Home / Buying & selling
Buying & selling
What to expect, what it costs and how Shobit helps at every stage, whether you're buying your first home or selling your fifth.
Buying, step by step
- Get pre-approvedTalk to a lender or mortgage broker to learn your budget, rate hold and down payment needs before you start viewing.
- Define your must-havesLocation, size, schools, transit, commute, suite potential and the compromises you're comfortable with.
- View and compareShobit arranges showings and pulls recent sold prices so you know what similar homes are really selling for.
- Make an offerPrice, subjects, deposit and dates, negotiated for you. In competitive situations, he'll explain your options clearly.
- Remove subjectsFinancing approval, home inspection, and review of strata documents, title and disclosure statements.
- Complete and move inYour lawyer or notary handles the transfer and funds. On possession day, you get the keys.
Costs to budget for when buying
- Deposit (usually due shortly after your offer is accepted)
- Down payment and any mortgage default insurance
- Property Transfer Tax (first-time buyer and new-home exemptions may apply)
- GST on newly built homes
- Legal or notary fees
- Home inspection and appraisal
- Title insurance, moving costs and property tax adjustments
Tax rates, exemptions and programs change. Your lender, lawyer or notary will confirm the exact amounts for your purchase.
Selling, step by step
- Find your priceA comparative market analysis of recent nearby sales, adjusted for your home's size, condition and features.
- Prepare the homeRepairs, decluttering and staging advice that help buyers picture themselves living there.
- Go to marketProfessional photos, MLS® listing on REALTOR.ca, social media and showings.
- Review offersCompare price, subjects, deposit and dates side by side, and negotiate the best overall terms.
- Accept and completeSubject removal, then your lawyer or notary completes the sale and pays out your mortgage.
- Move onPossession day, plus help planning your next purchase if you're buying too.
Costs to budget for when selling
- Real estate commission
- Legal or notary fees
- Mortgage discharge or prepayment penalty
- Repairs, staging and cleaning
- Moving costs
Common questions
How long does it take to buy a home?
Many purchases complete within one to three months of an accepted offer, but it depends on the dates you negotiate and how long your search takes.
What are subjects?
Conditions in your offer, such as financing, inspection and document review, that must be satisfied or removed before the sale is firm.
Do I need a lawyer or notary?
Yes. In BC a lawyer or notary handles the legal transfer, funds and title registration.
Should I buy first or sell first?
It depends on your finances and the market. Shobit can walk you through the pros and cons of each, and how bridge financing works.
What is a depreciation report?
A strata's long-term plan for repairs and replacements. It helps buyers spot upcoming costs or special levies.
Ready for the next step?
Whether you're buying, selling or both, Shobit will map out a plan with you.