throughout this process he exceed our expectations. Not only was he professional, knowledgeable, and responsive, he went above and beyond to make sure every aspect went as smoothly as possible. He was exceptional to work with and provided valuable guidance and feedback, ensuring we purchased for a fair price and were able to sell quickly without sacrificing on price. He is resourceful and was able to help us with all aspects of house shopping, the home inspection, and other services required to make our new house a home. Tony’s support doesn’t stop with the sale/ purchase as he is genuinely invested in people and communities, and he works to build relationships rather than just focus on the transaction. We would highly recommend Tony to anyone looking to buy or sell!”

- Shauna & Greg “Tony was great, he showed me places in my price range but also got a feel for what I wanted and if it wasn’t for Tony I wouldn’t have found the condo that I bought. He packed the most viewings in as possible to fit my crazy work schedule.”

- Joey Hocaloski “Tony was my REALTOR® when I bought the Diamond View Car and Pet Wash in Airdrie this summer. He searched and found the right property, attended all the meetings, and was always prepared. Tony looked after the details from A to Z for a seamless experience.

At the end of the day he negotiated a great deal but didn’t stop when the ink was dry.

Tony went over and above by helping make our Grand Opening a huge success. Tony brought the BBQ’s and cooked up a storm with his homemade sausages, but more importantly he helped me find a worthy local charity to assist. We raised $605 for the Airdrie & District Victims Assistance Society! He has earned my respect and friendship, I strongly recommend Tony to anyone looking to buy or sell a home or business.”

- Amin Mussa

TO N Y N I C AST RO R E A LT O R Š

403.620.3634

tony@tonynicastro.com www.tonynicastro.com