NOW LETS GET STARTED  . . . . . . .

You will discover that buying a house is more complex than any other purchase you have made before.  Realtors are licensed agents who are members of a local real estate board, the Provincial Real Estate Association & the Canadian Real Estate Association ‘s national code of ethics – ensuring you will receive the highest level of service, honesty and integrity.

All Realtors in British Columbia and Alberta have studied and passed a provincial exam to be issued a license to become realtors or brokers in the Province.  With this process they have taken the training necessary to understand fully the processes and procedures to complete a real estate transaction and also taken an oath to subscribe to a stringent, enforceable Code of Ethics with Standards of Practice that promote the fair, ethical and honest treatment of all parties in al real estate transaction.

Before being able to trade in real estate, Virginia completed a mandatory course developed by the Province/s and  passed the Provincial Qualifying Examination.  But that is only the beginning.  Members must continually upgrade their education with professional development courses.   The emphasis on education and training means that when you hire Virginia you are working with an individual who cares about your needs and can provide you with sound, effective counseling and professional service.

Working with Virginia will provide you with direct access to a vast library of information and experience.  More specifically, she will:

1. Review your list of needs and wants in a home and help you determine the price range of homes you can consider.
2. Answer your questions about the market(s) you are interested in and help you compare homes from one neighborhood to the next.  It is Virginia’s responsibility to know these markets thoroughly and to stay on top of new home listings as they occur.
3. Introduce you to a broad range of possible homes; Virginia will have direct access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which provides details on a wide variety of properties in the markets you are exploring.
4. Review properties so you are shown only those homes that fit your budget and match the list of needs and wants you have prepared – a great time saver.
5. Make the appointments to show you candidate homes.  This is your chance to ask as many questions as you can about the homes and neighborhoods.
6. Act as a mediator to head off potential conflicts between you and the seller, draw up a legally binding contract and assist you with all the details required to complete the transaction successfully.

MAKING AN OFFER:

Basically, the offer known as The Offer to Purchase is a precisely worded document that sets out the terms and conditions between the buyer and the seller.  Once the offer is made and accepted, and after any conditions of the offer are met (if there are conditions) the offer becomes a legally binding contract meaning that you and the seller are obligated under law to hold up your ends of the agreement and complete the transaction.  For that reason you must be very sure you understand what’s in your offer before you sign it.

Firm Offer To Purchase:  usually preferable to the seller, because it means that you are prepared to purchase the home without any conditions. If the offer is accepted, the home is yours.

Conditional Offer To Purchase:  means that you have placed one or more conditions on the purchase, such as subject to home inspection, subject to financing, subject to insurance coverage, subject to perusal of title, etc. or subject to the sale of the buyer’s existing home.  The home is not sold until all the conditions have been met.