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Housing & Lifestyle
Buying a Home – Navigating the Market
Principle: buy with process, not impulse. Build a small “deal team,” verify the title, and make every
dollar and document traceable.
Your deal team
Role What they do When to hireLicensed Realtor Shortlists properties, negotiates, manages
viewings & offers.From the first search. Ask for Real
Estate Board ID.
Attorney-at-Law
(Conveyancing)Reviews Agreement for Sale, handles
escrow, searches, closing. Before you make an offer.^Valuer Independent valuation for price & mortgage. After offer accepted / for financing.Commissioned Land
SurveyorConfirms boundaries; issues Surveyor’s
Report.During due diligence.Mortgage Lender /
Broker Pre-approval, underwriting, commitment.^Early—pre-approval strengthens
offers.
Property Inspector (if
available)Condition report: roof, plumbing,
electrical, pests.During due diligence—especially
for older homes.Due diligence checklist (tick when done)
- Title search (ensure seller is the registered owner; check for mortgages, caveats).
- Surveyor’s Report matches the deed; walls/structures are inside boundaries.
- Valuation (independent).
- Building/condition (roof, leaks, termites, electrics, water pressure, septic).
- Community checks (drainage/flooding, noise, access roads, security, HOA rules/fees).
- Utilities (JPS, NWC, internet fibre availability).
- Planning (any known road-widening, zoning or development nearby).
Costs to expect (confirm current rates at offer time)
Cost Who typically pays NotesAttorney fees Buyer & Seller (each their own) Usually a % or fixed fee—agree upfront.Stamp/transfer/registration Usually seller/ buyer split
per law/policyVaries by law and practice—ask your attorney
for the current schedule.
Valuation & Surveyor Buyer Pay directly to the professionals.Mortgage fees Buyer Commitment/processing, life/home insurance
as required.