A Clear Path From Search to Keys

Before you look at a single listing, talk to a mortgage broker or bank. A pre-approval letter tells sellers you are serious and tells you exactly what you can afford. Do this before falling in love with a property.

Write down your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves. Neighbourhood, bedrooms, commute distance, school catchments, parking, strata vs. freehold — get specific before you start searching. The clearer you are, the faster you will find the right home.

A buyer's agent costs you nothing — the seller pays both commissions. But the right agent makes an enormous difference: MLS access, off-market opportunities, negotiation strategy and deep knowledge of what specific properties are actually worth.

Once you know your budget and criteria, your agent will send you matching listings the moment they hit MLS. Act quickly in a sellers' market — well-priced homes move fast. Book showings within 24 hours of a listing going live.

Your agent will prepare a contract of purchase and sale with price, deposit, subject conditions (financing, inspection) and a completion date. In competitive situations, your agent's advice on offer strategy is critical — don't rely on emotion.

Once subjects are in place, you have a window — typically 7–10 business days — to confirm financing and conduct your home inspection. Review the strata documents carefully if buying a condo or townhouse.

If everything checks out, you remove subjects and the sale is firm. You'll work with a notary or lawyer who handles the title transfer and financial settlement. On completion day, the keys are yours.