Hilary & Co. Buyer’s Guide

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¡ HOMEBUYERS GUIDE

Collaboration. Confidence. Commitment.

WELCOME.

Thank you for considering working with the Hilary & Co. Real Estate team. We are proud to support you in the purchase of your next home!

The pride that comes with home ownership is one of life’s great joys.

This can be an exciting and stressful time and you’re certain to have many questions.

We hope that our Home Buyer’s Guide will bring clarity and peace of mind during this process. Of course, should you have any additional questions, our team is always available to assist you. We wish you all the best throughout your home buying journey and look forward to helping you invest in your dreams.

ABOUTHARVEYKALLESBROKERAGE

Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage is known for offering luxury service across the Toronto area for homes in every price range. In the face of larger franchises, this independent brokerage has thrived, boasting over 300 sales representatives in 6 offices throughout the Toronto area including Muskoka, Huntsville and Picton. We love being part of this vibrant and cultured region.

Our continuing support of 225 charitable organizations every year has allowed us to maintain a solid reputation as a successful and socially responsible corporation.

Today, Harvey Kalles Real Estate agents, upon association, align themselves with an iconic Toronto brand Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd , Brokerage is synonymous with integrity, honesty, and success. No other real estate brand has more impact.

When working with a Harvey Kalles Real Estate professional, you will have access to:

Atrustedteamofprofessionalsalesrepresentativesdedicatedtoserving yourpersonalrealestateneeds

AwealthofknowledgeandexpertiseintheGTArealestatemarket

Thecurrent,fairmarketvalueofthehomeyouwanttopurchasesoyou don’toverpay

Everythingcurrentlyavailableonthemarketwithinyourcriteria,aswellas insightintowhatiscomingtothemarketsoon

Themostrelevantanduptodatemarketinformationavailable Highlyskillednegotiatorsworkingonyourbehalf

HARVEYKALLESSELECT

At Harvey Kalles, we understand that your experience doesn’t end with the purchase or sale of a home. To ensure you receive the same care, attention, and service you expect from Harvey Kalles Real Estate, we have curated a team of trusted retail and service professionals. Each one is committed to enhancing your real estate journey, and making sure you are taken care of every step of the way... some even offer exclusive discounts and promotions. So, whether you’re looking for the right insurance coverage, the best mortgage provider, moving services, cleaning services, a dream kitchen, or even a beautiful carpet, we can help. Your Harvey Kalles sales representative can provide you with the complete list of participating companies.

LET’SGETSTARTED

To get you started on finding your ideal home and neighbourhood, it’s important to consider several factors. Remember, every buyer is different, and by identifying your unique goals and requirements at the outset, you’re bound to have a more focused and positive buying experience. Though certainly not an exhaustive list, we recommend answering the following questions to help stay focused on what matters most to you.

KEYHOMEBUYINGCONSIDERATIONS

Whattypeofhomeareyoulookingfor?

Singlefamily,semi-detached,townhomeor condominium?

Whatstyleofhomeisbestsuitedforyou?

Bungalow,splitlevel,two-storey?

Howmanybedroomsandbathroomsdo youneed?

Whatareyourhighpriorityfeatures?

Parking,backyard,appliances,ensuite bathroom,fireplace?

Howmuchstoragespacedoyourequire?

Basements,lockers,garage?

Howlongwillyourdailycommutebe? Howeasyisittogettotheplacesyouneedto go?

Howclosedoyouneedtobetotransit, shopping,schools?

Howmuchextradoyouwanttoinvest beyondthepurchasepriceofthehome?

Whatifyoucan’tfindallthefeaturesyou want?Howlongdoyouplantoliveinyour nexthome?

Monthlymaintenancefeesmayapply, dependingonthetypeofhomeyou purchase(freehold,condominium),and shouldbeconsidered.

The following pages will help guide you throughout the home buying process.

KnowWhat &Where YouWantToOwn

The first step is deciding what type of home you are looking for and what features are “must haves” or “would be nice to haves” and where you want to live. Invariably, there will be trade-offs but we will help sort through the options to find you the best home, at the best price, with as many of your wants and needs as possible.

STEPONE WHAT WHERE

DETACHEDHOMES

Ahomethatdoesnotshareanexteriorwallwith anyotherhouseordwelling

SEMI-DETACHEDHOMES&TOWNHOMES

Ahomethatsharesoneormorewalls, andusuallyinsuchawaythateachhouse’slayout isamirrorimageofitsattachedneighbour.

FREEHOLD

Anypropertythatis‘freefromhold’ofanyentity besidestheowner.Theownerofsuchproperty enjoysfreeownershipandcanusethelandfor anypurposesinaccordancewiththelocal regulations.Therearenorestrictionsontheright ofthepropertyownertotransfertheproperty.

CONDOMINIUMS

Realestatedividedintoseveralseparatelyowned properties,surroundedbyjointlyownedcommon areas Asaresultofthecommonareas,amonthly maintenancefee(determinedbythecondo corporation,andadjustedovertime)willbe applicable.Thistypeofpropertyisalsogoverned byasetofcondominiumregulations.

AFFORDABILITY

Whatcanyouafford?Youmustconsider transitcosts,householdobligations,aswellas othercostsofliving

LOCATION

Doyouknowwhereyouwanttolive? Nearaspecificschool?Closertowork? Downtownorsuburbs?

RECREATION&CULTURE

Doyouneedtobeclosetoamenitieslike: schools sportsfacilities libraries hikingtrails parks

FAMILY&FRIENDS

Howimportantisitforyoutolivenearyour familyandfriends?

STEPTWO

FinancingYourNewHome

The mortgage industry is a highly competitive field and it’s important to understand that interest rates can change at any time. Partnering with a mortgage broker or financial institution to help you find the right mortgage at the best rate is a key component of your home buying process

TALKWITHAMORTGAGESPECIALIST

Therearemanyoptionstochoosefromwhenitcomestolenders.Independentmortgage brokerstendtoofferthemostoptionsbecausetheydon’tworkwithjustonebank.However,if youhaveagoodrelationshipwithyourbankorfinancialinstitution,contactthemasyourfirst steptowardsfindingtherightmortgageforyou Besuretocomparerates Shouldyouneedan introductiontoamortgagespecialist,yourHarveyKallesRealEstatesalesrepresentativewill bepleasedtomakeareferral.

COMPLETE&SUBMITYOURAPPLICATIONWITHTHEMORTGAGE BROKERORABANK

Theywillcollectyourfinancialandpersonalinformationtofindouthowmuchmortgage debtyoucanaffordtocarry.

GATHERALLTHENECESSARYDOCUMENTS

Themortgagebrokerwillgiveyoualistofdocumentsthatthebanks/lendersrequireto finalizethemortgage.

OBTAINACOPYOFYOURPRE-APPROVALLETTER

Thisisapowerfulnegotiatingtool.Thesellerofyourdreamhomewillfeelmoreconfident thatyouaretherightpurchasertoenteratransactionwith,aftertheyseeproofoffinancing.

Adepositistypically5%ofthehomepricethatwillbesubmittedtothelistingbrokeragein trustafteryourofferisaccepted.Thisistypicallydonewithin24hoursoftheofferbeing acceptedsoitisbesttohavethismoneyavailableinanunsecuredaccountforeasyaccess.A downpaymentistheinitial,upfrontportionpaidagainstthetotalpriceofahomelessthe depositgivenwiththeoffer.Thoughthesizeofthemortgageloancaninfluencethelending ratereceived,thesizeofthedownpaymentwillimpactthetotalmortgagedebtaccumulated

FEDERALPROGRAMS&TAXCREDITS

Please consult a real estate lawyer and refer to the Canada Revenue Agency for up to date information about the programs they offer. The following programs are subject to change.

RRSPHOMEBUYERS’PLAN

Ifyouareconsideredafirst-timehomebuyer,youmaywithdrawupto$60,000ina calendaryearfromyourRRSPforyourselforforarelatedpersonwithadisability tobuyorbuildaqualifyinghome(obtainingapre-approvedmortgagedoesnot satisfythiscondition).Visitcra-arc.gc.ca/hbpforallconditionsandrules.

FIRST-TIMEHOMEBUYERS’TAXCREDIT

Thistaxcreditassistsfirst-timehomebuyerswiththecostsassociatedwiththe purchaseofahome,suchaslegalfees,disbursementsandlandtransfertaxes. Besuretoconsultarealestatelawyerforthelatestinformationasprogramscan evolveovertime.

GST/HSTNEWHOUSINGREBATE

TheGST/HSTNewHousingRebatecanbeusedbythosewhohavepurchasedanew orsubstantiallyrenovatedhouse,reducingthetaxesowed Often,whenpurchasing throughabuilder,thisrebateisincorporatedintothepurchasepriceofthehome In theevent,thehomeistobeusedasaninvestmentproperty,otherrulesmayapply. Besuretoconsultarealestatelawyerforfulldetails.

REALESTATELAWYER

ThoughtherealestatelawyerisusuallynotneededuntilaftertheAgreementof PurchaseandSaleisaccepted,itishelpfultodecidewhichLawyeryouwouldliketo retaintoclosethepurchase,astherearesometimeslegalquestionsandconcerns thatcomeupduringthebuyingprocess.Itcanbehelpfulforyouandyourreal estateagenttohavealawyerattheirsideduringthisprocess.

STEPTHREE

RealEstateRepresentation

When contracting a real estate agent to represent you in the purchase of a home, it is important to understand whose interests the sales representatives are legally bound to serve in a real estate transaction.

THELISTINGAGENT

TheListingAgentisundercontractwiththesellertomarketandselltheirpropertyforthebest possibleprice,andtoactintheirbestinterests.

THEBUYER’SAGENT

Whenyouengagetheservicesofyourownpersonalagent,itisalegalandethicaldutyforthemto discuss‘Agency’withyou.ItistheirobligationtoexplainBuyerAgencysothatyoucanchoosethebest agencyforyourneeds.Whenyoufirstmeetwithyouragent,youwillbegivenabrochureentitled, RECOInformationGuide.Itisaconciseoverviewofagencyrelationships,alternativesandtheir benefitsThiswillprecedethesigningofaBuyerAgencyAgreementwhichmustbeenteredinto beforeanofferissignedTheBuyerAgencyAgreementwillexplaintheservicesthatHarveyKalles RealEstateLtd,Brokerageandyouragentwillprovide,aswellasourobligationstoyouWritten representationagreementsaremandatoryforallrealestateagentswhorepresentabuyer.

WhenHarveyKallesRealEstateLtd.,Brokerageisactingasabuyer’sagent,wemustdowhat isbestforyou(thebuyer),andconfidentialinformationthatabuyershareswithusmustbe keptconfidential.

On occasion, the brokerage will be acting as a dual agent for both the buyer and the seller. Both parties will have to consent to this arrangement in the Buyer Agency Agreement. In this case, we must be impartial and equally protect the interests of both the buyer and the seller.

FINDINGTHERIGHT REALESTATEAGENT

FORYOU

The Toronto Real Estate Board has more than 50,000 licensed real estate professionals. That’s a lot of choice.

Each agent and their support team will bring their own unique strengths and styles. With that in mind, it’s important to select a knowledgeable, experienced agent, whose personality and approach are most compatible with your personality and objectives.

Knowledgeoftheneighbourhood. Understandingofthekindofhomeyouarelookingfor. Personalfit.Thisagentwillbeworkingwithyoucloselyandactingonyourbehalf. Itisimperativethatyoutrustyouragent.

Remember, the real estate agent is your front-line to success. Take your time in selecting the right person or team.

Your agent is someone who is under contract to work solely in your best interest. They will ensure you are an educated buyer in all aspects of the home buying process Here is a list of services your Harvey Kalles Real Estate agent will provide.

1 Arrangeashowingoftheproperty

abouttheproperty.

3 Explainalltheformsandagreementsrelatedtobuyingtheproperty. 4 Assistwitharrangingfinancingfortheproperty,ifstep2wasnotcompletedfirst 5 Confidentialassistancethataddressesyourneedsfirst. 6 Honest,loyalanddiligentattentionwithoutanyconflictofinterest. 7 AccesstoalllistingsincludingMLS,bankownedproperties,evenhomesthatwere previouslyonthemarketwherethesellermaystillbeinterestedinselling.

Expertadviceonusefulclausessuchashomeinspectionsandfinancingtohelp mitigateriskandensurethatyouarefullyprotected. 9 Expertnegotiationoftheoffertopurchase,toachievethebestpossiblepriceand terms

Expertadviceonmarketvalueandlocation,aswellasadvicetohelpyoudecide whenyoushouldwalkawayfromaparticularproperty.

STEPFOUR

MakingAnEducatedOffer

Now that you have found the home you want to purchase, it is time to make an offer. The ongoing communication and education you will receive from our team will empower you to get the best possible price on the home you desire.

THEAGREEMENTOFPURCHASE&SALE

Thisisthestandardformusedwhenmakinganoffer.Onceacceptedbybothparties,itbecomesthe contractbetweenthebuyerandseller.Itcontainsthedateofyouroffer,thedescriptionofthe propertyyouaremakingtheofferon,theamountofyourdeposit,theamountyouareoffering,as wellasyournameandthenameoftheowneroftheproperty,clauses,closingdatesandanyspecial requirementsyouwanttoimposeonsellers(ie includingkitchenappliances)

WHATHAPPENSNEXT?

The different scenarios are as follows:

THESELLERMAYACCEPTYOUROFFER

Andafteritissignedbybothparties,itbecomesalegallybindingagreement.

THESELLERMAYREJECTYOUROFFER

Andatthispointyouarenotlegallyboundtoanyofthetermsoftheoffer.

THESELLERMAYCOUNTERSIGNYOUROFFER

Changingthetermsoftheofferandpresenttheofferbacktoyou Atthistime,youarefreeto accept,reject,orsendacounterofferChangestotheAgreementmayincludemodifiedsales priceorconditions.

NEGOTIATIONSCONTINUE

Inordertoreachagreeabletermsbetweenthesellerandyourself,oruntilyouragentfeelsan agreementcannotbereachedandrecommendsthatitistimetowalkaway.

YourOfferHasBeenAccepted

Congratulations! Now is the time to satisfy any outstanding conditions, when applicable. Usually, this involves performing a home inspection, getting property information to your mortgage broker or bank, and arranging for other necessary information such as surveys or condominium documents. Our team will help you make the arrangements to ensure that the entire process runs smoothly.

CLOSINGCOSTS

There are often additional costs that are incurred around the time of closing.

Here are a few examples of closing costs:

HOMEINSPECTION

Althoughitisnotmandatory,itisimportanttocheckthatyournewhomewillnotrequireany majorandexpensiverepairsinthefuture.Havingahomeinspectionwillprotectyouagainst thosepotentialproblems.

LEGALFEES

Youwillneedtohirealawyertosearchthetitleofthepropertyandtotransferthemoneyon closingdayThesefeesvaryandyoushouldensurethatthequoteyoureceiveincludesallrelated expensesanddisbursements.

LANDTRANSFERTAX

TheLandTransferTaxischargedwhenapropertychangeshands Theamountisbasedonthe purchaseprice.Insomecases,first-timehomebuyersmaybeexemptfromaportionofthisfee.

STEPSIX

PreparingToMove

It is a good idea to be organized well in advance of the closing date to reduce the stress of the move. Typically, you will have anywhere from 30 to 90 days to get ready for your home. Whether you are using professional movers, renting a truck or getting a bunch of friends together, plan and organize it early.

By taking care of these items early on, you’ll have more time once moving day arrives to take care of any of those little things that might crop up. Starting earlier also helps to keep you from getting overwhelmed.

LEGAL

ConfirmwithyourRealEstateLawyerthatthey’re availabletoclosethepropertyonthedateinyour AgreementofPurchaseandSale.Ensuringlegal documents,titlework,andfundsareinorderaheadof timehelpsavoidlast-minutedelaysandkeepsyour transactionontrack.

INSURANCE

Thelawyerswillneedacopyofyourhomeinsurance beforeclosingsothatthefinancialinstitutionwill releasethemoneytothem.Contactyourinsurance brokerwiththelistinginformation.Theymaywantto knowtheageofthehouse,theconditionoftheroof, furnaceandelectricalsystem

CHANGEOFADDRESS

Startgivingoutyournewaddresstoyourbank,doctors, schools,subscriptionsandyourfriendsandfamily ContactCanadaPostandarrangeforyourmailtobe forwardedtoyournewaddress

TIPSFORPACKINGLIKEAPRO:

✓ DEVELOPAMASTER“TO-DO-LIST” Soyouwon’tforgetsomethingcritical.

✓ PURGE

Getridofthingsyounolongerwantorneed.Haveagaragesale,donateto charity,orrecycle.

✓ PACK‘LIKE’ITEMSTOGETHER

Puttoyswithtoys,kitchenutensilswithkitchenutensils.

✓ DECIDEWHATYOUPLANTOMOVEYOURSELF,IFANYTHING

Preciousitemssuchasfamilyphotos&valuablebreakablesshouldprobably staywithyou.

✓ USETHERIGHTBOXFORTHEITEM

Looseitemsencouragebreakage.Putheavyitemsinsmallboxessothey’re easiertolift Don’tover-packboxes

✓ WRAPEVERYFRAGILEITEMSEPARATELY Andpadthebottomandsidesofboxes

✓ LABELEVERYBOXONALLSIDES

Usecolour-codedlabelstoindicatewhichroomeachitemshouldgoin

✓ COLOUR-CODEAFLOORPLAN

Foryournewhousetohelpmovers

✓ KEEPYOURMOVINGDOCUMENTSTOGETHER Includingphonenumbers.

✓ BACKUPYOURCOMPUTERFILES Beforemovingyourcomputer.

✓ INSPECTEACHBOXANDALLFURNITUREFORDAMAGE Assoonasitarrives.

✓ PREPAREANOVERNIGHTBAG

Packanovernightbagforeachmemberofyourhouseholdwithtoothbrush, clothes,phonecharger,medicationandanythingelseyou’llneed.

Congratulations on your new home!

BEYONDTHESALE

WHETHER IT’S SMALL UPDATES OR MAJOR RENOVATIONS, OUR TEAM HAS TRUSTED CONTACTS TO HELP YOU MAKE YOUR NEW HOUSE FEEL LIKE HOME.

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