Buyers

Buyer's Guide

The key steps to buying your first property in Quebec, with confidence.

01

Steps to Purchase Your Property

1

Choose your real estate broker

2

Analyze your current and future needs

3

Obtain a mortgage pre-approval

4

Determine your necessary and important criteria

5

Shortlist properties and do visits

6

Read and understand the seller's declaration

7

Read and understand all legal documents

8

Confirm the fair market value

9

Launch the offer to purchase process

10

Complete the inspection, analysis, and tests, if applicable

11

Work with the financial institution for final approval

12

Visit the notary

13

Move in

14

Celebrate in your new home

Your broker will support you through every one of these steps to ensure a smooth, seamless process.


02

The Benefits of Working With a Broker

  • — I support you at every step, from finding your ideal property through to closing the transaction.
  • — I advise you with professionalism, always keeping your preferences in mind.
  • — I offer you an objective, informed perspective on every situation and the options available to you.
  • — I give you access to the most recent listings in your area.
  • — I analyze your needs with precision to propose solutions suited to your reality.
  • — I accompany you in a structured way at every visit to help you make informed decisions.
  • — I maintain rigorous follow-up with the other professionals involved in the transaction.
  • — I assess the risks and advantages of each property or option available to you.
  • — I manage the unexpected, when it arises, and propose concrete solutions to keep things moving smoothly.
  • — I do everything possible to optimize results and maximize your satisfaction.
  • — I assist you with every contractual, logistical, and administrative aspect of your purchase.

03

The Benefits of the Buyer Brokerage Contract

The role of the real estate broker representing the buyer

  • — Represent and defend your interests.
  • — Advise you based on your specific needs and criteria.
  • — Select properties to visit according to your criteria.
  • — Conduct the appropriate market study to advise you on the price to offer in the promise to purchase or counter-proposal.
  • — Complete the required legal documents, including the promise to purchase, counter-proposal, and official forms.
  • — Present the seller and their broker with a promise to purchase or counter-proposal that reflects your intentions.
  • — Guide you through the key aspects of your transaction (financing, inspection, etc.) to give you a purchase experience that meets your expectations.
  • — Ensure your interests are protected and considered throughout the transaction.
  • — Negotiate the price and purchase conditions on your behalf to secure a favorable agreement.

04

Mortgage Pre-Approval

Obtaining a mortgage pre-approval will be essential to carrying out your transaction successfully. While optional, pre-approval offers several advantages.

  • — Define the maximum property value you can consider based on your borrowing capacity, down payment, and credit.
  • — Lock in and secure a mortgage rate to avoid rate increases that could affect your mortgage payments.
  • — Demonstrate your seriousness as a potential buyer, especially in a multiple-offer situation.

Depending on your situation, I will recommend a banking institution or a mortgage broker to meet your needs.


05

Visits

Let your broker plan the visits and handle appointments

This ensures every aspect is managed efficiently, while making sure your interests are protected.

Wait for your broker outside before entering the property

This small courtesy keeps the entrance orderly and respectful for everyone involved.

Arrange childcare

This lets you focus fully on the details. If the property is of real interest, a second visit can be arranged to include the kids and confirm the environment suits the whole family.

Respect the scheduled time out of courtesy to the owners

Punctuality simplifies logistics and shows professionalism and respect toward the owners.

Take notes during the visit

This helps you remember your first impressions and points to verify. You'll also receive a complete property description to keep a clear record of every property visited.

Discreetly let your broker know if a property doesn't meet your expectations

They can tactfully shorten the visit without creating an awkward moment.

Take the time to open doors and storage spaces

This helps you properly assess the space.

Ask permission before taking photos

It's a simple courtesy that respects the owners' privacy.

Remember that no property is perfect

The building inspector is there to objectively assess the property's real condition.

Wear shoes that are easy to remove

It's a small gesture, but one that's very much appreciated, to keep the places you visit clean.


06

Reviewing the Seller's Declaration

What is this form, and why does it matter so much?

Selling a property involves several steps and obligations. For the seller, one of them is completing the "Seller's Declaration" form (or "SD form") with the help of a licensed professional. This mandatory form, created by the OACIQ, is designed to protect everyone involved. It gives the buyer information on the condition of the property and helps protect the seller against potential future disputes.

Source: oaciq.com/fr/articles/le-cv-de-la-propriete


07

The Comparative Market Analysis

What is it?

A comparative market analysis makes it possible to objectively assess a property's value based on concrete data.

This is an essential step in the buying process, which I handle with rigor and care to guide you toward a fair, well-considered investment. To do this, I take several factors into account, such as properties recently sold or currently for sale in the area.

Every element is analyzed in detail to protect your purchase, while also recognizing that choosing a property involves emotional considerations too. Buying a home isn't just a financial decision — it's also a matter of the heart.


08

The Promise to Purchase

The promise to purchase is a legal document that formalizes your intent to buy a property. It specifies the price offered and the conditions tied to the transaction, such as the timeframe required to secure financing, complete the inspection, or work to be included or excluded. This step is crucial, as it will have a significant impact on your purchase.

After the promise to purchase, three outcomes are possible

Accepted

The offer is accepted

This means the seller agrees with the conditions of the offer proposed by the buyer and accepts selling their property at the defined price and terms.

Rejected

The offer is rejected

This means the seller isn't satisfied with the terms proposed by the buyer and isn't willing to sell at this price or under these conditions.

Counter-Offer Received

Receiving a counter-offer

This means the seller is open to discussion and wants to find common ground with the buyer. They submit a new offer with certain changes from the initial proposal. The buyer can then accept it, reject it, or submit their own counter-offer in turn. Negotiation continues this way until a satisfactory agreement is reached on both sides.


09

The Final Approval Process

Once the promise to purchase is accepted, it's time to begin a rigorous follow-up process, paced by specific deadlines. Collaboration between all parties becomes essential. I'll coordinate with your financial institution, the inspector, and other parties involved, guiding you closely at every step. Certain deadlines will need to be met, and updates will need to be provided to the seller. This is where our teamwork truly matters.

Source: ratehub.ca/processus-approbation-pret-hypothecaire


10

The Inspection

The inspection is a detailed assessment of a property's overall condition, carried out by a qualified, independent inspector. Its purpose is to give the potential buyer objective information on the condition of the property before the purchase.

The inspector uses specialized tools to identify current or potential issues, and the inspection results help potential buyers understand the costs and risks associated with purchasing the property. The inspection report can also provide grounds for negotiating the price or requesting repairs before closing the sale.

I'll assess every important aspect and, together, we'll be able to judge the impact each one will have on value. I can also put together a detailed timeline profile to help you plan for expenses you'll need to make once you own the property.

Some details

Normal wear and age

Normal wear will likely be tied to the year of construction, so we'll be able to see it during the visit.

Maintenance and improvements

Necessary maintenance and improvements could be part of what's discussed with the seller during negotiation, and could even be added to the conditions of the offer to purchase.

Seller's declaration

The seller's declaration will describe the property based on the elements that most affect it. Of course, these points will be confirmed during the inspection.


11

The Notary Visit

Your appointment with the notary

As your real estate broker, I can help you choose a competent notary by recommending reliable, experienced professionals. I can also provide information on fees, services offered, and notaries' experience with real estate purchases. If needed, I'll accompany you to your notary appointment to make sure everything goes smoothly when signing the deed of sale.

The notary is responsible for ensuring every legal aspect of the property purchase is respected. They verify the property title, prepare the legal documents, make sure the terms of the transaction are understood by all parties, complete the registration, and protect the buyer against any form of fraud. In short, their role is to guarantee the purchase happens legally and securely.

You will need:

  • — Two pieces of identification
  • — A chequebook (check with your notary for exact amounts)
  • — Proof of home insurance

I'll be there to support you and ensure the process goes smoothly.


12

Calculating Closing Costs

Beyond your down payment, you should plan for expenses tied to acquiring the property. These costs can vary depending on the situation, but should be factored in to build a realistic budget.

Brokerage fees (if applicable)

$

Building inspection and other experts

$

Miscellaneous fees

$

Mortgage default insurance tax

$

Legal fees and notary fees

$

Tax adjustments and apportionment

$

Transfer duties (welcome tax)

$

Moving costs

$

Renovations and improvements

$

Utility hookups (new construction)

$

Other (Bell, Vidéotron, etc.)

$

Total expenses

$

These costs vary depending on:

Your lifestyle

Your goals

Your down payment

This guide is provided for general informational purposes and does not replace advice from a notary, mortgage broker, or financial advisor for your specific situation.

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Let's talk about your project — I'll be with you every step of the way, from the first coffee chat to the key handover.

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