Buying Process

Step-by-Step

Throughout the course of the year we’ve explored various aspects of the new home buying experience. We’ve looked at choosing a home in the community that’s right for you, your experience in the sales office and what you should look for in the features, finishes, and amenities available both inside your home and within your community. When purchasing a new home – whether it be low-rise or condo, homebuilders are involved well before you choose that new home, through to the end of the TARION New Home Warranty period.  

Let’s assume that you’ve selected a home you love with all the bells and whistles you need. You’ve been pre-approved for your mortgage, retained a lawyer and signed the necessary paperwork. Now what?  Your next major milestone will be when you select your interior finishes. The Colour Selection Appointment allows you to choose from among standard and optional upgrade features and finishes that suit your personal taste and lifestyle. Next would be the steps that lead to occupancy – in the case of a condo, or the closing date – in the case of a low-rise home.

This begins with ensuring that all required deposits have been paid and you are ready to finalize the deal, whether it’s your cash or with a mortgage. These tasks are usually done in consultation with your lawyer. Around this time, you can expect your builder to contact you to set the date for your Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI). This official inspection is your chance to take a close look at all the workings of your home, to ensure that everything is the way it should be. Typically you should receive your Homeowner Manual at the inspection. The PDI is also your opportunity to ask the builder’s representative about the care and maintenance requirements of your new home.

The PDI is the review of your home’s interior (both condo and low-rise) and exterior (in the instance of low-rise only). Condo exteriors and amenities are dealt with in the Performance Audit. Along with ensuring that your options and extras have been installed, this is also your chance to make note of any superficial damage to finishes – an important step before you move in. For example, if you find a scratch on your countertop or in the hardwood flooring, now is the time to make note of it. TARION will cover you for warrantable deficiencies, and the onus is on you to list even the smallest details during your PDI, in order to confirm what’s covered. 

Some may think that this is the end of your experience with your builder, but that’s definitely not the case. In fact, at Brandy Lane, we are in direct contact with you for two full years following occupancy to attend to all warrantable deficiencies. Within this timeframe, it’s our goal to maintain our positive and client-centric relationship with you. If you buy another home from us or recommend us to your family and friends – we’ve done our job well!