Buyer's Guide

Step 1: Research

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? What type of property will be the best fit based on your financial needs? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for properties that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice I said to decide on your budget—not determine how much a lender will give you. In many cases, a mortgage lender will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why it's important to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you take possession of your new property.

Step 3: Get Prequalified

The first best step before you head out house-hunting is connecting with your trusted mortgage broker and getting pre-approved. Typically, you'll want to have all your documentation in order to provide to your broker in addition to a minimum of 5-20% of your anticipated purchase price saved in cash as a downpayment.

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for an agent like me to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will I help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but I have in-depth market knowledge and over a decade of experience successfully negotiating offers for my clients. Let me help you find your next home and #buildwealththroughrealestate.

Step 5: Find the Right Property

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process. I will arrange showings of properties you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect property, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the property is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. I will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement.

Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the property inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. I can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, amortization length, and more. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

Step 9: Get a Property Appraisal

Your lender will have your new property appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

Step 10: Finish Paperwork

All paperwork will be coordinated between your real estate agent, mortgage broker and lawyer. When you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new property.

Testimonials

See why my clients love working with me.

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TIA C.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Natalie Costello over the last three years – I cannot speak highly enough about her expertise, professionalism, and knowledge of the real estate industry. Natalie is by far top of her class...

KRISTINA M.

My wife and I were desperate for more space for our growing family. We came across a listing the day they posted it, reached out to Natalie and the team, and that evening was doing our first walk-through. She obviously knows th...

RYAN S.

We hired Natalie Costello to help us purchase a detached house in Toronto during the hottest market on record! Our wishlist was lengthy and specific, but Natalie ensured us that she would work day and night to make it happen. I...

JOE C.

Amazing service and attention to detail. Natalie Costello’s professional approach made the difference in both purchasing our new property and timing the sale of our home. Natalie’s expert knowledge and a broad range of Real Est...

BAILEY W.

I had a fantastic experience purchasing my new loft and leasing my current condo with Natalie Costello - both done deals under 12 days flat! Her professionalism, understanding, listening, and delivery of my many needs with both...

MADISON C.

My partner and I had a wonderful experience with Natalie Costello. She has helped us over the last few years find beautiful places to rent and just recently guided us through the process of buying our first home! She is lovely,...

ANDI M.

My partner and I had the pleasure of working with Natalie Costello to sell our home, and purchase the next. Nat was incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and patient with us as we worked through a very tricky market. On top of b...

AMANDA C.

I first connected with Natalie Costello to discuss my goals for buying an investment property. She took the time to understand my life, my needs, and my goals. Together, we created a strategy but her market knowledge, due dilig...

DANIEL C.

Working with Natalie, as always, is an absolute treat. Her professionalism and huge efforts to get the best deal possible are the best in the business. Not only that but going above and beyond after the purchase is made to ensu...

TOM A.

Nat took the time to understand what features were important, work within our desired location, and quickly able to understand what would work and not work for the buying journey. Open to questions and someone for guidance. No ...

CAM M.

We had an amazing experience with Natalie Costello and her team. They helped us navigate a challenging real estate market, and were very patient with our lengthy search. It ended up in securing our dream home. Five star service...

GAR & DEB S.

Thank you Natalie for helping us achieve our goal in this crazy market. Thanks to Natalie, we hung on tight and got our home sold without giving it away. Thank you for the great strategy and constant attention to our listing.

GRACE S.

If you are looking to buy or sell or even invest, you won't be disappointed with Natalie. She will guide you the right way with no pressure and is very professional. Thanks, Natalie for everything!

MARK F.

Had a great experience with Natalie as my REALTOR. Great through the search, gave honest opinions on properties considering the future and market dynamics. Thanks again, Nat!

SUZIE & JASON

Thank you Natalie for helping us get into our dream home and for the delicious pizza dinner.

Pat M.

"Navigating both the sale of our previous home and the purchase of our new residence with the Natalie Costello Real Estate Team was a seamless and stress-free process. Their strategic marketing approach and analysis ensured our...