Spring is here! Are you thinking of buying a home?

Join us for a Real Estate Seminar on what you need to know to empower yourself for one of the biggest investments in your life! We will hear from specialists involved in the four key areas of your real estate purchase.

• The Realtor

• The Mortgage Specialist

• The Financial Specialist

• The Real Estate Lawyer

We understand that buying a home may be a team effort, so feel free to invite your significant other to the seminar. It is important that they get their questions answered too.

Our Specialists

Antonella (Ant) Talotta - Realtor

• Why you should hire a realtor when purchasing a home;

• The new rules around down deposits;

• Why you should hire a realtor when selling your home;

• Land Transfer Tax vs. Municipal Land Transfer Tax

Antonella Talotta is a Multi-Platinum Award Winning and Top 1% Producing Realtor with Sutton Group - Security R.E. Inc. Specializes in York Region and the GTA as a whole. In February of 2011 she was invited as an industry leader speaker at York Region’s “Living in York Region Project” whereby she provided valuable input on their markets and demographics along with other industry leaders.

She offers a full-service, one-stop package to her clients and conducts the entire transaction from pre-listing to post-closing, including lawyers, inspectors, mortgage brokers, movers, and stagers. Her clients get Platinum service at a discounted rate. What has differentiated her from other agents is her Cash Back promotion whereby she offers all of her clients 10% CA$H BACK and she does not charge a full 5% commission to any of her selling clients! In the end what gives her great pleasure in her real estate career is being part of someone’s milestone event in their life.

Frederick Chan - Mortgage Specialist

• Why you should work with a mortgage professional?

• The credit process. What is a creditscore?

• The different type of mortgage lenders out there.

• Mortgage Insurance Premiums for down-payments under 20%.

• How much should you budget for your down-payment?

• Mortgage features to keep in mind - Prepayment options, penalties, collateral charges….etc .

Frederick Chan is a Mortgage Agent with Mortgage Alliance. He has access to over 60 lenders providing you with a custom-tailored mortgage solution to fit your long-term objectives. Whether you are purchasing, renewing or refinancing your mortgage, he will research and design the best mortgage plan that suits your needs and meet you at a time & location convenient for your schedule.

With a strong analytical background in cost management and trend analysis, he saw a great potential to utilize his analytical skills in the mortgage brokerage area. These skills help him analyze loan applications and move quickly towards fulfilling his client’s financing objectives. Frederick keeps abreast on the latest developments & changes within the mortgage industry. With a professional approach and unwavering commitment to serving his clients he strives to deliver the highest possible level of customer satisfaction.

Minna Schmidt - Financial Specialist

• Saving For Your Home The Tax Effective Way

• What is the Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP) and how to qualify?

• Tax Implications of the HBP

• Protection From Life’s Uncertainties

• Mortgage Insurance vs Life Insurance

Minna Schmidt is a Financial Advisor with a financial insurance broker called Independent Financial Concepts Group representing many national financial companies. Prior to the financial industry she worked in media where she was responsible for educating people on the market her media served. This has fostered her focus on educating her clients so that they understand. From understanding she believes her clients will know what they need to do to ensure they reach their financial goals.

She advises clients on life/critical illness/disability insurance, investments, and health benefit plans for personal and small business. Her belief is that financial freedom is having your heart and mind free from worry about the what-ifs of life.

Andrea Siu, B.A. (Hons.), J.D. - Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Public

• What are some first steps you should take after finding a home with your realtor and deciding that you would like to make an offer?

• How should you go about choosing a lawyer/law firm to close my purchase transaction?

• How do you know whether you are getting a good deal on legal fees?

• What are “closing costs”, and how can you plan for them?

• What is title insurance, and why is it important?

• Are there any tax perks available to first time homebuyers that you should know about?

Andrea Siu is a Real Estate Lawyer, and Principal at Siu Law Professional Corporation, a law firm in Richmond Hill specializing in real estate transactions, including purchases, sales, and mortgage refinances and renewals. She holds a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and has had prior experience working at a Chartered Bank .

Her combination of legal expertise, and experience with assisting clients at various stages of the mortgage application process places her in an excellent position to understand and service the needs of both first-time homebuyers and more seasoned property owners. Andrea is dedicated to promoting accessibility and providing straightforward, reliable, and caring counsel, has had the privilege of speaking at various engagements in the Richmond Hill and Markham community, and is thrilled to be participating in this info session.

Join us and get your real estate questions answered! RSVP now to reserve your spot. Sandwiches and dessert will be served.

See you all on April 14th!