Closing the purchase of a pre-sale home can feel intimidating to even the most seasoned of homebuyers —more so for a first-time buyer. There are a few essential steps that each buyer should take and understand to ease the nerves and ensure all the boxes are checked. Here is a simple guideline to follow for a smooth transition into your pre-sale home and so you can focus on the excitement of owning a new home.

1. Submit a deposit
Once your offer is accepted, you’ll be asked to submit a deposit that holds the home while you execute your final due diligence. Deposits are typically five to 10 percent of your home’s price, although deposit and payment structures vary based on the development. This deposit is safeguarded by what’s called a recission period. For a period of seven days, your pre-sale home is secured for you. During this time, you have the right to cancel the purchase before those seven days are up. This is the time for you to double-check all the important details such as financing before officially sealing the deal.

2. Speak with a lawyer or notary
A real estate lawyer or notary will help you with the finer and final details of your purchase. They arrange the transfer of funds between yourself and the development and ensure that all legal matters are handled correctly. They should also make sure that you fully understand your contractual obligations and the obligations of the developer.

3. Secure your finances
While you likely would have been pre-approved for financing, now is the time to reconnect with your mortgage broker to verify that this specific purchase is approved. Let them know if you’ve had any changes in income or purchasing power. Once your mortgage is approved, it’s time to make note of the deposit and payment schedules and prepare yourself to fulfill your financial obligations.

4. Execute the walkthrough
A deficiency walkthrough is the crucial last step in a homebuyer’s process before you own your pre-sale home. This is usually your first opportunity to see your nearly ready new home. Prior to completion, you should receive a Notice of Completion date from the developer’s agent. This is usually 10 days prior to completion, but timing can vary. After the walkthrough, the developer will present you with a list of any noted deficiencies for you to acknowledge. Typically, the developer will then fix these issues before your move-in date. It is always recommended that you bring your realtor and even a trusted friend along to function as a second and third set of eyes to review the list with you prior to signing. It’s also crucial to have your sales documents and deficiency checklist on hand. Having the sales documents with you means you can make sure that all paint colours, upgrades and finishes are what you selected in the sale process. The deficiency checklist helps itemize and outline deficiencies for you to look out for.

5. Take possession and move into your new home
After the deficiencies are addressed, your new home will be ready for you. A few days prior to the established possession date, reconnect with your lawyer or notary to finalize the transaction. They will register the property to your name and your mortgage will begin. With these final details completed, you can accept the keys to your new home. Enjoy seeing your pre-sale vision come to life and get ready to move in!

If you have any questions about the process from purchase to possession of your pre-sale home, speak with your real estate agent or a sales centre representative for your development, both of whom can provide tailored information for your specific purchase.