first time buyer

Buying is a process of Elimination

It’s normal to enter the process of buying a home with visions of choosing your perfect home – a process of selection. It’s an opportunity to take control of your housing choices and you want to make the most of it. You want to choose ‘the one’ but in reality, buying is a process of elimination.

home buyers looking for the one, but really, buying is a process of elimination

You set a list of criteria. You think of your favourite design styles and hope that you find a home that really speaks to you. This is going to be YOUR home. It’s a reflection of how you choose to live day-to-day and the persona you want to exhibit to yourself and your guests.

There’s a problem. I could show you exactly the home that checks all of your boxes and you probably wouldn’t buy it – at least not right away. You need to have seen something else, just to prove that this really is the one. Even in the best-case scenario where a home you love is waiting for you on the market, within your budget…You won’t know it’s the one unless you’ve eliminated other homes.

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How to start a real estate search


Regional Context:

Hey, just for context…Depending on how you discovered this article you may be in a region with different regulations than those listed below. My office is in New Westminster, BC Canada and I operate under rules that apply across the country, the province, and my region (the Lower Mainland of BC). Regardless of rules, the net result of my information below is that at some point you want to build a relationship with a local professional…preferably someone ethical who adheres to their region’s rules. Let’s get into how to get serious about buying a home.


You’re ready to get serious about buying a home…How should you start your real estate search?

You’ve been browsing listings, considering your budget and mortgage eligibility. You’ve probably looked at a lot of properties online. You knew it wasn’t your time to dive in and get serious…until now. You have choices on how to take that first step. Different steps will feel more comfortable to each individual. Rule Number One: you can choose your path. The beginning of the process can be flexible, but keep in mind that the process gets more rigid once you’re ready to make an offer.

First steps to choose from when it’s time to get serious about your real estate search in New West, Burnaby or the Tri-Cities:

  1. Go to open houses
  2. Contact an agent to have a “Buyer’s Meeting”
  3. Make an appointment to see your favourite listing you’ve been stalking online
  4. Contact a Mortgage Broker or Mortgage Specialist
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