Building Your Team

 

The entire experience of finding and buying a home can become much more enjoyable if you surround yourself with a team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals. In addition to a qualified Mortgage Consultant who can arrange for your mortgage, your team of professionals should include a realtor, a lawyer, and home inspector.

 

The Realtor
Since the vendor pays the Realtor commission, the majority of homebuyers employ the services of a realtor for their purchase. A real state agent will be able to assist you in the following areas:
• Searching for your ideal home,
• Writing an offer and negotiating on your behalf
• Providing you with the market analysis for the neighbourhood.

 

Since, your realtor plays an important role in assisting you to find a home; the individual you chose must be experienced and knowledgeable. You have to make sure that your realtor has a clear understanding of your needs, including your purchase price. This will help them to screen the listings and save time. At the same time, you must be at ease with your realtor and not feel pressured and frustrated.

 

The Mortgage Consultant/ Broker

Majority of people find it useful to use a Mortgage Consultant/Broker. Mortgage Consultants/Brokers do not work for any specific lending institution. They typically do not lend money but rather put you in touch with Lenders who do. For example, brokers are aware of private lenders that you may not be able to find on your own. Their role is to find the lender with the terms and rates that best suit your needs.

 

The Lawyer/Notary

Either a lawyer or notary must represent you when purchasing a property. They will ensure that the property you are purchasing does not have any building or statutory liens or charges or work or clean up orders associated with it. Your lawyer will review any contracts that you need to sign and make sure your interests are protected. Lawyers/notary’s fees range widely and depend on the complexity of the deal. You can check for a lawyer referral service in your community or call the local law association for the names of lawyers who specialize in real estate law.

 

The Home Inspector

A qualified home inspector should inspect any home you are thinking of buying. A professional home inspector will inspect every detail of your new home and will provide you with a written report about the property’s condition. Home inspectors go through the property and complete a thorough visual inspection to assess the condition of the house and all of its systems. They will identify mechanical components that are not working properly or are unsafe as well as areas where repairs may be needed or where there may have been problems in the past A clean bill of health from a knowledgeable and professional inspector can provide you with a great deal of comfort.