Why Choose Dave Brown
Your choice of realtors is one of the most important decisions you make when purchasing real estate. You want the right agent working for you and Dave Brown brings a wealth of local knowledge – he has lived as a full-time resident in Whistler since 1991 and has purchased and sold properties in Whistler and the Sea to Sky Corridor since 1994. Dave strives to provide his clients with top-level service and information. He sees himself as a real estate educator, rather than a salesperson, working with clients to find their perfect match.
The Home Buying Process
Once you’ve decided you’re ready to buy a property, it is time to begin the home buying process. Each step is important in making your decision to be a homeowner. Some of these steps may need to be repeated.
14 Steps to Buying a Home
- Evaluate Your Needs
Assess what you like and what you need, but your needs are most important. You may want three bedrooms, but two will suffice. Make a list of both and decide on the crucial ones. - Receive Financial Approval
Get in touch with your mortgage broker or financial advisor. You will want to discuss your current financial situation and determine the amount of mortgage for which you can be approved. This is a crucial step as it helps to determine your price range. - Meet with Dave
This is when you connect with Dave, your Whistler realtor, to discuss what type of property will suit you best. You will sit down with him to determine the price range you are comfortable with, the number of required bedrooms and bathrooms, and any location preferences. - View Properties
Dave will set up appointments for you to view some potential properties. This will give you an opportunity to see if there is anything that will meet your likes, and that will definitely meet your needs. You may find something the first time out and you may not. - Re-Assess Your Requirements
At this point, you may have found the perfect property and feel ready to move to the next step. If you have not, you may want to review your likes/needs list as it may be too constraining, or not constraining enough. Revisit steps 3 and 4 in this situation. - Evaluate the Market
Once you have found the perfect property, Dave will prepare a Market Evaluation. This is a list comprised of three things: comparable properties currently for sale, properties that have recently sold, and properties that haven’t sold (are expired). In doing so, we can determine if the seller asking price is fair given current market conditions, and where we should start with regards to an offer price. - Make an Offer
This is where a Contract of Purchase and Sale is drawn up. Dave will include things such as the offer price, the dates you want to complete the sale and take possession, the subject conditions (financing, building inspection, etc.) and the items you want included in the price. - Negotiate a Sale
This is where Dave works hard to get you the best possible sale price. He will present your offer to the listing realtor and / or seller. - Review Subject Conditions
Once you have an accepted offer with the Seller on terms and conditions in the contract, you will need to work on removing subject conditions. The subject conditions are an opportunity to do your homework and make sure you’re satisfied with all subject conditions. This is typically a 10-day to 2-week period where you may have a building inspection done, strata meeting minutes to review, or approval to be obtained for financing from your lender. Once all subject conditions have been reviewed and you are 100 per cent comfortable in proceeding, you must sign a subject removal form. This is the point when you make your firm commitment to the property. - Choose a Lawyer or Notary
In British Columbia, a lawyer or notary public is required to do your conveyance. This is when the title to the property is transferred into your name. - Prepare for Completion and Possession
There is a waiting period until completion and then you will complete on one day and move into your property at noon the next (unless specified otherwise in the contract). To prepare for completion, review Dave’s To Do on Completion list to ensure you have transferred all your services, utilities and insurance. - Move In Day!
Congratulations. This is the day you officially own the property and can move in or begin to rent. Thank you for trusting me with your real estate purchase.
Learn more about selling your property with Dave Brown.
