Get your mortgage pre-approval up to date. This is the most important thing to do before you start your search for a property. This means providing personal information on your income, assets, debt marital status and employment to a qualified mortgage specialist, whether you are calling your bank or using a broker. These professionals are going to help ensure you are set up for success and know what your buying power is. Be honest, open and disclose everything they ask for so we can work together to ensure we stay within your means. Do not rely on web-based pre-approval forms, contact a professional. Discuss the lender’s comfort level with ‘no conditions’ in an Offer if this is a route you are considering, and what the repercussions are for you, as a Buyer. For example, will you need to increase your down payment if the house appraises less than what you have agreed to pay for it, and do you have the funds to bridge that delta?

Call me so we can discuss what your budget, needs and wants are. We will work together to share an understanding of your priorities (price, location, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, garage, yard etc.) so we can have a focused search and filter listings directly to your inbox that will check the boxes that matter most.

Get to know the neighbourhoods. We can chat about the local areas and what different towns and neighbourhoods have to offer that may be a good fit for you. Take a look at the areas around homes you like by going to “street view” on Apple or Google maps for example. It’s a great way to see what’s surrounding a home. If you see structures that you’re unsure about or have you questions, I’m here to get the answers.

Stay optimistic; in a Seller’s market, we may face competition from other Buyers, and it may take a few Offers before we get ‘the one’.

If you live outside the Ottawa Valley and see a home that meets your criteria, but you can’t get here to see it in person right away, call me for a live video walk through. We can walk through together on video to do a preliminary look and see things we can’t necessarily see through the web. If you have friends or family in the area, I’ll gladly coordinate with them as well so they can be your second set of eyes on the property if you like.

Review comparable recent sales with me before we make an Offer. What the Seller paid for the house or what MPAC has assessed the house at, are not generally relevant factors to what that house is worth today. What will help us determine a suitable Offer, is what have other comparable homes have sold for in recent months. The market is always changing, and I’m here to help you make informed decisions.

If you have standard conditions such as obtaining a Financial Approval and/or Home/Property Inspections, time is of the essence. We want to ensure your lender has the Purchase Agreement as soon as it’s accepted so they can work on your approval, and we want to schedule the inspection as soon as possible to allow time for you to receive a comprehensive written report and follow up on anything unexpected.

Plan your move dates to coordinate with your desired schedule. Keep in mind that “completion date” or “closing day” is the day you will get the title to the property and keys to the house. Sometimes the purchase does not ‘close’ until late afternoon, so you should always schedule your moving company/delivery of furniture and effects to occur the day after this date.