Buying a home is an exciting and complex adventure. It can also be a very time-consuming and costly one if you’re not familiar with all aspects of the process, and don’t have all the best information and resources at hand.
One of our specialties is representing the best interests of Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows area buyers throughout the home buying process. Our comprehensive, high-quality services combined with intimate local market knowledge can save you time and money, as well as make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful.
If you’re like most people, buying a home is the biggest investment you will ever make. So whether you’re buying a starter home, your dream home or an investment property, why not take advantage of our combined 40+ years of experience as local market experts for Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows & Mission to make the most informed decisions you can, every step of the way! Click here for recent client testimonials!
Art & Nathan’s ‘Top 5’ Tips for Buyers
1. It’s still about location, location, location.
2. Interest rates change, markets change. Life is short. Save a little for ice cream.
3.When you think you’ve found ‘it’, ask your Realtor if they would live there.
4.You just might have to pay full price (or more) for the ‘buy of a lifetime.’
5. If you trust your Realtor, listen to their advice! If you don’t…..call us.
View our recent sales here!
The Process
Choosing to buy a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in your life. It’s a complex ordeal that requires a lot of planning, and instating the help of a knowledgeable REALTOR® to make the process run smoothly. To ready you for this, here is a general overview of what to expect and prepare.
Get Your Finances In Order
The first thing you’ll need to do is put money aside for a down payment. This amount is (at minimum) 5% of the purchase price of the home you’re planning to buy. Second, you’ll need to meet with a mortgage broker to determine what you can afford. Get in touch with us for referrals to quality, trusted mortgage experts!
Visualize Your Dream Home
Once you’ve established a price range, it’s time to decide what type of home will best suit your lifestyle. Think about things like access to schools, recreational facilities, what the neighbourhood is like, and so on. Why you’re choosing to buy should help answer these questions for you — so think about it carefully. You may want to put this down in writing and create a needs v/s wants list.
Meet With a REALTOR®
It’s important to partner with a REALTOR® you feel completely comfortable with. A REALTOR® can help you find your dream home, that meets both your needs and your budget. They will set you up with viewing appointments, and also help bring clarity to the complicated process of buying a home. You’ll want to go with an experienced and knowledgeable REALTOR® who you can be sure will represent your best interests.
The Search
Using the property search on this site and consulting with your REALTOR®, you will be able to find homes in your desired area. They’ll update you frequently regarding new listings and schedule you appointments with sellers.
Closing
Your REALTOR® can help you place an offer that the seller will either accept, counter, or reject. After you’ve negotiated an offer, you’ll need to conduct a home inspection and deal with any repairs (the cost of which you can also potentially negotiate with the seller). Finalize your mortgage with a visit to your lender, and you’re ready to sign off on ownership. This typically takes place in a lawyer’s office.
At this point, congratulations are in order! Becoming a new homeowner is one of the most liberating things you’ll ever experience. There are many benefits to home ownership — pride of ownership, the ability to make home improvements, building equity, appreciation — the list goes on.