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Advice for Buyers

Advice for Buyers

Determine Your Individual Needs

The reasons for buying a property vary widely from one person to another. It is therefore extremely important to discuss your individual needs with your real estate broker before visiting a property.

Before making an appointment with your real estate broker, draw up a list of features you deem important and determine your individual needs such as locality, price, type of property, number of bedrooms, surroundings, public utilities, and so on.

Check with your financial institution to find out how much you can afford to carry as a mortgage and have the loan amount preauthorized.

Talk to a RE/MAX Broker

Once you have analyzed your individual needs, talk to your neighbourhood RE/MAX broker. If you are moving out of the area in which you currently reside, your local broker will be able to refer you to a professional RE/MAX broker in the area of interest to you.

If you do not know a local RE/MAX broker, click here to find the closest agency to your home or to the desired location. They will refer you to a broker, without any obligation from your part.

Checklist for Visiting a Property

Here is a checklist to use every time you visit a property. It will assist you in comparing the different properties you visit and help you decide which property is best suited to your needs.

Checklist

Date of visit:
Address:
Location:
Property type:
Excellent Satisfactory So-so
Yard
Area
Landscaping
Fence
Exterior
Insulation
Doors and windows
Roof and eaves troughs
Garage
Services
Schools
Daycare
Public transit
Parks
Shopping centre

You’ve Found Your Dream House?

Remember to notify current service providers prior to moving and to take action as required when settling into your new location.

Public Utilities
Electricity
Gas
Water
Garbage collection
Telephone
Cable television
Heating fuel
Local services and accounts
Banks
Finance companies
Credit cards
Diaper service
Current accounts
Retail stores
Milk delivery
Bread delivery
Laundromat
Dry cleaner
Pharmacy
Shoe repair
Community services
Schools
Library
Professionnals
Doctor
Dentist
Notary
Broker
Insurance
Life
Accident
Personal property
General public liability
Social
Commercial and professionnal
Federal Government
Post office
Veteran’s affairs
Income tax office
Family allowance
Old age security
Employment insurance
Provincial Government
Health and hospitalization insurance
Quebec pension plan
Vehicle registration
Driver’s licence
Pension plan

Moving Day Checklist:

  • Read all meters
  • Lower or turn off heating
  • Turn off all lights
  • Shut and lock all doors, latch all windows
  • Turn over keys to new occupants
  • Have telephone disconnected
  • Take out all garbage

Possible Expenses When Buying a Property

  • Inspection of property by building expert
  • Mortgage arrangements with bank :
    • Conventional loan (20 % cash)
    • Loan insured by CHMC (less than 20 %)
  • Deposit to accompany Offer to Purchase

Possible Expenses When Signing at the Notary

  • Deposit to accompany Offer to Purchase
  • Tax redistribution and refunds:
    • Refunds are calculated from the date of the signing of the deed of sale. You are responsible for reimbursing the seller for the number of days paid to date.
      • Municipal taxes
      • School taxes
  • Heating oil tank:
    • The seller is required to have the tank filled on the day of the signing of the deed of sale and submit the invoice to the notary for reimbursement in full by the buyer.
  • Electricity meter (Hydro Québec):
    • The buyer and the seller must notify Hydro Québec of the date the property is scheduled to change hands, have the meter read, and ensure that all amounts owing are properly allocated.
  • Homeowner insurance:
    • Upon signing of the deed of sale, you must present proof that you have contracted homeowner’s insurance in an amount equal to or greater than the mortgage on the property.
Possible Expenses Once the Deed of Sale is Signed
  • Land Transfer or Welcome Tax
    • The municipality in which you settle will bill you within four (4) to six (6) months of the signing of the deed of sale in an amount based upon the selling price and scaled as follows:
      • 0.50 % of amounts up to $50,000
      • 1.00 % of amounts between $50,000 and $250,000
    • Province of Quebec, excluding Montreal:
      • 1.50 % of amounts exceeding $250,000
    • Montreal only:
      • 1.50 % of amounts between $250,000 and $500,000
      • 2% of amounts exceeding $500,000
  • Moving, painting, interior and exterior decoration, etc.
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