It may take several days of viewings to find the community and the property that best fits your needs and your budget. Don't be afraid of using up too much of your realtor's time; your realtor is paid as a result of finding you a property and successfully executing an accepted Offer to Purchase. The realtor's commission is paid by the seller of the property in 99 per cent of cases. There are exceptions and when this occurs it will be discussed with you at the time.

Once you have chosen a property your realtor will draft the Offer to Purchase on your behalf. Here again, it is your realtor's role to advise you of your options regarding the offer.

Several steps are required when representing your interests. The realtor must investigate and inform you of the true market value of the property to prevent you from paying too much. Second, the realtor will advise you as to the amount of deposit you should submit with the offer and together you will work out the possession/completion date.

The deposit is considered 'good faith money' and is returned to you if the purchase falls through. Your realtor must understand your financial and family situation and make recommendations regarding any conditions to the Offer to Purchase. For example; an offer can be made:

'Conditional' to mortgage approval
'Conditional' to final job offer
'Conditional' to home inspection
'Conditional' to spouse approval (if you are looking by yourself)

Many other conditions can be identified depending upon your personal circumstances but the conditions above are the standard ones and these are usually completed within three to 10 days.

A seller is not obliged to accept an Offer to Purchase with any 'conditions' but only to accept an Offer to Purchase if the full asking price is offered. Serious haggling in the course of purchasing real estate is customary.