Whether you are an existing homeowner, or if you're buying for the first time, the guidance and service available through Team St. Jean is invaluable.
Keeping you informed and searching the market daily to find you the dream home of your requirements takes dedication and the ability to wade through alot of information in order to save you from wasting your valuable time. Robin and Teresa have a specially designed HOT SHEET computer program that gives them every new listing submitted to the Hamilton/Burlington District Real Estate Board on a daily basis.
Being on top of the latest listings gives you the edge over the other competing buyers. They will then fax, email or drop off these listings immediately for your review. Team this instant new listing access up with Robin and Teresa's years of experience and knowledge of neighbourhoods and you have a winning combination enabling you to keep on top of the market!
Having your own representative is extremely important. Remember when your calling an agent on a sign or an advertisement, the agent you are calling is legally obligated to his client - "the homeowner". A listing agent is restricted to the service and information they can offer you because they are being paid by the homeowner. When you have your own "Representation" namely Robin and Teresa you have someone to ask all the right questions, dig up all the ins and outs regarding the home you're looking at and have the experience of Robin and Teresa to negotiate the terms and price that you're looking for.
No pressure or hassles - when you're dealing with Robin and Teresa as your agent. You don't have to worry about being rushed or pushed. Whether it takes 3 days, or 3 months, their commitment to you is finding the home you're happy with. Without your own representation, you are dealing with the homeowner's agent who just wants to sell his client's home.
Call or email Robin and Teresa St. Jean today to get them working for you. Remember, their service doesn't cost you anything. They are paid through the Real Estate broker representing the home you will eventually buy.
Looking out for your best interests:
By asking a REALTOR to act on your behalf during the purchase of a home, you create an Agency Relationship and become the REALTOR's client. REALTORS always owe their clients full fiduciary duties, such as loyalty, obedience, confidentiality, accountability, duty of care, and full disclosure of all pertinent facts.
The Advantages of Working with a Realtor Are....
Negotiation expertise:
While a REALTOR does many things, one of his or her most important functions is to negotiate on behalf of their clients. When you purchase a home, you want the best deal possible. Your REALTOR's job is to facilitate this by drawing up legally binding contracts, assisting in negotiating offers, offering advice and perspective and, if needed, acting as a mediator during any potential disputes between you and the seller.
Finding the right home and neighborhood for you:
REALTORS spend a lot of time and energy making sure they know their local market inside and out. They are familiar with the current market values of properties in the areas you are looking and are your best resource for finding the right home.
Determining your "wish list":
What is it that you want from your new home? A particular style, design, lot type? Proximity to schools, services, work? A pool? A two-car garage? A specific price range? A REALTOR will help identify exactly what it is you are looking for and ensure that you get to see all the homes that meet your criteria.
Assist with financing needs:
REALTORS are familiar with all of the complexities involved in the pre-qualification, approval and negotiation of mortgage rates. Like many industries, banks are experiencing quite a bit of competition and are often willing to flex from their quoted rates. Experienced REALTORS can often assist in finding the most competitive rates and terms available.
Access to Multiple Listing Services:
REALTORS have exclusive access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The MLS system also allows a REALTOR to examine all properties for sale and short-list the ones that are right for you. This not only offers more choices but also saves you valuable time and effort.
Professional experience:
A REALTOR brings to the table all of his or her knowledge, training and negotiation skills, and will explain exactly what you can expect from the buying/selling process. He or she will be able to explain your rights and obligations, help organize and strategize, and even discuss financing options.
All REALTORS are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This organization requires all of its members to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice. The Code and Standards are very important because they assure that all REALTORS offer the highest level of service, honesty and integrity possible. All REALTORS are subject to constant professional monitoring that keeps them directly accountable to the individual consumers they serve. NAR also ensures that all of its members are knowledgeable and highly trained in order to better serve the public, and offers ongoing education courses so that REALTORS continue to meet the highest professional standards in a constantly changing industry.
The selling and buying of a house can be a stressful and confusing process. Not only is it very expensive to 'learn from your mistakes' but very few people move often enough to gain the needed experience.
Although there is no substitute for doing your homework (start by asking your family and friends who have recently moved for their experiences) the following list of common pitfalls may be helpful.
1. Looking for a house without getting pre-approved by a lender:
When you are pre-approved, you are effectively a cash buyer. This makes it much easier to negotiate with the seller. Do not mistake pre-approval with pre-qualification; pre-qualification is only the first step in gaining pre-approval. Ask your Banker or REALTOR for details.
2. Failing to check out the neighborhood thoroughly before buying:
How do traffic patterns change depending on the day, or even the time of day? Are there any future developments in the works? Is that nice greenspace down the road actually zoned for high-rise development? Ask around - check it out first.
3. Making an offer based upon the asking price, not the actual market value:
Do your homework. What have similar properties sold for in the immediate area? How long were they on the market? How does this one compare? Is it over-priced, under-priced, or fair value? Ask your REALTOR for an up-to-date market summary.
4. Letting "first impressions" affect your decision too much:
There are entire books written on how the first impression of a home is the single most decisive factor affecting many purchasers' decision to buy. Don't let bad décor or messy housekeeping scare you away from a structurally solid home that meets all your needs. Remember, you are buying the house, not the furnishings.
5. Buying a home without a professional house inspection:
When buying a house, consider getting a professional property inspection. Not only will you know what you are buying, but these reports will protect you from unforeseen nasty surprises in both the short and long run.
6. Assuming that the Bank's quoted mortgage rates are written in stone:
Like many industries, banks are experiencing increased competition and are often willing to negotiate mortgage rates. Depending upon the market and profit spreads, it is sometimes possible to negotiate substantial savings. Ask your Banker or REALTOR for details.
7. Not shopping for home insurance until you are ready to move:
If you wait until the last minute, you will be rushed in finding insurance. Allow time to shop around and get the best deal.
8. Signing documents without reading them:
Do not wait until the last minute before reading the documents; there probably will not be time. Try to get copies of all documents early on in your home search so that you can peruse them at your leisure.
9. Making verbal agreements:
Not only are they harder to enforce, but any written contract you sign will override a verbal agreement. Contract law says that verbal agreements are not enforceable when they deal with Real Property. Always get it in writing!
10. Not knowing your rights & obligations:
If you do not know your rights, then you can be taken advantage of. If you do not know your obligations, you may inadvertently cause friction between yourself and those with whom you are about to enter a contract. Both your REALTOR and Lawyer are great sources of information concerning this - make use of their expertise and resources.
Few of us would consider buying a used car without first having a mechanic look it over, or at least taking it out for a test drive. Yet that is exactly what many buyers do when buying a resale home. They often fail to have a professional home inspection performed on the home they are interested in, even though it is probably the largest and most important investment they will ever make.
Fortunately, there is a growing industry of home inspectors to fill this gap. Unless you are an expert, it is highly unlikely that you will catch a home's minor, or sometimes even major, problems during a typical house viewing. This is why it is important to obtain a professional unbiased second opinion before making such an important decision.
A good home inspector will give you an unbiased assessment of the structural and mechanical soundness of the home. He or she will identify any existing or potential problem areas, and give an overview of the condition of the foundation, basement, roof, windows, doors, walls, ceilings, floors, plumbing, electrical, heating & cooling systems. The best inspectors will also make suggestions on how to solve any problems they discover and give a general estimate of possible costs.
A Home Inspection is the best way to 'test drive' your new home. It allows you to make your purchase with confidence. It avoids nasty surprises once the deal has closed, and it offers the chance to rethink or renegotiate an offer if serious concerns do arise.
When hiring a home inspector, make sure of the following:
The majority of purchasers are not overly surprised by the findings of their home inspection. Before getting this far, they have usually had a very close look at the property. And yes, they already know about the peeling paint and old furnace. They may even have noticed the wet basement and taken that into account when making their offer.
It is when an inspection uncovers something unexpected that an inspection condition could save you from making a major mistake. Below are some of the more common problems found in a typical home inspection. While most of these problems are usually obvious and have already been reflected in the purchase price, a home inspection lets you know if your personal opinion of the structural condition of the property is correct (i.e. is it in as good of shape as I think it is?).
1. Minor maintenance problems:
Poor overall maintenance usually leads to a large range of problems that will require the new homeowner's attention. These can include everything from peeling paint to rotting decks.
2. Minor structural problems:
These problems are typical in older homes, and can cover everything from cracked plaster to small movements in the foundation. While they are not likely to cause the house to fall down, they should be corrected before they become more serious.
3. Grading/drainage problems:
This is the most common problem found. It often leads to damp or even wet basements. Correction can range from installing new roof gutters and downspouts to digging up the weeping tiles or simply re-grading the surrounding lawn to channel surface water away from the house.
4. Older/insufficient electrical system:
It is very common to find older homes with undersized services, aluminum wiring, knob-and-tub wiring or inadequate/poorly-renovated distribution systems. It is important to have these problems looked into since they are potentially dangerous.
5. Older/poorly installed plumbing:
It is also very common to find plumbing problems in older homes. Repairs can range from a simple 10-minute fix to expensive replacement. It is a good idea to get an expert opinion.
6. Older/leaking roof:
On average an asphalt roof lasts 15 to 20 years. It is difficult to estimate roof age accurately from the ground unless the roof is either very new or very close to the end of its lifespan. You also need to know how many layers are under it in order to determine if the roof needs to be completely stripped before installing the new shingles.
7. Older heating/cooling system:
Older and poorly maintained heating/cooling systems are inefficient and could pose a serious safety and health risk. While replacement may seem expensive, the newer more efficient systems do reduce heating/cooling costs substantially, thus helping to recoup your investment.
8. Poor ventilation:
Excessive moisture from unvented bathrooms and cooking areas can damage plaster, promote the growth of mold and fungus, deteriorate windows and cause allergic reactions. These problems need to be corrected before the damage becomes excessive.
9. Excessive air leakage:
Poor weather stripping, badly fitted doors, deteriorated caulking and poor attic seals all contribute to a cold and drafty home. Repairs are usually simple and inexpensive.
10. Environmental problems:
These can include asbestos, formaldehyde, leaking underground oil tanks, nearby gas stations, contaminated drinking water, lead-based paint and radon gas. It is important to discuss these potential hazards with a professional and arrange for a specialized inspection if necessary.
That they are well established and have the required experience and credentials.
That they are independent and unbiased - they have no affiliation with any firms that might create a conflict of interest.
That they will provide a thorough written report of their findings
That they stand behind their work. What warranties do they provide?
That they are members of a professional association, such asf ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), NANB (National Association of Home Builders) or ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials).
