Buying a home can seem like an overwhleming process, but it is one of the most important decisions you might make in your lifetime. Not only is a new home the centre of activity for everything you do, but home ownership carries a large financial responsibility. Everything from the mortgage to the maintenance costs needs to be considered – before you make the purchase. It isn’t always easy to keep this in mind when you’re trying to find the perfect home for sale in a neighbourhood that best suits your lifestyle.
At Royal LePage Performance Realty, our experienced and invested sales representatives are trained to help guide you through the process. We have the right tools for you, whether you’re a first-time home buyer or someone who has been through it all before. Every sales representative comes with excellent knowledge of the city of Ottawa and current real estate market conditions, and will go the extra mile to help negotiate the right price and answer any questions you may have about the purchase.
Buying your next home doesn’t need to overwhelm you. It’s important that you are able to enjoy the search for the home that’s right for you. If you use the right tools when you begin, you can ensure that you will find a balance between what you like, what you need, and what you can afford.
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When it comes time to begin searching for the right property, a licensed real estate sales representative can provide you with all the tools you’ll need. It can be a lot of work to find your dream home, and you may not even know where to begin. At Royal LePage Performance Realty, our trained sales representatives have access to a wide network of properties that you may be interested in. They will even help you negotiate a price that is affordable for you, and help you prepare to move.
When you work with Royal LePage Performance Realty, you will sign agency documents that allow your sales representative to pursue your interests with loyalty and care. Agency agreements are legally binding, meaning that your Realtor will be representing your interests under the law. Your protection under agency law will ensure that your Realtor offers you confidentiality and discloses any important information about the properties you view.
Your sales representative will help you navigate Ottawa MLS® listings, setting you up on a property search that will match you to any listings that fit your desired criteria. They can also offer you plenty of detailed neighbourhood information that you may not have considered or been aware of, as our sales representatives have years of experience buying and selling real estate in Ottawa. Your Realtor will come with you to showings and help you view properties as objectively as possible, while still keeping your preferences in mind. You will also be notified of any open houses in your desired neighbourhoods, and any new listings that may become available.
When you do find the right house or condo, your sales representative will help by preparing an offer of purchase for you and ensuring it is delivered to the seller as quickly as possible. They will also be there to answer any questions as you get everything in order, from arranging your mortgage to hiring a property inspector. Your sales representative will follow up on the sale prior to closing, ensuring everything will be running smoothly in time for you to pick up your new keys and move into your home.
Emotions v Realities
When many buyers begin the search for their next house or condo, they don’t realize how emotional the experience can be. The prospect of buying a new home is exciting, but once the search begins it becomes clear how many details are actually involved with the purchase of a house. As a buyer, you are looking for more than a sturdy foundation and functionality (though those things are important, too). You’re looking for a place to call home – somewhere you will be able to comfortably enjoy your lifestyle.
The sales representatives at Royal LePage Performance Realty understand the emotional aspects of a home purchase. They have years of experience in Ottawa real estate, working with buyers and sellers alike, and know that buyers aren’t always aware of the difference when it comes to the features they want versus those they can afford, or those they actually need. We are there to help you establish a list of realistic criteria to begin your search for the right house or condo.
The right sales representative will always remain loyal to your interests, but will offer their professional opinions regarding things you may not have considered – such as parking permits in that particular neighbourhood, or the fact that the roof is going to need updating in the next couple of years. A Royal LePage Realtor will always ensure that your interests are protected, while also finding the right balance to get you what you’re looking for.
The emotional roller coaster does not always stop once you’ve found the right home – and this is why your sales representative will also help walk you through the process of arranging the purchase. Whether you need assistance finding a mortgage broker, a lawyer, or you just have questions, at Royal LePage Performance Realty we can provide the answers. Your agency agreement ensures that your Realtor is working to protect your interests at every step to the sale.
Beginning Your Search
Whether this is your first time searching for a home, or you’ve been through the process before, a Royal LePage Performance Realtor can help you find what you’re looking for. Starting a new home search can seem overwhelming. You may not know whether you should be looking online, on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®), in magazines or just by driving around. You may be looking for a house, a condo, an investment property, or any other type of real estate. And you may not even know which criteria you should be looking for. Luckily we have all the tools to get you on the right track.
When you begin your search with a Royal LePage sales representative, they will meet with you to explain the best places to begin your search. You will need to decide on a general location in Ottawa even if you have a specific neighbourhood in mind, and you will need to make an appointment with a financial advisor to determine what your budget will be for your home. At this point, you and your Realtor should discuss all the features you would like your next home to have.
Your Realtor® will set you up on an exclusive search of MLS® real estate listings that you cannot get anywhere else, targeted towards your particular interests – neighbourhood, price, number of bedrooms, and even whether you will be close to schools, parks or public transportation. They will also be in touch with their wide network of Ottawa sales representatives who may have a property listed that will match what you’re searching for. Your Realtor® will be there to book showing appointments, walk you through home showings, and find open houses for you to stop by.
When it comes time to begin your search for your new home, your Royal LePage Performance sales representative will make sure you have everything you need to find the house that is perfect for you.
Writing an Offer
Once your Realtor® has helped you find the perfect home, it’s time to come up with your offer to purchase. This contract will be presented to the seller and will include all the important information of the sale: your offered price, the terms of your conditions, your preferred closing date, and all the legal details. Writing an offer can become complicated, particularly when you’re involved in special situations such as an estate sale or a multiple offer scenario.
At Royal LePage Performance Realty, our experienced sales representatives have the knowledge and tools to help you prepare your offer. Your Realtor will help you settle on an appropriate price that reflects the value of the home but is fair to you at the same time. You will also make an appointment with your real estate agent to review the agreement and get some background information about the legal terms; your Realtor® will even recommend a lawyer to you, who will be able to explain these terms in more detail.
Royal LePage sales representatives operate in your best interests when dealing with the seller and the seller’s agent. They will ensure that your offer is received and viewed by the seller in a timely fashion. They will also stand by to keep the lines of communication open, and provide you with feedback from the seller as soon as it becomes available to them. Should you find that you need to negotiate with the seller to arrange a deal that is suitable to everyone, your Realtor® will use their experience and skill to ensure your offer is fully considered.
Preparing to Close
After you’ve signed your offer to purchase your new home, you may have several months before your closing date arrives or you may only have a few weeks. Either way, your Royal LePage Realtor® can help answer any questions you have about what you need to move in to your new house or condo. Searching for your home is only the first step – once the offer has been accepted, it’s time to ensure all the final details are in order. You may still need to sell the house you currently live in; or, if you’re a first-time buyer, you will need an experienced sales representative to help you prepare.
At Royal LePage Performance Realty, our real estate sales representatives are trained to help make the process as effortless as possible. Your Realtor® will help you choose an Ottawa home inspector who will perform a thorough review of your new home and ensure the structure meets building codes, and that you won’t have any unexpected repairs to make once you own the home. They will arrange for the seller to make any small repairs that should be addressed before your purchase is considered final. If you have questions or concerns about condo fees that may be associated with your new home, our sales representatives can find more information for you. Your Realtor can even recommend an Ottawa lawyer who is experienced in real estate contracts, and can keep you updated about any repairs or updates that have been made on your new home prior to your move-in date.
Your Realtor® will also be available to answer any questions you might have about arranging your mortgage and transferring the title of the house. You will likely have some questions about closing costs, land transfer or property taxes, and when you will be able to pick up the keys for your new home. Your Royal LePage agent will be there to help ensure this process is smooth.
Next Steps
A home purchase does not have to be as stressful an experience as it may seem. When you first decide to buy a new house or condo, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but the real estate sales representatives at Royal LePage can help you get started. We have the training, tools and market experience necessary to guide you through the process step-by-step, and offer you all the information you will need.
From the moment you begin your home search to the day that you move in, your Royal LePage Realtor® will be there to ensure your interests are protected and your mind is at ease. Regardless of whether you are looking for a single family home in east Ottawa, a condo downtown, or even an investment property, our sales representatives will help find what you’re looking for.
If you’d like more detailed information, or to speak with a sales representative, please contact us directly! You can also learn a little more about us, browse our info & advice section, or read through some blog entries posted below, written specifically for home buyers!