Buying a Home? Here’s What Happens Next!

Buying a home is an exciting journey, but many buyers feel overwhelmed by what happens after they find the right home. From making an offer to moving in, there are key steps that can make or break your purchase. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly what to expect so you can navigate the process with confidence.

1. Submitting Your Offer

Once you’ve found the perfect home, the next step is submitting a strong and competitive offer. Here’s what you need to know:

✅ Work with your real estate agent to craft an offer that aligns with market conditions and the seller’s preferences.
✅ Include key conditions like a home inspection and financing approval to protect yourself.
✅ Understand multiple offer situations—if there’s competition, you may need to adjust terms like price, deposit, or possession date to stand out.

🎯 Example: A buyer in Saskatoon successfully won a competitive bidding war by offering a flexible closing date that appealed to the seller.

📌 Pro Tip: Always get pre-approved for a mortgage before making an offer—this strengthens your position as a buyer and increases the likelihood of your offer being accepted.

2. Home Inspection & Due Diligence

Once your offer is accepted, it’s time for due diligence to ensure the home is in good condition and meets your expectations. Here’s why this step is crucial:

🔍 A professional home inspection uncovers potential issues with the home’s foundation, electrical, plumbing, roofing, and more.
📄 Review the Property Disclosure Statement to understand any known defects.
🛠️ Negotiate repairs or adjust your offer based on inspection results.

🎯 Example: A couple in Saskatoon discovered a roofing issue during their inspection and negotiated a $5,000 credit toward repairs.

📌 Pro Tip: Never skip the home inspection—even in a hot market! Uncovering major issues early can save you thousands down the road.

3. Finalizing Your Financing

Once the home inspection is complete and you’re moving forward, it’s time to finalize your mortgage financing. Here’s what you need to do:

💰 Submit all required documents to your lender, including income verification, tax returns, and credit checks.
📜 Obtain a final mortgage commitment before waiving your financing condition.
📉 Lock in your interest rate if you haven’t already—it could save you thousands in interest!

🎯 Example: A buyer locked in a lower interest rate 30 days before closing, saving over $10,000 in interest over the loan’s term.

📌 Pro Tip: Avoid making big purchases (like a new car) or changing jobs before closing—these can affect your loan approval and delay your purchase.

4. Preparing for Closing Day

You’re almost there! The final steps before closing are critical to ensuring a smooth transition to homeownership. Here’s what to do:

🏡 Hire a real estate lawyer to review all legal documents and ensure a smooth transfer of ownership.
📄 Arrange home insurance—most lenders require proof of insurance before funding the mortgage.
🔌 Transfer utilities and set up internet, water, and other essential services.
🚪 Do a final walk-through to confirm the home is in the expected condition before closing.

🎯 Example: A Saskatoon family found last-minute damage during their final walk-through and got the seller to repair it before closing.

📌 Pro Tip: Have extra funds available for unexpected closing costs, such as legal fees and adjustments.

5. Moving In & Getting Settled

Congratulations! Once you receive your keys, it’s time to move in and start making your house a home. Here are the final steps:

🔑 Change the locks for security and peace of mind.
📍 Update your address with banks, employers, and government agencies.
👋 Familiarize yourself with your neighborhood—find local stores, community groups, and services.

🎯 Example: A new homeowner in Saskatoon joined a local community group and quickly built a network of helpful neighbors.

📌 Pro Tip: Plan your move ahead of time to avoid last-minute stress—book movers early and pack in advance!

Final Thoughts

Buying a home is a huge milestone, and knowing the next steps will help you avoid surprises and make the process seamless. If you’re planning to buy and need expert guidance, call me, Jack Bouvier, at (306) 370-6179, or check out the links in the description. Let’s get you into your dream home stress-free!

🏡 Buying a Home? Let’s Make It Happen!