Lance MacDonald monogramLance MacDonaldREALTOR® RE/MAX Blue Sky Realty

Buying and Selling a Home in Cranbrook

What I'd tell you before we ever sit down.

Plain answers on how buying and selling actually work in British Columbia. Read what you need, skip what you don't, and call me when you want a straight answer on your situation.

Buying a home, step by step

Most of the stress in buying comes from surprises. Here's the whole path so there aren't any.

  1. Get preapprovedTalk to a mortgage broker or your bank first. You'll know your real budget and sellers will take your offer seriously.
  2. Write down what you actually wantMust haves, nice to haves and deal breakers. I use this to search the listings and to go after homes that aren't listed yet.
  3. See homes with a critical eyeI'll point out the roof, the electrical panel, the furnace and anything else that costs real money down the road.
  4. Write the offerPrice, deposit, completion date and subjects. Common subjects are financing, inspection, insurance and, for strata, the documents and minutes.
  5. Remove subjectsOnce your inspection and financing check out, subjects come off and the deal is firm. In BC, most residential purchases also carry a three business day rescission period after acceptance.
  6. Complete and move inYour lawyer or notary handles the transfer and the money. On possession day you get the keys.

Want to see the numbers first? The mortgage and closing cost calculators use current BC rates.

Selling a home, step by step

A good sale is mostly decided before the sign goes up: price, prep and presentation.

  1. Get a real numberI walk the home, pull the comparable sales by hand and give you a written range. Request your evaluation.
  2. Fix what mattersNot everything is worth fixing. I'll tell you which repairs pay you back and which ones don't.
  3. Disclosure and documentsProperty disclosure, strata documents if they apply, permits and anything a buyer's inspector is going to find anyway.
  4. Photos and marketingProfessional photos, a proper listing write up, MLS® exposure and promotion to buyers already looking in your area.
  5. Offers and negotiationWe review every offer together, including the subjects and dates, not just the price.
  6. Subjects to completionI stay on top of the buyer's subjects, deadlines and paperwork right through to the day the money lands.

See your estimated net proceeds with the selling cost calculator.

Selling on your own? I'll still help.

Plenty of people try selling privately first. That's your call, and I'd rather you do it well than not at all.

I'm happy to walk through your price, point out what a buyer's inspector will flag, and explain what a buyer's agent is going to ask you for. If you decide later you want help listing, you'll already know how I work.

Get my take on your price

What private sellers usually miss

  • Pricing off asking prices instead of what homes actually sold for
  • Not having disclosure, permits and strata documents ready
  • Accepting an offer without checking the buyer's financing and subjects
  • Letting deadlines slide once the deal is signed
  • Not having a lawyer or notary lined up early
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