Found the Home of Your Dreams?
Finding a home that has the qualities you want and is
within your budget is no easy feat. But there’s lots more to
do before you move in.
Before you make an offer
These to-dos can be completed before or after you make
an offer, but getting ahead of the game is a good idea.
● Obtain a mortgage pre-approval to give you a good
idea of how much you will be able to finance for your
home.
● Hire a real estate lawyer in case you have legal
questions and so you’ll be ready when it’s time to
close the deal.
After your offer is accepted
These items should be added to your list once your offer
has been accepted.
● Satisfy any conditions included with your offer,
like conditional financing or a satisfactory home
inspection.
● Confirm financing by providing your lender with the
signed Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Your lender
may conduct an appraisal on the home.
● Ask your real estate professional, family or friends
to recommend a home inspector. There are also
associations for home inspectors that can refer you.
When selecting a home inspector, ask about their
training, experience, certifications and approach to the
home inspection process.
Here’s your to-do list.
If there is an issue with any of your conditions, you will
need to speak with your real estate representative and your
lawyer about your options.
If all the conditions are satisfied, you will have to sign
documents stating that each of the conditions are either
waived or fulfilled. The offer will then become firm.
● Once the deal is firm, your lawyer will help you close
the transaction.
● You might need to prove you have home insurance
before your lender will release the mortgage funds.
Planning your move
● If you’re renting, you’ll need to provide notice to your
landlord.
● If you alreadyown a home, it’s a little more
complicated. Ideally the move-in date for your new
home will align with the date you move out of
your existing home. If not, you may need to get a
storage locker and stay with friends or family, or rent
temporarily while you’re between homes. You might
also need to talk to your lender about bridge financing
if you will own both homes for a period of time.
Throughout this process, your registered real estate
professional is a great resource. Make the most of their
expertise as you work through these to-dos. Just remember,
at each step of the way, you’re getting a little bit closer to
your dream home.
You can read this entire article and more in Reconnect magazine for free here: Reconnect Magazine Online
KYLE BOUCHARD REAL ESTATE GROUP 