Key takeaways
- Get pre-approved before you start seriously viewing homes.
- Read your buyer representation agreement carefully before you sign it.
- Use a checklist at viewings; memories blur after a few homes.
- After a firm deal, closing is often weeks or months away, so plan your move and rent around that date.
In this chapter
Steps in the Home Buying JourneyWorking with Real Estate AgentsOpen Houses and Viewings
Use the chapter below for the detail behind each step.
Steps in the Home Buying Journey
Here’s the path most first-time buyers follow.
Start with your budget, including your down payment, closing costs and credit. Then get pre-approved, so you know what you can spend and can act quickly.
Next, choose the neighbourhoods that fit your life. An agent can help you see what’s available and spot potential problems.
Visit homes, take notes and compare. When you find the right one, your agent will help you write an offer based on recent sales.
If your offer is accepted, you’ll complete any conditions, such as financing and an inspection. A lender may also order an appraisal. Your lawyer then handles the paperwork and closing. Then you get your keys.
Visual guide · First home
Who does what
| Stage | You | Agent | Lender | Lawyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare | Budget, documents | Explains market | Pre-approval | Answers questions |
| Search | Views homes | Finds, arranges | — | — |
| Offer | Decides terms | Drafts, negotiates | Reviews property | Reviews on request |
| Close | Pays balance, insures | Coordinates access | Sends funds | Title, registration |
Working with Real Estate Agents
A good agent explains the market, shows you what to watch for and helps you negotiate. Look for someone with experience in your area and with first-time buyers, and check that they’re registered on the RECO website.
Interview more than one agent. Read the buyer representation agreement carefully before you sign, including how long it lasts and how the agent is paid.
Be clear about your budget, areas and must-haves. Ask questions at viewings, and ask your agent to explain anything you don’t understand. An agent can point out what they see, but you’ll still need an inspector for the home’s condition, and a lawyer for legal advice.
A good relationship often continues after closing, with recommendations for contractors and local services.
Choosing your agent
Buyer representation agreement
What it isA written contract between you and your agent’s brokerage.
Why it mattersIt sets out services, duration and how the agent is paid.
What to doRead it before you sign, and ask about anything unclear.
Who works for whom
VS
Open Houses and Viewings
Photos can flatter a home, so seeing it in person matters. Open houses let you look without pressure, and private showings give you more time.
Bring a short checklist of what matters to you, along with a way to take notes and photos. Homes start to blur after two or three visits. Remember that the host usually represents the seller, so talk to your own agent before sharing your budget or plans.
Go early if you can, before it gets busy. Look past the staging: check for stains, musty smells, uneven floors and how well the home has been kept.
Afterward, compare your notes while they’re fresh, and take a look around the neighbourhood too.
Open house or private showing?
VS
