Tips for Buyers

1. Prepare to Buy

Make Sure You’re Ready

If you’re thinking of buying a home, you’ve come to the right place. Once you’ve decided you’re ready to buy, www.mapletreer.com can guide you through the entire process and a REALTOR® can help take care of the rest.

Are you ready? Be sure.

Few joys can match the pride of owning a home, but the responsibility can also come with sacrifices – from the financial commitment to the required care and maintenance. You’ll want to be sure both fit within your current or preferred lifestyle.

Is your bank account ready? Check it twice.

Buying a home is likely the most significant and largest purchase of your life. Do it right with the help of a REALTOR® and avoid regretting taking on more than you should. It’s ideal to have saved up some money and manage any debt. In a couple steps, you can determine how much you can afford.

Is right now a good time to buy?

Markets go up, markets go down and even the most informed experts can’t accurately predict when a market will peak or bottom out. If you’re buying a home as a long-term investment (and for long-term enjoyment), you should be protected from short-term changes in the market. Instead, focus on picking a home that meets your and your family’s needs.

2. Plan Your Finances

What Can You Afford?

Buying a home is a big deal; it’s probably the largest purchase you’ll ever make. Being prepared means also understanding that expenses go beyond purchase price.

To secure your new home, you’ll likely need to arrange for a mortgage but before you do, take a look at how much you can afford each month. Based on your income and expenses, our affordability calculator can help you estimate your maximum affordable mortgage payments.

3. View Properties

Meet a REALTOR®

A REALTOR® can review your wants and needs to help you determine your price range, as well as answer questions about the markets you’re interested in and help you compare homes and neighbourhoods. Your REALTOR® can also provide access to exclusive listing information, preview properties to ensure you’re only shown homes that meet your needs and budget and make appointments and walk you through homes that interest you. There are lots of ways to find a REALTOR®:

• As you drive through prospective neighbourhoods, jot down the names and numbers of REALTORS® on For Sale signs.
• Open houses are also a great way to meet face-to-face.
• Maybe your friends and family members have worked with a REALTOR® they love. Ask them to pass your name and contact information along.
• Many REALTORS® are active on social media and can be reached out to directly through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
• If you are browsing properties on REALTOR.ca, you can also contact a REALTOR® directly through the website or a specific listing.

No matter which REALTOR® you select, he or she will advise you of reporting requirements by FINTRAC, the federal agency responsible for administering Canada’s money laundering and terrorist financing legislation and regulations. Your REALTOR® is required by federal law to complete a client identification form and must ask you as a client (buyer) for verified ID such as a driver’s license or passport.

4. Make An Offer

5. Close the Purchase

Buying a home involves piles of legal documents. You need someone to translate the ”legalese” and ensure your best interests are protected.