I have sold a property at 4537 Ramsey RD in North Vancouver
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First Time Home Buyer Process - Getting Started
Step 1 - Choosing Your Realtor
There is no shortage of real estate agents in Vancouver, but finding the right one is very important. You want an experienced agent who listens to you and knows how to navigate the local market. By the end, you will be working hand in hand with this person so find someone you can build a relationship with and trust.
A couple of simple ways to ensure you find the perfect agent are:
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Ask a friend, family, or colleagues to see if they’ve worked with someone they liked and would recommend.
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Spend some time researching and looking for reviews online. Some places to start are Google and REW.
Once you’ve narrowed it down to some potential options, we encourage you to meet and interview each agent separately to assess which Vancouver realtor you’d like to work with.
Step 2 - Choosing your mortgage broker
Similar to finding a realtor, finding the right mortgage broker will ensure you will be taken care of and will be provided with the best financial guidance and advice. One additional benefit of working with a mortgage broker versus a bank is the ability to be able to search across lenders for the best rate.
If you need mortgage broker recommendations, feel free to reach out to us and we can connect you with some local mortgage brokers we’ve worked with.
Step 3 - Analyze your wants and needs
Pinpointing what you would ideally want in your future home can seem like a daunting task. Simply start by creating a list of all your wants, needs, and non-negotiable items. As an example, include things like ideal locations, whether having a patio is a must and if having a gas stove is a ‘nice to have’.
Starting this list at the beginning of your home buying process will be very helpful for you and your agent as you start touring properties.
First Time Home Buyer Process - Shopping Time
Step 4 - Touring Properties
This is the most exciting part of the entire process so make sure to enjoy it and approach it with an open mind. Some will find their home after the first viewing and for others, it might take a bit longer.
With every home you view, you are getting closer to finding the right one! Lean into your realtor’s expertise, ask questions and stay positive.
Step 5 - Choosing Your Price
After you’ve found a property that yo u’d like to submit an offer on, your realtor will do a market analysis of sold comparable in the area and the building. After taking a few factors into consideration like renovations or days listed, you will discuss your strategy.
Step 6 - Presenting Your Offer
Depending on your personal needs and the state of the market, this step can vary. Regardless, your realtor will include clauses that will protect you and keep your best interests.
When writing an offer, it can include subjects like:
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Subject to inspection
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Subject to financing
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Subject to reading the strata documents.
With every offer you make, you will also have to set a completion date and a possession date. The completion date is when the title shifts from the seller to the buyer and the possession date is when you officially get your keys and can move in.
First Time Home Buyer Process - Closing The Deal
Step 7 - Negotiation Phase
Once your offer has been submitted, your agent will negotiate on your behalf on things like price or subjects. If your offer is accepted, you will enter into the subject removal phase. Based on your subjects and what was stipulated in your contract, this time is set to complete things like:
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Performing an Inspection
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Finalizing your financing
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Reading through strata docs
On the last day of your subject removal day, you have the option to put down a 5% deposit to hold the property.
Step 8 - Post Subject Removal
Once your subjects have been removed, this is the time to start looking for a lawyer or a notary to help you with the closing of the deal. This person will handle all of the transfer of funds and any legal matters that need to take care of. Around 7 -10 days closer to the possession date, you will need to sign and complete the deal.
If you need notary or lawyer recommendations, feel free to reach out to us and we can connect you with some local mortgage brokers we’ve worked with.
Step 9 - Move To Your New Home
On possession day, you will do a walk-through with your realtor to ensure the property is clean and if you had stipulated something had to be fixed, this is your chance to double-check. Once this is all completed, you will be handed the keys, and congratulations, you are a new homeowner!
Any Questions Contact me, Gail Seymour, your Realtor Specialist
GailSeymour.ca
604-603-1190
House Maintenance: Diagnosing and Repairing your leaky Basement
Moving Checklist
Moving always brings mixed emotions – it can be both very exciting and stressful at the same time. To help, here are some useful tips that will help make your move efficient and trouble-free.
4 to 6 Weeks before moving
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Schedule your mail to be forwarded to your new address with Canada Post.
2 to 3 Weeks before moving
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Get boxes and moving supplies
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Arrange phone service at your new home
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Take unwanted items to charity and/or dump
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Dispose of household chemicals properly (old paint, caustic cleaners, etc.). Take these to the local Toxic Waste Centre
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Arrange the return of any cable TV equipment
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Complete necessary change of address forms:
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Drivers’ license, Health cards, Insurance
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Employer, Doctor, Dentist
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Magazine subscriptions and other mailings
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Memberships, insurance
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Bank accounts, credit cards, and tax office (Canada Revenue Agency)
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If necessary, do the following:
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Make travel arrangements and reservations.
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Arrange transfer of car insurance & license plates.
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Notify kids’ schools, transfer records.
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Register at new school.
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Get copies of medical and dental records; if you have pets, get copies of veterinary records.
8 to 14 days before moving
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Return borrowed items.
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Arrange connection of utilities at new place.
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Retrieve loaned items
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Arrange disconnection of utilities at old place.
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Arrange for major appliances to be moved, if necessary
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Dispose of all flammable materials.
2 to 7 days before moving
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Determine what you can bring with you if travelling by car, plane, train, or bus.
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Pack a suitcase with the clothes and toiletries that you’ll need the first day in your new home.
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Prepare “installed items” that you’re bringing (TV antenna or shelves*).
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Pack a special box with other essentials you’ll need for the first few days and marks this box “Do Not Move”.
The day before moving
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Take down curtains and curtain rods.
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Pack your personal belongings, except your alarm clock, necessary clothes, jewelry and bedding
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Empty, defrost and clean refrigerator; clean the stove.
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Moving day!
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Keep paperwork accessible.
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Collect all keys; keep them in a safe place.
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Strip and dismantle beds.
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Clean premises that you are leaving. Final walk-through: check all closets and cabinets
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If using a moving company, confirm the new address and delivery time with the driver
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If using a moving company, walk about with supervisor and sign inventory forms.
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Know how to reach your new landlord or superintendent.
After moving
Contact city/municipal offices to find out about garbage pickup, recycling facilities and local regulations and information.
Selling a home
On this page
How much selling your home can cost
Standard costs you can expect to pay include:
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legal costs for services, including a statement of adjustment
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a mortgage discharge fee to remove the collateral hold on your home (known as a “release” in Quebec)
Other potential costs include:
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realtor or real estate agent fees
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moving costs
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staging fees
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cleaning fees
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mortgage prepayment penalties, if you sell your home before the end of your mortgage term
Learn more about when you may have to pay mortgage prepayment penalties.
Setting your home’s sale price
To help you set the right sale price for your home, you can:
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compare current listings of similar homes in your neighborhood
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ask a realtor to suggest a price
Remember to factor all of your selling costs into your sale price.
Selling your home with a realtor
If you use a realtor, you pay a commission based on the home’s sale price. Realtor commissions may be negotiable, but typically range from 2% to 6%, depending on your location.
A realtor can help you:
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choose the right time to sell
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list your home on an online site such as multiple listing service (MLS)
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identify ways to increase the value of your home before you sell
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determine an appropriate sale price
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arrange showings and open houses
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complete the necessary paperwork
Find out what to look for in a realtor and what to expect from a realtor.
Selling your home yourself
Some people choose to sell their home themselves. By selling your home on your own, you won’t have to pay a realtor a commission. It will also mean taking on all of the responsibility and liabilities for selling yourself.
Find out more about what’s involved in selling your home yourself.
Conditional home sales
Before you sell, consider whether you’re willing to accept a “conditional sale”.
Often, a potential buyer will make an offer to buy your home on the condition they can withdraw it if certain terms aren’t met.
For example:
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if the buyer isn’t satisfied with the home inspection
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if the buyer can’t get mortgage approval
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if the buyer isn’t able to sell their current property
Important documents your homebuyer may need
Once your home is on the market, gather any documents that will help you with the selling process, including:
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deeds
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surveys
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property tax receipts
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renovation contracts
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transferable warranties
Tax implications of selling your home
In most cases, you won’t pay tax on the money you make from selling your home. This is the case if it was your principal residence every year since you bought it.
You may generate an income with your home. If that’s the case, you must report the sale of your home on your tax return. For example, if you rented part or all of the property while you owned it, you must pay tax on the net proceeds of the sale.
Learn more about tax rules when selling your home.
Any Questions Contact me, Gail Seymour, your Realtor Specialist
GailSeymour.ca
604-603-1190
I have sold a property at 3121 DUCHESS AVE in North Vancouver
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