SUCCESS AS A GLOBAL LEADER the engel & völkers story
Engel & Völkers was founded in 1977. We began as a specialty boutique agency providing high end real estate services to wealthy European investors in search of assistance from experts who were highly professional and discreet.
We proved our competence and passion early on and quickly earned a reputation for our unparalleled level of service, highly valued network and strong leadership in the market. Our successes lead to greater demand for what we offered. With a brand gaining in recognition and reputation, we established a system that allowed us to expand without sacrificing our higher standards of quality.
In 1988, we launched our own lifestyle, design and architecture magazine, GG. Through this publication we define our brand and showcase the premier properties we represent. In the same year, we also established the Engel & Völkers Academy to maintain our standard of quality among the growing numbers of expert real estate advisors choosing to represent our brand.
In 1990, we opened our first international shop in Majorca, Spain. It marked the beginning of our worldwide expansion throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Today, there are approximately 9,000 real estate advisors in over 30+ countries and with 850 locations spanning through six continents.Though the Engel & Völkers firm has grown beyond a small boutique agency, you can still rely on us for the qualities that remain our keys to success local market expertise, a highly valued network, and an unparalleled level of service quality.
OUR
working with engel & völkers
EXPERTS AT YOUR SERVICE
When considering buying or selling a property, it is essential to work with true market experts who take the time to understand your unique real estate goals”.
Christian Völkers, Founder
Engel & Völkers advisors are known for their unparalleled professionalism and their dedication to providing highquality, personal service. These characteristics are evident among all Engel & Völkers real estate advisors in local markets across the globe.
Each of our advisors is devoted to the core values of competence, exclusivity and passion, as they represent a luxury, global real estate brand with over 40 years of brand heritage and experience.
Engel & Völkers advisors are leaders in their local markets with knowledge and valued connections that help maintain our consistent leadership internationally. We will do all we can to market your property in order to obtain the best outcome for you—the highest possible purchase price and a stress-free transaction.
BRANDON
REAL ESTATE ADVISOR
Brandon’s true passion in life is helping others, whether that be in his role as a firefighter, philanthropist, or as a real estate professional helping his clients with their real estate needs.
Brandon was born in North Vancouver, raised in the Vancouver Lower Mainland and currently resides in Kitsilano. Having been born and raised in this city he has substantial knowledge and appreciation of the region, including the natural beauty and lifestyle it provides its residents.
A graduate of UBC, former professional athlete with the Toronto Blue Jays, and firefighter, Brandon has learned how to achieve the goals he sets with tenacity and perseverance. His leadership and ability to problem-solve and stay cool under pressure makes him the perfect choice to help you achieve your real estate dreams.
His commitment and competitiveness are two of the things that make Brandon a valuable asset to his clients. Through his knowledge of the region, interpersonal skills, and network of real estate professionals, Brandon puts his clients in a position to be successful. He wants to create relationships that are based on transparency, trust, and communication because this is the key to an enjoyable, stress-free transaction.
Brandon epitomizes integrity, energy, hard work, discipline and service. You can have trust and confidence in Brandon’s ability to go above and beyond what needs to be done. After all, he has dedicated his life to serving others and does so with an approachable, positive attitude. Brandon is accustomed to answering “the call for anything, anytime” and his broad experience makes him the asset you need for your success
Brandon Kaye
brandon.kaye@evrealestate.com brandonkaye.evrealestate.com 604-803-5952 @brandon_kaye
COMPETENCE EXCLUSIVITY
PASSION
THE CORE VALUES THAT DEFINE US
There is a single vision shared by the thousands of professionals who represent Engel & Völkers worldwide. It is to link together the aspirations of discerning individuals around the world, be it in a private or business context with total passion. To achieve this vision, we have established a set of core values. These values help to maintain our high level of service quality worldwide and reinforce the meaning of our brand for each and every Engel & Völkers advisor.
Engel & Völkers evokes a real estate experience with the utmost competence, exclusive expertise and passion for all that we do. Handcrafted attention to every detail and meticulous white-glove service is what each and every one of our clients deserves.”
Our training, marketing capabilities and international network ensure that our advisors can competently meet your real estate needs. They will develop a customized strategy and provide the specialized services that will work exclusively for you. And they will do it all with total passion.
Our reputation among the high-end segment of buyers and sellers have given us the ability to become the first real estate company in the world with a specialized division dedicated to the sale of historic properties. These include classical mansions, castles, palaces and cloisters throughout the world. While we continue to reach new heights in the super-prime real estate markets we never lose sight of the roots of our success. We continue to value the knowledge, service and network we use to assist each and every client we serve and to achieve their highest real estate aspirations.
Engel & Völkers is one of Europe’s most recognized real estate brands. We specialize in the sale and leasing of premium residential property, commercial real estate and yachts around the globe. We are also a trusted source of real estate market news and trends on a global scale. Engel & Völkers is part of a culture that appreciates fine living and discerning taste.
Wherever an Engel & Völkers office has opened, whether in Europe, Africa, Asia, or in the Americas, the worldwide recognition of our brand follows.For the homes we represent, including yours, this means greater worldwide exposure enhanced by the confidence of our brand. This has been the strategy that has enabled us to successfully reach qualified international buyers for the homes that we represent.
A HIGHER STANDARD, WORLDWIDE.
35+ COUNTRIES SPANNING 5 CONTINENTS
Engel & Völkers began providing services more than 30 years ago as a boutique agency known for its highly specialized real estate service to a small but exclusive clientele.
Today, as an international brand serving the needs of many thousands of home sellers and buyers around the world, we continue to value our boutique style of business. We will hold our relationship with you closely and give back to the communities we share.
We know the unique features of your local towns and neighborhoods because we understand that these offer priceless value that will affect how we market your property.
Though we belong to an international network, we are a local shop and all of our advisors are local experts. Many have grown up in the neighborhood and have a network of clients who are also their friends. What they all have in common is the ability to reach buyers and markets locally, nationally and around the world.
local and international expertise
PROVIDING WORLD-CLASS SERVICE
OUR COLLABORATIVE APPROACH the strength of our network
With Engel & Völkers you have a dedicated team working to achieve your real estate goals. Our expert advisors have specialized knowledge of local market activity and neighborhood trends. They can evaluate your home in the context of ever changing factors that impact both to ensure an effective pricing strategy.
Working with Engel & Völkers means you receive the personal service of an advisor who is supported by members of Engel & Völkers North America in New York City as well as representatives of our global headquarters team in Hamburg, Germany.
Your advisor will also have access to our exclusive network of Engel & Völkers professionals worldwide. All work in collaboration to execute and deliver marketing campaigns, public relations exposure, social media engagement, and global outreach to attract more buyers for your home. These elements ensure your property is viewed by the highest number of potential buyers.
STEPS FOR BUYING A HOME
getting approved for financing
Before starting to search for your dream home, it’s important to evaluate your financial situation, establish a budget, understand mortgage options and secure preapproval from your lender. This will help you conduct your search with confidence and negotiate your desired home successfully.
steps for buying a home
getting approved for financing
UNDERSTANDING YOUR FINANCIALS
Establish Your Budget
As a general guideline, total monthly housing costs for your primary home, including mortgage payments, taxes, maintenance fees, insurance, interest charges and utilities, should not exceed 32 per cent of your gross monthly household income.
Many financial advisors also suggest that total monthly debt, including mortgage payments, credit card and car payments, should not exceed 40 per cent of your gross monthly income.
Those purchasing a real estate investment property should consult their real estate and financial advisor to understand tax and financial implications of their purchase.
Confirm Downpayment
If your downpayment amount is less than 20 per cent of the total purchase price, you will need to purchase mortgage loan insurance that guarantees the debt against default. In most cases this will be added to the mortgage loan.
Check Your Credit Rating
Your credit report plays an important role in your mortgage approval process and in determining the interest rate and other loan terms that a lender offers you. Before meeting with a potential lender, you may wish to con-firm your credit rating so you have time to resolve any issues.
getting approved for financing
MORTGAGE BASICS
Interest Rates
Mortgage interest rates are fixed, variable or adjustable.
• Fixed: A fixed mortgage interest rate is a locked-in rate that will not change for the term of the mortgage.
• Variable: A variable rate fluctuates pending market conditions while the mortgage payment itself re-mains unchanged.
• Adjustable Mortgage Interest Rate: With an adjust-able rate, both the interest rate and the mortgage payment change based on market conditions.
Open or Closed Mortgage
• Closed Mortgage: A closed mortgage cannot be paid off, in whole or in part, before the end of its term. A closed mortgage is a good option if you’d prefer a fixed monthly payment and wish to predict your month-ly expenses. However, because there are often penal-ties or restrictive conditions if you pay an additional amount, a closed mortgage may be a poor choice if you decide to move before the end of the term or if a decrease in interest rates is anticipated.
• Open Mortgage: An open mortgage is flexible. You can typically pay off part of it or the entire amount at any time without penalty. This may be a good option if you plan to sell your home in the near future or if you intend to off a large sum of your mortgage loan. Most lenders allow open mortgages to be converted to closed mortgages at any time, though often for a small fee.
Amortization
• Amortization is the length of time the entire mort-gage debt will be repaid. Many mortgages are amor-tized over 25 years, but longer periods are available. The longer the amortization, the lower your sched-uled mortgage payments, but the more interest you pay in the long run.
Conventional Mortgage vs. High Ratio Mortgage
• Conventional Mortgage: A conventional mortgage is a mortgage loan that is equal to, or less than, 80% of the lending value of the property. The lending value is the property’s purchase price or market value —whichever is less. For a conventional mortgage, the down payment is at least 20% of the purchase price or market value.
• High-ratio Mortgage: If your down payment is less than 20% of the home price, you will typically need a high-ratio mortgage. A high-ratio mortgage usually requires mortgage loan insurance. CMHC is a major provider of mortgage loan insurance. Your lender may add the mortgage loan insurance premium to your mortgage or ask you to pay it in full upon closing.
Mortgage Term
• The term is the length of time that the mortgage contract conditions, including interest rate, are fixed. The term can be from six months up to ten years.
• There are generally several term options for a mort-gage and it’s important to weigh the benefits and costs of each. A longer term (five years, for example) may allow you to plan ahead and protect you from in-terest rate increases, but may not offer you flexibili-ty, should interest rates fall.
Optimizing Your Mortgage
Work with your lender to optimize your mortgage payment schedule for your unique situation. Many primary homeowners aim to pay off their mortgages as quickly as possible, which can be achieved with more frequent installments. Your mortgage may also be structured to allow an increase in payments as cash flow permits, and there may be anniver-sary lump sum payment opportunities each year to be ap-plied directly to the principal. If you are purchasing real estate solely for investment purposes, other considerations such as tax implications come into play. Consult your real estate and financial advisor for assistance.
Get Written Pre-Approval
In markets where there is high demand and a low volume of the type of home you wish to purchase, written pre- approval is essential and will give you the competitive edge in securing your desired home. For example, in a scenario where a seller receives two similar offers, one accompanied by a letter that confirms financing pre- approval, and another other without supporting documents, the former offer is frequently considered first.
establishing your budget
When meeting with me it’s important to clarify your budget, personal property preferences, and any anticipated life stage and lifestyle requirements that may impact the purchase of your home.
steps for buying a home
establishing your budget
WANTS, NEEDS AND FINANCIALS
Get clear on your goals for your home, your needs in terms of amenities, location and other key factors. Its important that you understand the budget you have to work with. Start by considering what neighbourhood best suits you and what type of home you want.
Would you love to live in a condo, a townhouse or house? What’s within your budget in your desired neighbourhood? You’ll also want to consider if you want a new property or re-sale as that will impact the price.
This crucial first step sets a course for you, our advisor, our brokerage and our brand to work together to buy home in a stress-free manner.
Your Engel & Völkers advisor will tend to every need throughout the home buying process to ensure a worry-free experience for you. You can expect insight and information from a market expert, proactive communication and ongoing consultation.
The professionals at Engel & Völkers have committed themselves to a clearly defined goal: To make your real estate transactions smooth and worry free putting the client first. Using our broad range of expertise and the specialized training received at our company-owned academy, we dedicate ourselves to this goal and perform with total passion.
steps
for buying a home working with
an e&v advisor
concierge service throughout
OUR ADVISORS DELIVER PEACE OF MIND
The best real estate agents help their clients buy and sell homes. Engel & Völkers advisors do more. They will offer you guidance and insight in ways not every agent can. In fact, we designate our agents as “Advisors”, to better define the higher level of service they provide.
Engel & Völkers maintains consistently high levels of service experience throughout the world by managing performance at every level. We are highly selective of the agents who join us.
We approach top performers with proven track records and real estate professionals who are well re-spected within the community. A deep understanding of client service is essential. Our advisors start out great and always strive to be better.
First and foremost, they are the experts. They can recommend restaurants, movie theaters, financial insti-tutions, popular tourist attractions and cultural events. Most importantly, they can talk about the real estate market and where your home is in the bigger picture.
Being experts, our advisors provide more than facts. They will provide you with valuable insight that is relevant to your personalized needs and see to every detail throughout the process so you won’t have to worry.
It’s time to start the search for a new home, but you may be wonder-ing what comes first? Should you be furiously googling looking for properties? Driving around seeking for sale signs?
As your Real Estate Advisors, it’s our role to make the search for your new home as simple as possible. We normally start out with a simple questionnaire and then take a series of 5 steps to ensure a successful Home search.
starting the home search steps for buying a home
starting the home search
BUYER QUESTIONNAIRE
• Which areas are you interested in?
• Do you prefer certain locations?
• Are you looking for an apartment, a house, a farm, etc.?
• Do you want to move in yourself?
• How many people will live in the property?
• How much living space and how much utility space should the property have?
• Do you wish to use the property for commercial as well as for living purposes?
• How many rooms do you need?
• How many bedrooms and how many bathrooms do you require?What features are most important to you?
• Which of these features could be considered optional?
• Can we offer you properties that slightly deviate from your desired location?
• Have you set yourself a price limit?
• How long have you been searching for a suitable property?
•What properties have you already viewed, and in which locations?
• What are the reasons, why you have not yet been successful in your search?
• By what date would you like to move in your new property?
• By what date would you like to have purchased your property?
• Would you like to purchase on a certain date, for tax reasons?
• Can we be of assistance in selling your present property?
• Can we offer you any of our other services?
starting the home search
STEPS TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH
Automatic Property Updates
We have the inside scoop on the newest properties, and we will set up a query on the MLS which outlines your criteria including location, price and characteristics of the home. As matches come up, we will au-tomatically send you emails with the information on that listing.
Advance Access to Exclusive Properties
In some neighbourhoods, homes are sold within days, or even within hours, of being listed on MLS. Others are marketed and sold within a real estate company’s network without ever being made avail-able to the public. We will arrange for advance access to properties that are represented within their pro-fessional and company network.
Property Tours
Once we have selected properties of interest we will schedule walk-throughs of properties matching your preferences and needs. Depending on availability and your schedule, we may visit one at a time or take an afternoon or evening and visit multiple properties. As you tour each property, you’ll want to carefully assess each property and keep in mind that there are times when you may need to be flexible to get what you want, where you want it and stay within your budget.
Evaluation of Options
It can be challenging to determine the fair market value of a home and to assess whether it is “good val-ue” for its listed price or for your budget. Variables that impact the value of a home or property include its location, neighbourhood, community plan, proximity to amenities, lot attributes, views, property size, interior and structural condition, construction type, age, unique features, and the state of the local real estate market.
Private Client Services
Each one of our clients gets access to a special clients-only section of our website which features only the listings you want to see. With the tools in this area, you can create your own personal search on the MLS – the same system that is available to realtors. Your personalized search will be updated in real time. In other words, if there are any new listings or price changes you will be the first to know via e-mail. You may also be able track sales and offmarket listings, while organizing your favourite listings, printing them or emailing them.
submitting an offer
It’s important that you sit down with your Advisor or lawyer to prepare your offer. Real estate laws vary widely from region to region, and it’s essential that you protect your legal interests and account for any specific contractual contingencies that are unique to your area and desired property.
steps for buying a home
submitting an offer
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OFFERS
Legal and Contractual Obligations
An offer commits you to legal and contractual obligations as soon as the other party has accepted it. Prior to submitting an offer, ensure you are clear on the legal obligations you are undertaking, should the offer be accepted.
Valuation
Prior to writing your offer, we can provide you with information on recent area sales, local market information and background on whether there are competitive bids, which will help you determine your initial offer as well as your target price for this specific home.
Background Research
With some investigation, your associate may also be able to assess your seller’s background and objectives for selling, which may assist you in crafting a competitive offer.
Offer Details
The details of an offer typically include: your legal name and that of the vendor, the legal civic address of the prop-erty, the price you are offering to pay, inclusions, amount of your deposit, dates you take legal and physical possession of the home, legal “subjects” or “conditions” upon which the contract becomes final (such as satisfactory home inspection report or financing approval), and the date the offer expires.
Your offer is a legally binding document and should be prepared by a real estate professional or lawyer.
Professional Inspection
Your REALTOR® can advise you as to whether a professional inspection should be conducted prior to or after submitting your offer. This will depend on the property age and type, and whether competitive bids are anticipated.
Time Frame
Ensure that any time frames indicated in your contract are realistic, particularly if your offer is still subject to securing a mortgage loan, a situation we advise against by ensuring you secure pre-approval in advance. In-creases in market activity as well as increased vigilance by lenders may mean that mortgage approval requires more time.
offer negotiations
After submitting an offer, we should be prepared to negotiate, not just on the initial price, but on all key factors impacting the sale of the home including deposit, inclusions, dates for completion and possession, and deadlines for subject removals.
steps for buying a home
offer negotiations
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN OFFERING
Preparation
It is important to include all the key factors in preparation, including: deposit, inclusions, dates for completion and possession, and deadlines for subject removals. We will ensure you know your budget and requirements prior to submitting your offer so you don’t commit to additional costs in the heat of the process.
Multiple Offers
In high-demand, low-inventory areas, you may find yourself bidding against other buyers. Some sellers in high-demand niche markets may also intentionally list their home at a low price hoping to stimulate multiple offers. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the price will be bid up significantly over the asking price, but it does mean that due diligence is required on your part and our part as your REALTOR® team to ensure the offer you submit is strategic, competitive and reflective of what are ultimately willing to pay for the property.
Whether you are anticipating competition or not, you should be pre-approved for your mortgage pri-or to your home search and well in advance of writing an offer. In a multiple offer situation, this will impact your ability to negotiate successfully, particularly if others making an offer are already pre-ap-proved. It also lets you know the maximum you can afford in what may be a stressful situation.
Potential Responses
You can expect one of three responses to your offer:
• Accepted as is: the deal is complete and once signed by the seller, the offer becomes a binding legal contract.
• Counter offer: the seller may make changes to your offer, such as adjustments to the price, clos-ing date or conditions.You may accept the counter offer and close the deal by signing the document. Or, you may make another counter offer back to the seller.
• Rejected offer: the seller may choose to reject the offer and the sale will not go through.
Offer Acceptance
Once both parties come to an agreement, negotiations conclude and you move on to the next steps in the buying process.You will have a set period of time in which to satisfy the legal conditions (“subjects”) agreed to in your contract, such as completing a satisfactory home inspection report or securing financing. Only after your subjects/ conditions are removed do you have a legally binding document.
Your Engel & Völkers advisor will tend to every need throughout the home sales process to ensure a worry-free experience for you. You can expect insight and information from a market expert, marketing strategies tailored to your property, proactive communication and ongoing consultation.
The marketing professionals at Engel & Völkers who support our advisors have committed themselves to a clearly defined goal: to identify the maximum value of your home and to sell it for the best price possible. Using our broad range of expertise and the specialized training received at our company-owned academy, we dedicate ourselves to this goal and perform with total passion.
steps for buying a home
closing the transaction BUYER REPRESENTATION
above & beyond
ACHIEVING THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME
Our service focuses on quickly relaying purchase offers and advising on the submission of counter-offers, the negotiating process itself, inspections, contractual issues and closing preparations.
While we communicate often throughout this process as your representative, it is our role to stand firm and skillfully negotiate on your behalf and to achieve the best results for you. We will assist when escrow opens, be present at closing and handle the exchange of keys.
Ideal
conditions for a successful closing:
Agreement between all parties concerning the purchase price and contingencies
Proper preparation of all required documents
Regular communications between all parties
Escrow management
Service at closing
Assistance during the handover of the property
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