Buying a home is a rather complex legal process. I will patiently guide you through this process and carefully explain every procedure to you, from the initial steps (such as prequalifying for a mortgage, discussing “needs” vs. “wants”, as well as the actual process of house hunting) to the final step (closing or “completion”, more commonly known as ”taking possession”).

One of the most important advantages to having me work with you as your Realtor is that I will send you, via email, listings that might be of interest to you the very day that they appear on the Realtors’ MLS site, known as torontomls.net. These new listings are available to Realtors one to two days before they appear on the public MLS sites (mls.ca and realtor.ca). As a result, the most desirable properties are often sold before they even appear on the public sites and often before you, as a Buyer, would even be able to attend the scheduled weekend open house.

Some of the more frequently asked questions (FAQs) which I, as your Buyer Representative, will discuss with you, the Buyer, are:

• How much should you budget for closing costs?
• What is a “deposit” vs. a “downpayment”?
• How much of a deposit should you submit with the offer?
• At exactly what point in the “Offer” process must I produce the deposit money?
• Who holds onto the deposit money between the time of acceptance of an offer until you take possession of the property?
• Is the deposit refundable if you back out of the deal?
• How much will you, as the Buyer, have to pay in Land Transfer Taxes?
• Can Land Transfer Taxes be added to your mortgage principal?
• As a first time Buyer, what rebates might you be eligible for on your Land Transfer Taxes?
• As a first time Buyer, how much of your RSPs can you use towards a downpayment?
• What will be my monthly carrying costs?
• Will you have to purchase mortgage insurance?
• Is mortgage insurance only available from CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation)?
• Does mortgage insurance protect you or does it protect your financial institution (lender)?
• Is Title Insurance required and how much does it cost?
• How does Title Insurance protect you as a Buyer?
• If you am buying a condo, what is a Status Certificate?
• If you am buying a house, what is a Pre-Listing Inspection?
• What does it mean when the Sellers are “holding back on offers”?
• What are multiple offers?
• What is multiple representation?
• What is a “bully” offer?
• In the “Agreement of Purchase and Sale” (i.e. the “Offer”), what is a “condition” vs. a “clause” and how do they affect the contract?
• Do you need a lawyer?
• At what point in the process do you need to enlist the services of a lawyer?

Buying real estate will likely be one of the largest investments that you will ever make in your lifetime. It can be a very emotional and nerve-wracking process. But, with me as your Real Estate Agent, I will make the process as stress free and painless as possible.