Buyer Services — Easy List Realty

1) Buying a Home: Your Needs, Now and in the Future

Get Pre-qualified. Before you start looking for a home, talk to a lender to understand your budget. Pre-qualification gives you a price range; pre-approval validates your documentation and credit. Aim for a home that fits most of your needs for the next 5–10 years.

Size Click to toggle

How many bedrooms and bathrooms?
Do you need space for a home office?
Parking—what type and how many cars?

Special Features Click to toggle

Air conditioning type; storage or hobby space;
Fireplace, pool, or accessibility needs;
Energy-saving and indoor air-quality features.

Lifestyles & Stages Click to toggle

Will you need a home office or have children soon?
Teenagers moving out? Approaching retirement?
Will an older relative live with you at some point?

2) What Location Should You Choose?

A great home in the wrong location may not be the right fit. Consider:

City, town, or rural; commute time and cost;
School access and routes; walkability and parks;
Proximity to family and friends; daily services within walking or cycling distance.

3) Do You Want a New Home or a Previously-Owned Home?

New Home Click to toggle

Up-to-date design and materials; ability to choose certain finishes. Watch for extras (landscaping, driveway). New homes generally have lower maintenance costs and often come with warranties. Taxes (GST/HST) may apply; some rebates exist on qualifying homes.

Resale Home Click to toggle

Established neighbourhood and landscaping; see what you’re buying. GST/HST typically doesn’t apply unless substantially renovated. May require updates or repairs such as roof or windows.

4) What Type of Home Should You Buy?

Single Family

Detached home on its own lot; maximum privacy.

Semi-Detached

Joined on one side; often lower cost to buy & maintain.

Duplex

Two units (often stacked). Live in one, rent the other.

Row/Townhouse

Side-by-side homes with shared walls; separate outdoor space.

Stacked Townhouse

Two-storey units stacked; each with exterior access.

Link / Carriage

Joined at garage/carport; looks detached on small lots.

Apartment / Condo

Self-contained unit in a multi-unit building.

Manufactured / Modular / Mobile

Factory-built homes transported to site; mobile retain ability to move.

5) Forms of Ownership

Freehold

You own the land and structure outright. Follow local bylaws and codes.

Condominium (Strata)

Own your unit and share common areas via an owners’ association.

6) What Professionals Should You Call On?

Lenders or mortgage brokers
Lawyers or notaries
Insurance brokers
Home inspectors
Appraisers
Land surveyors

7) The Lender or Mortgage Broker

Compare terms and options across banks, credit unions, and other lenders. Mortgage brokers can shop the market for you.

8) The Lawyer/Notary

Protects your legal interests, checks for liens and orders, and reviews contracts before you sign.

Choose a licensed, local real-estate professional with clear fees.
Able to explain plainly; experienced with condos if applicable.

9) The Insurance Broker

Property insurance protects the lender’s security and your replacement cost. Consider mortgage life insurance; compare rates.

10) The Home Inspector

A visual assessment of structure and systems: foundation, roof, windows/doors, attic, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, ventilation, site drainage, and common areas for condos.

Hire an experienced, insured inspector with references and formal accreditation where available.

11) The Appraiser

Provides an unbiased valuation using physical/functional review, comparable sales, and current market conditions. Lenders may require an appraisal.

12) Final Notes

Take the time to find the right home. Negotiate a fair offer and work with your and the seller’s lawyer/notary to complete escrow and closing steps.

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