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  Testimonials  |
  Finding the perfect home doesn't always happen over night. There are a number of things you can do to make it easier, one of which you are doing right now, and that’s finding the experts to help you along the way. Buying real estate can be a complex, and lengthy process, that’s why, at HappyHomesBC we’ve designed systems to help make the process simple and easy. With our ‘Client Advantage Program’, your roadmap to Buying real estate, you can be assured we’ve paved the road ahead… Looking for a new home can seem overwhelming at first. There are so many things to think about, so many choices, and often not enough time. Determining your needs is the next important step, so finding out what’s important to you is where the journey begins. Start by taking the time to think seriously about what will be important to you in your next home. It will simplify the process, save you time, and help lead you to the right home for you. At HappyHomesBC, we’ll help you uncover your wants and needs, and reveal the home of your dreams... Here are a few questions to ask that will help prepare you for the road ahead. • Where do I want to live? (community/general area) • How much should I expect to spend on purchasing a home? 
• Are schools a factor? • Do I want to live in an older or newer home? • What style of home do I prefer? (rancher, 2 storey, split-level, multi-level, townhouse, condominium, multi-family, other) • How much renovation and remodeling am I willing to do? • Is being close to public transportation important? • Do I have special physical requirements, such as wheelchair access? • Do I have pets to consider? • What sort of lot would I like? (small yard, large yard, fenced, garage, patio/deck, other buildings) • How many bedrooms do I need? How many would I like to have? • How many bathrooms do I need? How many would I like to have? • How big a house do I want? How many rooms? How many square feet? • What features are important? (air conditioning, carpeting, ceramic tile floors, hardwood floors, eat-in kitchen, separate dining room, formal living room, family room, den, library, basement, separate laundry room, fireplace, workshop, other)  HappyHomesBC Can Help… Good Realtors save you time and money. They know your community, they know what is important when buying and selling a home, and they know all the intricacies of the process, from finding a home, to negotiating a price, to closing a deal. HappyHomesBC will: • Screen the available homes in your neighborhood to make sure that the houses you look at fit your budget and your requirements • Give you important information on local real estate values, taxes, utility costs, services, and amenities • Guide you through the viewing process showing you features you may not have noticed and problems you may not have spotted • Advise you about your legal and financial options • Recommend expert help when needed, such as home appraisal, home inspection, and contracting services • Manage your offers and counter-offers, and use his or her skills and experience as a negotiator to make sure you get the best deal possible Know your team: Like a professional athlete, a team of support behind you, can bring you a long way. That’s why, we will provide you with a list of professionals in the area, who will join on our team, and help you ultimately win at the home buying game. 
Some may fear the legal responsibilities in buying a home, but rest assured, this emotional event is a rollercoaster worth riding. With our team of experts on your side, always available to answer your many questions throughout the process, you will have peace of mind knowing you can trust the experience of a Happy Homes Specialist. We are there when you need us, delivering on our promises to you. Who might you need along the way? - “Your Happy Home Specialist” - Lender or Mortgage Broker - Lawyer or notary - Insurance Broker - Builders or Contractors - Home Inspectors - Appraisers - Land Surveyors First-time Buyers Did you Know? Canada has one of the highest rates of home ownership in the world…two out of three Canadian families own a home. Now, more than ever, is a great time to buy real estate • With the correction in the marketplace, it’s now affordable • With so many homes on the market, this makes it a Buyers Market, meaning you have the most power in the marketplace today • Mortgage Rates are low, making it easier to have an affordable payment Quick Facts… • Homeownership is the single largest source of savings for Canadian households • Most people who are currently renting their home, could probably own a home for what they are paying in rent • The return on your investment in your home can be substantial. Even though the market fluctuates, historically speaking, real estate has ALWAYS been a great investment • Building equity in your first home is the first step on the property ladder. It gets you in the door, and putting you in a good position to trade up to bigger and better house in the future  Q: When should I talk to someone about my mortgage options?  There is nothing more frustrating that falling in love with a home, only to find out you can’t afford it. What’s the best way to avoid disappointment? Figure out your finances before you start looking.Pre-qualifying for a mortgage is the best way to find out how much you can afford. Your financial institution will look at your income, expenses and debt to determine how much they will lend you. Combine that amount with the money you have for a down payment, and that’s your budget. Once you have pre-qualified, consider applying for a pre-approved loan. Then, when you find the home you want to buy, it will speed up the purchasing process. Q: Who should I talk to about my mortgage? Your bank is only one option. Mortgages are available through a number of financial institutions; you should shop around for competitive rates and options. Q: What are the main elements of an offer? Price The price you offer reflects your opinion of the value of the house and is determined by the condition of the property and local market factors. You can make any offer you like. It does not have to be the same as the seller's asking price. Deposit The deposit shows your good faith and will be applied against the purchase of the home when the sale closes. HappyHomesBC can advise you on an appropriate amount. Terms Include the total price offered and the financing details. You may arrange your own financing or ask to assume the seller's mortgage, especially if it has an attractive interest rate. Conditions Conditions are items that must be completed or fulfilled prior to an offer being concluded. These can include subject to home inspection, subject to you obtaining financing, or subject to you selling your existing property. Inclusions and exclusions Your offer may be contingent on certain items being either included or excluded in the sale. These might include appliances, fixtures, and decorative items, such as window coverings or mirrors. Closing or possession date The closing date is generally the day the title of the property is legally transferred and the transaction of funds finalized, unless otherwise specified (except in Manitoba and Quebec). In British Columbia the possession date is legally one to three days after closing. Q: What happens to my offer to purchase after it is drafted? Your offer to purchase will be presented to the seller as soon as possible after it is drafted. The seller can accept your offer, reject your offer, or make a counter offer. Acceptance An accepted offer means the seller has agreed to all the terms and conditions exactly as set forth in your offer to purchase. Rejection A rejected offer means the seller did not agree with any of the terms and conditions set forth in your offer to purchase. Counter offer A counter offer means the seller agrees with some of the terms and conditions of your offer, but not all of them. The seller then makes a counter offer. The counter offer may change the price, the closing date, or add or delete conditions. Once you have received a counter offer you have two choices. You can accept the new terms and conditions or reject them. If you reject them, you can choose to start the whole process over again. Q: What are Land Transfer Taxes? Purchasers in most large Canadian centres can add Land Transfer Taxes to their list of closing costs. Unless you live in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or rural Nova Scotia, Land Transfer Taxes (or property purchase taxes) are a basic fact of life. Land Transfer Taxes, levied on properties changing hands, are the responsibility of the purchaser. Depending on where you live, the taxes can range from 0.5% to 2% of the total value of the property. Many provinces have multi-tiered taxation systems and these can be complicated. If you purchase a property for $260,000 in Ontario, for example, 0.5% is charged on the first $55,000; 1% is charged on $55,000 to $250,000, and 1.5% is charged on $250,000 to $400,000. British Columbia  Property Purchase TaxUp to $200,000 X 1% of total property value From $200,000 up X 2% of total property value After your offer is accepted and all the conditions are met, the offer becomes binding on both sides. If you walk away from the deal at that point, you may lose your deposit. You may also be sued for damages. Make sure you understand and agree with all of the terms of the offer before signing. No matter what type of home or property you're buying, plan on some extra expenses. In some provinces, you may have to pay a land transfer tax (a sales tax on property). You may also have to pay: • a mortgage Broker's fee: • an appraisal fee; • surveying costs (if the seller couldn't come up with a current survey); and, • a high-ratio mortgage insurance premium. • an interest adjustment. Mortgages are normally calculated from the first of each month: if your closing date is the same as the beginning of your mortgage, there will be no adjustment. However, if your closing date is July and you move in on June 15, those last 15 days are the interest adjustment period. Your lender will expect you to cover the cost of the interest during that time. You'll also have to reimburse the seller for the unused portion of any prepaid property taxes or utility bills. As well, you must also pay any legal fees, and, if applicable, any REALTOR® fees. Be prepared to furnish proof to your lender that you have insured your new house as well.  Before the property can formally change hands, there are still a few things to do. Typically, you visit your lawyer's office to review and sign documents relating to the mortgage, the property you are buying, the ownership of the property, and the conditions of the purchase. Your lawyer will also ask you to bring a certified cheque to cover the closing costs and any other outstanding costs. On or before closing day, your lawyer and the seller's lawyer will arrange to transfer title of the property from the seller to you. The mortgage money will be transferred to your lawyer's trust account, and then to the seller, and your lawyer will bill you all additional expenses such as land transfer taxes or outstanding legal fees. At this time, be sure to check with your lawyer that everything is as stated in the offer-to-purchase. Once you're satisfied and the keys to the front door are in your hands, there's nothing else to say... except Welcome to your Happy Home!
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