Tag Archive for: advice

Closing on a Home Avoid Doing These 4 Things

Closing on a Comox Home? Avoid Doing These 4 Things

You may breathe a sigh of relief once your offer to purchase a home has been accepted, but you’re not quite done yet. There are still a lot of things to do between the time you come to terms with the sellers and the moment you finally put your key in the front door.

You still have to navigate the closing process; costs are associated with this next step. There are multiple steps involved in the transfer of a home from seller to buyer. Closing times between the time you have an accepted offer and when you move in can vary from a couple of weeks to a few months. This includes time for processing the deposit, conducting a title search, getting a home inspection organized, finalizing the purchase agreement, the lender’s property appraisal, and getting final mortgage approval.

Buyers should budget about 3% of the purchase price towards closing costs, over and above the deposit.

What a lot of people don’t understand is that lenders don’t only evaluate the buyer’s ability to make the mortgage payments. They also look at their ability to pay for all other credit obligations, such as student loans, cars, and lines of credit. And they evaluate the property to make sure their investment is protected and that the value is there.

Below are four things you should not do during the closing process:

Go on a shopping spree

We get it; it’s exciting to start imagining yourself in your new home, and many buyers want to rush out and buy new furniture. Those buy-now-pay-later programs are calculated into the debt servicing ratios. If the lender revisits the buyer’s credit report before completion, which they very often do, and it has changed at all, they actually have the right to withhold financing. It’s important for buyers to maintain the same credit position as at the time of the financing application with their lender.

The same goes for buying a new vehicle. You might be purchasing a home farther from work, but now is not the time to add a car loan to your list of debts. It’s different when you have a car payment before applying for a mortgage—the lender has already taken that into account. But after you’ve been approved for a mortgage, a new car payment will change your credit position. This could cause consequences. You could be scrambling for a different lender at the time of completion, which is stressful for both sellers and buyers. In fact, any new big-ticket item purchases can raise red flags and delay your financing approval—or even ruin it.

    Quitting your job

    Sure, it would be great to have a higher salary now that you’ll be tackling monthly mortgage payments, property taxes, and home insurance. However, wait until the closing process is finalized before you blitz the internet job boards with your resume. Taking a higher-paying job between getting an unconditional accepted offer and completing on the deal could cause issues with the lender. Some of these new jobs, even though the buyer thinks they’re in a better position, come with a probation period. If it’s a temporary or casual position, that could cause a problem.

    Start booking renovation projects

    It’s so tempting to make plans for opening up all the walls in your new home. You may want to rip up the old carpet or gut the kitchen. Although wait times to book contractors can be long, don’t get ahead of yourself. Putting down deposits and signing remodeling contracts is a bad idea until you officially own the home. It’s a good idea to live in the house for 12 months, or some period of time, before doing renovations. This way you can get to know the property and figure out where it’s best to spend your dollars. Of course, if the home you’re buying needs a massive overhaul before it’s even livable, you can get started as soon as all the final paperwork is signed and completed.

    Getting overwhelmed

    Being patient makes sense during the closing process. Your REALTOR will be able to help guide you through it. There are many moving parts to the closing process, and getting overwhelmed can ultimately make it an unenjoyable experience for you. It can become complicated and stressful. It’s important to slow down, take the proper steps, and have a successful completion. Your REALTOR is there to help along the way.

    Reach out to me to learn more!

    decide between renovating and relocating

    Is your home still ‘the one’? How to decide between renovating and relocating

    Is your home still ‘the one’? How to decide between renovating and relocating

    At first, your home may have felt like true love, the perfect match. It had you full of excitement and possibilities. As time goes on, the honeymoon phase can fade.

    Maybe you’re craving more space, a shorter commute to work or school, or modern features that other homes seem to have. If you’re feeling restless, you might be wondering, “Is it time for a fresh start? Or maybe this relationship can be saved with a little TLC?”

    Deciding whether to move to a new home or renovate the one you’ve got is no small decision. It’s a mix of emotions, finances, and practicality all rolled into one. Think of it and weigh the pros and cons of both options to figure out what truly fits your family and lifestyle.

    The following suggestions will help you determine if your home is still “the one” or if it’s time to move on.

    Top reasons to renovate your home

    It might be better to renovate if you love your neighbourhood, have sentimental attachments to your home, or see potential in upgrading your space.

    Here’s when improving makes sense:

    1. Your home has good bones
      If your home is structurally sound and doesn’t require major foundational work, a renovation could be a cost-effective way to address your needs. Open up your floor plan, update outdated features, or add square footage. These changes could create a home that feels brand new.
    2. You love your location
      If your home is in a desirable neighbourhood, close to work, or within a top school district, improving your home allows you to enjoy these benefits while adapting your space to meet your needs.
    3. Renovations increase value
      Consider renovations that will add significant value to your property. Projects like modernizing the kitchen, updating bathrooms, or adding energy-efficient upgrades often provide a good return on investment.
    4. Moving costs are prohibitive
      Between realtor fees, closing costs, and moving expenses, relocating can be expensive. If your renovation budget is less than the cost of moving, it might make more financial sense to stay put.

    Top reasons to move to a new home

    Sometimes, no amount of renovation can fix a home that no longer suits your lifestyle. Here’s when moving to a new property may be the better option:

    1. Space is limited
      Your family may have outgrown your current home. There’s no room to expand, or zoning restrictions make it impossible to do so. Moving to a larger property may be the best solution.
    2. Your needs have changed
      Life changes may make your current home impractical. A growing family, a new job, or aging parents moving in could prompt a change. In these cases, finding a home that meets your new needs can be more effective than extensive renovations.
    3. Renovations are too costly
      If renovations required to make your home suitable are extensive and expensive, the ROI might not justify the investment. In this case, moving may be more cost-effective.
    4. You’re ready for a change
      Sometimes, the desire for a fresh start or a completely different style of home outweighs the convenience of staying. If you’re feeling uninspired or constrained in your current home, it might be time to explore new options.

    Key questions to help you decide whether to renovate or relocate

    Still stuck between renovating and relocating? Here are a few crucial questions to ask yourself to find an answer.

    1. What’s my budget? Compare the costs of renovating versus moving. Don’t forget to factor in hidden costs like permits, temporary housing, or realtor fees.
    2. How disruptive will renovations be? Living through major renovations can be stressful and time-consuming. Consider whether you have the time and patience for the process.
    3. Will I get the features I want? If your renovation can’t deliver your dream home, moving may be the better choice.
    4. How long do I plan to stay? If you plan to stay in your current home for many years, renovations could be a worthwhile investment. If not, moving might make more sense.

    How we can support your decision

    The choice between moving and improving is deeply personal and depends on your unique situation. By evaluating your needs, budget, and long-term goals, you can make a decision that works best for you and your family.

    Whether you decide to renovate or relocate, having the right team on your side makes all the difference. Royal LePage professionals specialize in helping homeowners navigate these pivotal decisions. From finding trusted contractors to discovering your dream home, they’re here to guide you every step of the way.

    Get in touch with me to learn more!

    canadian real estate in wake of US election results

    Canadian real estate in wake of US election

    Surrounding the US election on November 5 there has been a spike in interest in Canadian real estate for sale.

    Royal LePage found visits to its website from our neighbours to the South have risen significantly since the presidential campaign began.

    US Searches More Than Doubled

    According to Royal LePage, U.S.-originated sessions to royallepage.ca more than doubled. They surged 104 percent week over week, 67 percent year over year, in the week of June 16 just before the first presidential debate.


    The following week, after the debate between President Joe Biden and then-presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump, traffic peaked with an additional four per cent increase in visitors over the week prior. Phil Soper, CEO of Royal LePage, said trends were similar in 2016, prior to Donald Trump being elected. “It’s not surprising in this incredibly divisive American presidential election that they are attracted, at least emotionally, to the concept of getting away from it all,” he said. “I think that’s probably the biggest message in this surge in American interest in Canadian properties. Call it internet therapy.”


    Most of the Visitors to the Site Came from Democratic States

    Soper said most of the visitors to the site came from Democratic states. Interest from a Republican-leaning state, South Carolina, was also prominent. “Canada is the nation on earth that most closely resembles the United States,” he said. “Dreaming of Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver is an American election sport.” Ryan Neely, a partner with McCrea Immigration law, said he’s fielding calls daily during this year’s election campaign – mainly from those in Blue states. “We’ve had an increase in what we call cold calls,” he said. “People who have just found us on the internet and are saying, ‘Well, listen, we’re interested in Canadian immigration.’” Despite the aspirations to immigrate to Canada, Neely said in actuality, the conversion rate to becoming a permanent resident is low.


    “But there is a core group of people who are dedicated to doing it.” That group, he said, often includes young families or those who have been struggling with the decision to move for a long time. More restrictive immigration policies favoured by Trump could also lead to an influx of skilled workers and families seeking to relocate north of the border. This could drive up housing demand in major urban centers, particularly in Ontario, Alberta, and British Colombia, and put upward pressure on prices.

    Factors to Consider Before Moving to Canada

    Other considerations for people from south of the border would obviously be that there is currently a ban on foreign buyers in Canada. There are some areas outside larger centres where they are not restricted.

    Another factor that could be affected by the change in government in the US is more interest rate cuts in Canada. The Trump administration policies are expected to stoke economic stimulus. One way to do this is to set aggressive rate cuts. Typically Canada follows that lead which would mean lower mortgage payments, and more people getting into the real estate market.

    Contact Me For Real Estate in Comox Valley!

    As always, if you’re looking for local advice on the real estate market and what’s happening in Comox Valley then get in touch with me today! I would love to help you with timely advice, buying or selling or your property here on Vancouver Island.