Home Buying Checklist

Determine What You Want

On a scale of 0 to 5, rate the following characteristics most important to you in a home and neighbourhood:

Specific requirements:

The Carpenter Real Estate Group will:

• Act as a consultant to determine your real estate needs, help you establish what you can afford and assist you with mortgage financing. Advise you of costs such as legal fees, legal disbursements, closing costs and down payment options involved in the buying process.
• Identify and represent you in one of three market scenarios:
1. Buyers Market
2. Sellers Market
3. Balanced Market
• Identify communities and homes that are most suited to you as an individual, couple or family.
• Research all MLS® listings to find the right home for you. Provide "first knowledge" of new listings as they are recorded.
• Advise you when homes are overpriced.
• Provide information on properties and accompany you as an adviser when viewing suitable properties.
• Promptly present offers and negotiate on your behalf. Negotiations could involve one or numerous counter-offers.
• Guide you through the process if there is more than one offer for the property on which you have made an offer to purchase.
• Arrange an inspection.
• Guide you through the process from offer to closing. This includes facilitating the completion of all paperwork and monitoring all closing activities.
• Keep you informed throughout the entire purchase process.

The buyer's Realtor® is paid from the seller's commission. There is no direct cost to you. A Realtor® works without pay until they find the right home for you and successfully closes an offer to purchase at a price and terms acceptable to you.

Checklist When Hiring a Realtor®

1. Do they specialize in any particular part of the market? Do they focus more on buyers or sellers market?
2. Will you be in control of the process?
3. How much do they know about the community that you want to buy in?
4. What assurance do you have that they will service your needs? Do they have testimonials from prior clients or letters of recommendation?

How will they keep you informed?

Home Inspection (Recommended)

By hiring a home inspector prior to purchase, you will protect one of the most important investments of your life. A home inspection will reveal the structural and mechanical soundness of your home. The report will advise you of:

• Existing and potential problem areas.
• Suggested solutions.
• Cost estimates for any work required.

The Carpenter Real Estate Group will recommend a qualified home inspection service or arrange for an inspection to assess your new home. Inspection costs range according to size, age and location.