I would like to say thank you to the broker for the expertise presented by their company while I was looking for a home. However, the biggest thank you would have to go to Helen LaFontaine who showed me the properties and represented me in the purchase of my new home.
Helen provided me with professional help in the way of directions, contacts and any other information that was needed. Her legal knowledge made me feel more comfortable with the decision I would be making. Even when things were difficult, she provided alternate choices. She kept in touch with me even after the deal was made to make sure everything was all right. It has been a real pleasure dealing with professionals. Thank you so much.
A. Villemaire
We wish to thank you for selling our home in a very professional manner. Our decision to list with your company was certainly the right one.
Your salesperson, Helen LaFontaine, was exactly as we had anticipated, honest, reliable, capable, and a very pleasant personality. In addition, we found Helen went out of her way to protect our interests in this transaction, while still accomplishing the sale. An effort we really appreciated.
We wish Helen the very best and would certainly feel very secure in recommending her services in future situations. Helen, we found to be a very dedicated agent. N.Vyas & M. Vyas
Buying or Selling First
Waiting to put your house on the market until you find a new home can be reassuring, because it means you'll never be without at least one place to lay your head. However, it can become problematic in the event that if your current house doesn't sell in a timely fashion and you do end up with two homes to pay for, at least for a short time.
Also, if you buy first and then try to sell, there remains the possibility that you won't have access to the funds freed up by the sale of your current home to cover the down payment and closing costs of the new home. You can look into obtaining something called interim or bridge financing, which is a short-term loan from your bank or mortgage lender that can be repaid once your old house is sold. Interest rates for this type of financing can be high, and the amount you can obtain will depend on the equity available in your current home, but it does offer a viable option. Talk to your bank or lending institution if you have questions about this type of product.
Selling first also has its advantages. For starters, you will know up front how much money you will realize on the sale of your current home, and can use that knowledge when purchasing your next home. You can also negotiate the purchase of the new home with more confidence, since offers with fewer conditions are more attractive to sellers.
Every situation will be different, and sometimes you may not have a choice about what order you do things in (when relocating to another city, for example). But there are many ways to make the process smoother, and as your REALTOR®, I will be able to assist you make a decision that meets you needs and goals.
The President's Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and appeared in the EMC community newspapers.