We hear from people all the time that they are thinking about moving but aren’t ready yet. Not to worry – your secret is safe with us!

Our no-pressure approach means that you won’t be rushed. In fact sometimes it’s better to wait depending on market conditions or your specific needs.We’d love to help you find your next home; we’d also like you to make this big decision with a clear mind.

So, for those of you just starting out, here are our top 5 home buyer tips to ease you into the process:

1. Become a neighbourhood scout.

Like your current neighbourhood? Thinking about a change? Figure out what important to you in a neighbourhood and make a point of visiting different parts of the city to get a feel for them. Check out the local coffee shop or best patio (we like BlogTO’s Patio Guide for discovering new places!). Heading to a neighbourhood on a weekend? Drop in on some open houses!

2. Open houses: they are open for a reason.

See above. Honestly, it’s okay to go even if you aren’t seriously looking yet. We can even send you a list of all the open houses in a particular neighbourhood to help you plan a route. Start with a coffee, visit some homes, debrief on a patio – that’s a perfect Sunday afternoon if you ask us!

3. Make a list and check it twice.

When you are sitting on that patio, start to think about what’s most important to you. It doesn’t need to be a long list. Must have a place to bbq? Jot ’er down. Need an extra bedroom for when the in-laws are in town? Ditto.

4. Boo. money.

The downer is everything comes at a price. At some point you are going to start thinking about money and affordability. We’ve got you covered: when browsing the listings through our site you’ll see a link to a mortgage calculator. It doesn’t replace meeting with a mortgage specialist, but it can help you frame out what price range you want to look in.

5. We can help!

Really, we can and it’s no bother to us. If you want to sit down with us, no matter where you are in the process, we are happy to. We’ll ask questions to help you uncover your must haves. We can suggest neighbourhoods that haven’t yet crossed your mind. We can start that conversation about price. And we can do all this in as formal (our office) or informal (your local café) setting as you’d like. Plus we always pick up the tab, so it’s a great opportunity for a free drink!

For more information on what it’s like to work with us, check out our Buying page. Until you are ready, it’s okay: go ahead, dream!