BUYING

Let us help you every step of the way

We know the local market inside and out — so you can start your search with confidence, knowing exactly which homes are worth your time.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make — and one of the most rewarding. The key is knowing you're truly prepared before you start. Finding the right home takes expertise, and securing the right financing takes guidance. We're here to provide both.

With us at your side, buying a home becomes easier, less time-consuming, and more cost-effective than going it alone. We'll help position you as a preferred buyer, match you with properties that fit your needs, negotiate on your behalf, and guide you through every step of the purchase — from first showing to final closing.

The Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying a Home in Edmonton and Area

Buying a home is exciting, and it can also feel overwhelming if you do not know what to expect. We built this guide to walk you through the process step by step, so you can move forward with confidence.

We help buyers find homes across Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Leduc, Beaumont, and the rural areas of Strathcona County, Sturgeon County, and Parkland County. Whatever your budget or timeline, our job is to make sure you understand every step before you take it.

Step 1: Get Clear on Your Budget

Before you start touring homes, talk to a mortgage broker or lender to get pre approved. Pre approval tells you exactly what you can afford, strengthens your offer in the eyes of a seller, and saves you from falling in love with a home outside your range. We are happy to connect you with lenders we trust if you do not already have one.

Step 2: Define What You Are Looking For

Think through your must haves versus your nice to haves. Number of bedrooms, commute time, school catchment, lot size, garage space, and proximity to amenities all factor into the search. The clearer you are with us up front, the faster we can narrow down the right properties instead of wasting your weekends on showings that were never a fit.

Step 3: Searching and Touring Homes

Once we know what you want, we set you up with a custom search through BoldTrail so new listings that match your criteria land in your inbox as soon as they hit the market in Paragon. We schedule and accompany you to showings, and we give you our honest read on each property, not just what looks good in photos.

Step 4: Making an Offer

When you find the right home, we prepare a strategic offer based on recent comparable sales, current market conditions, and how long the property has been listed. We advise you on price, deposit amount, closing date, and any conditions you should include, such as financing and home inspection. In a competitive market, how an offer is structured can matter as much as the price itself.

Step 5: Conditions and Due Diligence

Most offers include a financing condition and a home inspection condition. A qualified inspector will check the structure, roof, furnace, electrical, plumbing, and overall condition of the home, and we will help you interpret the findings and decide whether to proceed, negotiate, or walk away. This is your opportunity to know exactly what you are buying before you are locked in.

Step 6: Finalizing Financing

Once your offer is accepted and conditions are progressing, your lender will finalize your mortgage approval based on the specific property. This typically involves an appraisal and final documentation. We stay in touch with your lender throughout this stage to keep things moving on schedule.

Step 7: Closing Day

Your lawyer handles the legal transfer of the property, including title search, mortgage registration, and the exchange of funds. We coordinate timing with you and the seller's side so possession day goes smoothly, right down to picking up your keys.

Common Buyer Questions

How much do I need for a down payment? In Canada, minimum down payments range from five percent for homes under a certain price threshold up to twenty percent for higher priced properties. Your lender can confirm exactly what applies to your situation.

What costs come up beyond the purchase price? Plan for legal fees, home inspection fees, property tax adjustments, possible mortgage insurance, and moving costs. We will give you a full picture of closing costs before you make an offer.

Do I have to use the seller's agent? No. As the buyer, you are entitled to your own representation, and there is no cost to you for working with us. Our role is to protect your interests throughout the transaction.

How competitive is the Edmonton area market right now? Conditions shift by neighbourhood and price range. We will give you an honest, current read on the specific area and home type you are interested in before you start making offers.

Why Buy With The Real Estate Team

Mary Bark and David Szusz bring deep local knowledge across Edmonton and the surrounding communities, along with a calm, straightforward approach that keeps the process from feeling overwhelming. Mary also serves as Managing Liaison on the Edmonton and Area Local Group Advertising Committee, giving our team an inside view of how the local market moves. From your first search to the day you get your keys, we are in your corner.

Ready to start your home search? Reach out any time.

The Real Estate Team Mary Bark and David Szusz, REALTORS® RE/MAX River City 780.905.6255 thereteam.ca

Buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction—it’s a life-changing experience. That’s why we are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for every client we work with. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, upgrading to your dream home, or downsizing for the next chapter, our team brings local expertise, proven marketing strategies, and a commitment to achieving the best results for you.

We pride ourselves on building strong relationships based on trust, communication, and results. From the first conversation to the final handshake, we’ll be by your side to ensure a smooth, successful real estate journey.

Finding The Right Home For You

Once you've been pre-qualified and know your price range, we'll help you find properties that match your needs using the MLS — and we'll set up personalized search alerts so you're the first to know when the right home hits the market.

Home Finder & Off-Market Access

Get alerts for the latest listings that match your criteria

Finding the perfect home can sometimes feel overwhelming—especially when the best opportunities aren’t always listed publicly. That’s why working with a local realtor gives you a distinct advantage.

As your dedicated home finder, I provide access to exclusive off-market properties and upcoming listings before they hit the market. This means you get a head start on hidden gems that others may never see.

Using my local market knowledge and professional network, I’ll tailor your home search to match your unique needs and budget, helping you discover the right property faster and with less hassle.

Ready to find your dream home? Fill out the details of your home below to get the process started.

Contact Form

Property Info

Home Style:

Preferred Area:

Min Price:

Max Price:

Min Beds:

Min Baths:

Min Size:

I am buying:

Other Requirements:

Contact Info

First Name:

Last Name:

E-mail:

Phone:

I agree to be contacted via call, email, and text. I understand I may unsubscribe at any time. Information is used in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

Mortgage Calculator

Purchase Amount:

Interest Rate:

Mortgage Term (Years):

Payment Interval:

Down Payment:

Closing Costs ($):

Closing Costs (%):

Loan amount:

Interest rate:

Payment interval:

Mortgage term:

Payment:

Total payments:

Total amount paid:

Total interest paid:

This calculator is for information purposes only. Users should not use this calculator to make any financial decisions and should speak with their bank or mortgage broker. The website owner does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of any information or calculations provided by this calculator. The website owner is not liable for loss or damage of any kind arising from the use of this tool.