Resources for Home Buyers
If you’re in the market to buy a home - congratulations!
Whether you’re local to the Okotoks and Calgary area, or you’re looking to relocate, and regardless of your budget, I’m here to help!
Buying a new home is an incredibly exciting time, and I understand that choosing a realtor to trust with the process is no small decision. You can rest easy knowing that selling homes isn’t just my business, it’s my passion.
I feel incredibly fortunate that I have gotten to play a part in opening new chapters of over 100 people’s stories - I hope yours is next!
Here are a few resources that will help you get started:
Home Buyers Guide
Know your budget:
Determine how much you can afford to spend on a home, and factor in additional expenses such as property taxes, utilities, and maintenance costs. Your budget is different from your approval, its what you are comfortable spending while still maintaining your lifestyle.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage:
This will help you understand how much financing you can receive and allow you to make a more competitive offer when you find your dream home. I work with some really great mortgage brokers & bankers who can provide you with a pre-approval. This is so so so important in a seller’s market when offers need to be competitive.
Understand the real estate market:
Insert ME! I'm here to let you know how the current market is from your perspective. Buyers market, seller’s market, balanced market, competing offers, lowballs.... etc. You can also research the current state of the local real estate market, including housing prices, trends, and demand.
Work with a licensed real estate agent:
Me AGAIN!! As reputable agent I can help you navigate the buying process, negotiate offers, and find the best homes that meet your needs. I also have connections to help find off market listings and the expertise to help you through all market conditions.
Consider the location:
Think about how long you plan to live in this property and then reverse engineer the amenities and benefits you will need in a neighbourhood. Examples: proximity to schools, public transportation, lake access, parks, privacy, hospitals, commute to work and so on....
Get a home inspection:
Hire a professional inspector to assess the condition of the home, including any potential issues such as structural defects or water damage.
Be aware of closing costs:
These costs can include legal fees, title insurance, inspections, utility set up fees, movers and other expenses associated with the purchase of a home.
Consider potential renovation costs:
If you are planning on making changes to the home, be sure to factor in the cost of any necessary renovations or upgrades. An option to do a purchase plus improvements mortgage may come in handy here, ask me for more details!
Know your rights and responsibilities:
Understand your legal rights and obligations as a home buyer, and be aware of your responsibilities as a homeowner, such as maintaining the property, condo bylaws, and paying property taxes.
Ready to find your dream home?
Mortgage Calculator
Let the Search Begin!
Tell me what you’re looking for and I’ll get to work finding your dream home.
Relocating? I Can Help!
“What a WONDERFUL experience I had purchasing my first home with Jilene.
I had reached out to a few realtors when starting the process and she was by FAR the one who was most eager to help me get the perfect place. Other realtors simply added me to an email list and I never heard from them again.
Jilene took the initiative to ask me what exactly I was looking for and then begin sending and booking showings. She is creative when it comes to offers and has a knack for coming up with amazing compromises that are out of the box and something that everyone is happy with. Her communication was top-notch, she was completely professional and I have finally found my forever realtor. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED”