Buying - Steps
You have a good idea of what you can and want to spend, and you’ve chosen the neighbourhood where you want to live. How can you be sure the price of the house you want is fair and corresponds to the market for that area? How can you check whether or not there are other similar properties with the same or better features? Contact a real estate broker or agent! They can provide or easily access such information.
What can a broker or agent really do to help me through the critical stage of buying a new property? What are all the steps involved in buying?
Once you’ve evaluated your financial situation and decided what you’re looking for, follow these steps:
- If you wish, sign a brokerage contract for buying a property to establish a legal and business bond between you and your real estate broker or agent. In this case, a brokerage contract is not mandatory.
- With the help of your broker or agent, research properties that meet your selection criteria, benefiting from your representative’s knowledge of the market. Members of the Chambre immobilière de l’Estrie will propose a list of properties taken from the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®).
- Choose the properties you wish to visit and let your agent or broker make the appointments and accompany you on your visits.
- Once you’ve made a choice, make an offer to purchase. Your agent or broker will guide you and help you prepare the required documents throughout the negotiations. He or she will provide advice in your best interest.
- Inspect the property. Your broker or agent can help you choose a building inspector or any other professional that should be involved in the process, such as a notary.
- Study the seller’s counter-proposal, if any; accept it or make another offer. This exchange may be repeated.
- Once an agreement has been reached, you sign the act of sale.
- Then you take possession of your new property.
In summary, your real estate broker or agent serves as a loyal assistant through all the steps involved in buying your new property.