EXECUTIVE LIVING WITHOUT THE HUGE EXPENSE
6 - 6709 Victoria Rd, Summerland BC V0H 1Z2
BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME
20 - 10605 Cedar Ave
Rock Garden Estates, Summerland
Offered for an excellent price of
$649,900
MLS® #182950
$149,000
MLS® #181785
Tammy Antrobus
REALTOR® | SRES®
250.488.0804
Your South Okanagan Real Estate Specialist
Congratulations, You Have Decided to Buy
Do you have a Good Real Estate Advisor?
For most people, purchasing or selling a home is the single largest financial transaction in their lifetime. It is also easily the most complicated as well, with piles of paperwork, legal requirements and numerous pitfalls. A real estate agent in your corner make a huge difference.
I always look out for the interests of my clients. If I am uncomfortable with some aspect of a deal, I will make sure that your interests prevail and that you receive accurate and reliable information and negotiate on your behalf with honesty and integrity.
What's the Real Estate Market Like?
An important factor in any real estate transaction is an understanding of the market. What are the interest rates? How healthy is the economy and what are employment conditions like? Are houses selling faster than they are being put on the market? Or is it the other way around? In more concise terms, is it a Buyers' market or Sellers' market?
But most importantly, what are the local real estate market conditions like? Market conditions can differ dramatically based upon region and even by neighbourhood. That's where local expertise and understanding of the desirable neighbourhoods, and local market trends is invaluable. I keep a close eye on all aspects of the local market conditions as well as what is happening in individual neighbourhoods.
The Choice to Buy
Buying VS Renting – Your Options
Before you set out to purchase a home it is important for you to know if buying is the best option for you. Below are some points to consider when making your decision.
FREEDOM FROM RENT INCREASES
With a fixed-rate mortgage like most homeowners have, your payments of principal and interest remain the same for the entire term of your mortgage. You no longer have to worry about increasing rents that will continue to escalate.
BUILDING EQUITY FOR THE FUTURE
Rental payments are gone once you have made them. That money is never seen again. But, with each mortgage payment you are buying something tangible, making an investment and building equity in your home. The longer you own your home typically the larger the equity.
KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION
Owning your home helps you keep up with inflation. Real estate has historically kept pace with and usually appreciates faster than the rate of inflation. This makes owning a home one of the very best financial investments that you can make.
SECURITY FOR RETIREMENT
Eventually your mortgage will be paid leaving you living rent-free for your retirement.
PAY BACK ON IMPROVEMENTS
A renter gets no benefit from any of the improvements that they make on the property. As a
homeowner you can realize some or even all of the cost of the improvements that you have made when you sell your home.
AVAILABILITY OF RENTAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Vacancy rates are extremely low in the South Okanagan often making high quality rental accommodations difficult to secure.
LIFESTYLE
When living in a neighbourhood that is filled with homeowners like yourself you will find that they too care about and have invested in their property. They, like you are willing to invest time, money and effort into the care of their property, which ultimately improves the value of your own.
IT WILL BE YOURS
When owning your home there are no more restrictions that renters must face. You can paint the walls any colours, hammer nails into any wall and make any improvement or renovations that you would like which enhance your lifestyle.
Purchasing a new home is a significant milestone.
Whether you are seeking your first property, upsizing or downsizing, searching for a retirement residence, or exploring a recreational investment, this process presents valuable opportunities for you and your family.
Your new home should address the specific needs of your household.
I encourage you to communicate your priorities so that we can identifying the best possible options.
While buying a home can be an exciting experience, it may also feel overwhelming. This guide contains resources and information designed to help you navigate each step with confidence.
Some aspects of the process may already be familiar, while others will provide new insights. My role is to support and advise you, helping you avoid common challenges and ensure well-informed decisions.
Partnering with me to search for a home means you’ll receive:
Expert advice
I consistently deliver reliable information and guidance on factors influencing property value. For buyers, I advise considering future resale potential in purchasing decisions, highlighting both advantages and disadvantages for thorough evaluation. Whether you are purchasing or selling a property, I ensure contracts are drafted professionally and in compliance with legal standards, tailored to meet your specific needs. My commitment includes undivided loyalty, strict confidentiality, adherence to your directives, and dedicated protection of your interests throughout each stage of the transaction.
Instant new listings notification
Searching for a new home online is now more efficient than ever; however, desirable listings may already be under consideration by realtors and their respective clients. By partnering with me, you will receive immediate email notifications of new property listings that align with your criteria as soon as they become available. This ensures you have the opportunity to view and submit offers on new market properties promptly.
Knowledge and know-how
When you choose to work with me, you benefit from my extensive knowledge of residential properties. My background in home construction and renovation allows me to critically assess each property we view together. My objective is to provide you with comprehensive information regarding potential purchases, enabling you to make well-informed decisions. I evaluate aspects such as location, interior condition, and any necessary improvements. I am committed to addressing these considerations—and more—to assist you in finding a home that best aligns with your requirements.
Is there more that I can do?
If there’s anything more I can do to assist you, please let me know. Ensuring your satisfaction is my top priority, which is why I’m always eager to consider new ideas that help me serve you better.
Due to changes in real estate laws, working with buyers and sellers has become a complex process. Having a skilled real estate professional looking out for your interests can make all the difference.
Enjoy Your Journey!
Your Financial Position
Before you begin looking for your home, you need to determine your financial position so that you know how much you can spend on your home. The following is a list of things that you need to look at and determine before you can begin searching for your dream home.
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Determine the price range of homes that you can afford and how much money you can use as a down payment.
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Get pre-approved for a mortgage and have a credit check done for the best rate in the market at no cost.
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Be prepared for the deposit which must be given upon subject removal or in some cases upon signing of offer.
Some other financial areas you may wish to consider:
PRE-APPROVAL: Many financial institutions offer a pre-approval service that tells you in advance the amount that they are willing to lend based on your income, down payment and any debts that you currently have.
This way you will be able to view homes that match your budget and affordability.
GROSS DEBT SERVICE (GDS): The normal banking system allows buyers to use up to 32% of their gross monthly income towards housing costs, which includes mortgage payments, taxes and heating costs. If the property to be purchased is a condominium then half of the monthly maintenance fees must be included.
TOTAL DEBT SERVICE (TDS): In order to get a more accurate estimate of what you can afford, TDS takes into account any additional debts that you owe (car payments, credit cards etc…). No more than 42% of your gross monthly income can be used for housing costs and other debts.
Remember that your comfort with your monthly payments is more important than qualifying within the guidelines of a financial institution. Take time to create a detailed budget to ensure that what you are comfortable paying is in line with what the system allows.