BUYING

Powell River Real Estate and Homes For Sale - www.powellriverrealestate.com

There is a lot more to buying a home than first meets the eye, but if you take it step by step the real estate buying process can be enjoyable and exciting.

First Time Home Buyers Guide

If you are a first time homebuyer, the real estate process may seem overwhelming. With so many houses for sale and the current real estate market conditions in British Columbia (BC) , it is difficult to know where the best real estate deals are. Our First Time Homebuyer’s Guide will steer you through the real estate buying process. It covers topics such as:

  • Benefits of home ownership.
  • Are you ready to buy a house?
  • How much can you reasonably afford?
  • Budgeting for a down payment, mortgage payments, property tax and heating costs.
  • Some costs associated with buying real estate.
  •  Questions you should you ask when assessing home features.
  • Location, location, location. Here are some factors to consider when looking at homes for sale.
  • Noise and privacy issues you need to consider.
  • Benefits of purchasing a new home vs. a resale home.
  • Money saving tips for when shopping for your dream home.

Condo Buying Guide

Should you buy a condo? As single-family home prices have risen across British Columbia (BC), Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or the Yukon Territory, many consumers have been looking to condominiums as an alternative. First time buyers like the lower prices, which makes entry into the real estate ownership market easier. Seniors like the low maintenance aspect and the ability to be in a community catering to their lifestyle. Others like the security advantages that the building provides, especially for those who travel frequently.

The Buyers Report Card

RE/MAX understands the overwhelming amount of details that buyers need to retain when viewing homes. To help simplify the process your RE/MAX agent can provide you with the Buyers Report Card so that you can rate the features of the home and add your personal comments as you walk through. Ask your RE/MAX agent about the Buyers Report Card today!

Before Writing an Offer for a Home for Sale

When looking for homes for sale, and definitely before writing an offer, you should be fully aware of all the expenses involved with buying a home. Some expenses are one-time costs and others are continuous costs. For example, some typical home ownership expenses are:

  • GST and PST
  • Land transfer tax
  • Property taxes and adjustments
  • Strata fees (if buying a condo or town home)
  • Property insurance
  • Home inspection fee
  • Legal fees for registering the property

Six Mistakes Home Buyers Make

There are six common mistakes homebuyers make especially when buying their first home or condo. These common home buying mistakes are:

  1. Not getting pre-qualified for a mortgage.
  2. Not shopping around for the best mortgage terms.
  3. Not getting a home/ condo professionally inspected.
  4. Not using a professional agent.
  5. First buying a new home and then trying to sell your old home.
  6. Not knowing the full cost of buying a home.

The RE/MAX Advantage

RE/MAX professionals lead the industry in terms of experience, education and real estate sales. In Western Canada, our real estate average about 16 years of experience, and across the network, hold a higher number of professional designations than associates of any single competitor in the real estate industry.

 Happy house hunting!