Everyday, we see people make expensive mistakes when they try to buy a home. That's why we have created a library of items to help you through the critical steps of the process. This is vital information that will make sure you aren't the next person to make a life-altering mistake while buying a home. At Real Estate Professionals, we've helped thousands of people experience the joy of living in their dream home without having to worry about any of that.

 

Take a look at the library of items below, as well as our Buyer items in our Blog, for some really important stuff about buying residential real estate. And, if you want the fast-track on all the information, request our Homebuyer's Guide below and we'll send it to your right away.

When purchasing a home, you're faced with a multitude of decisions. Finding that perfect home is not an easy task, and obtaining a mortgage loan that meets your needs can be a complex and time consuming process. Once you've made the commitment to reach that home-purchasing goal, the rewards you can achieve are unquestionable.

Assisting you every step of the way, I'll make the process of purchasing a home in Calgary easier, more enjoyable, less time-consuming, and less expensive than if you undertook this huge challenge all on your own. I'll help you prepare so that sellers and their agents perceive you as their preferred buyer, help you determine your needs and wants, provide you access to search homes initially from the comfort of home, help you locate and assess properties for sale in Calgary that match your specifications, and guide you through the myriad of details attending the actual purchase and beyond.

Having sold homes and helped buyers buy homes in Calgary for over 5 years, I keep my finger on the pulse of the Calgary real estate market, and know the values inside and out. I will help you determine which properties are fairly-priced and in good condition before you start your search.

Your first step to buying a home is to define the reasons why you want to purchase a new home. To stop paying rent? To start building equity? To have a place of your own? To raise a family? To move up to a bigger house?

Then you need to decide on the style of home ownership that works for you. Are you looking for freehold home or a condominium home where much of your maintenance is done for you and you're more free to travel. Then, in which area of Calgary would you prefer to live? Be as specific as possible and list the reasons.

To get started, develop a needs versus wants list. Everyone has a picture of their ideal home. This home would include all the features you not only need, but have long desired. However, when it comes time to actually buying a home, these desired features may constitute additional costs. While it's nice to think about having an artfully landscaped backyard or state-of-the-art built-in appliances, these are usually considered as luxury items, which can add considerably to the price of your future home.

Begin the list with the items that you absolutely need - like adequate room, garage space and number of bedrooms. How much floor space do you really need? Think about home styles. Does your situation require a one-level home, or are stairs acceptable? Do you need indoor parking or space for more than one vehicle? Do you want a newer home, or maybe an older one to fix up? Consider how long you expect to live in this particular home. Basic needs should be considered first. After these have been defined, you can consider additional features if you can manage these benefits financially. With this list in your hands, you'll be less likely to be caught up in the excitement of the pursuit and end up buying more than you need. You'll have a clearly defined idea of what you need, what you want, the features within your price range, or whether or not you can afford those additional items.

Think of yourself as zeroing in on a target, going from the general to the specific. Consider area (suburban Calgary, inner-city, Airdrie, Cochrane); area within the community (northwest, southwest, northeast, or southeast); neighbourhood (older and settled, or sparkling new and up -and-coming). Investigate the neighbourhoods you're considering, ask around and visit them at different times of the day. What amenities does the area have to offer? Are there schools, available day-care, places of worship, parks or grocery stores within easy reach? If you have children, consider visiting schools in the area to confirm if they are even accepting new students. How will you be affected by your new commute to work? Is public transportation nearby, and is the pace of traffic reasonable for you at the times you'll be travelling? Are there new infrastructure projects in development that will benefit you or help your property value? All of these factors will influence the way that you experience your new home, so ensure you're well acquainted with the neighbourhood and surrounding area before purchasing. To learn more about what to look for in a neighbourhood, please visit my Special Reports section!

Once you've narrowed down your list, you're ready to take the next step in the purchasing process: getting pre-approved with a Calgary-area mortgage lending company. While getting pre-approved may sound daunting, it actually just involves getting an idea of what you can afford and what you're really comfortable with paying. When you're pre-approved, this means that a lender has reviewed your credit history, verified your assets and employment, and has approved your loan before you've even found a Calgary home to purchase. "Pre-approval" is much more than being "pre-qualified" which can be done over the telephone or even online in a matter of minutes. It's a pre-approval that's needed and is given in writing for a specific time period and for a guaranteed maximum interest rate.

Pre-approval gives you substantial leverage: sellers and their agents see you as a serious buyer. Not only will you know the exact price range that you can afford, but you'll also be able to negotiate a better deal and move more quickly when you see a Calgary home you like. Depending on the market conditions, a seller may lean towards an unconditional offer, so you'll have less negotiating power if you have to wait for mortgage approval on both you and the home. Banks and other financial institutions have developed varied and many programs catered specifically for home buyers. Once you review your needs and objectives with a mortgage professional, you'll be one step closer to purchasing your home in Calgary.

Contact me and I'll be happy to refer you to a Calgary mortgage professional that has an excellent reputation and track record for successfully acquiring loan approvals for their clients. Like real estate brokers, mortgage professionals will meet you in person and at your convenience.

It's a very time consuming process to view every home available that could meet your needs. I can do much of the work for you, by reviewing your needs with you, then reviewing a range of properties and advising you of potential matches. I have my finger on the pulse of housing trends and prices and access the best possible resources and communication systems available today to help you locate homes on the Calgary real estate market that match your specifications. A comprehensive knowledge of available homes in your preferred Calgary neighbourhoods is one of my strongest assets.

Once you've been pre-approved and know what price range you want to stay within, I can help you determine which properties fit your needs and wants, using our Multiple Listing Service (MLS® System) to efficiently locate them. I'll set up personal viewings for you to see them with me, and help you evaluate them for value and meeting your needs. Then, I'll negotiate with the seller and their agent to get you the very best deal possible. This is something the seller's agent can never do for you!

You can start your search right now using this website's Public Search feature. Sign up and get even more details, more results and the ability to save your personal searches.

As a top-licensed Calgary REALTOR® with years of experience and a proven track record of results, it's my job to guide you through this very complicated process, from beginning to end. Contact me today, and we'll prepare a unique system to suit your particular needs, wants and goals. From helping you find your dream home, to closing the deal - and every small or large step in between - I'll be there to help ensure your journey into your new home is a smooth one!