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Breaking Down Closing Costs: What Every Homebuyer Should Know Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Key with house keychain

Purchasing a house is the most significant purchase anyone will make, both in terms of outlay and what it means for your future, which makes getting the budget exactly right vitally important to ensure you get the right value, without overspending or failing to make the most of the budget.

When it comes to this spending, it’s important to remember that it isn’t just the price of the property itself you will be paying - you will also have to factor in a range of other closing costs. Here’s our essential rundown of what every prospective homebuyer needs to know when it comes to closing costs and other related expenses.

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8 Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring a REALTOR® Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Whether you’re buying or selling, getting the right end result for your property needs is one of the most important life decisions someone can make. This makes it all the more vital that you go into the process with an understanding of exactly what you should be looking for in a REALTOR®, as they will be the key person to guide and advise you. Here are 8 key questions you should be asking any prospective REALTOR® before you begin the journey.

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10 Essential Tips for First-Time Homebuyers Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

Buying a home is an exciting venture, but it's also a decision that requires careful consideration. Before starting it’s vital to be well-prepared, so here are 10 tips to guide you through the home buying process, ensuring that you make informed choices and find the perfect place to call your own.

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Renting Out Your Suite – Things to Consider Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

Thinking of buying a home with a suite and renting it out? This can be a great idea to not only offset the cost of home expenses but can also potentially help with qualifying for a mortgage. However, it's essential to understand the intricacies and responsibilities that come with a suite. Here are some considerations, from financial implications to legal responsibility to being a landlord.

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Taxes to Be Aware of When Buying a Home in BC Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

Mini home, pen signing contract

For homeowners there are an array of costs and fees that go beyond the initial cost of purchase, including maintenance, repair, and renovation. But in this post, we’re going to focus on the administrative costs of the various federal, provincial, and municipal taxes you will need to be aware of. 

This is especially true for first time buyers who may not know what even needs to be considered, and having a handle on the closing costs and taxes, as well as future fees, will help you make an informed and knowledgeable decision about your future. To help you out, here is an overview of the relevant taxes prospective BC homeowners should be aware of.

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Should You Get a Condo or a House? Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

condos on the waterfront

When it comes to making a choice about which is the right property for you there are so many criteria to consider and options available, that even the simplest starting points can seem daunting. But it’s important to have a clear idea of what you’re searching for before you start looking. If you’re just scanning every available property you’ll waste not only time, but you’re unlikely to find the one you want!

There are a number of choices that can help you narrow down your search, and one of the biggest is whether you’re looking to purchase a condo or a house. In this post we’ll cover some of the key differences between the two, and how you can go about figuring out if you should buy a condo or a house for your next move. 

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The Importance Of Home Inspections Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Home Inspection Report

When it comes to buying a home you want to leave no stone unturned—after all, this is the biggest and most important purchase you’ll be making, and there should be no doubt left in your mind that you’ve found the right home for you. 

This is where a home inspection comes into play. A pre-purchase inspection provides you with the opportunity to uncover details that won’t be apparent to the untrained eye, giving you insight into the future viability and structural soundness of the property, and bringing to light any potential problems or red flags. This not only gives you leverage when negotiating, but it can also help you make your final decision. 

Here are some of the reasons why home inspections are an important part of the home buying process, as well as how you should approach a home inspection as a part of your home buying journey. 

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Why You Should Move To Victoria — And What You Need To Know Before You Do Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Victoria harbour

When it comes to figuring out your next move, location will undoubtedly be at the top of your criteria. This doesn’t just mean the neighbourhood you choose, but the area as a whole that you want to live in as well. 

And there can be few cities that can match Victoria in terms of scenery, culture, amenities, and quality of life. If you’re on the fence about moving, don’t worry — here’s our mini guide to what you need to know about living in Victoria, and advice for what to keep in mind when making your move to this fantastic city. 

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Buy or Sell First? What To Keep in Mind Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

When it comes to property timing is everything, not just in terms of the market, or picking the right time for you to make your move, but in terms of making sure you have the easiest transition possible between your old and new homes. 

One of the most important decisions any homeowner has to make is whether they want to sell their old home before or after purchasing their new one. 

Truthfully there is no one right or wrong answer, it’s a matter of understanding your situation, and finding the right path for you. Which is why we’ve laid out some of the benefits and drawbacks of each approach when it comes to whether you should buy or sell first when moving to a new home. 

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Viewing Properties with COVID-19 Protocols Category: Buying A Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on
Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Interior of house, white living room with window

Over the last two years, we’ve seen so many parts of everyday life upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we can expect that to continue as we start this new year. In BC, there are still a number of restrictions and regulations that need to be adhered to, and there is guidance specifically for REALTORS®. We would like to assure you that we are following all regulations and safety advice, and in this blog we take a look at the measures that are currently in place

Accurate at time of publishing in January 2022

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