With so many differing opinions about real estate these days, buying or selling a home can seem like a daunting task, especially for the everyday person who has little or no real estate experience. But as author Sarah Daniels explains, the process doesn’t have to be painful, and people can come away from the experience feeling happy with the outcome. Covering the basics from A to Z, Welcome Home walks the reader through the various stages of home buying and selling in Canada, all the while adding her own insider secrets and tips. Filled with entertaining, instructive stories and written in an approachable, coversational tone, Daniels offers helpful advice on mortgage financing, interest rates, brokers, and the questions you need to ask about mortgages; how to find a good realtor, the right property, and negotiate a fair deal; how to get your home ready to sell, what renovations to consider and how to effectively stage your home; buying resale vs newly built; and renting out your basement as a mortgage helper.
Spis treści
Acknowledgements ix
Introduction 1
PART 1 Getting Ready 5
Chapter 1 Mortgage Financing 101 7
Chapter 2 Doing Your 'Homework’ 21
Chapter 3 How to Find a Realtor Who Is Right for You 31
Chapter 4 The Pros and Cons of Selling Your Own Home 49
PART 2 Sell Before You Buy 59
Chapter 5 Getting Your Home Ready to Sell 61
Chapter 6 Pricing Your Home 77
Chapter 7: 'Subject to Sale’ Offers and Other 'Subject to’ Conditions You Should Know About 87
PART 3: The Nitty-Gritty Of Purchasing 105
Chapter 8: Buying or Selling a Strata Property (Condo or Townhome) 107
Chapter 9: Newly Built Homes Versus Re-sale Homes 117
Chapter 10: Market Conditions 129
Chapter 11: What to Look Out For, and What Not To Do! 141
Chapter 12: The Offer, the Negotiation and the Close 153
Chapter 13: The Home Inspection–Don’t Buy a Home without One! 177
Chapter 14: Between the Firm Deal and the Move-In Date 187
Chapter 15: Adding a Mortgage Helper to Your Home 199
A Final Word 209
Glossary of Terms You May Encounter Along the Way! 210
Index 225
O autorze
Sarah Daniels is a BC-based Realtor with Bay Realty Ltd., who works in partnership with her brother, Philip Du Moulin. Following a successful career in both radio and television, she transitioned into the world of real estate. While still appearing on local TV shows like Urban Rush, Sarah has also written for Surrey Now and The BC Mortgage Broker magazine. Sarah also emcees a variety of charity events in her free time.