1. After discussing your needs, I will develop search criteria based on the parameters discussed.
2. You will receive emails from me with hand picked listings in real-time that I think maybe a great fit, in addition to automatic daily email alerts of all new listings that meet your criteria.
I will also be actively searching for "off-market" properties for you - properties not listed on MLS.
3. I will treat all potential listings with a sense of urgency, and always suggest my clients do the same as you never know when something will sell.
4. Don't be shy! Please ask to see properties that interests you - even slightly.
5. I can pre-inspect properties to ensure your time is not wasted.
6. Some listings will have an "offer day" and some will accept offers any time.
This will also impact the urgency of the showing and how realistic the asking price is.
I will always provide that information to you.
7. When we see houses, you will always get an honest and knowledgeable assessment of the property.
My goal is always to find you the right house.
Not the right house right now.
8. Feedback from you is critical to the process - the more I know about your preferences, the easier it will be to find the perfect home.
9. Once we find something you love, I will provide a detailed analysis of the value of the property.
I rely on a combination of analytics and market knowledge to ensure you make sound investment decisions.
10. Offer time! I will walk you through the offer process whether it's an offer date situation or traditional buyer/seller one on one negotiations.
Finacing
• Have you been pre-qualified from a bank or mortgage broker?
• Will you have a sufficient deposit to be submitted with an offer?
• Is this money available in your savings/chequing account?
• If not, when will you have access to it?
• What kind of down payment are you looking at (5% to 20%)?
• What is your timeline for moving?
We are working with top mortgage specialists who can help you with all your financing needs.
What we can offer?
KNOWLEDGE & SKILL
We know the problems to look for in a house, such as poor construction, good finishes, and quality of workmanship.
We also make recommendations on 3rd party providers such as mortgage brokers, home inspectors, lawyers, movers and decorators.
Having seen thousands of homes, renovated and built, we know what to look for
AVAILABILITY
Our team is ready to go when you are
HONESTY & INTEGRITY
Our team is ready to go when you are
SEALING THE DEAL
With professional negotiations training from some of the top business professionals in the world, I provide a unique skill set that benefits you when it really matters - offer day.
Can I offer now?
When you decide you want to make an offer on a property, the first thing we will do if time permits is advise you to sleep on it and visit a second time.
We determine whether there is an "offer day" or if they are accepting offers any time.
In the "offer day" scenario, you will have to either wait until the requested day to make an offer, or provide a "motivating" offer to encourage a seller to consider your offer before the offer day.
What should my offer look like?
I will strategize with you on the key components of the offer: Price, closing date, deposit, any conditions or special clauses.
What are conditions?
Conditions are inserted into an offer to allow a buyer to do their due diligence on a certain topic before an agreement of purchase and sale becomes firm. Typical conditions are home inspection, financing, solicitor approval and status certificate review (condos). Due dilligence can often be done in advance of the offer date.
What deposit do I need to provide and when?
A suggested minimum deposit is 5% of the asking price of a property depending on competition.
The bigger the deposit, the safer the seller feels.
This is supplied by bank draft or certified check on acceptance or within one business day of acceptance, depending on what is stipulated in the offer.
It improves the strength of an offer to provide a deposit with the offer itself whenever possible.
BINGO!
If you didn’t provide a deposit with the offer, now is the time.
If your offer had conditions:
You must immediately work with the relevant professional who can help you conduct your due diligence on the condition.
For example:
- send the agreement to your mortgage broker or lawyer
- book a home inspection
- send a status certificate to your lawyer for review...
Once you have satisfied yourself on the condition, you must sign a document that confirms you have fulfilled the conditions and it’s sent to the seller's representative within the timeframe stipulated in the offer.
If your offer is firm... or once the conditions are fulfilled:
- Provide us with your lawyer's contact information and if you need a recommendation, we can provide one.
- Secure home and title insurance before closing.
- Consult the moving checklist in this package.
Additional Closing Costs
Balance of Purchase Price
The purchase price less your initial deposit.
Usually the bulk will come from your lender and become your mortgage.
Legal Fees
Amount varies depending on the purchase price - approx $1,800 - $2,000 - plus disbursements.
If purchasing a condo, an additional fee may apply for status review.
Title Insurance
Sometimes included in your legal fees, $250-$400.
Adjustments for Utilities/Condo Fees/etc
Reimbursement to Seller for prepaid utilities, etc.
CMHC Insurance Premium
Insurance premium charged if you have less than 20% down payment
Property Insurance
Knob & Tube Wiring
Many insurance companies now consider knob and tube wiring unsafe or significantly higher risk.
If you purchase a home that was built prior to the 1950s, it will most likely contain knob and tube wiring, unless it has been updated.
Buyers of such homes will soon discover that they may not obtain insurance for the house.
There are several companies that will insure homes with knob and tube wiring but at a higher premium, while other companies will provide the owner with a small period of time to remove the knob and tube and update the home with modern copper wiring.
Call your home insurance company to ascertain their policy regarding knob and tube wiring.
Underground Oil Tanks
While most environmental issues are typically beyond the scope of a standard home inspection, the issue of buried oil tanks can occasionally rear its ugly head in a real estate transaction.
According to Provincial legislation, abandoned underground fuel tanks must be removed.
An underground oil tank which has not been used for two years must have the product removed from the tank and the tank removed from the ground.
The soil around the tank must then be tested for contamination.
Any contaminated soil must be removed and the cavity filled to grade level with clean fill.
All work must be done by a registered contractor.
In straightforward cases, soil testing and tank removal will likely cost a minimum of $3,000.
However, if any contaminated soil is discovered, costs can skyrocket.
Kitec plumbing
Kitec plumbing consists of flexible aluminum pipe between an inner and outer layer of plastic pipe (PEX pipe) with brass fittings.
Marketed as a cheaper and easy-to-install alternative to copper piping, Kitec was sold between 1995 and 2007 for potable water, in-floor, and hot-water baseboard heating systems.
The sizing of the pipe requires fittings from its own manufacturer, IPEX, and these fittings were made with a high zinc content that caused dezincification in situations with aggressive water conditions.
This in turn could either restrict water pressure or cause the fittings to fail completely, causing flooding and water damage to homes.
Call your home insurance company to ascertain their policy regarding Kitec plumbing..
UFFI
UFFI stands for Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation.
UFFI was commonly used as a "retrofit" insulation on existing houses.
The foam was injected behind walls and in areas where installing other forms of insulation wasn't practical.
UFFI was most commonly used in the 1970s.
This was the period of the "Energy Crisis", which was triggered by the OPEC oil embargo.
Between 1975 and 1978, the government implemented a program known as the Canadian Home Insulation Program (CHIP), which offered financial incentives to homeowners to increase the insulation levels for their homes.
As the result of perceived health problems associated with UFFI, the insulation was banned by the Canadian government in 1980.
When Buying Property
Our boutique brokerage enjoys an unparalleled reputation and loyal name recognition.
With tireless energy, innovative and educative approaches, we consistently attract buyers and sellers.
We creatively negotiate our clients' means and dreams, and invariably achieve optimal results
EXPERIENCE
The Slavens name has been an integral part of the Real Estate Industry since the 1970's.
Many of our salespeople have 20+ years of experience.
Many of our salespeople have 20+ years of experience.
We continue to grow and thrive due to successful results and exceeding our customers' expectations.
MARKETING
Engaging in targeted markets, we have a significant reach through our social media platforms and emarketing as well as through traditional media.
Our in-house Marketing department works with our agents to tailor plans to specific clientele.
TEAM
We work with a group of trusted home inspectors, contractors and lawyers to make the process as smooth and stress free as possible.
RESULTS!
We have a proven track record of delivering results to thousands of clients.
