We're Excited to be Your Realtors!

So you are thinking about buying a new home ... how exciting!!   This will be one of the largest investments you make in your lifetime so you want to ensure that you have all the possible expertise available to you.  Sure you know the kind of house you like and just as importantly - the kind you don't like ... but there is a lot more to 'house hunting' than that.   

There are a myriad of things to consider when purchasing a house and that is why we (Walter , Peggy, Nick & Dayna) have surrounded ourselves with a 'team' of professionals to help guide you through a smooth transaction.  It is difficult to understand why some people would buy without the expertise of a realtor or their professional team.  

The Real Estate Process:   A Condensed Version:

I.  Pre-Qualified by a Mortgage Broker

Before you begin to search for your perfect house a good place to start is with a qualified & trusted mortgage broker.  This may be with your local bank or trust company or it may be an independent broker.  Either way you want someone who is experienced and knowledgeable - someone you can trust.  At this meeting you will be asked to provide financial information and this will lead to what is one of the most important features of your mortgage - the interest rate.  Don't be fooled a 1/4 percentage point CAN make a big difference in your mortgage over time.  Financial institutions are very competitive so it will pay to shop around.  By the end of this meeting you will be clear on the price range of house that we can start hunting for. 

II.  Now we go shopping (or hunting if you don't shop)!

Having a clear idea from you what price range you are looking for and some of your other criteria we will begin our search by narrowing down homes on the Multiple Listing Service internet system.  Once we have our qualified list of homes we can book appointments and start  looking.   

Make sure you wear some slip on shoes because tying up laces just takes too much time - we have a lot of ground to cover!!!  You'll have to remind Walter to take a break once in a while because when he gets on a search he doesn't give up!  We may be fortunate and see 'your' house right away or we may have to wait and see what comes up on the market.  Either way we will be earnestly helping you as if it were our own home we were looking for. 

III.  Hooray - you found one! (but you can't get excited yet)

Congratulations you found one you love (except you can't get excited yet - sorry).  This is where your realtors can be invaluable.  As your realtors we have your best interest in mind and we act as your agents in presenting your offer and negotiating a price on your behalf without the emotion.  Of course, the common ground of price has to be met before any transaction can take place but there are other considerations too.    

IV.  Contract of Purchase & Sale

Most Contracts of Purchase and Sale contain 'subject to' clauses which must be satisfied before the transaction takes place.  We want to, among other things, ensure that you are able to get your financing in place as well as have a professional building inspector's report on the property.  These are just a few of the examples of some 'subject to' conditions.  You will be entering into a Contract the terms of which will be binding upon you.  We can recommend a number of reputable lawyers that can advise you on your obligations under contract law.   

V.  Fulfilling the Subject Clauses 

Once the price, dates & details are agreed to and a binding Contract of Purchase and Sale is entered into by both parties we begin to fulfill some of the subject clauses.  For example, we prefer to have you attend at the Home Inspection so you become very familiar with your possible new home.  If there are any unpleasant surprises with the home inspection it may be necessary to renegotiate or cancel our contract but if after all conditions have been satisfied and met with your approval we will have you sign a 'subject removal' form and the contract becomes firm and binding.  

VI.  Time to Start Packing

While you are packing up boxes and picking out new colours for your new home we will be busy sending paperwork to our conveyancing team and your lawyer who will in turn be busy preparing the documents to ensure you receive clear title to your new home and that they are registered at the appropriate Land Titles Office.  We are your link between you and the vendor, mortgage lender, insurance agent, and lawyer.   

VII.  Moving Day!

And now the keys - this is our favorite part!!  On the 'possession' date we meet you at your new house and give you the keys (although we do suggest that you have the locks changed in your house for security purposes).  We know that you have your work cut out for you now and we look forward to visiting you when you have turned the house into your home!

Walter Grapentin & Associates are proud to be official sponsors of the Children's Miracle Network and believe in giving back to the communities in which they live and work.  Part of their commission for each real estate transaction, whether buying or selling, goes toward a donation to the Children's Miracle Network to help kids right here in Kelowna.   Walter, Peggy, Nick & Dayna want to thank you for your business and thank you for helping them help kids!