Geraldine Santiago

The Internet is a wonderful resource. Here are some personal suggestions to help you on your home buying/selling road to success!

I have searched the Internet for you and found some very interesting information that you will certainly find of use. Please take some time to browse and if you have any questions or suggestions about the information that I am presenting. Let me know, I'd love to hear from you!

Top 3 Mortgage Brokers

I am pleased to recommend these top three mortgage brokers:

John Santos-Ocampo        www.bcmortgage.ca

Alma Pasic                      www.preferredmortgages.ca

Malcolm "Mac" Laird          www.WeMortgageCanada.ca

Lawyers and Notaries

Ron Usher and Richard Bell         (604) 873-8723   www.bellalliance.ca

Hilde Deprez (604) 221-4343

Agatha Chung (604) 261-8118

Reg Chow (604) 669-7777

Building Inspectors

Buying a home is probably one of the most expensive and important decisions you'll ever make.  But unlike many of life's other major purchases, when it comes to buying a house, there's no such thing as a money-back guarantee.  Once you buy a home, you're on your own to maintain and repair it, anticipate problems--and pay the bills.

Hiring a professional home inspector can help you find out as much as possible about a home's condition, habitability, and safety before you sign on the dotted line.  To help you make more informed decisions--and keep any unpleasant surprises to a minimum--Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has several tips to help you find and select a home inspector, including:

1. First, ask friends or family members who have recently purchased a home for a recommendation, or check association websites, the Yellow Pages or housing trade magazines to find a qualified home inspector in your area.

2. Make sure the home inspector is an experienced, full-time inspector, not a renovator, or a contractor with an inspection business on the side.

3. Look for inspectors who belong to a provicial association, and determine if they intend to meet the standards of competency which are currently being developed by the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors (CAPHI).

4. Ask for three references, and call them to see whether they were satisfied with the service they received.

5. Choose only home inspectors who are not associated with any other construction or housing trade, and who therefore don't carry out repairs or improvements themselves.

6. Make sure the home inspector does not solicit, receive or give referral fees.

7. Ensure that the inspection is carried out during the day, as nighttime inspections may miss vital components of th exterior of the house.

8. Find out where you can get more information about the inspector and his or her firm, such as the firm's website address or industry association.

9. Finally, ask what you will receive once the home inspection is complete, and when you can expect to receive it.  A professional home inspector should provide a written report reviewing every major exterior and interior system and component in the home, usually within 24 hours of the inspection.

For more information or a free copy of the "About Your House" fact sheet on Hiring a Home Inspector or other fact sheets on virtually every facet of owning, maintaining or renovating your home, ask CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.

Inspectors

James Dobney and Associates   www.jamesdobney.com

Glenn Duxbury and Associates   www.glennduxbury-inspections.com

Can-Am Home Inspection Services  www.can-amhome.com

Thorough-Fair Building Consultants www.info@thorough-fair.net

RMC Insight Building Consultants www.rmcinsight.com

Pacific Home Inspection Services

e-mail: ispection@bigfoot.com

Amerispec www.amerispec.com

Ed Walison Home Inspection

www.abt-biz.com/edwallisoninspection/

Oil Removal Tank Companies

Tanktech--Oil Tank Removal    (604) 328-1234

North Shore Oil Tank Recovery (604) 788-1488

Home Buyer's Links

RRSP

For more information on the Home Buyer's Plan (HBP) call toll-free 1-800-959-8281 or visit <www.ccra.gc.ca>

Tax Exemptions Rebates--GST on new housing rebates

For more information, consult the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency on the Internet at <www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca>

Property Transfer Tax or Land Transfer Tax

For more information, log on to <www.rev.gov.bc.ca>

Home Owner's Grant

For more information, log on to www.rev.gov.bc.ca/hog/

Home Owner's Assistance Program--Municipality of Surrey

For more information, log on to www.gvrd.bc.ca/services/housing