Steps to buy a property in Quebec

1. Determine your needs

This is the fun part - imagining your new home. What kind of home are you looking for? What sort of home will you need in the future? Define your criteria - Are you looking for a condo or a semi? A small home with a large lot or four-bedroom with a small lot? Are you looking for a new home or resale? Think about the kind of home and the neighbourhood you desire, in order to guide your search.

2. Financing and pre-approval

Once you've decided on the type of property you want, establish how much money you need to buy it and how much you can afford.

In order to determine how much you can afford to spend on your next home, meet with a mortgage specialist at your bank or financial institution who will look at your current financial situation and work with you to come up with a mortgage pre-approval document. This outlines what they will lend you for the purchase. Once you have this document, you can confidently search for your next home knowing exactly what you can afford.

3. Find your next property

Imagining your dream home and finding it, and finding it within your budget, can sometimes be very different things!

Generally we advise people to do some research and look at several houses before committing to a purchase but there are no hard and fast rules. It's important to keep a positive attitude and an open mind throughout your home search. You may need to see 10 to 20 homes before finding the one that is right for you. It's also a good idea to look at the home's ''bones'' rather than the owner's interior decoration when deciding - don't let a seller's current colour scheme and matching drapes throw you off.

However, you must also know yourself and be realistic. Are you a fixer-upper? Or do you enjoy free time without the worry of a project? Think about what is really important to you, because buying a home is often an exercise in compromise and managing expectations: Small lot in a great location or big lot somewhere else? A spacious four-bedroom looking out on railroad tracks or smaller home a few blocks away? Busy street or quiet crescent? Every great attribute in a home will come with some other potential downside. But don't worry - your dream home, the one that feels just right - is out there!

4. The legalities

You have found your next home and the price is in the right range for you. It's time to buy! You can use the offer to purchase forms available on the DuProprio Website to make your offer.

However, before you purchase, find a good notary or a real estate lawyer and a home inspector. Your legal advisor will need the property titles, which the seller will provide to you

The notary or lawyer will then schedule a meeting with you and the seller according to agreement described in the offer to purchase.