Buyer's Guide

In accordance with the OACIQ standards, the Exclusive Brokerage Agreement – Purchase is the only document that formally allows us to represent your interests. Without this agreement, a broker must act fairly, but cannot strategically advise you or negotiate on your exclusive behalf. By teaming up with us, we become your allies: we filter the market, analyze the fair market value, verify the seller's statements, and defend the best offer for you.

The terms of compensation for your buyer's broker are clearly established upon signing the purchase brokerage contract. In the vast majority of residential transactions, the buyer's broker's compensation is covered or compensated by the commission share offered by the seller. In cases where this is not the case (such as a direct purchase from individual to individual or DuProprio), the compensation is negotiated in advance and can often be included in the overall amount of the offer and financed in your mortgage, subject to your financial institution.

The Seller's Declaration (SD) is a mandatory form completed by the owner. It outlines the complete history of the building: past water infiltration, roof condition, completed work, heating system, etc. In the Quebec region, where both heritage homes can be found in Old Quebec and recent constructions in the suburbs, this document allows us to quickly identify any points of concern or potential defects even before sending a purchase offer.

Although it is not legally mandatory, the OACIQ and our team strongly recommend it. We almost always include a conditional inspection clause in the Promise to Purchase. Whether it's to assess the insulation capacity against the harsh winters of Quebec, to check the structure of a condo, or to analyze the quality of the soil/flashing, the certified building inspector provides you with an objective assessment of the property's condition.

In addition to your down payment (minimum 5% for a primary residence), you need to budget for: 

• The transfer tax ("welcome tax"): Calculated according to a progressive scale set by the municipality (Quebec City, Lévis, Beauport, etc.).
• Notary fees: For the drafting of the mortgage deed and property transfer. 
• Professional inspection and certified appraisal fees (if required by the bank).
• Tax and co-ownership adjustments: Distributed prorata based on the date of possession at the notary.

You can absolutely purchase a property sold without a broker while retaining the protection of our team! Thanks to the Exclusive Brokerage Agreement – Purchase, we assist you in the visit, prepare the official purchase offer from the OACIQ, carry out legal and customary checks, and conduct negotiations for you. This avoids legal pitfalls and guarantees you the coverage offered by the Real Estate Brokerage Act of Quebec.