Buyers

School Districts & Bus Routes for Windsor-Essex One of the most important aspects to consider if you’re interested in the homes for sale in Windsor-Essex if you have kids is the schools in the area and the available bus service to and from those schools. There are a number of great resources available to you to help you find out more about the school bus routes and school districts in Windsor-Essex.   School Bus Route Information This website contains all of the information about school bus routes, times, and more to help you plan transportation to and from school for your children. This includes information for both the Public and Catholic School Board, so no matter what school your children will be attending, this website has helpful information for you. Click Here for School Bus Route Information   School Boundaries Learn more about what schools your children would be eligible to attend based on the location of your new home and your chosen school for both the Public and Catholic school boards. Click Here for School Boundary…

Needs vs. Wants Learn how your agent can help you assess your needs and wants so you can purchase the right home at the right price. Separating your must-have features from the ones you can live without Just as you wouldn’t set out to buy the Thanksgiving Day groceries without a list, you shouldn’t start looking at houses before you know for sure what you want and need in a home. Focus your home search early on by writing out the features your new house absolutely must have, and those features that, while nice to have, are not necessarily deal breakers. You can start by asking yourself the following questions: Cost Knowing your budget will help you decide which of your desired home features should stay on your shortlist. Here are the two factors to consider: How much can I afford to spend on my new house? How much renovating and remodeling am I willing to do? Neighbourhood Some home buyers are willing to compromise on location, and for others location is everything. To determine how important it is…

Choosing a Neighbourhood Find the right real estate in Canada for you When it comes to Canadian real estate we’re fortunate to have clean, livable cities, neat and attractive subdivisions, and neighbourhoods that are ideal places to live, work and play in. When it comes to finding the right community for you, it's not so much a matter of finding a good community, as picking the best of many. Of course, every area has its good and bad points. It’s easy to learn the pluses when you’re out looking at homes for sale – those features will be trumpeted in the real estate listings and by the seller’s agent. But uncovering an area’s/home's drawbacks takes a little more digging. The first place to head to is your local Royal LePage real estate office. Royal LePage agents have a wealth of knowledge about the communities within their territory. They can help you choose the neighbourhood that is best suited to you and your family, and show you the best places to look for homes for sale. Here are just a…

Elements of an Offer to Purchase Putting it in writing for the seller After much deliberation, you have finally selected the home of your dreams. What now? Do you knock on the seller’s door with a sack full of cash and demand the keys? Not quite. Buying real estate isn’t like buying a pack of gum down at the variety store. There is a process to be followed, and the first step is to make a purchase offer. Your real estate agent, working in close consultation with you, will prepare the Offer to Purchase. The Offer to Purchase is an important legal document that says you agree to buy the seller’s house (often contingent on certain conditions). This process is not as straightforward as it sounds. You want the seller’s house, but to reach that point, you must be mindful of the seller’s reaction to any conditions you demand in the offer. Types of home purchase offers Your offer can be firm (without conditions), or conditional: Firm offer to purchase a home: This is usually preferable to the seller, because it means…

Closing a Purchase What fees will you own on closing day? Buying a home can be hectic. You’re coordinating meetings, arranging for financing and the house inspection, and making moving plans – all this and more on top of your usual responsibilities. It can seem like you’re being pulled in a million different directions as you approach closing day and prepare to move into your new house. In all the commotion it can be easy to forget budgeting for closing costs. These are fees owed on, or by, closing day that must be paid for your house purchase to be complete. Most of these fees are in addition to, and separate from, your mortgage loan (although some closing costs can be tacked onto your mortgage). Closing costs can amount to a significant expense. Experts recommend budgeting at least 1.5% of the purchase price toward closing costs. To give you a rough idea of what to expect, some of the most common expenses are listed below. These expenses are approximations only – they may vary by region, and are…