GETTING STARTED

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The mortgage industry is a highly competitive field and partnering with a mortgage broker or financial institution to help you find the right mortgage product at the best rate is key to your home buying process.  

 1. Talk with a mortgage specialist. Independent mortgage brokers tend to offer the most options because they do not just work with one bank.  However, if you have a good relationship with your bank, contact them as your first step towards finding the right mortgage, but be sure to compare rates.

2. Complete and submit your application with the mortgage broker.  They will collect your financial and personal information in order to find out how much mortgage you can carry.

3. Gather all the necessary documents.  The mortgage broker will give you a list of documents that the banks/lenders need to finalize the mortgage.

4. Verification of your details.  They will do their checks and balances to make sure that you are not getting in over your head.

5. Obtain a copy of your pre-approval.  This is a powerful negotiating tool.  The seller of your dream home will feel more confident that you are the right person.

·   Save time by only looking at properties that you can afford.

·   Save money.  Rate guarantees and mortgage terms can save you money for years to come.

·   Less stress throughout the process.  You will know that you are ready and capable of buying a home.

·   Get a better deal on the home that you want. Sellers like to know that buyers already have financing in place

I work for my client on the basis of trust and integrity.  I will help you search for your home, help you make confident and informed decisions, and serve your interests to the best of my abilities.  Why become my client? Real Estate Board policy does not allow the general public to access MLS listings, therefore sites such as MLS.ca (Realtor.ca) give only basic information to visitors, which is often several days old.  When you become my client, my buyer profile system will get you all MLS listings that meet your exact requirements and is designed to work with both casual and serious buyers and sellers.  Whether you are planning to purchase soon, or if you are just casually examining the market, my client system will work for you. 

·   Prepare for the home finding trips.  When you receive highlight sheets for properties that meet your criteria, drive by some of these properties to get a feel for the neighborhood, determine the proximity of schools, transit, churches, etc., according to your priorities and then let me know your availability.  I'll make the viewing arrangements and we're on our way!  I usually recommend that couples come to the viewings together and if you have children, try to get a sitter.  Kids are really bored with the 'house hunting' process and it allows you to focus on the task at hand.

·   Rate the houses we tour on a scale of 1-10.  After viewing each home write down what you liked and didn't like about it.  This will help you narrow the field down to the house that's best suits you.

·   Stay focused.  Don't "fall in love" with a home and ignore the fact that it might not have all the "must have" features you want, so keep your list handy and let it pull you back on track.

·   Think of the re-sale value.  In some areas, a swimming pool actually detracts from a home's value.  Likewise, in neighborhoods with two-car, attached garages, a single-car or detached garage may make your home harder to sell.  I can point out features that can harm or help your resale value.

·   When you find the home you want, I will help you make an offer.  Be prepared to provide a deposit (by bank draft) with your Offer.  The more you can provide, the stronger your Offer will be.

I will work with you to negotiate and close the purchase and to handle the closing details.  There are many things that need to be attended to between the day the offer is accepted and the day you take possession so we will continue to work together through the entire process, through to the day you get your keys.  Just so you'll know, I will be taking your picture when you unlock the front door for the first time!