FINDING A REAL ESTATE AGENT Ask your lender or mortgage broker, friends and family if they can recommend a real estate agent. Look at real estate signs for names of real estate agents in your preferred neighbourhood and write them down. You may also want to visit the Multiple Listing Service ® (MLS ® ) website at www.mls.ca. It lists real estate agents and thousands of properties for sale across Canada. A BRAND NEW HOME If a brand new home, one that has never been occupied before, is what you’re looking for, you have two choices: purchase a residence in a new development or contract a builder to construct one to your specific needs. FINDING A BUILDER ■■ Check phone listings, visit model homes in new developments, and ask friends, family and colleagues. ■■ Ask for references and talk to other customers.Visit other housing developments that the company has built. ■■ Check with the New HomeWarranty program in the area. ■■ Ask builders or contractors if they are members of a local homebuilders’ association or ask for a provincial licence number. ■■ Make sure to specify exactly what’s included in the price of your home and what is extra – for example, paved driveway, trees, fireplace. Get more information from CMHC. Simply visit www.cmhc.ca and type “selecting a new home builder” in the search box.
DO YOUR RESEARCH It is important to learn as much as possible about the home that you want to buy. It is also important to research the people and organizations that are helping you buy your home, including your: real estate agent, lender (the bank, trust company, credit union or other f inancial institution that provides
your home loan), mortgage broker, lawyer or notary, or home inspector.
Ask for their references. Call the people who have done business with them before. Ask about their qualif ications; are they a member of a professional association? Ask how they can help you with your special needs as a new Canadian. Do they speak your f irst language? Remember, the more information you have, the better prepared you will be.
Canada Mor tgage and Housing Corporation 3
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