Hasmik (Mikki) Avetissian
Chartered Real Estate Agent
Agent  Immobilier agréé

 

 (514) 685-5757

 

 


RE/MAX Invest
Courtier Immobilier Agrée
Chartered Real Estate Broker




Buyer's guide Print E-mail

For many of us, owning a home is a lifelong dream. It brings with it pride of ownership, security and a feeling of control over which improvements are made and how much they cost. There’s also the chance your home will increase in value, making it a sound financial as well as a lifestyle investment. When we buy a house there are lots of important things to be considered. Location, style and price are among the most fundamental ones. So, there are important decisions to be made. The purchase of a home is also very emotional! This is when we need somebody next to us to help us! Somebody who knows well the real estate market and the procedures, a counselor that will work with us and represent us. I am here for you.

Determine your individual needs

The reasons for buying property vary widely from one person to another. It is therefore extremely important to discuss your individual needs with your real estate agent before visiting a property.

Before making an appointment with your real estate agent, draw up a list of the factors important to you and determine your individual needs such as locality, price, type of property, number of bedrooms, surroundings, public utilities, and so on.

Check with your financial institution to find out how much you can afford to carry as a mortgage and have the loan amount preauthorized.

Talk to a RE/MAX agent

Once you have analysed your individual needs, talk to your neighbourhood RE/MAX agent. If you are moving out of the area in which you currently reside, your local agent will be able to refer you to a professional RE/MAX agent in the area of interest to you.

If you do not know a local RE/MAX agent, contact us by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , making certain to leave us your name, address and telephone number. We shall gladly refer you to a professional RE/MAX agent.

Checklist for visiting a property

Here is a checklist to use each time you visit a property. It will help you compare the various properties you visit and more easily come to a decision as to which property is best suited to your needs.


Checklist
Date of visit:
 
Address:
 
Location:
 
Property type:
 

Yard
Excellent
Satisfactory
So-so
Area
 
 
 
Landscaping
 
 
 
Fence
 
 
 
Exterior
 
 
 
Insulation
 
 
 
Doors and windows
 
 
 
Roof and eaves troughs
 
 
 
Garage
 
 
 
Services
 
 
 
Schools
 
 
 
Daycare
 
 
 
Public transit
 
 
 
Parks
 
 
 
Shopping centre
 
 
 

You've found your dream house?

REMEMBER TO NOTIFY CURRENT SERVICE PROVIDERS PRIOR TO MOVING AND TO TAKE ACTION AS REQUIRED WHEN SETTLING INTO YOUR NEW LOCATION


Public Utilities
Electricity
 
Gas
 
Water
 
Garbage collection
 
Telephone
 
Cable television
 
Heating fuel
 

Local services and accounts
Banks
 
Finance companies
 
Credit cards
 
Diaper service
 
Current accounts
 
Retail stores
 
Milk delivery
 
Bread delivery
 
Laundromat
 
Dry cleaner
 
Pharmacy
 
Shoe repair
 

Community services
Schools
 
Libary
 
Professionnals
Doctor
 
Dentist
 
Notary
 
Broker
 

Insurance
Life
 
Accident
 
Personal property
 
General public liability
 
Social
 
Commercial and professionnal
 

Federal Government
Post office
 
Veteran's affairs
 
Income tax office
 
Family allowance
 
Old age security
 
Employment insurance
 

Provincial Government
Health and hospitalization
 
Quebec pension plan
 
Vehicle registration
 
Driver's licence
 
Pension plan
 

Moving Day Checklist
  • Read all meters
  • Lower or turn off heating
  • Turn off all lights
  • Shut and lock all doors, latch all windows
  • Turn over keys to new occupants
  • Have telephone disconnected
  • Take out all garbage

Expenses to allow for when buying property

  • Inspection of property by building expert
  • Mortgage arrangements with bank

    Conventional loan (25 % cash)

    Loan insured by CHMC (less than 25 %)

  • Deposit to accompany Offer to Purchase

Expenses to allow for when signing before notary

  • Deposit to accompany Offer to Purchase
  • Tax redistribution and refunds :

    Refunds are calculated from the date of the signing of the deed of sale. You are responsible for reimbursing the seller for the number of days paid to date.

    1. Municipal taxes
    2. School taxes

  • Heating oil tank

    The seller is required to have the tank filled on the day of the signing of the deed of sale and submit the invoice to the notary for reimbursement in full by the buyer.

  • Electricity meter (Hydro Québec)

    The buyer and the seller must notify Hydro Québec of the date the property is scheduled to change hands, have the meter read, and ensure that all amounts owing are properly allocated.

  • Homeowner insurance

    Upon signing of the deed of sale, you must present proof that you have contracted homeowner's insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the mortgage on the property.

Expenses to allow for after having signed the deed of sale

  • Land transfer or welcome tax

    The municipality in which you settle will bill you within four (4) to six (6) months of the signing of the deed of sale in an amount based upon the selling price and scaled as follows :

    • 0.50 % of amounts up to $ 49 999
    • 1.00 % of amounts between $ 50 000 and $ 250 000
    • 1.50 % of amounts over $ 250 000

  • Moving, painting, interior and exterior decoration, etc.