THE PROCESS
Buying and selling, step by step.
An eight-point playbook covering what most clients want to know before we begin.
Real estate is a once-in-several-years transaction for most people. The steps are not complicated, but the order matters, and a careful read of each one is what separates a good outcome from a regrettable one. Here is the playbook I work from with every client — buyer or seller — adapted to your situation.
An eight-point playbook.
- 01
Why this place, why now.
Before listings or showings, a conversation about why now. Job, family, school catchment, downsizing, investing — the answer changes which corridors and property types are worth looking at.
- 02
Community fit.
Greater Vancouver is many neighbourhoods, not one market. Brentwood lives differently from Steveston, which lives differently from Port Moody. We'll narrow before we widen.
- 03
Inspection + condition.
What inspectors find versus what disclosures say. Reading inspection reports together — what's serious, what's cosmetic, what's a price negotiation lever.
- 04
Financing + timing.
Pre-approval, the rate-hold window, and the gap between subjects-removed and completion. Mortgage brokers I trust if you don't have one.
- 05
Tax exposure.
Property transfer tax, foreign-buyer additional tax (where applicable), GST on new construction, and the speculation-and-vacancy regime. Plain-English overview, not advice — accountants exist for the specifics.
- 06
Strata + bylaws.
If it's strata, the depreciation report and bylaws come before the offer, not after. Pet rules, rental rules, parking and storage assignments, special-levy history.
- 07
Selling timing.
When to list, how to stage, what to fix and what to leave. Pricing strategy for the current market, not a strategy from twelve months ago.
- 08
After the keys.
Possession-day walkthrough, deficiency lists, and the small follow-ups that take a week or two. The relationship doesn't end at completion.
On working together.
Compensation is paid at the close of a transaction — by the seller's side in most resale, by the developer in presale, by the listing client when I list. There is no charge for the conversation, the review, or the showings.
First time, or a return move? Send a question and we'll begin from there.
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