Evaluating Oakville Properties for Sale

First-time homebuyers are often unsure where to start when it comes to hunting down the house of their dreams. However, that's why it's well worth your time to retain the services of experienced and trustworthy real estate agent Wilma Fournier.

As your personal guide to Oakville properties for sale, I always strive to give my clients the information they need to make informed decisions before they buy. In the years that I've spent in the industry, homebuyers have always asked me “What do I need to do when I buy a house?” Below, you'll find a step-by-step guide that breaks down the buying process and makes finding your dream house simple and fun!

Step 1: Decide to Buy

Before you even begin looking for a home, it's important to understand your needs. Take some time to think carefully about the type of house that's best-suited for your family. For example, does your household need a lot of bedrooms and washrooms for every relative? Is a backyard pool something you'd like to have for your kids and guests? Do you want to live close to your children's school, or even a shopping center? These are just some of the things worth considering before you start your new home search.

It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with different types of home ownership. This can help you narrow down your options for the perfect home. For example, the term “freehold” refers to the type of ownership in which a house is all yours. On the other side of this style is the condominium, which involves caring for the unit's interior and paying maintenance fees to an association (HOA). Different from both of these ownership types is the co-op, which is similar to a condo; however, with co-ops you rent a unit in a shared building and pay maintenance and repair fees.

Once you have narrowed down some specific qualities you'd like your new home to have, it's time to start exploring Oakville properties for sale!

Step 2: Hire an Agent

There are thousands of real estate agents out there vying for homebuyers' attention. The question is, how do you choose the one that's right for you?

It's important to pick carefully. After all, your real estate agent will be acting as your representative - you need someone to look out for your best interests! I recommend choosing someone that you can trust, as well as someone who understands your personal preferences for your new potential home.

Here are a few tips to help you find the perfect REALTOR® to help with your home search:

• Read reviews from past clients and see what they have to say. Good realtors will have many and you can often talk directly to their clients. Don't be shy to ask questions. 
• Meet them in person at your home. Ask questions on their services and find out what's included in their offering. Do they offer free staging and to what extent does their service go? It's important that your home looks it's best and expert staging is essential to get as many Buyers as possible interested in your home.
• Ask your potential agent for their performance statistics. For example, you should know what their average sales cycle is versus the competition, or what is their sold price versus listing price ratio? You don't want to be given an unrealistic listing price just so you give them the listing.
• Find out if they offer any 'extra' services. Client events or home upgrades for example. What sets them apart from the competition? You don't want to be just a transaction to them. You need to have someone who genuinely cares about the outcome of your sale.

Remember, the perfect REALTOR® is a trained professional who knows your area inside and out. A great agent is someone who offers you quality services to help you accomplish your goals with as little stress as possible.

Step 3: Find your Home

There are many ways to find the home of your dreams!

First, before you start shopping Oakville properties for sale, it's a good idea to make sure you and your family are financially ready for home ownership. Make sure to have a budget when you go shopping. You can use my very handy affordability calculator by clicking here.

An important thing to keep in mind is your down payments. A down payment is a percentage of the total cost of a home that you'll need to pay. The more money you put down, the more you'll save on monthly payments and the cost of borrowing.

Another important item on your to-do list is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. When the lender approves you for a mortgage, it gives you an idea of how much you can afford when you're looking to purchase a new home.

With these things in mind, you're now free to go window shopping! I personally recommend searching for houses in the neighborhoods surrounding your current residence, checking local newspaper real estate listings/websites, or even dropping by any open houses that are being held in your area.

Looking for houses can be really fun and exciting! You can browse Oakville properties for sale using the smart listings search on my website here.

Step 4: Make an Offer Now

Once you've found a house that you and your loved ones can agree on, it's time to make an offer. Remember, not all offers are the same - and that's where your real estate agent comes in.

A real estate agent's job is to help you understand the specific terms and conditions included in your offer. For example, the price you want to pay, financing conditions, and other things like inclusions and exclusions are subjects a real estate agent can explain more thoroughly.

The price of your prospective new home isn't the only thing that requires your careful attention. Homebuyers should look carefully at the other details included in potential sales. Appliances, chandeliers, and even minor renovations can be included in a home's selling offer. Shorter or longer closing dates can also be specified in the offer.

If there is something in the offer that doesn't satisfy the seller, it's worth your time to consider making a counter-offer or even entering negotiations to help you get a price that you think is fair.

Step 5: Close the Sale

Congratulations - you're nearly there! Remember to be mindful of any closing costs associated with the sale that need to be paid either by or on your new home's closing date. These costs can include mortgage application fees, inspections, and legal fees. But once these miscellaneous fees are taken care of, you and your loved ones will be free to move into your new home!

Contact me today with questions or concerns about the home buying process, or to find out more about Oakville properties for sale now.