The Smart Approach To
Home Buying
Between applying for mortgages, sorting through listings, preparing finances, and arranging home inspections, we know that buying a home can feel intimidating.
At SO&Co., we’ve helped countless clients achieve their real estate goals, and have refined our home buying process down to just a handful of simple steps. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned pro on the hunt for bigger and better things, or an investor looking to add to your portfolio, we can help.
We have a smart 7-step strategy for finding your perfect property. Read below to learn more or download our buyer guide now.
01
Let’s Talk.
Tell us what you’re looking for – we’re listening. We’ll start off by sitting down and discussing your objectives, preferred neighbourhoods, timelines and more. Are you a renter thinking about putting down roots? We’ll go over the pros and cons of all the options. Are you curious about the future potential of a neighbourhood? Don’t know whether to buy first or sell first? We’ll advise you on that too.
02
Organize And Prepare.
Getting your ducks in a row early means you won’t end up scrambling when you find the property you want to buy. We will help you arrange financing and choose a dependable lawyer and inspector – you’ll always have several people to choose from to ensure they’re a good fit.
03
Open Up The Buyer Toolbox.
It’s got all the tools you need for searching homes, including a custom-designed app that lets you contact us directly when you see a listing you like. We will set up a Listing Alert search tailored to your preferences to ensure that you’re the first to see new listings as they are posted. Our website also gives you direct, up-to-the-minute access to all TREB listings.
04
Show And Tell.
When it’s time to hit the road, we prequalify the listings you’ll like, and set up showings at times that work for you. We don’t just show homes – we analyze, offer feedback, and give our unbiased opinion. We’ve seen thousands of properties, so we can look past great staging to point out the deficiencies – and we can also see beyond outdated finishes and see future potential.
05
Honest Analysis.
When you’ve found a property you like, it’s time to take a closer look. We will review comparable sales, give you detailed feedback, see if it meets your needs, and figure out its long-term potential. Our goal is to ensure that any decision to buy is an informed one.
06
Make An Offer.
Whether it’s a multiple offer scenario or a single offer, we will guide you through and negotiate for a result that’s in your best interest. We will carefully prepare the offer, explain clauses/conditions, and establish an offer presentation strategy – ensuring you get the property you want. Our strong reputation streamlines negotiations and helps when approaching agents on the other side. We will never push for a quick sale. It has to be right.
07
Wrap It Up.
Once your offer has been accepted, it’s time to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. We’ll make sure all conditions are fulfilled, send all the paperwork to the right people, and do everything else necessary to ensure you have a smooth and successful closing.
Our Frequently
Asked Questions
We know you have questions, and these are the ones we get the most from potential buyers.
Have a question you don’t see here? Check out our Buyer FAQs and Resources page.
Let’s Talk. Step one in the buying process is talking to a realtor. We’ll start off by sitting down to discuss your objectives, preferred neighbourhoods, timelines and more. Your budget will often dictate what options are available, so one of the first things we will do is connect you with a knowledgeable mortgage specialist.
Buyers do NOT pay realtors directly to purchase a home. When you’re working with a real estate agent to buy a home, the commission is offered/paid by the listing brokerage thru the MLS Listing. There are exceptions to this that will be explained when reviewing the Buyer Representation Agreement.
Are you sitting down for this? When buying a house in Toronto typically, a deposit of 5% of the purchase price is required. For example, if you are considering a $1,000,000 home, you would need $50,000 readily available to make the deposit. Don’t worry, that money is put to go use… it’s part of your total down payment.
The day you get the keys is also known as the closing date or completion date. This date would be agreed upon in negotiations and specified on the agreement of purchase and sale document. Your closing date will vary depending on your needs and the sellers needs for moving. Average closing time for a residential property between 30 and 90 days from the time the agreement is signed.