Services for Buyers

Whether you're buying your first home or your next one, I offer personalized support to help you make confident,
informed decisions. From start to finish, I'll help guide you through every step of the homebuying journey.

The real estate process, in a nut shell:

1. Initial Consultation
We start by getting to know your goals, timeline, budget, and must-haves.

2. Mortgage Pre-Approval
We’ll connect you with trusted mortgage professionals to determine what you can afford and strengthen your buying power.

3. Home Search
You’ll receive curated listings that match your needs and ongoing support as we tour homes together.

4. Making an Offer
When you find the one, we’ll guide you through offer strategy, pricing, and negotiations to get the best possible deal.

5. Due Diligence
We help coordinate inspections, review conditions, and ensure all details are handled before moving forward.

6. Closing
We work with your lawyer and lender to finalize everything, making sure you’re ready for a smooth closing day.

7. Move In!
Congratulations! You get the keys and step into your new home—and we’re still here if you need anything after the move.

What Buyers Need to Know About Real Estate

1. Know Your Budget

Understanding what you can afford is key. Get pre-approved for a mortgage to set a clear price range.

5. Understand the Process

From searching to closing, knowing each step—offer, conditions, inspection, legal work—makes things smoother and less stressful.

2. Factor in All Costs

It’s not just the purchase price—budget for closing costs, land transfer tax, home inspections, legal fees, and moving expenses.

6. Don’t Skip the Inspection

Even if a home looks perfect, an inspection protects you from unexpected surprises.

3. Location Matters

Think long-term: school zones, commute times, future development, and neighbourhood vibe can all impact your lifestyle and resale value.

7. Lean on Your REALTOR®

Your agent is your advocate, negotiator, and guide. They work for you—use their expertise!

4. Be Ready to Move Quickly

In competitive markets, homes can sell fast. Being pre-approved and working with a responsive agent helps you stay ahead.

Common Qs And As:

1. How much can I afford?

That depends on a few key factors like your income, monthly debts, available down payment, and credit score. These all play a role in determining how much a lender will approve you for. To get a clear picture of your budget, I’ll connect you with trusted mortgage professionals who can walk you through the pre-approval process. It’s the best first step to understanding what you can afford and shopping with confidence.

2. How long does the buying process take?

The home buying process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months—it really depends on the current market, how specific your needs are, and how quickly financing and paperwork come together. Some buyers find the right home right away, while others take more time to explore their options. I’ll guide you through each step, keep everything organized, and help move things along at a pace that works for you.

3. How much do I need for a down payment?

In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% of the purchase price for homes up to $500,000. For homes priced between $500,000 and $1,500,00, you'll need 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the amount above that. For homes $1.5 million and over, the minimum down payment is 20%.

If you’re able to put down 20% or more, you can avoid paying mortgage default insurance (CMHC insurance), which lowers your monthly costs. The right down payment amount depends on your financial situation, but I’ll connect you with a mortgage expert who can help you understand your options and guide you through what makes the most sense for your goals.

4. Can I back out after making an offer?

Yes, you can back out of a home purchase if your offer includes certain conditions, such as financing approval, a home inspection, or the sale of your current home. These conditions give you time to confirm key details before committing fully.

If any of those conditions aren’t met within the agreed timeframe, you can walk away without penalty. However, once you remove or waive all conditions, the offer becomes firm—and backing out at that point could have legal and financial consequences. That’s why it’s so important to have a realtor who helps you structure your offer carefully and protects your best interests at every step.

5. What’s included in a home inspection?

A home inspection is a crucial step in the buying process. A qualified inspector will thoroughly assess the property’s major systems and components, including the structure, roof, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling (HVAC), windows, insulation, and more. They’re looking for signs of damage, wear, safety concerns, or anything that might lead to costly repairs down the road.

The inspection gives you a clearer understanding of the home’s condition, so you can make an informed decision before finalizing the purchase. If any issues are found, we can negotiate repairs, request a price adjustment, or, if necessary, walk away—depending on the terms of your offer.

6. What happens on closing day?

On closing day, your real estate lawyer takes care of the legal side—confirming that all funds are transferred, documents are signed, and the property title is officially registered in your name. Your lender releases the mortgage funds to the seller, and once everything is processed, the deal is complete. That’s when you get the keys to your new home!

I’ll coordinate with your lawyer, the seller’s agent, and any other professionals involved to make sure everything runs smoothly and you’re fully prepared for a stress-free handover.

7. What are the closing costs?

Closing costs typically range from 1.5% to 4% of the purchase price and cover several important expenses beyond the down payment. These include:

Legal Fees: A real estate lawyer handles the legal paperwork, title transfer, and mortgage documentation. Fees usually range from $1,000 to $2,500.

Land Transfer Tax: This varies by province and is based on the purchase price of the home. Some cities, like Toronto, have an additional municipal land transfer tax. First-time buyers may be eligible for rebates.

Title Insurance: This protects against issues with the property’s ownership or title—usually a one-time cost of a few hundred dollars.

Adjustments: You may need to reimburse the seller for prepaid property taxes, utilities, or condo fees, depending on the possession date.

Other Possible Costs: These may include a home appraisal (required by your lender), property insurance, and moving expenses.

Planning ahead for these costs ensures there are no surprises on closing day. I’ll walk you through exactly what to expect based on your price range and location.

8. Do I need a realtor to buy a home?

Technically, you’re not required to use a realtor when buying a home—but working with one offers significant advantages. As your realtor, I represent your best interests throughout the entire process. That means expert advice on pricing and market conditions, access to listings (including those not widely advertised), guidance through paperwork, and skilled negotiation when it’s time to make an offer.

Best of all, in most cases, there’s no direct cost to you as a buyer—the seller typically pays the commission. So you get professional support, protection, and peace of mind at every step, without it coming out of your pocket.

Thinking about buying a home? Let’s chat.

Whether you’re just starting to explore or ready to make a move, I’m here to guide you through the buying process with clarity, confidence, and support.

Book a free, no-pressure buyer consultation below. We’ll talk about your goals, budget, the market, and what to expect next.