"...if you're moving on your own, it's a good idea to try to get in touch with a local to see how they feel about the neighbourhood and if they think crime is a problem there or not"
When it comes to purchasing a home and moving to Alberta, Chris Strong will be your most useful asset thanks to his balanced viewpoint, in-depth knowledge, and savvy negotiating techniques. In the end, his assistance will make everything go more smoothly and successfully. However, Chris understands that that’s not how everyone likes to do things, and some would rather figure it out as they go. If you’re one of those people, Chris still wants to assist you in getting ready to
It’s a good idea to know the ins and outs of your potential neighbourhood before deciding to relocate and purchase a property. While you’re looking at various communities across Alberta, keep the following questions in mind:
That will help you narrow it down to a few neighbourhoods you think you might enjoy living in.
Now, start to think about these things:
Compare your neighbourhood’s findings to the goals and needs you have mentioned. What are the results? The choice that best satisfies your needs and desires should be used to determine your ideal neighbourhood. If it appears like neighbourhoods 1 and 2 won’t be a good fit, think about looking into a couple more.
Bonus Tip: While a relocation realtor like Chris Strong has relationships with locals in numerous communities throughout Alberta, if you’re moving on your own, it’s a good idea to try to get in touch with a local to see how they feel about the neighbourhood and if they think crime is a problem there or not.
It’s better to work with a builder who makes building houses their main line of business rather than just a side gig. Maintain a record of your interactions with customer service—are they being honest about charges, deadlines, and other logistics? Do they care about your requirements, such as location, cost, square footage overall, storage space, yard size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and accessibility?
The offices of several other building businesses are frequently right next to the offices of show homes. It’s a good idea to stop by each one, ask plenty of questions, and tour the model houses before making a choice based on what you’ve seen and any additional research you’ve done.
Bonus Tip: You shouldn’t work with a builder who puts extra pressure on you to sign.
You ought to be able to move in as soon as you get the keys unless you’re buying a fixer-upper or have big remodelling projects planned before moving in. Remember that some older homes may be very out of date technologically; some could still have knob and tube wiring from the early part of the 20th century. Although it’s possible to improve wiring and add smart technology to replace outdated thermostats and lighting, it’s a lot more expensive to negotiate correctly from the beginning and install it before taking possession.
Bonus Tip: Older heating systems, roofs, and appliances may require surprise repairs, costing you the money you didn’t intend on spending. Make sure to work with an inspector you trust.
Here’s what’s next:
From the time a buyer submits an offer until they grab hold and can move into their new home, if all is going well, it usually takes around one month. Here’s what you have to make sure is accomplished during that period.
There’s a big difference between the two. The majority of offers are conditional offers and are subject to a home inspection and final mortgage clearance for the buyer. There may also be further restrictions.
Bonus tip: If you have an Unconditional Offer, and the deal is compromised before it gets closed due to an unconditional offer, the buyer (you) forfeits their deposit.
In Alberta, working with a lawyer is a requirement when purchasing a home, in comparison to several other provinces where a notary is sufficient.
To put it simply, a lawyer makes sure that the land transfer from buyer to seller is legitimately enforceable and binding. The lawyer assumes some of the risks that you may otherwise incur. The lawyer starts the two-week process for registering the transfer of land from the seller to the buyer as soon as the home inspection is completed successfully.
Bonus Tip: A Statement of Adjustments is one of the documents your attorney will send you. The entire amount of property tax due for the year, the proportion of property tax that the seller is responsible for, and the percentage of property tax that you, the buyer, are responsible for in the year of the transaction are all summarized in this document, among other things. The percentage of the property tax that belongs to the buyer is typically added to the sale price of the home and paid to the seller.
So, you’ve found your perfect neighbourhood and home, have made a conditional (or unconditional offer) and made sure to retain a lawyer. We’ll spare you the details of the next logical and run-of-the-mill steps including a property appraisal, making sure to get a home inspection, purchasing title insurance, and transferring the remainder of the down payment to the seller and taking possession.
One of the greatest and perhaps most significant decisions the majority of us will make in our life is moving to a new province like Alberta and purchasing a home.
Leading up to that dream-come-true moment of becoming a resident in a fantastic province like Alberta, the road is loaded with a gamut of emotions and long-term decision-making.
For you, that is why Chris wrote this checklist. So that, wherever you are, you can feel assured and knowledgeable about taking the do-it-yourself approach and relocating to Alberta.
Of course, working with a relocation realtor like Chris Strong alleviates all of this from your plate. If you’re thinking it’s time to get in touch, send Chris an email at chrisstrong@royallepage.ca or give him a ring at 403-463-1454.
Bonus Tip: Chris Strong recommends you don’t tackle relocating to Alberta alone. Connect with him. You’ll be glad you did.
