" A Good Real Estate Agent Knows You're Not Just Buying A House,
You're Moving Into A Community "

Real Estate Planning

      Getting Ready To Move Into Your New Home

Congratulations, you have just bought a new home! You have signed a contract with your builder and you have obtained the necessary financing. Your lawyer is preparing the transfer of ownership of the home to you. And you can now focus on the many pleasant tasks involved in moving into your home.

Making Selections

Often, when you buy a new home, the actual construction of the house does not begin until after you have signed a contract with the builder. This practice allows you to choose many of the finishing touches. The flexibility and the selections offered vary from one builder to another. The most common choices include:

Exterior finishes
cladding: brick and/or siding
roof, fascia and soffit: colour
trim and garage door: colour

Interior finishes
flooring (carpet, ceramic tile): colour and pattern
kitchen cupboards and bathroom vanities: style and colour of counter tops and knobs/handles
bathroom fixtures and tiles: colour and pattern

Shortly after you have a firm contract, your builder or representative will set up an appointment with you to make the final selections for your home. At that time, you may also be able to upgrade some of the standard features, if you did not already do so when you negotiated the contract. Types of upgrades offered vary from builder to builder; ask your builder or representative about your options. Following The Progress Of Your Home

You naturally want to be involved and informed as your home is being built. Generally speaking, builders welcome your participation and enthusiasm and you should feel free to contact your builder from time to time to inquire about the progress of your home. However, for safety reasons you should not visit the construction site unless accompanied by the builder or a representative. Instead, call and make a special appointment.

Shortly before taking possession of the house, you and the builder will conduct "a pre-delivery inspection tour" of the home. Take note of everything that is not to your satisfaction. Builders who are members of a provincial New Home Warranty Program will ask you to sign a Certificate of Completion and Possession. (The New Home Series-6 factsheet, "Inspecting Your New Home", contains more information about the New Home Warranty Program.)

Taking Care Of The Moving Details

As you get closer to the moving date, you need to take care of a number of important "little things". Getting started early means a smoother transition for your household.

• Change your address at the post office
• Notify utilities, the telephone company, employers, credit card companies, etc.
• Arrange for movers
• Buy new appliances
• Make daycare arrangements in your new neighbourhood
• Take care of school registration
• and . . .

On The Closing Date

On the date set in your Agreement of Purchase and Sale, you will take possession of your new home. If you plan to move in to your new home on the closing date, you have a busy day ahead of you!

On this day, your lawyer will obtain payment to your builder (or his lawyer), register the property in your name and obtain the keys to the house and the deed for you. As soon as this has taken place, you are the rightful and proud owner of the home and you can begin to move in. (In Quebec, the deed of mortgage will have already been executed and registered before closing day, and your real estate agent or new home salesperson will present you with the keys.)

When you step into your new home, you will immediately want to check that all services have been connected. You may also wish to conduct a brief inspection of the house to ensure that no last-minute damage has occurred since your pre-delivery inspection and that agreed-upon minor repairs have in fact been done.

After-Sales Service

Your builder wants you to be happy with your new home-after all, satisfied clients are a builder's best marketing tool. Professional builders have established after-sales service policies such as 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up telephone calls or home visits. Take these opportunities to let the builder know if you are experiencing any problems with your home, or if you have any concerns. Also, contact your builder at any time if you run into problems that require immediate attention.

Maintaining your home

Regular upkeep and maintenance ensures that your home will remain in peak condition. The builder will provide you with an information package that recommends maintenance schedules and explains upkeep procedures. Don't hesitate to ask questions! Then you can relax, confident that you will be able to enjoy your new home for many years to come!

          Inspecting your new home
          Getting ready to move in
          Taking care of your new home

Return to Real Estate Planning

Glenys has answers to your questions and more professional tips to make your real estate transaction more pleasurable. Call or e-mail Glenys or click on "Ask Your Own Questions." Glenys can send you information on any Property Listed For Sale on the Multiple Listing Service in the Halifax area. If you would like her to help you locate a home, please fill out her Information Request Form. Surfing the Real Estate Board's web site or MLS.CA and found a house that you like but doesn't give you the civic address. Glenys can also help. Just fill out her Would like an address form, please ! Or perhaps you are considering selling your home in the near future, she can also offer you a Free No-Obligation Market Evaluation Form

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