BUYERS BOOK
CONTENTS 05 ABOUT THE TEAM 06 ABOUT BRAD VAN DE WALLE 07 ABOUT MATTHEW CHIACHIA 08 TEAM MEMBERS 10 WHY CHOOSE A US? 12 WHAT WE STAND FOR 14 BUYERS INFO 16 MOVING CHECKLIST 18 BUYERS PREPARATION 20 WRITING AN OFFER 22 HOME INSPECTIONS 24 TESTIMONIALS
GREATER YYC GROUP CALGARY’S REAL ESTATE TEAM
ABOUT OUR TEAM Buying and Selling Real Estate is a big decision and it is very important to put your trust in people who have the experience, tenacity, and the same objective as you have; to help you get the most out of your home, for a quick successful sale! Our team has come together from different sectors of life to create a comprehensive and educated group of talented individuals. We cover all our basis when working hard for you and we are committed to giving you the best Real Estate experience possible. Our commitment to enhanced customer service, through constant communication, detailed updates, network of related professionals and personalities, make for an experience like no other. We have everything covered for you so this process can be as enjoyable and stress free as possible. Do you have a photographer? Do you have a home stager? Do you have a lawyer? What do you do on possession day? Do you know what a home inspection is for? These are common questions that many people fail to even consider. Don’t worry, we have all of this and more covered in this guide. Our team members work with many different people on a daily basis and above all we trust them to treat you like family while being as efficient as possible. In this book, you will find testimonies from past clients so you may read first hand what it was like working with us. Thanks and welcome to The Greater YYC Group.
CRS CERTIFIED RELOCATION SPECIALISTS
OUR TEAM MEMBERS BRAD VAN DE WALLE REAL ESTATE BROKER & OWNER Brad Van De Walle found his calling when he became a Realtor 6 years ago. 6 years later has created a powerful, successful, reliable team of agents known as The888SOLDTeam. Nothing short of hard work and determination has launched Brad to the top of the industry becoming one of the most successful REALTORS in Calgary. “ I started at the bottom, I knew nothing. I took it upon myself to master this industry and my hard work has paid off, we sell a house every 3 days”. Pride of ownership of the team radiates through Brads actions and personality. This career, his business partners and most importantly his clients mean everything to him. “The888SOLDTeam is not in this for the transaction, we care about our clients, they become our friends, we want what is best for them” The888SOLDTeam is Brad’s Baby, the team has been created, the work has been done and they are here, ready to assist you with the most important purchase you will make.
CONTACT INFO:
P: 403 888 7653 E: brad@GreaterYYCGroup.ca 6
OUR TEAM MEMBERS MATTHEW CHIACHIA REAL ESTATE AGENT & PARTNER My career in Real Estate began after a number of years of sales and management in the food service industry. I started at Royal LePage Benchmark, which gave me the training and experience to be a professional realtor. In 2010 I started a team with Brad Van De Walle, at Re/Max Real Estate (Central) called The888SOLDTeam. Brad and I have become close friends, close business partners, and have the same drive and passion for our work. Our goal is to “Redefining Your Real Estate Experience”. We treat every client with the same level of care as our own family. Brad and I created the The888SOLDTeam and are excited about our careers in Real Estate. I hope to demonstrate our team’s energy. Brad and I are transparent and authentic. Who we are in real life is who we are in Real Estate; fun, passionate, and driven.
CONTACT INFO:
P: 403 836 5984 E: matthew@GreaterYYCGroup.ca
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GREATER YYC 8
>> FROM LEFT TO RIGHT >>
KENNY VOLLET
ASSOCIATE Kenny@GreaterYYCGroup.ca 403.123.4567
MATTHEW CHIACHIA
PARTNER & REALTOR® Matthew@GreaterYYCGroup.ca 403.836.5984
BRAD VAN DE WALLE FOUNDER & PARTNER Brad@GreaterYYCGroup.ca 403.287.4888
JOEL WREGGET
ASSOCIATE Joel@GreaterYYCGroup.ca 403.234.5678
TOMMY TOWNSEND
ASSOCIATE Tommy@GreaterYYCGroup.ca 403.345.6789
GROUP 9
WHY CHOOSE US? At Greater YYC Group, we strive to be conscientious, professional and knowledgeable. Communication between the client and RealtorÂŽ is very important to us. The real estate achievement through our team is a direct result of the energetic systematic approach and quality of service that we provide to our cients and is the secret to our success.
THE ADVANTAGE WITH US-OUR PROVEN RESULTS Your home will sell fast for top dollars and the least amount of hassle. WHY? We have a unique team system with innovative consumer programs. leading edge technology and speciallized knowledge. Our unmatched marketing plan means extreme amounts of exposure for you home. We’ve got all the bases coveres...!!! We recognize that a blend of old school & new school marketing is necessary to reach all potential buyeers.
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FACTORS TO KEEP 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. Our professionals have advanced training and education, allowing them to be among the top agents in the world and 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 techsavvy is your agent? How many similar properties has he or she 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. 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? 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.
WHAT WE STAND FOR OUR CORE VALUES We We We We We We We We
listen, we care, and we serve. believe, in people and their dreams. own, the problem and we solve it. face, challenges with optimism. do, whatever it takes. check, our egos at the door. innovate, and constantly improve. practice, work/life balance.
OUR PURPOSE
Dedicated to creating value for our clients. CLIENTS FIRST
OUR MISSION
To be the most widely respected Real Estate Team in CALGARY. Providing the highest level of expertise to our clients.
OUR MUTUAL OBJECTIVE Sell your home Best Favorable price for you Best terms for you Least inconvenience for you
To do this, we will be working as a team. Communication & Cooperation are vial to ensure a successful sale.
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THE RIGHT AGENTS Teams always out-perform an individual. Because we are an experienced, well-oiled team, we ensure our client’s expectations are always met. Real estate is so much more than just a job, it is our passion, and our duty is to provide all our clients with the necessary services to help them reach their real estate goals. Having the RIGHT AGENTS help. IT ALL STARTS HERE... Many agents offer great service, but not-so-great advice. Others offer great service, great advice, but lack communication. Though, we are not perfect, we strive to offer our clients excellent service, excellent communication, trusted advice and a personal touch. We truly believe in people, their dreams, and care about all of our clients, who we now consider our extended real estate family. “FOR MOST OF US, OUR HOME IS OUR BIGGEST INVESTMENT. WHEN IT’S TIME TO BUY WE MAKE SURE YOU MAKE THE BEST DECISION IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR HOME. IN THIS BOOK YOU WILL FIND DETAILED INFORMATION ON HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF TO BECOME AN EDUCATED BUYER.
BUYER’S INFORMATION 3 KEY THINGS TO KNOW WHEN DECIDING TO BUY A HOME 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. We 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 went through the pre-approval process? If so, what amount have you been approved for? When we 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, the home is 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 centres. These things define your lifestyle choice and are not only necessary, but convenient. 14
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 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 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. Find out how Len T. Wong & Associates 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.. 15
MOVING CHECKLIST pages 12-19
UTILITY PROVIDERS
BUSINESS ACCOUNTS
• • • • •
• • • • •
Electricity Providers Telephone Providers Water & Sewage Cable & Internet Providers Gas Providers
Banking Institutions Cell Phone Providers Department Stores Financial Companies Credit Card Companies
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS CLUBS & MISCELLANEOUS • • • • • •
CRA Post Office Schools Provincial Licensing Library Veterans Administration
• • • • •
Country Club Health & Fitness Club Recreation Club Book Club Other Club
INSURANCE COMPANIES
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
• • • • • •
• Magazine Subscription • Newspaper Subscription
Accidental Insurance Auto Insurance Health Insurance Benefits Provider Home Insurance Life Insurance
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • • • • •
Broker Accountant Doctor Dentist Lawyer
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!
BUYER’S 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. A Greater YYC 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). 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 our websites. 18
YOUR WISH LIST First, ask yourself this question: why have you decided to buy a home? What price range are looking to buy in? What type of communities do you prefer to live in and what is your desired location? What type of home are you looking for? Condominium, town home, single family, rural, etc. How important is the size of the home you are looking for? Number of bedrooms/bathrooms, etc. What kind of lot are you looking for? Backyard size, direction and exposure. What type of layout are you looking for? Open floor plan or compartmentalized. Is there a particular architectural style you prefer? Bungalow, two-storey, split-level. What amenities and additional features are you looking for in your new community? Shopping, transit, schools, parks, recreation centres, coffee shops, grocery stores, etc.
WRITING THE OFFER You found the perfect home and now it’s time to write an offer. Your REALTOR will call the listing agent to: • Verify availability. • Determine if there are any other anticipated offers being written on the home. • Ask general questions about timing or special circumstances of the seller that need factored into the offer. This information is used to determine the appropriate price. This is a critical part of the process and the reason why it is always a good idea to use an agent you trust. DON’T INSULT THE SELLERS It is always good to understand that the seller is not going to give away their home for an unrealistic price and unfavourable terms. By recognizing this as a mutually acceptable transaction, the sellers will not be insulted by your offer. On lender-owned and lender-approved properties, there is generally less negotiating room and more competition. The contract is awarded to the highest bidder with the best terms of purchase.
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OUR CITY INVESTING IN CALGARY Calgary is one of the most prosperous cities, not only in Canada, but also in the world. Calgary’s economy has been pushed by oil development and has made this city a western gem with so many opportunities in real estate and career advancement. Though, oil prices affect the economy and fluctuate prices, real estate in Calgary has become a stable option even during uncertain times. Calgary proves to be a great place not only to live, but to invest with constant development and re-development, a desirable core, high earning families and unique, quaint suburban communities define this booming metropolis. Overall, Calgary gets an “A” for quality of life and it doesn’t look to change anytime soon.
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HOME INSPECTIONS 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. 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. 22
MOVING DAY Typically you will have anywhere from 30 to 90 days before closing day. The closing date can be the same as your move-in date, however, this is not always possible. Check with your lawyer or agent to find out when your keys will be available on the closing date. Below are a few details to take care of before your closing date: Legal Documents - You and your agent will need to provide your lawyer with all the necessary documentation for your purchase. Your agent usually takes care of the agreement, waivers, survey and any other purchase documents. Down Payment and Closing Costs - Make the necessary arrangements to have these funds available a week prior to closing or when the lawyer has requested funds. Moving Arrangement / Address Change Plan and organize your move using local movers, renting a truck, or getting assistance. Property Insurance - Arrange for home insurance before closing and request proof of insurance at your financial institution. Utilities - Contact the local utilities to coordinate the change of billing on closing. Schools - Inform your children’s old and new schools about the move. 23
TESTIMONIALS KYLE AND DANAH DEY Matthew came highly recommended by a family member who had used his services to purchase a home. He took extra care to analyze the current and past market to make sure our home was priced properly and that all the best features were highlighted and listed. He documented accurate measurements and took amazing photos to show the house to the best of its ability. Within hours of being on the market, we had numerous showings and a high level of interest. We received multiple offers within the first 24 hours and although the initial sale fell through due to unforeseen circumstances on the buyers end, within 2 days back on the market it was sold! Matthew’s friendly and caring approach made the entire process easy and painless. He worked around our families schedule and always placed our needs above anyone else’s. He was willing to help out wherever he could by making himself available for any questions and/or concerns we had matter the time or offering help where needed. I would highly recommend Matthew to anyone who is planning on selling or buying a home. *See more testimonials at www.greateryycgroup.ca
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TESTIMONIALS DARREN & DIANA Hey Brad and Matthew, Were just sitting in the backyard, enjoying a nice wine with the fire-pit going and swinging in the hammock, and we want to say Thanks to The888Sold Team. You guy’s rock. The whole experience of the purchase of a home and the selling of our house has been great. The brochure was fantastic, the photos great, the quick and ongoing communication is unmatched, and the service your provide can’t be comparable to any other Realtor. We enjoyed the honesty and directness from both of you. You gained our trust and we do not just consider you our realtor but a part of our family. Thanks for everything. JANETTE REES If you are looking to buy or sell, this is definitely the team to go with. They helped us sell our house in December (within 48 hours of listing), and when it came time to buy there was no better choice. They are very professional, yet they realize the importance of building a personal relationship as well. They are a one stop shop for real estate needs, and there is no doubt we will use them in the future if needed.
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THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
REAL ESTATE (CENTRAL)
403 888 SOLD (7653) www.GreaterYYCGroup.ca