BUYERS BUYERS PRESENTAT PRESE BUYERS PRESENTATION BUYERS BOOKLET
TABLE OF CONTENTS 5-9 our team 10 buyers information 13 the right agents 14 mortgage information 16 online experience 18 moving checklist 21 buyer’s preparation 22 the offer 25 home inspection 26 royal lepage 29 conclusion 30 testimonials
KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA THE ORCHARD CITY
03 04
SHANE VOTH REAL ESTATE AGENT & TEAM LEADER Shane Voth began his journey in Real Estate over 15 years ago when he was actually building homes. He has spent the majority of his life in the Home Industry, from a tradesperson working on new construction homes to managing his own construction company the one constant has always been Real Estate. His passion for home ownership led him to a career as a Mortgage Broker where he gained an insightful knowledge of the Real Estate transaction and how it affects both buyers and sellers . Having a solid background on how a home is built along with the financial knowledge of how to afford it is an integral part of his business. “Finding the right home is important but so is finding one that fits the budget of your lifestyle .” The Greater Okanagan Group was founded on a principle that we are all connected and that once your sale is complete you don’t just become a past client but rather a part of the GOG family. Many people will try to tell you that they can make the sale of your home simple. The truth is Real Estate transactions are complicated and knowing this we can prepare together so that our relationship is stronger after the sale than the day we began. C: 250.826.3859 E: shane@greaterokanagangroup.com
NEVER SETTLE.
Always Be Great!
MEET TASHA TASHA GERRARD Over 5 years as a business owner Tasha developed into a skilled negotiator who is devoted to delivering outstanding client service with a personal touch. You can be sure you got the best price for your home when working with an agent like Tasha who works hard to negotiate on your behalf. Clients choose to work with Tasha for her honest and consistent work ethic that they can rely upon to always get the job done. She is a great communicator and makes sure her clients are fully educated and confident throughout the buying or selling process. Tasha epitomizes integrity, energy, and communication in every detail of your real estate transaction, making the process seamless and as stress free as possible. She is highly committed to her real estate education, having been mentored and coached by several of the most highly acclaimed real estate coaches in North America. During her spare time, Tasha enjoys taking her dog Alan to one of Kelowna’s many beautiful dog parks. She also runs agility courses with her dog in South East Kelowna- if you aren’t sure what this is ask her, she would love to talk about it with you! During the summer Tasha enjoys time at the beach and hikes through the Crawford hills and Knox mountain. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and in-laws, practicing yoga, and lifting weights at the gym. Tasha has always been very involved with the community from volunteer work with the homeless to Mama’s for Mama’s charity work she can always be found giving back. Tasha looks forward to creating her own Charity organization one day aimed at helping young parents. C: 250.470.2160 E: tasha@greaterokanagangroup.com
MEET DYLLON DYLLON PIETZ Dyllon is a proud father, husband, and passionate real estate professional with the Greater Okanagan Group. In his free time, he enjoys Crossfit and spending time with family and friends. Dyllon comes from a strong and successful hospitality background. He was preferred by many regulars due to his bright personality and quick recollection of each individual client’s personal favourites. Dyllon believes in providing not just a service, but an unforgettable experience. He prides himself on the exceptional customer service he provides to his clients during the journey to their dream home. His goal is not just to assist his clients with a single deal, but to create life-long relationships and connections that continue on after the buying/selling process is over. P: 250.300.4220 E: dyllon@greaterokanagangroup.com
MEET WESLEY WESLEY SCHNITZLER I have a passion for the business and helping people achieve their real estate dreams. I am excited to build new relationships with colleagues and clients alike. I have spent many years in the customer service industry and am eager to transfer that to real estate to help people feel comfortable and excited about possibly the biggest transaction of their lives. I pride myself on finding out what your goals and intentions are and helping you stay focused on meeting them. I want to make sure my clients are 100% satisfied while building a friendship with them throughout this process. I love to travel with my wife and play hockey throughout the winter season. I have a new son who keeps me motivated to strive towards my goals and help you achieve yours. C: 250.808.3057 E: wesley@greaterokanagangroup.com
EXCEPTIONAL AGENTS
Every once in awhile something new comes along that creates attention and shakes up the scene. It’s a movement, a change, a new direction of what’s to come. The Greater Okanagan Group is a real estate team of motivated & trained specialists, who are here to over serve you at the highest level possible. From the first phone call, email, and personal meeting, you’ll realize that this is not your average real estate team. More like a family. A family that treats each member as an equal. Listening, learning, teaching, and growing with every step. We are proud and excited to meet you. Now let’s get you moving! From exceptional communication, to exceptional marketing, to exceptional service; our agents strive to be exceptional and never settle.
BUYERS INFORMATION STEPS TO BUYING A HOME.... 3 THINGS TO KNOW WHEN BUYING YOUR NEXT 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 been 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, 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 centres. These things define your lifestyle choice and are not only necessary, but convenient.
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. 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. Our professionals 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 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? 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? 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. “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.”
MORTGAGE INFORMATION READY TO BUY A 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 the Greater Okanagan Group 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.
ONLINE EXPOSURE ONLINE TOOLS & FACTS. Our team uses the Internet and our innovative website to make all listing highly visible. With more than 90% of buyers checking the web, we recommend getting online when looking for a home to buy. Below shows that 99% of people search for a home using three main search engines. We make sure to be as visible as possible on these platforms.
81% 12% 6% ROYALLEPAGEKELOWNA.COM Royal LePage Kelowna is committed to provide you the best possible real estate experience. The Greater Okanagan Group is associated with Royal LePage Kelowna. Come browse the Kelowna MLS® listings for your new executive home with a lake view, affordable family home, condo or townhouse, commercial space, or any kind of real estate in between. Our professional REALTORS® are ready to save you time, money and stress with our proven real estate buying and selling process. “Helping you is what we do!”
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, 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 INSURANCE COMPANIES • Accidental Insurance • Auto Insurance • Health Insurance • Benefits Provider • Home Insurance • Life Insurance 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
BUYERS PREPARATION THINGS TO KNOW AS 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. 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). 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.
THE OFFER MAKING AN OFFER NEGOTIATING THE RIGHT WAY We take the ethical responsibility of fairly negotiating contractual terms very seriously. It is our 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. As your agents, we will 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 a legally, binding agreement, the agreement may require consideration. This consideration (initial and additional deposit) is to be held in trust pending the fulfillment 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. We will assist you in drafting all the paperwork for your sale 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 we will keep you constantly updated so you will always be prepared for the next step.
HOME INSPECTIONS THE IMPORTANCE OF A HOME INSPECTION. 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.
ROYAL LEPAGE - SINCE 1913 SINCE 1913, ROYAL LEPAGE HAS BEEN HELPING CANADIANS BUY AND SELL THEIR HOMES AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES. To us, real estate is as much a passion as it is a business. That’s why we have continually led the industry in offering high quality real estate services. When our founder A. E. LePage founded the company he was a pioneer whose innovation and belief in customer service transformed real estate in Canada. It is this spirit that has inspired many industry firsts, from offering virtual tours to launching a website. A. E. LePage was also a founding member of the Toronto Real Estate Board, and the company has always set the highest quality standards in the industry. Because of the critical role our agents play in our success, we always strive to provide them with the latest tools and technologies. We offer them strong support with timely information and market data they need plus state-of-the-art marketing tools, professional development and in-person training. This way, you can feel confident that any agent bearing the Royal LePage name will stand for expertise and service you can count on. With over 16,000 agents in more than 600 locations from coast-to-coast, no matter whether you live in a big city or in the country, you’ll find a Royal LePage agent ready and equipped to help you. Not only is Royal LePage dedicated to our agents and clients, we also care deeply about the communities in which our agents live and work. We are the only real estate company with its own branded charity; The Shelter Foundation dedicated to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention and education programs across Canada. Helping You Is What We Do is something that we live and breathe at every level. It’s as true today as it was 100 years ago. And we’re proud to say this philosophy will continue to drive us forward in the years and decades to come.
THE CONCLUOUR CONCLUSION It’s our responsibility to represent your interests, as the buyer. This includes searching for a home, negotiating the best price, and handling all the details of your next purchased property. As exceptional agents that never settle, we provide personalized access to more available property information. AS EXCEPTIONAL AGENTS WE WILL: 1. Provide you with information regarding all properties listed with the Real Estate Board online at your convenience. This includes bank sales and “For Sale by Owner” sales. Furthermore, we provide complete, daily searches of homes appropriate to your needs and budget, complete access to a member of our team at all times and instant notification on all new properties matching your search criteria. We are also always available to show you homes at your request. 2. Assist you in obtaining the best professional services that include: Lawyers Mortgage Brokers Building inspectors and Appraisers Movers Surveyors 3. Advise prospective sellers and their brokerages that we are representing you and negotiating on your behalf. 4. At all times, our team will demonstrate quality and professional conduct to provide the best possible real estate experience. 5. Keep everything between us. We will never disclose personal client information at any time in comliance with our privacy policy. EXCEPTIONAL CLIENTS DESERVE EXCEPTIONAL AGENTS WHO ALWAYS COMMUNICATE, ALWAYS PUT YOU FIRST, BUT NEVER SETTLE. EXCEPTIONAL AGENTS = EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS.
TESTIMONIALS We were originally referred to Shane as he was well-known in the community for being a successful real estate investor. What we learned from Shane far exceeded any expectations we had. He not only guided us through the entire legal process of real estate investing but he also helped us develop a complex strategic investment plan that we continue to follow to this day. We now have 6 rental properties and earn more cash flow passively then with both our full-time jobs combined. We are financially secure and cannot thank Shane enough for all he has done for us. - BRIGITTE & DEREK “Shane Voth made house shopping/buying and selling so easy and stress free!! He was incredibly organized, honest and efficient with every step of the process. As a first time home buyer, it was very intimidating to me but I never once felt worried - he’s incredible!! Highly recommend him for any real estate needs!! Thanks for finding us our dream home!” - KATIE I’ve been with Shane for a few years and will never deviate! He’s personal, professional, detail-oriented, effective and keeps your needs above his. He and his team work tirelessly at doing their best and I highly recommend them and their services.” - SCOTT My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Shane and his team on the purchase and sale of our first home, and the purchase of our new home. Shane always went out of his way to make sure that he understood our requirements, and was critical in walking us through both the purchasing and selling process. He has a great sense of humour and upbeat personality which makes the entire buying and selling process run smoothly. I would highly recommend Shane and The Greater Okanagan Group for your real estate needs. - ADRIAN & AMY Shane is definitely the person to go to for all your real estate needs. He is a hard worker and ready to go to any length to help out. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a trustworthy agent. His knowledge will get the job done. - MOHAMMED
K E L O W N A
#1 – 1890 Cooper Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8B7 Each office independently owned and operated
250.826.3859 greaterokanagangroup@gmail.com www.greaterokanagangroup.com