Download My Free Comox Valley Home Buyers Guide

YOUR COMPLETE COMOX VALLEY HOME BUYERS GUIDE!

With the number of active listings in the Comox Valley area, at any given time, the challenge of buying a home, revenue property , business or vacation home, comes down to much more than seeing and arranging a viewing of a house you like. The trick is to have a way to reduce the number of viewings that don’t meet your criteria, to include some that you would not have thought would match your criteria, and to give yourself the opportunity to consider a broad range of options. 

In my experience, this is not something that most people can effectively do without the help of a professional. At any given time, I have a finger on what’s happening in the market, what’s available where and how the opportunities may align with your pricing parameters.

MY COMOX VALLEY HOME BUYERS GUIDE INCLUDES INFORMATION ON:

UNDERSTANDING YOUR FINANCIAL PARAMETERS

The first and most practical consideration in buying a house is knowing what you can afford to spend. Given the size of the investment and the long-term commitment it represents, it’s very important to be realistic and not to create financial pressures that will keep you from enjoying life in your new home.

FINDING THE RIGHT NEIGHBOURHOOD

The neighbourhood that your new house is in will have a large impact on your lifestyle while living in it. This is particularly true when looking at local schools, but also when considering access to shopping, green space, and local amenities and other personal interests. What’s most important is different for everyone, but it pays to know what you’re looking for in the Comox or Courtenay areas before you even consider the houses that may be available. There are many resources available on my website at www.brianwillis.ca to assist you with some of these decisions.

MAKING AN EFFECTIVE WISH-LIST

On one hand, it pays to start a home search with a good idea of what you’re looking for. On the other hand, I cannot count the number of times I’ve had clients completely change their minds about what they wanted when looking at a house that I did not think would meet their criteria. The lesson is that openness pays. You can’t know what you really want until you see what’s out there. The trick is to find the right balance between looking for what you want and exploring your options.

HOW TO LOOK AT A PROPERTY

I encourage my clients to “track the positive aspects” for each of the homes we look at, because it helps to assist in narrowing down the ideal property and location as well as their true likes and needs. It pays to have professionals on hand to offer their opinions before you make a commitment.

EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR OFFERS

When it’s time to make an offer on a house that you want, it’s important to remember that the goal of negotiations is not to “win”. It’s to arrive at an agreement about the value both parties are willing to attach to the house. Sometimes offers are competitive. You may not be the only person interested in the purchase. That’s when it’s good to know your limits, as well as some of the checks that can move the seller’s consideration in your favour. It’s not always about who offers the most; sometimes it’s about who gives the seller the most confidence that the deal is solid. This is where you can rely on your Realtor’s ability and experience.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU MOVE IN

Signing a purchase agreement is not quite the end of the buying process. In fact, the agreement will include a list of obligations and stipulations that you will now need to be on top of. Moving is never fun, but an orderly exit strategy will help make it a lot easier.