Bruce Dougall   RE/MAX Kelowna       #100-1553 Harvey Ave. Kelowna BC  Canada  V1Y 6G1

1. Don't "low-ball" your initial offer


          Sellers tend to give less of a counter offer (closer to list price), if they feel insulted. Understand the current              value of the home and comparable SOLDS. Do not listen to unqualified and unprofessional advice such as                'always offer 10% less'  etc.   This  is  unfounded in the real world.  It might work on phony TV Reality shows            but not in real life.  It might have worked 50  years ago but that advice is simply unfounded today.
  


2. Get Pre-approved
  

      A pre-approved mortgage can be done within a few days. 
      The mortgage amount  and interest rate is guaranteed for 90 days... for FREE.




3. Have your agent arrange a home inspection


      Always buy a home “Subject to a building inspection”.   A qualified Home Building Inspector usually costs around 
      3-$400.00   (approx). It’s  money well spent. You want to know exactly what you are buying.




4. Accelerated Bi-weekly payment plan on your mortgage.


      On your mortgage, you will save the most money if you opt for an accelerated Bi-weekly payment plan, or if you double up one  payment per year. This will shorten your amortization periods by over 6 years!



5. Take advantage of RRSP tax credits.

 Place up to $20,000.00 per person of your down payment in a short term RRSP to be held for at least 90 days, or until closing.



6. Buy to the maximum you can afford.  If the lender approves it, you can afford it.



7. Check out the cost of Legal Fees


      These are separate from disbursements.  Ask your agent, who will be able to refer you to reliable professionals. 
      Ask Bruce Dougall about his "First Time Buyer's Incentive Program".

 

 

 

Who's Fault is it?

Many minor 'problems' will be found in your home before during and after you move in. 
It is not your Realtor's fault if any of the following things happen when moving into your newly purchased home:

The sellers do not move out on time.
The house is not left as clean as you would like.
There are minor tweaks that need attention that the building inspection missed.
The seller left some refuse or junk behind.
The walls are scuffed.
There are nail holes in the walls from pictures or moving damage.
The flooring is not as clean as you would like.

The above are only some of the things that could happen.   All these things are beyond the control of your Realtor.
Do not expect your Realtor to pay for any of this. These are potential hazards of purchase.   What you can expect is that over time you will pay off your mortgage and own your home. THAT is the ultimate goal.

No house is ever in perfect condition when a buyer moves in, that goes for new and re-sale homes.
Expect to do a number of things in addition to unpacking your boxes.