The best things in life are….FREE!
- In the vast majority of sales of homes listed through the MLS, the buyers were given the experience, advice, and expertise of a licensed Realtor. At no cost to the Buyer!
Home-finding plan
- We will follow a customized, detailed plan to find the right home for you.
Listening
We learn from our buyers, to be more responsive to your needs. What’s important to homebuyers everywhere?
Communication
- Listening to you and keeping you informed
- Affordability
- Showing you homes within your price range
Needs
- Showing you properties that fit your needs
- Convenience
- Simplifying the home buying process
Our commitment to you
With your agreement naming us as your buyer’s agent, we will work on your behalf to:
- Find you the right property
- Negotiate the best price and terms for you
- Handle the details and keep you informed
- Representing your best interests.
The Search Begins…
Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
- We can show you any property listed through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
- Our office offers area-wide multiple listing information that shows thousands of broker-listed homes for sale, regardless of the seller’s agent.
- We can help you “visit” many of these homes online or on paper.
- We will show you the properties that meet your criteria.
Yard signs and open houses
A yard sign or open house can let you know a home is available, but we can help you know if it’s worthwhile. We can arrange private showings of homes displaying an “Open House” or “For Sale” yard signs.
When visiting an open house on your own, let the agent know you are working with us.
Mortgage pre-approval
Being pre-approved for a mortgage can greatly improve your negotiating position.
- Sellers and their agents know that a pre-approved buyer is a serious one.
- Speaking now with a mortgage specialist will give you a loan decision well in advance of making an offer.
Making The Purchase- Completing the purchase
A successful purchase involves several important elements:
- Full written disclosure
- Offers and negotiations
- The purchase agreement
- Professional inspections
- Title insurance and appraisal
- Walk-through and final closing (if applicable)
- Home warranty (if applicable)
- Full written disclosure protects your best interests
The Seller’s Disclosure Statement reveals information that may affect your offer to purchase.
We will thoroughly review the Seller’s Disclosure Statement with you, and help you determine how it might affect your offer.
Preparing the offer…
As your buyer’s agent, we will work to:
- Prepare an offer that will meet your needs and provide a solid basis for negotiating with the seller.
- Apply information from the Competitive Market Analysis that will determine a realistic offer.
- We will present your written offer to the sellers and negotiate on your behalf.
The sellers will have the choice of:
- Accepting your offer as presented
- Rejecting it completely
- Countering it
An accepted offer leads to a legally binding purchase contract.
Elements of the purchase contract
- Contingencies
- Attorney review
- The closing process
- Title insurance will protect your interests in the property
- A title insurance policy is based on a search of public records that discloses whether any others have a legal claim to the property, this insures you against loss due to certain title defects.
A walk-through prior to closing lets you confirm the condition of the property.
A thorough walk-through will help you determine if the property is in the condition you expect. We will accompany you. Should a concern arise during the walk-through, we will assist you in resolving it.
A home warranty can protect you from unforeseen risks, provides repair-or-replace coverage, and gives you peace of mind . this can be purchased by you or by the seller, as agreed upon in the contract.
Financing Your Home How much home can you afford?
Pre-qualification establishes how much you can afford to borrow, and is not an assurance of mortgage approval.
Pre-approval is a firm decision on a home loan. This makes you a “cash buyer” in the seller’s eyes, and gives you increased bargaining power.
The financing process
Financing your home is an involved process. We’ll help you through it.
1. Loan application is completed and submitted to lender
2. Lender orders appraisal, credit report, verification of your employment and assets
3. Lender provides a good faith estimate of closing and related costs, plus initial Truth In Lending disclosures
4. Lender evaluates application and support documents, approves loan and issues letter of commitment
5. Closing is held, loan documents are signed and the loan is funded
6. Lender disburses funds to the settlement or closing agent, seller is paid and title to the home is yours
7. Required documents are recorded at the County office of records
Applying for a mortgage is the first step after your purchase offer is accepted.
The lender may request copies of:
- Current pay stubs
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
- Investment/brokerage firm statements
- Loan statements
- Tax returns, usually for two years
Owen has lived in the Comox Valley for over 30 years. He loves the Comox Valley, and the people who live here! His strong negotiating skills and great personality make him the right choice for your real estate needs. 