For Buyers

Getting Started

Whether you're buying your first home, upsizing or downsizing, purchasing a house is an exciting journey but it can also feel overwhelming. The key to a smooth experience is preparation.

Before diving into listings, consider these essential questions: 

  • How much space does my family need to live comfortably?
  • How many bedrooms and bathrooms are a must-have? 
  • Do I need a yard for kids or pets? 
  • What are my parking and transportation needs? 
  • How are the schools in my preferred areas? 
  • How important is proximity to work and amenities? 
  • Are there specific neighborhoods I want to live in or avoid? 
  • Do I have special considerations (hobbies, guests, future family plans, accessibility needs)?

Thinking through these questions will help you focus on homes that truly fit your lifestyle and save you time in your search.

person holding house keys

Pro Tip

Getting pre-qualified for a mortgage early on helps you determine your price range and act quickly when the perfect home hits the market. More sellers are now requiring buyers to be pre-approved before submitting an offer.

The Buying Process

Preparing an Offer
Once we find the right home, we’ll determine if it's priced fairly by evaluating comparable recent sales. This helps us decide on a competitive offer while ensuring you don’t overpay.

Purchase Agreement
In Nova Scotia, the Agreement of Purchase and Sale is typically 3-5 pages long (depending on the type of property) and is very protective of the buyer during the conditional period. While the paperwork may seem detailed, every clause is there to safeguard your investment and I’ll be there to make sure that you have a full understanding of everything before you sign the agreement.

The Seller’s Response
Once we submit your offer, the seller has a set time frame (usually 24 hours) to respond. They may: 

  • Accept it  
  • Reject it  
  • Counter offer (which means we negotiate further)

If needed, we’ll adjust and refine our offer based on their response.

Conditional Period (7-14 Days)
After acceptance, we enter the conditional period, during which time key steps take place:

  • Home inspection
  • Financing approval 
  • Insurance confirmation
  • Lawyer review

Each of these ensures that your purchase is a sound investment.

Closing Day

On closing day, we’ll do a final walkthrough to confirm the home is in the agreed-upon condition. Once everything checks out, your lawyer will release the funds. Welcome Home!