RE/MAX River City
← All resources

Buyer guide

Your first home in Edmonton, step by step.

A first purchase brings financial, legal and real estate decisions together. This guide helps you organize the process and know which questions belong with which professional.

Use the Starter KitBrowse available homes

Reviewed September 15, 2026 · Edmonton, Alberta · 6 minutes

Enrique and Lore with a celebratory new-home key in a kitchen

Starter Kit

Your first-home Starter Kit.

Nine practical decisions to keep in one place. Check them off at your pace: progress stays on this device and is never sent to Sweet Estates.

Your progress0/9

Saved on this device only.

Before you search
Before you offer
Before possession

Ready to turn this checklist into a search plan? Talk through my plan

The process

A practical path from start to finish.

  1. 01

    Review financial readiness

    Speak with a qualified lender or mortgage professional about pre-approval, closing costs and a realistic range. For federal accounts or incentives, confirm current eligibility and rules directly with the CRA or a tax professional.

  2. 02

    Build your team

    Alongside your real estate professional, a typical purchase involves a mortgage professional, lawyer and independent licensed home inspector. A condominium purchase may call for specialized document review.

  3. 03

    Compare areas and homes consistently

    Consider location, commute, property type, maintenance and condition. A showing helps you ask better questions; it does not replace an inspection.

  4. 04

    Understand the offer before signing

    Review price, deposit, dates, inclusions and conditions such as financing or inspection. Bring legal questions to your lawyer before you commit.

  5. 05

    Work through conditions with specialists

    Financing, inspection and documents need attention within the agreed timelines. If something material appears, understand your professional options before deciding.

  6. 06

    Prepare for closing and possession

    Coordinate insurance, your lawyer, funds, legal and registration costs, property-tax or condo-fee adjustments, utilities and moving. Confirm each cost with the appropriate professional.

Sweet Estates

Where Sweet Estates helps

  • Organize needs and timing.
  • Search and compare properties and areas.
  • Prepare questions about condition and documents.
  • Build and coordinate the offer strategy.

Your professional network

Where independent specialists belong

  • Pre-approval and mortgage advice.
  • Technical home inspection.
  • Legal advice, title and closing.
  • Tax advice and program eligibility.

For verification

Official sources for a deeper look

These sources support the general roadmap in this guide. Rules and programs can change; always confirm the current version.

Know which part of the process you need to organize?

Explore homes without registering or talk with Enrique and Lore about your plan.

Search homesTalk through my plan