Homebuyer's School

When moving into a new community are you confused by all the different associations? What are their roles and how do they impact you? In this episode, we talk with Heather Cockerline, Community Experience Lead with Brookfield Residential and discuss the differences between a homeowners association, a residents association and a community association. We also explore the required fees and how to join these associations. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/difference-between-homeowners-association-and-community-association

 We discuss the following items: 

• Difference between an HOA and community association
• Do you have to pay community association fees? Are they mandatory?
• What's the process of joining any of these associations? 

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Just bought a new home? Wondering what to do when you move in? In this episode, we discuss what are the top five things you should do when taking possession of your new house. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/first-things-you-should-do-when-moving-into-a-new-house

 We discuss the following items: 

• The top five things to do when homeowners moving into a new home and why.

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Moving into a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA)? How much do you have to pay and what does it cover? In this episode, we talk with Heather Cockerline, Community Experience Lead with Brookfield Residential, and discuss what HOA fees include, who pays them, are they negotiable and how are they collected. We also explore if you have to pay HOA fees if you aren't using the amenities/facilities and what happens if you don't pay the fees. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/what-do-hoa-fees-include

 We discuss the following items: 

• What's included in HOA fees?
• Do all residents have to pay an HOA fee? How often are they collected?
• Are they negotiable? 
• Is there a difference between an HOA (and fees) for condos or single family homes?
• Do you have to pay HOA fees if you don't use HOA facilities or amenities?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

So what are the top things to look for when buying a home? How about after you buy? In this episode, we talk with Jessica McNabb, Area Manager with Brookfield Residential, and discuss the top 5 things to look for when buying a home, how times should you visit the home you intend to buy and key things to do after purchase. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/5-best-tips-on-what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-house

 We discuss the following items: 

• Top 5 tips all home buyers should look at before buying a home
• How many times should you view a home or show home?
• Do you need a lawyer to buy a home?
• Key things to do AFTER buying a home

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

In this episode, we talk with Heather Cockerline, Community Experience Lead with Brookfield Residential and discuss the difference between an HOA and a condo board, including fees, impact on tenants and use of facilities both inside a condo and within a community. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/difference-between-homeowners-association-hoa-and-condo-board

 We discuss the following items: 

• Difference between HOA and Condo Board, including fees
•  Impact on tenants
• Use of facilities inside a condo and within a community

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

In part 2 of our two-part series on homeowner's associations (HOA), we talk with Heather Cockerline, Community Experience Lead with Brookfield Residential, and discuss if tenants are responsible for HOA fees, if guests can use HOA facilities and if you can rent HOA facilities. We also explore what happens if no one volunteers for an HOA. Make sure to listen to part 1: http://hombuyersschool.libsyn.com/what-is-a-homeowners-association-including-purpose-rules-and-responsibilities

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/whats-included-in-a-homeowners-association-hoa

 We discuss the following items: 

• Are tenants responsible for HOA fees?
• Can guests use HOA facilities? 
• Can you rent HOA facilities?
• What happens if no one volunteers for an HOA?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Does it cost more to build or buy a house? What are the costs you need to know of each? In this episode, we talk with Jessica McNabb, Area Manager with Brookfield Residential, and discuss the pros and cons of building and buying a home. We also explore if building a house costs more and how long it normally takes to build a home. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/cost-of-building-vs-buying-a-home-in-2019-which-is-cheaper

 We discuss the following items: 

• Cost of buying vs building a home
• Pros and cons of building and buying
• It is actually more expensive to build a home?
• How long does it take to build a home?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Wondering what is the purpose and responsibilities of a Homeowner's Association? Who is involved and how do you join? In this episode, we talk with Heather Cockerline, Community Experience Lead with Brookfield Residential, and discuss what is a Homeowner's Association (HOA), what does it include and amenities they provide. We also explore rules, governance and when an HOA is created. This is part 1 of our 2 part series on Homeowner's Association. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/what-is-a-homeowners-association-including-purpose-rules-and-responsibilities

 We discuss the following items: 

• What is a homeowners association (HOA)? 
• What's included and what are the amenities of an HOA?
• What are the rules and governance? 
  • How are rules created and how can people join?
• When is an HOA created/established in a community?

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Not sure where you want to buy your next home? What are some things to consider when choosing the best place to live? In this episode, we talk with Heather Cockerline, Community Experience Lead with Brookfield Residential, and discuss how to choose where to live when buying a home, key things to look for in a community and how to experience a community/neighbourhood before living in it. We also explore how your finances play a role in choosing where to live. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/how-to-choose-where-to-live-when-buying-a-home

 We discuss the following items: 

• How to choose where to live when buying home
• Key things to look for when choosing a community
• How to experience a community before buying a home
• What role does financing have to play when choosing where to live

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca

Wondering what are the best new home upgrades to consider when buying a new home? In this episode, we talk with Eddy D'Ambrosio, Realtor with Remax Elite, and discuss best home upgrades to increase home value, home improvements that increase value, and looking at exterior upgrades as well. 

Prefer to watch the video or read and take notes? See the transcript:

https://stories.brookfieldresidential.com/homebuyersschool/home-upgrades-that-add-value-to-your-home-in-2019

We discuss the following items: 

• Best upgrades that increase home value
  • Kitchen, bathrooms, countertops, flooring
• Home improvements that can improve value? Low-cost options?
• The balance between money spent on new home and upgrades that increase value
• Exterior upgrades

Have any questions or show topic suggestions? Contact us:

Email:

[email protected]

Web: homebuyersschool.ca