Once you have chosen a real estate agent, it’s essential to have a face-to-face meeting with them. This meeting allows you to officially meet your agent and discuss your unique situation. Skipping this step can hinder your agent’s ability to represent you effectively. The real estate market is constantly changing, so it’s crucial to stay informed about your standing in the market. During this meeting, you can express your goals and develop an action plan to confidently move forward.

Before diving too deep into your home search, it’s important to have a clear idea of how you will finance your purchase. There are three main sources of financing: traditional banks, mortgage brokers, and creative financing options. If you have a good relationship with your current bank, it might be a good option for a mortgage. Mortgage brokers can provide a wide range of options from different lenders. Creative financing options are available for investments or when traditional financing is not accessible.

Once you have a clear understanding of your financing options, the exciting part begins: searching for your dream home. You already know what type of home you’re looking for and the price range you can afford. Set up a property search that notifies you when new listings matching your criteria become available. During the search, keep your initial goals in mind to make the process easier and less stressful. If a property doesn’t align with your goals, you can easily eliminate it. If it does align, you can add it to your shortlist or even make an offer.

When you find a home that meets your needs, it’s time to prepare and present an offer. Writing an offer involves several steps. First, research the property’s selling history and compare its price to the current market. Determine the terms and conditions that will be included in the contract. Conditions are clauses that must be fulfilled for the transaction to proceed, such as a home inspection or financing approval. Deposits are required to show good faith in the transaction. Finally, negotiate the price based on various factors. Once the offer is written and signed, it will be presented to the seller either in person or through email.

If your offer is accepted, you need to fulfill any conditions specified in the contract. This typically involves arranging a home inspection, providing necessary personal and property information to your mortgage broker or bank, and conducting any additional research. Your real estate agent will play a significant role in gathering this information and ensuring a smooth process. Once the conditions are met, the sale becomes “firm” and the property’s status changes to “sold.”

With the sale firm, it’s time to prepare for the possession of your new home. Arrange a meeting with your chosen lawyer, providing them with all required paperwork. Make sure your down payment is readily available and consider booking professional movers in advance. Obtain the necessary insurance for the home and transfer utilities to your name. Don’t forget to update your mailing address and notify relevant parties of your move.

Possession usually occurs at noon on the agreed-upon day. The seller’s lawyer will inform your real estate agent when the keys can be released and grant access to the property. It’s advisable to schedule your move at a time other than noon to account for possible delays. If any issues arise during the possession, notify your lawyer for guidance. Congratulations, you are now the proud owner of a new home!

After taking possession of your new home, the transaction is complete. However, you may still have questions or concerns. Expect a follow-up call from your real estate agent to ensure everything is in order. Write down any questions you have so you can address them during the call.