Buying a Home in Vancouver and the BC Lower Mainland

The Home Buying Process

Here we will explain how to find the best homes for sale in your budget. If you're planning on buying a home in Greater Vancouver or the lower mainland, you're in the right place. We will go over our buyer services so you can see how we're able to find you the best possible home within your budget. We focus on your needs, budget and timeline to make it all work for you. Ask any questions, we have the answers!

1: Preparation & Education

Purchasing a home is probably the biggest investment you will make in your lifetime. We want to make sure that you are prepared and well educated on the process. Going into a purchase fully prepared will help you ensure a smooth transaction and closing. Nobody likes surprises so we work hard to minimize that possibility. Being well educated in the process can help reduce both short and long term costs, which reduces the overall cost of your home purchase.

Before you start make sure you sit down with your lender and arrange for a mortgage pre-approval in writing, letting you know your guaranteed rate and how long they can hold the rate. This is a critical step and if not done correctly can cause huge disappointment to a buyer because they were shopping over their ability. When preparation meets opportunity, amazing things happen! To check your mortgage ability, send us an email including your name, phone number and the best time to contact you to info@homehuntersbc.com, and we can suggest a great mortgage broker in your area. 

2: Meeting for the first time

During our initial consultation, we can go through an exercise to determine what your new home looks like, its features and where you would like it to be. We will discuss and determine your needs and wants for your new home. Having all of the correct information will help us aid you in a successful purchase of your new home.

Most buyers don't understand Agency Representation. Agency representation is simply your business relationship to your agent, spelling out what you can expect. Did you know the home seller pays the agent commission, not you? You will want to make sure you and your agent discuss your requirements, financing, timing, and open communication channels.

3: How To Search For Your Perfect Home

The best homes sell fast in any market. Big national sites have, on average, a 2-3 day delay on uploading new homes. This can cause you to miss out on many potential deals and stunning homes. You want to make sure you are using a reliable website (ours updates every 15 minutes!). Online is only one area to search through. For Sale By Owner (FSBO) homes are often not online and we often find them just by driving around. Our team ensures that we keep a list of For Sale By Owner (FSBO) homes and foreclosures. We will also reach out to all other agents on your behalf to see if they have any upcoming listings that meet your needs. We also attend weekly Realty tours to see the new listings. This will help you get the first view, and the first chance to make an offer.

4: Research The Appreciation Potential & Resale Value

You have found your idyllic home, thanks to the help of our agents. Before making an offer you should conduct some extra research about the area. The home and price of the home are only one aspect of getting the best possible deal. You will want to look into the potential appreciation value and resale value of the home. In order for you to make the best investment possible, we will look at more factors to find out these values. We do this by looking at the location, schools, home features, future community developments and many other external factors.

5: Making A Solid Offer, Negotiations & Inspections

Once you have decided to make an offer on a home, you want to make a smart offer. We advise you to make a solid initial offer that should result in a counteroffer. If the initial offer is too low, the sellers may not respond, and you could lose respect with them for wasting their time. An offer that is too good, might mean you missed out on possible savings. There are many aspects to an offer besides the price. Work with your Realtor and get the information you need to make the right decision for you. Here’s where our negotiation skill com in to pay helping you to get the home at the best possible price. Once we have an accepted offer we will oversee the inspection and work with you to be sure you have a successful home buying experience…

6: How To Ensure A Successful Closing

After your offer has been accepted, our team will ensure that nothing is missed during your transaction. We constantly monitor your transaction and make sure you are always kept up to date. From the beginning to the end, we stay in constant communication with you to inform you of any activity or updates. Being proactive instead of reactive during the closing process will help reduce surprise costs and time delays. Being completely prepared for closing is an easy way to stay ahead of the curve and on track.

7: Maximizing Value After Your Home Purchase

Once you have purchased a home, you'll want to work to increase the value, as well as save money. Be sure to explore “Purchase Plus Improvements”, a great way to get renovations and improvements done with the cost included in your mortgage. You can find videos on this subject on our blog. Options like fresh paint, landscaping and minor repairs will add value (and increase your enjoyment!) of your home. Adding some energy-efficient light fixtures, or new high-efficiency water heater or furnace can save you money in the long run. Our team will give you tips and insights on what you can do with your new home and point you to people that can help.

8: Leveraging a Team Approach & Exclusivity

When working with us, you are hiring a team of extremely qualified people vs just one agent, for the same price. Our team is exclusive and only takes on a limited number of clients at a time. This exclusivity means we have more time to focus on you and ensure you find your perfect home and don't miss any opportunities. Our systems are in place to ensure the many specialized tasks of buying a home are completed efficiently, effectively, and with a smile of satisfaction. Our greatest compliment is always a referral to a family member, friend or co-worker.