By following these four steps, a buyer can position themselves in a very good negotiating position for purchasing a new home.

Step One
What do you really want? What do you really need?

Answering these two questions brings your decision to buy a home to reality. The things you want aren't always the things you need, and visa versa. Having a solid picture of the home that fits your lifestyle and budget is the launch pad for a successful purchase.
Although these are very personal questions and decisions that can only be made by you, we can often help you by offering advice and informing you of details that you may not have considered.

Step Two
Get Preapproved

Why not shop with ease knowing that the home you wish to purchase is the home you can afford. This is so important to the comfort level at which you can make a firm decision on the right home for you. You may view a home that you feel is perfect, but financing may not be available for that home. Unfortunately now your run the risk of comparing every home you look at to the one that is out of reach. Again, keep it simple... compare apples to apples.
Ask us to recommend several mortgage brokers or financial institutions that they feel have been performing well in the current market.

Step Three
Go Shopping!

This is usually considered the fun and exciting part of buying a house, but often it can become a huge task. In strong markets, houses sell quite quickly, requiring buyers to view and make decisions promptly. And since the houses are selling, often the number of houses to look at that are suitable to your wants and needs are very few. Stay organized! Make a checklist of your wants and needs and take it with you when you view the house, check off your list as you go through the house so that you can remember the details when you leave.
Your realtor should be there for you through all these steps, and this is the time where a realtors performance can really show. A realtor that is on the pulse of new homes as they hit the market, and that communicates with you regularly, can keep you informed and make sure that opportunities don't pass you by.

Step Four
Make the Offer

Your checklist is complete or very close to complete... the home is in your price range...
make the offer. Its that simple. Writing up an offer to purchase is in fact a binding contract, therefore your realtor will expertly guide you though the steps, advise on special clauses, and present your offer to purchase. This offer may not be accepted, or there may be a counter offer by the vendors, but making the offer is the most important step to take to getting the ball rolling.

Start searching for your new home now