Purchasing your first home may be easier than you think! Did you know that British Columbia has programs in place specifically for First Time Home Buyers, making it easier to qualify with less money down, while also saving you money on Property Transfer Tax? This can save you upwards of $8000.00 in closing costs!
Buying your first home can be an exciting, but nerve-racking experience. I take pride in helping my first-time home-buying clients navigate their way through the processes and steps, ensuring to keep things as simple and stress-free as possible. There is nothing better than seeing the smiles on possession day of a First Time Home Buyer!
Q: Are there any benefits to being a first time home buyer?
A: YES! You can qualify with only 5% down & save up to $8000.00 on Property Transfer Tax.
Q: What price point should I be looking in for being a First Time Buyer?
A: If you want to utilize your first time home buyers grant, you want to stick between $500,000 & $525,000
Q: How much will a Realtor cost me to assist with my first purchase?
A: ZERO dollars! That’s right – when buying only & not selling you pay $0.00 in Realtor fees
Q: How much money do I need to buy my first home?
A: Minimum of 5% of the purchase price + closing costs. On a $500,000 purchase, you would need around $27,000 total including your legal fees.
Q: Are there even properties available within that price range?
A: YES! Click here to view
Q: Great, how do I get started?
A: Read the steps below & give me a call!
STEPS FOR FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS:
1. Qualifying
This is often the most difficult part for first time home buyers, but also the most important. I will introduce you to one of the top mortgage brokers in the country to assist with getting you a mortgage approval. They will require various documents from you that may seem tedious, but rest assured it will be beneficial to getting you the best approval rates possible.
2. Figuring out what’s best for you
This is where you and I get a chance to discuss items that are most important to you when it comes to purchasing. Items such as location, size, number of bedrooms, pets and so on. This will allow me to really get a grasp of your specific needs and ensure I’m sending you options that are suitable to meet your requirements.
3. Home viewings
This is the fun part that all first time home buyers look forward to. Once I have an idea of what type of unit is best for you, I will begin sending you current listings that could be a good match. From here we will begin with the viewing process. I will come with you for each and every showing and will be your eyes and ears during the walk-throughs. If the listing agent is present, I will ask detailed questions that you may not think to ask, such as asking about the status of a building’s financials, whether there have been any levies on the property or whether any levies are upcoming. We will repeat this process as many times necessary until you find a unit that you are comfortable writing an offer on.
4. Writing an offer
Once you have found a unit that you would like to write an offer on, I will review comparable sales in the area to provide you with a recommended price offer. We will also discuss what subjects (conditions) to put in place (financing, inspection, strata documents, title review) to make sure the written offer properly protects you is written in your best interest. Often times we may counter-offer back and forth a couple of times with the seller prior to having an accepted offer. I will be there for the entire process, advising my professional opinion with each counter offer.
5. Subject removal
After the offer is accepted, I will assist in ensuring everything checks out prior to us removing subjects (conditions) from the purchase offer. Remember, as soon as we remove subjects the offer is considered legally binding and the consequences of not fulfilling can be troublesome. Therefore it is of utmost importance that we take the time to sit down to discuss all condition removals so that you understand your position as first time home buyers. Simultaneously, I will communicate all information with your mortgage broker to ensure financing is approved.
When it comes to strata developments, I read each and every page of any strata documents to the full extent to make sure I fully understand everything about the building. This includes financial documents, 2 years’ worth of strata meeting notes, a depressions report, as well as all rules and bylaws. If there are any items that stick out as a red flag, I will communicate with the listing agent for further information.
Before subject removal, I will help arrange a home inspection and will be there to meet the inspector at the end of his inspection to discuss their detailed report. I provide you with my professional opinion on the items listed in the home inspection and will help to come up with any solutions that may be needed prior to removing subjects. If ANYTHING indicates you may be buying into a bad building, we either propose to adjust the price to accommodate, or we simply collapse the deal, without any legally binding obligations. I take utmost care to protect you during this process and make sure you are fully informed prior to getting your signature on the subject removal document.
6. Completion Day
The completion date will be between 1-3 months after subject removal when you and the selling parties have come to an agreement, financing is in place, and any requested repairs have been made to the property. I want to make this process as easy as possible for first time home buyers, so between now and possession day I will help you with anything you’re unsure of including:
- Getting you set up with movers
- Notify the strata which day you’re moving
- Inform involved parties what lawyer you will be using
- Inform involved parties who will be doing the insurance
- Setting up BC Hydro, Fortis etc. connections to your home
7. Possession day
Congratulations, you now get to move into your new home!
