Buying Guide

Below is a 10 step by step guide designed to familiarize you with the home buying process. Your KW agent will navigate you through the entire process of buying a home, with step by step access to the process using the KW Consumer App!

Step 1: Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Why should you get pre-approved? Simple – to determine what you can comfortably afford. It also allows us to move quickly when we find the right house. If you have not yet been pre-approved, you can speak to one of our trusted Key Partners to start this step.

Step 2: Start your Search

The first step in buying a new home is for us to identify the neighborhoods you want to live in. Save your favorite homes, then add them to a collection – where we can comment and collaborate to determine which ones we want to view in person.

Step 3: Tour Homes

Together we will schedule and arrange to visit the homes you're most interested in, together and in-person, to determine the best fit for you. Your KW agent can show you any home that is listed on MLS without any real estate fees or commissions paid by you. 

Step 4: Make an Offer

Once you’ve narrowed down your list and have a clear favorite, we're ready to make an offer on a home. Your KW agent will advise you on key conditions and clauses in your offer such as offer price, deposit amount, closing date, inclusions, and clauses to protect you in regards financing and inspection requirements.

Step 5: Execute the Contract

Once an offer is made, your KW agent will assist in negotiating the best terms for you. If your offer is accepted, together we will work through the conditions and requirements of your offer during what is called a conditional phase. This typically can take 1-2 weeks and if any amendments are needed, we will execute those during this time and will also correspond and send the necessary documents to your mortgage specialist and lawyer to ensure all conditons are met on time. 

Step 6: Secure Financing

Once your mortgage specialist or bank is able to obtain an approval for your financing, they will review the terms and payments with you and provide a finance approval letter which we will use as proof that your financing condition is satisfied. You can click here for a list of our mortgage Key Partners.

Step 7: Conduct a Home Inspection

A professional home inspection, which discloses vital information about a home, is a must before finalizing your purchase. A professional home inspector will inspect all systems of the house including foundation, roof, windows, electrical, plumbing, heating, and more. This inspection will reveal any non functioning items or safety concerns and will also provide you with plenty of general information required to ensure your home is kept in top condition after you move in. You can click here for a list of our home inspection Key Partners.


Step 8: Obtain Home Insurance

Once your financing is secured and inspection is done, we will need to ensure that your home is insurable for property insurance. A comprehensive home insurance policy will offer you peace of mind against unforseen circumstances such as flooding, fire, theft and more.

Step 9: Arrange for Moving and Service Connections

As closing day approaches, you will need to coordinate plans to move your personal belongings, either on your own or with the help of professional movers. You will also need to schedule connection of services such as electricity, phone, internet, etc. Closing days can often face delays, so we suggest not having these suplliers arrive on the morning of closing to be safe.

Step 10: Close on your New Home

The big day is finally here! There are a lot of moving pieces on closing day and your KW agent will stay in constant cummincation as needed. If you haven't done so already, you will need to meet with your lender and lawyer today to finalize signatures on all the legal doscuments. You will also deliver your closing costs to your lawyer and will do a "pre-closing walkthrough" with your KW agent to ensure the house is in the same condition as when you last viewed it, garbage and owner's belongings are removed, and the items you've asked to have included are still there.Once the closing package is exchanged between the lawyers representing you and the seller, the property is considered closed and you can get your new keys from either your KW agent or your lawyer!

Questions? Contact us, speak with one of our agents or click here to start your home search!

The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are member’s of CREA. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by CREA and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.