WORK WITH ME

For Buyers

Find your haven. Find your home.

Ready to fall in love with where you live?

It’s about more than finding a property, it’s about making it home.  And sometimes, finding the right house is more than love at first site.  My signature system ensures you are set up for success.  

From Thorough due diligence, access to the latest market date, and a highly respected network of industry professionals, you’ll be at ease knowing all your basis are covered.

My Why

“When a client tells you they never plan on moving from the home you helped them find, so they’ll no longer require your services.  That’s when I know I’ve done my job.  That’s WHY I do what I do.”

– Deanna

how it works

THE BUYING PROCESS

Steal this!

The Ultimate How To Guide on Buying Real Estate in 2023

Ready to get started, but feeling overwhelmed?  This guide is designed to walk you through the ABC’s of buying your new home so you’ll know exactly what to expect during the entire process.

Above & Beyond

What makes working with me different?

Set Up a No Obligation
property Search

Whether you are actively searching for a property, or want to keep on top of the current market.  Set yourself up to automatically receive listings or conduct your own searches in REAL TIME.  Gain access to our exclusive search database with access to listings as quickly as they come out.


Learn More About Buying

Want to learn more about buying real estate in Ontario? Check out these articles and videos.

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New Mortgage Rules

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Have Questions About Buying?

Check out our FAQs for buying real estate in Ontario. I've collected a few of my most common questions below.

Nowadays, we have access to almost every listing online giving buyers an advantage when it comes to finding a home.

But, there’s a lot more that goes into it than just finding a property.  Here are some key things you might not have thought about.

  • CLIENT vs. CUSTOMER

Two types of Realtor-Buyer relationships exist:  Client vs. Customer.  You may think of these terms being used synonymously, however in real estate, that is NOT the case and can have very different implications.

A Realtor has a fiduciary duty to their client(s). 

Meaning, if you are a “client”, Realtors and the Brokerage have an obligation to promote and protect your best interests at all times, particularly in a real estate transaction.  They are ethically obligated to negotiate on your behalf and work FOR you.

Alternatively, your relationship can also be that of a “Customer” if you decide not to “officially” hire a realtor.  An example would be if you were approach a listing agent and ask them to submit an offer for a property on your behalf for that property.

If you chose not to “hire” a realtor, you would likely remain as a “customer” if you decide to buy a house listed on MLS or Realtor.ca.

As a “Customer”, a Realtor and Brokerage will provide you with some level service, but might not necessarily be looking out for your best interests.  They are also not obligated to keep your real estate search information confidential.  This could translate into them drafting the offer, but not going above and beyond to make sure you are protected.  Or advocating on your behalf during negotiations.

How can this hurt you as a buyer?  For any home listed by a Realtor, the Seller would naturally be a “client” of the listing Agent.  As such, they have a legal obligation to the SELLER to promote and protect their best interests in a real estate transaction.  This includes getting them the best price possible, and also complete transparency. 

So, by contacting listing agent directly, there’s a good chance their obligations are to the seller, and not to you.  Translating into you potentially paying a higher price.  Also, anything information, personal or other you may share with the listing agent could potentially be passed on to the Seller’s, putting you at a disadvantage during negotiations.

  • CONDITIONS & CLAUSES

You might not be aware of, or have access to all of the clauses that should be included in your offer during negotiations.  Realtors have been trained to know exactly what things should be included to avoid problems, or potentially legal issues down the line.  Without knowing what you should be including in an offer, you open yourself up to future liability or even litigation.

  • COMPARATIVE MARKET EVALUATIONS (CMA’S)

When it comes to purchase price, Realtors are experts in pricing strategies and knowing the comparables.  Without access to all of the information, stats and tools a Realtor has, and without knowing how to analyze the comps, you risk overpaying for a home by tens of thousands of dollars or more.

  • REGULATION

In Ontario, the Real estate industry is highly regulated.  The provincial government writes the rules that both Realtors & Brokerages must follow.  RECO (Real Estate Council of Ontario) enforces the rules on the government’s behalf, and has laid out legislation and regulations that govern the entire profession.  You can be assured that in most cases, you’ll be working with a dedicated, licensed professional bound to a strict code of ethics.  And, you’ll have recourse for any wrongdoings or complaints through RECO.

These are just a few of the many reasons why having a Realtor by your side is imperative when searching for a home.  Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to purchasing the biggest asset you’ll ever own.

A down payment is the amount you put towards the purchase of a home, and it gets deducted from the purchase price.  Your mortgage will then cover the rest of the amount.

The minimum down payment will depend on the purchase price of the home, and typically ranges between 5%-20%.

If your down payment is less than 20% of the price, then  you must purchase mortgage loan insurance.  

Typically, homes that cost $500,000 or less will require a minimum amount of 5% down.

Homes $500,000-$999,999 usually require around 5%-10% down.  This is calculated as follows:  You will require 5% down on the first $500,000.  Then, 10% down will be required on the balance of the purchase price above $500,000.  Add these together to give the total amount required. 

Homes for $1 million or more normally require 20% down.

Consult your mortgage broker or lender to get exact figures as your situation could vary.

There is no clear cut answer to this question.  It will first depend on your circumstances, and how quickly you need to purchase.  And, it can also depend on whether you have a home to sell too. 

Generally, the busiest seasons for real estate fall between February to June, and then September to November.

You might automatically think you’ll get the best deal in Fall or Springtime.  But, keep in mind that’s exactly what everyone else is thinking!  And exactly why you may not get the best pricing during those periods.  Since demand for homes ramp up in Late February, March, April & again in September with the onset of the Spring and Fall Market, you’ll likely pay the highest prices during these periods. 

Instead, consider starting your search just before Christmas, in early January, or summer when all the other potential buyers are thinking about the Holidays, or on summer vacation.  Less shoppers means less demands, which can translate into better negotiating power.  

Mortgage brokers and agents are licensed professionals.  They can identify a large number of lenders and options, having the ability to work with multiple lending institutions.  In many cases, their lender relationships include some of the “Big Banks”. 

In general, mortgage brokers/agents will look at your finances to determine the right type of product for you.

They will then compare proposed mortgages and find the one most suitable.

They then gather all the documents needed and complete the paperwork for the lender to approve the loan. 

They have the ability to negotiate the rate and term with the lender, and act as your liason.

It is always strongly recommended to obtain a pre-approval before starting your house hunt.

Since your approval amount will depend on a number of factors, you’ll need to know what type of mortgage is suitable for you, as well as the maximum amount of mortgage you could qualify for.

Your pre-approval will also help you to estimate your mortgage payments, and lock in an interest rate for 60-120 days, depending on the lender.

Before ever stepping out for your first showing, it’s important to get pre-approved, helping to avoid any disappointment.  There is nothing worse then finding a home you love and then losing it because you don’t have your financing in place.

Feel free to reach out and I’d be happy to refer you to one of my trusted mortgage agents.  

And not to worry, your confidential information is never shared between mortgage brokers/agents and realtors.  And, realtors don’t get ever get any kickbacks or referral fees for recommending a mortgage broker or agent.

No!  And Yes!  Ok, actually, this is a 2 part question, and the answer is both!

It is my personal belief that the relationship with your Realtor must be a good fit, just like any friendship or professional relationship.  And, if at any point in the process that sentiment changes, or, if your circumstances change, I believe you should have the opportunity to pause or end the process.  As such, I will never force you to stay in a contract you can’t get out of.  

Now for the “Yes” part!

When you are ready to buy your home, it is law in Ontario that Realtors reduce the agreement to writing and provide it to you for your signature.  The agreement should be in writing in order to protect the interest of all parties.

This means, that I wouldn’t actually be able to write up an offer and submit it to a Seller on your behalf without a signed Buyers Representation Agreement (BRA).  

But, before we even get to that point, we’d go over everything you need to know about BRA’s.  And, you’d never be contractually forced to work with me if you ever needed out of the relationship.

I don’t need to hide behind a contract, so you’re free to cancel anytime.  But, I’ll do everything I can to ensure you’re happy while we’re working together 🙂

Home inspections are designed to help you understand exactly what you are purchasing, so that you can offer confidently.  I feel so strongly about doing whatever I can to protect you and your investment that I’ll even pay for your first inspection!

Home inspections examine the property at a much deeper level than you’re able to during a few short showings.  They are effective in uncovering issues that might not have been disclosed, or even known by the sellers. 

If the report checks out, you’ll know you are buying a solid home and you’ll feel more confident during the process. 

They are also designed to protect you.  A professional inspector is trained to look past the cosmetic and determine the condition of a home’s major components such as roof, structure, foundation, plumbing, insulation, electrical and mechanical systems.

If not in good condition, these things could create serious, costly issues down the road.

Doing whatever you can at the outset to know exactly what you are buying will help you make a good purchasing decision.  Are you excited to move forward with a good house, or have you found too many red flags and want to walk away?

Additionally, the home inspection may actually give you some negotiating power.  If something major comes up but you still want to close on the deal, the Seller may be open to covering the cost of repairs, or even re-negotiate the selling price. 

A home inspection can also act as a future “to do” list, letting you know the overall condition of the home and it’s components, as well as what will need replacing and when.  This will help you with budgeting for future expenses.

In general, you will want to budget for:

  1. Legal fees – call your lawyer for an estimate
  2. Title Insurance
  3. Appraisal fees if applicable
  4. Land Transfer Taxes:  Provincial and/or Municipal taxes will apply to your purchase
  5. Adjustments:  Your lawyer will provide you with a statement that adjusts for other costs related to closing such as property tax or utility bills, interest adjustments etc.  The amount will vary depending on your situation.  Consult with your lawyer for an appropriate budget amount.
  6. Real Estate Fees:  Buyer’s don’t typically pay real estate commissions, but always verify that with your Realtor
  7. Moving Expenses & other costs:  Don’t forget to budget for a moving company, boxes and professional cleaners etc.

What My Clients Have to Say

In Their Own Words...

Deanna's professionalism and expertise are unmatched in the industry. I've worked with her over the past 3 years through challenging market conditions, and she has consistently been a compassionate, knowledgeable and dedicated realtor. I highly recommend Deanna for anyone who is looking to buy, sell or lease any property!
by M.P.
Happy Client, Renter, Toronto
A sincere "Thank You" to Deanna Allegranza Real Estate who did an absolutely wonderful job of selling our home within 37 hours of listing and for over 23% of the listed price. We cannot praise Deanna enough for her organization, diligence and attention to detail while walking us through the entire process. Very highly recommended to anyone thinking of selling their existing home or buying a new one.
by L.B.
Happy Client, Seller, Toronto
When it comes to diligence, dedication, and honest opinion, relying on Deanna Allegranza Real Estate will exceed your client expectations! My wife and I are first-time buyers, so you can imagine the amount of education and guidance that we needed while going through this challenging exercise. Deanna was there for us from day 1 and even after we closed the deal. Deanna has a network of professionals, e.g. home inspectors, real estate lawyers, and mortgage brokers, in case you don't have yours. Having this team of professionals handy is invaluable especially in time-sensitive situations. Shopping for a property in Ontario these days is a marathon that requires the right coach to guide you till the end of it. Deanna will get you there!
by S. & M.
Happy Clients, Buyers, Toronto
As first time home buyers, Deanna was a pleasure to work with. Upon meeting, she walked us through the steps to home buying and made sure that we never felt overwhelmed. She was patient as we navigated the process of looking for a place in the middle of a pandemic. When it came to making our offers, she was there every step of the way and worked diligently to ensure we were making smart decisions. We had a wonderful experience working with Deanna and appreciate her dedication in finding us our first place!
by E. & K.
Happy Clients, Buyers, Toronto
Normally looking for a condo in downtown Toronto would be a difficult task, however, Deanna made it an easy and enjoyable experience. Throughout the entire process she continued to go above and beyond, and was able to find an amazing spot for this first year university student. Can’t thank and recommend her enough.
by M. I.
Happy Client, Renter, Toronto
Deanna is so sweet, helpful and genuine. She helped me find my current home and working with her made the process so much easier and more fun. I highly recommend her.
by L. C.
Happy Client, Renter, Toronto
Deanna is such a superstar real estate agent who I cannot say enough good things about! We recently used her to help us buy a new business facility AND to sell our current facility. Deanna is detail oriented, patient, knowledgeable, accessible, and honest. We had some really difficult decisions to make and she never made us feel pressured or rushed. She helped us take our time, find the right place, analyze our decisions, understand process' that were not familiar to us and keep us calm and happy throughout it all. She obviously loves what she does and is INCREDIBLE at it. I would highly recommend
by E. K.
Happy Client, Seller, Mississauga
Deanna is a fantastic realtor. I work with her regularly and have referred friends and family to her for advice, buying and selling. Deanna takes a vested interest in her clients and it is clear because they use her time and time again. When I work with Deanna I know my clients are in incredible hands and I am proud to partner with her on the buying and selling journey!
by E.M.
Mortgage Agent, Port Credit Mortgages
Deanna is a compassionate Real Estate professional, who is patient and pays attention to the details which is comforting as you make the biggest investment of your life, your home. If you are considering purchasing or selling you definitely need to contact Deanna. With Deanna passion for Real Estate you will be taken care from beginning to end. I highly recommend Deanna for your Real Estate needs!
by M.P.J.
Mortgage Agent, Your Mortgage Connection
Deanna is probably the best realtor I’ve ever deal with. Always prepared, informed, professional and super helpful. You can count on her to get her research done, to provide a full disclosure, to make sure your choice is suitable and wise. Deanna goes above and beyond of what you usually expect from a realtor. She is a true “full service” professional who will contact other realtors, mortgage brokers and lawyers on your behalf if needed. I can’t say enough how grateful I am and how happy I am with the deal she helped us close.
by N.D.
Happy Client, Buyer, Toronto

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