When you have decided to buy or sell a home, working with a qualified real estate professional is the key to a simple and successful experience.
The ideal agent will have a good working knowledge of local real estate market conditions, deliver the highest standard of service to customers, and be supported by a well-run brokerage. Most importantly, a good agent will save you time and money
Some people might want to stop paying rent. Some want to start building equity. Other reasons could be to escape housing insecurity, to have a place of your own, to raise a family in, to entertain business associates, or to invest for the future. You may want to buy a home for a few different reasons.
A wish list describes what kind of home you need. Be specific. Create a list of “needs” and “wants.” Maybe you need three bedrooms and parking for two cars. Maybe you want a mudroom and an ensuite bath.
Create a community “need” and “wants” list. Are you aiming for a particular school zone or recreational facilities? Do you need access to transportation, daycares, a library, shops, and entertainment?
Make a list of friends’ or family’s homes you like and ask what their home style is called. Do you like single-level bungalows, split entries, Cape Cods or side splits? There are many home styles in Nova Scotia, and each has special variations to accommodate different family structures and lifestyles.
Calculate the square footage of your current living space. Would you like your home to be larger, smaller or the same size?
Honestly reflect on how comfortable are you with a hammer. Do you need a newer home with less maintenance, or would you like an older one to fix up?
Get pre-qualified with a mortgage company or bank. This can be done over the phone or even online in a matter of minutes. When you are pre-approved for financing, you can make an offer on a home with confidence. You will know what you can afford, and save yourself time by only viewing homes within your financial comfort zone. This is an exciting step for buyers—you really get an idea of what’s possible for you!
I can refer you to mortgage professionals that have excellent reputations and track records for successfully acquiring loan approval for clients.
Once you’ve been pre-qualified and know what price range you want to look in, I will help you find the right home.
I will set you up with a personalized account that will automatically search our Board’s MLS® System for homes that fit your needs and wants. If you have been spending your evenings scrolling through new listings only to find out they have already sold, or they are missing too many items on your list of must-have features, this is the service you need. As new listings become available that fit your personal criteria, they will be automatically emailed to you. I love saving my clients time and stress with this streamlined process.