Home Interior Banner Image

Our Step-Buy-Step Process

We consistently satisfy our client base by finding what's best for their lifestyle, and helping them get into it. ​

Step 1: The Pre-Approval

Home exterior

First, I recommend seeing a mortgage agent before starting the search process. These mortgage specialists will be able to tell you what your affordability is, the terms and conditions of having a mortgage on a house, rates and the mortgage market, your credit score, your debt-income ratio, etc. This will essentially give you and your REALTOR®️ a budget to work with.

Your mortgage specialist will tell you what is achievable based on your finances, and how you could potentially better your current financial situation, should you need to. One of the benefits of working at Ekort Realty, is that we also have a mortgage company in our office, Mortgage Architects. It's great to be able to bounce ideas and referrals off of one another to get quick and efficient results for our clients so they can proceed through the buying process.

Step 2: The Hunt

Living Room Image

What is important to you? Owning a home with a big yard? Having six bedrooms? Finished basement? Minimal upkeep? These are things to consider when imagining yourself in a home. Build a criteria of your priorities and I will work around that to find you what's important to you and your family.

One major benefit to working with a REALTOR®️ is that we get the scoop on new listings right away. This is incredibly helpful when you’ve established this criteria because I can input your criteria into my database and automatically send you any listings that meet your criteria so you too, can be informed promptly.

Step 3: The Showings

Home exterior

The first house you see may not be (and likely won’t be) “the one”. Don’t let this discourage you. It’s GOOD to be picky. You need to ensure you’re checking the important things in a house, not just what colour the paint is and how unique the baseboard is. Check things like electrical amperage, where the laundry hook-up is, if there’s any moisture in the basement, if the windows seem to be drafty. These are the important things that are more costly to change later on, and you may over-look these at first if you’re blinded with the superficial features of the home.

Your REALTOR®️ should have a basic knowledge on the specifics of these and be able to guide you and explain to you what different terms mean and how certain systems operate. The inspections will help as well with exposing most issues but before you spend the time and money on the house, keep your eyes open to issues.

Step 4: Ok. You Found One

Living Room

Ok you love the house and you want it. What now? Now you’re going to write the offer to purchase the house with your REALTOR®️. We know how to write the contract. But you, as the buyer, need to be prudent about what your priorities are. If there are certain inclusions that are important to you, make this known to your REALTOR®️ so they can include it in the offer.

Whether it’s the drapes, or the shed in the back, be specific with what you want included. If there are certain conditions that are important to you, between the knowledge of your REALTOR®️ and your own personal needs, you should collaborate your ideas at this point and make it known that you want certain tasks fulfilled before you transfer the property.

One condition I always suggest to protect my buyers is a home inspection. Make your wants and needs known, and your REALTOR®️ should use their due diligence to get you what you want. After making the offer, you will need to put a deposit on the house. Whether you decide to give it with the offer, or upon acceptance, the purpose of the deposit is to show good faith in your interest of buying the house. There is no specific amount necessary, but 1%-2% is typical in this area.

Step 5: What's Next?

Drone image of house

Once the offer is submitted and accepted, you will need to get your financing together. If you are working with a lender, you will bring the offer to your lender to be officially approved for the mortgage. Remember that while obtaining a mortgage, there is a down payment that will be required to be paid by you, that is applied to the balance of the mortgage.

These funds are transferred on closing day through the work of your lawyer and transferring funds. The typical down payment for first time buyers is 5%. There are other variances that go into the specifics of the down payment amount that your mortgagee will explain to you. If you are lacking a down payment and find that you cannot save enough to make a down payment, don't let this stop you, there may be other options available for you.

There is a program in the Hastings area called the Hastings Down Payment Assistance Program. This is a forgivable down payment loan for 10% of your homes purchase price. The requirements are quite basic, and this is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. I have gone through this process with my clients and it was incredibly easy, quick, and rewarding. If you are eligible for this program, I highly suggest giving it a shot.

Our Listings

2686 COUNTY ROAD 5
$449,999

2686 COUNTY ROAD 5

3
1
View Property
1710 COUNTY ROAD 10
$745,000

1710 COUNTY ROAD 10

3
2
View Property
79 OAK RIDGE BOULEVARD
$680,000

79 OAK RIDGE BOULEVARD

5
3
View Property
412 MAIN STREET
$624,900

412 MAIN STREET

4
1
View Property
22 - 22 PITT STREET
$299,999

22 - 22 PITT STREET

3
2
View Property
295 MAIN STREET
$1,500,000

295 MAIN STREET

5
5
View Property
172 COUNTY RD 27
$3,300 /Monthly

172 COUNTY RD 27

3
2
View Property
4 DORCHESTER DRIVE
$729,999

4 DORCHESTER DRIVE

2
3
View Property
17682 LOYALIST PARKWAY
$874,999

17682 LOYALIST PARKWAY

5
3
View Property
2544 COUNTY ROAD 64
$2,999,999

2544 COUNTY ROAD 64

View Property
130 MARCH STREET
$149,900

130 MARCH STREET

0
View Property
148 BOXLEY ROAD
$1,179,000

148 BOXLEY ROAD

3
2
View Property
131 MICHAEL'S WAY
$899,000

131 MICHAEL'S WAY

3
3
View Property
13481 LOYALIST PARKWAY
$2,600 /Monthly

13481 LOYALIST PARKWAY

3
2
View Property
248 MONTROSE ROAD
$3,500 /Monthly

248 MONTROSE ROAD

4
2
View Property
13481 LOYALIST PARKWAY
$599,999

13481 LOYALIST PARKWAY

3
2
View Property
251 KING STREET
$499,999

251 KING STREET

4
2
View Property
297 MAIN STREET
$829,999

297 MAIN STREET

2
View Property
PT B - 0 MCCULLOUGH ROAD
$149,900

PT B - 0 MCCULLOUGH ROAD

0
View Property
PT A - 0 MCCULLOUGH ROAD
$149,900

PT A - 0 MCCULLOUGH ROAD

0
View Property
14 DECOURCY-IRELAND CIRCLE
$1,299,999

14 DECOURCY-IRELAND CIRCLE

4
4
View Property
3609 COUNTY RD 8
$1,199,000

3609 COUNTY RD 8

View Property
3589 COUNTY ROAD 8
$499,000

3589 COUNTY ROAD 8

3
2
View Property

Additional Buyers Information

You will need to obtain house insurance, and potentially mortgage insurance. Just like your financed car, your mortgagee needs to be protected, as well as your house, if anything were to damage it. This cost will vary with the house, age, condition, etc. But be prepared to pay a couple of hundred dollars a month. I also 100% suggest getting an inspection done. This is usually around $400-$500. The inspector will do the dirty work and find out what’s going on INSIDE the house. They will typically check the attic, the roof, the foundation, the insulation, the electrical systems, the heating and cooling systems, as well as the more obvious issues that need to be addressed, like a stair rail needing replacement.

You will also need a lawyer. The lawyer is the person that handles the transferring of title on closing, and also has the ability to check for any hidden issues with the ownership of the house. The lawyer handles the disbursement of funds, and helps to make your closing date as smooth as possible. This will cost you at least $1000-$1500.

I always recommend having extra money set aside should anything pop up on closing day. There may be adjustments on the closing date that require you to do certain things, ie) pay for a percentage of the filled propane tank. That’s an extra couple hundred dollars. Also the moving truck and moving fees, land transfer tax if you’re not a first time buyer. Everything adds up. Be prepared.'

Be first to know.

Subscribe below to receive new property alerts the moment they are listed.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Real Estate Team Agents Photo