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    • Home
    • St. John's Real Estate
      • Find Your St. John's Home
      • Sell Your St. John's Home
      • First Time Homebuyers
      • New Canadians
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Value & Insights
      • Life in St. John's
      • Moving to St. John's
      • Value & Insights
  • Home
  • St. John's Real Estate
    • Find Your St. John's Home
    • Sell Your St. John's Home
    • First Time Homebuyers
    • New Canadians
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Value & Insights
    • Life in St. John's
    • Moving to St. John's
    • Value & Insights

Buy your first home like a pro

congrats on starting your home ownership journey

Are you ready to begin searching for your first property?

Buying your first home in St. John's can be an exciting but daunting experience. If you have never purchased a house before, how do you know what to look for? What steps do you need to follow? How do you proceed to make an offer and close a deal?


This is where a trusted REALTOR® can make all the difference. Take the guess-work out of one of the most important financial decisions of your life. Your focus should be on deciding which home works best for you, not worrying about the process of a house purchase.


My goal is to make the first home buyers experience as painless as possible, while helping you find a place that suits your unique needs. Take advantage of the information I share, and the value I provide, so you can feel more informed during your home search. I'm Here for YOU.

So, what are the steps to buying a home?

Mortgage Pre-Approval

Hire Your Realtor (That's Me!)

Hire Your Realtor (That's Me!)

Your first step in purchasing a home is working with a Mortgage Broker to get a pre-approval. This step is crucial to understand if you qualify for a mortgage, and how much you can afford. Need a recommendation? I work with great Mortgage Brokers in St. John's who will find the best rate and mortgage terms for your unique situation.

Hire Your Realtor (That's Me!)

Hire Your Realtor (That's Me!)

Hire Your Realtor (That's Me!)

When you have your pre-approval letter, it's time to hire your Realtor! You'll have lots of questions, and a dedicated Realtor will be available to help you every step of the way. Our main goal is to represent your best interests in the deal. First time home buyers may need extra guidance; find a Realtor who is willing to work with you.

Find Your New Home

Hire Your Realtor (That's Me!)

Get a Home Inspection

This is the fun part of the process - it's time to select your new property! Once I am hired, we will work through a Buyer's Profile that will tell me everything you are looking for in a home. We will create a list of needs vs. wants, and I will send you tailored listings. Viewings can be in person or virtually - distance is never an issue for me.

Get a Home Inspection

Get a Home Inspection

Get a Home Inspection

After an offer has been put in on a place, the next step is to order a Home Inspection. This is an important step to ensure the property you are purchasing is in good condition (or in a condition you find acceptable and are willing to repair). When we receive the findings from the Home Inspection, we will review them together and make sure you are comfortable proceeding.

Finalize Your Deal

Get a Home Inspection

Finalize Your Deal

This step involves many pieces; finalizing financing, coordinating lawyers, getting surveys completed, title searches, purchasing home insurance, setting up internet, and getting prepped for your big move. There are a lot of moving pieces during this phase, and I will be with you every step of the way to make sure nothing gets missed so we get the deal to close. 

It's Moving Day

Get a Home Inspection

Finalize Your Deal

On closing day, we will meet at the property to perform a final inspection and ensure everything is in good order. After we confirm, the house purchase money is released to the seller. When their lawyer confirms funds are received, keys will be sent to us. Sometimes this process can be delayed, so we will be in close contact during this time. After we get the keys, it's time for you to move in! 

As a first-time homebuyer, You'll get some perks

Brown leather chair sitting by a window with beige curtains.

First-Time Homebuyers Program

First-Time Homebuyers Program

First-Time Homebuyers Program

Newfoundland Housing launched this program in November 2023 to help 150 first home buyers with the down-payment and closing costs for their first home. Applicants must be pre-approved for a mortgage with a household income of $85,000 or less. Other conditions and eligibility rules apply.

View FHP
Modern kitchen with white cupboards, stainless steel appliances.

First Home Savings Account

First-Time Homebuyers Program

First-Time Homebuyers Program

A first home savings account (FHSA) is a registered plan which allows you, if you are a First Time Home Buyer, to save to buy or build a qualifying first home tax-free (up to certain limits). Review eligibility conditions and find out how you can open an FHSA to reach your house purchase goals.

FHSA Details
Modern dining room table near a window with lots of natural light.

Government of Canada Grants

First-Time Homebuyers Program

Government of Canada Grants

Buying a home can be very exciting, but it is not a decision to take lightly. Take advantage of the available Government of Canada grants, programs, loans, and other incentives to home buyers that maximize the benefits to one of the largest financial decisions you will make.

Government Grants

Curious as to what your Mortgage Payments may be? Check out the CMHC!

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has many valuable tools on their website to help homebuyers through the purchasing process. One of the tools that can come in handy is their Mortgage Calculator. Get an estimate of what your mortgage payments could be by following the button below. This calculator is meant to be used as an estimate only; your Mortgage Broker or bank can work with you to confirm what your actual mortgage costs will be.

Mortgage Calculator

Value & Insights

Questions from other first home buyers in St. John's

As a First-Time Homebuyer, you will need a minimum of 5% as a down-payment, along with inspection fees, closing costs, and a little bit extra just in case. A good rule of thumb is 2-3% of purchase cost for the "extras". You may need a little more for renovations, a moving truck, cleaners, or other expenses related to moving.

It can take 30-60 days (on average) from the time you have an accepted offer on a house to the date that you move in. During this time, several steps will happen to close the deal. Each step has the potential for delays, but working with a great REALTOR®  will help minimize these risks.

I provide extensive information about the location of properties we view, including nearby schools, parks, and amenities, to help you make an informed decision.

Yes, I offer comprehensive relocation services to help you move to a new location. This includes assistance with finding a new home and helping you navigate the moving process.

I can provide you with historical data on property values in the area, as well as current market trends to help you make an informed decision about whether a property is a good investment.

If you don’t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.

Jim Rohn

Keller Williams Platinum Realty logo.

Proudly Working With KW Platinum Realty

I joined the talented Keller Williams Platinum Realty team in St. John's, NL in 2023. Working with an experienced, passionate team of Agents has been a great pleasure and allows me to provide excellent service to my clients by utilizing my broad network of professionals.

Copyright © 2024 Natasha Sutherland,  REALTOR  - All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • Find Your St. John's Home
  • Sell Your St. John's Home
  • First Time Homebuyers
  • New Canadians
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Life in St. John's
  • Moving to St. John's
  • Value & Insights

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