Financial Terms Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

adjustment date
The date the buyer will assume and pay all taxes, user rates, local improvement assessments, fuel utilities and other charges.

adjustment period
The period that elapses between the adjustment dates for an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

amortization
The repayment of a mortgage loan by installments with regular payments to cover the principal and interest.

amortization term
The amount of time required to amortize the mortgage loan. The amortization term is expressed as a number of months. For example, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the amortization term is 360 months.

annual percentage rate (APR)
The cost of a mortgage stated as a yearly rate; includes such items as interest, mortgage insurance, and loan origination fee (points).

appreciation
An increase in the value of a property due to changes in market conditions or other causes. The opposite of depreciation.

asset
Anything of monetary value that is owned by a person. Assets include real property, personal property, and enforceable claims against others (including bank accounts, stocks, mutual funds, and so on).

assignment
The transfer of a mortgage from one person to another.

assumable mortgage
A mortgage that can be taken over ("assumed") by the buyer when a home is sold.

assumption
The transfer of the seller's existing mortgage to the buyer.

assumption clause
A provision in an assumable mortgage that allows a buyer to assume responsibility for the mortgage from the seller. The loan does not need to be paid in full by the original borrower upon sale or transfer of the property.

assumption fee
The fee paid to a lender (usually by the purchaser of real property) resulting from the assumption of an existing mortgage.


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balance sheet
A financial statement that shows assets, liabilities, and net worth as of a specific date.

balloon mortgage
A mortgage that has level monthly payments that will amortize it over a stated term but that provides for a lump sum payment to be due at the end of an earlier specified term.

balloon payment
The final lump sum payment that is made at the maturity date of a balloon mortgage.

biweekly payment mortgage
A mortgage that requires payments to reduce the debt every two weeks (instead of the standard monthly payment schedule). The 26 (or possibly 27) biweekly payments are each equal to one-half of the monthly payment that would be required if the loan were a standard 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, and they are usually drafted from the borrower's bank account. The result for the borrower is a substantial savings in interest.

breach
A violation of any legal obligation.

bridge loan
A form of second mortgage that is collateralized by the borrower's present home (which is usually for sale) in a manner that allows the proceeds to be used for closing on a new house before the present home is sold. Also known as "swing loan."

buydown mortgage
A temporary buydown is a mortgage on which an initial lump sum payment is made by any party to reduce a borrower's monthly payments during the first few years of a mortgage. A permanent buydown reduces the interest rate over the entire life of a mortgage.


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cap
A provision of an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) that limits how much the interest rate or mortgage payments may increase or decrease.

capital improvement
Any structure or component erected as a permanent improvement to real property that adds to its value and useful life.

cash-out refinance
A refinance transaction in which the amount of money received from the new loan exceeds the total of the money needed to repay the existing first mortgage, closing costs, points, and the amount required to satisfy any outstanding subordinate mortgage liens. In other words, a refinance transaction in which the borrower receives additional cash that can be used for any purpose.

certificate of eligibility
A document issued by the federal government certifying a veteran's eligibility for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgage.

certificate of reasonable value (CRV)
A document issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that establishes the maximum value and loan amount for a VA mortgage.

clear title
A title that is free of liens or legal questions as to ownership of the property.

closing
A meeting at which a sale of a property is finalized by the buyer signing the mortgage documents and paying closing costs. Also called "settlement."

closing cost item
A fee or amount that a home buyer must pay at closing for a single service, tax, or product. Closing costs are made up of individual closing cost items such as origination fees and lawyer/notary fees. Expenses (over and above the price of the property) incurred by buyers and sellers in transferring ownership of a property. 

closing statement
Also referred to as the HUD-1. The final statement of costs incurred to close on a loan or to purchase a home.

cloud on title
Any conditions revealed by a title search that adversely affect the title to real estate. Usually clouds on title cannot be removed except by a quitclaim deed, release, or court action.

collateral
An asset (such as a car or a home) that guarantees the repayment of a loan. The borrower risks losing the asset if the loan is not repaid according to the terms of the loan contract.

collection
The efforts used to bring a delinquent mortgage current and to file the necessary notices to proceed with foreclosure when necessary.

combination loan
With this type of loan, you receive a first mortgage for 80 percent of the loan amount, and a second mortgage at the same time for the remainder of the balance. If avoiding PMI (mortgage insurance) is important to you, consider combination loans--known as 80/10/10 loans or 80/20's.

combined loan-to-value (CLTV)
The unpaid principal balances of all the mortgages on a property (first and second usually) divided by the property's appraised value.

co-signer
A person who signs a promissory note along with the borrower. A co-signer's signature guarantees that the loan will be repaid, because the borrower and the co-signer are equally responsible for the repayment. See endorser.

commission
The fee charged by a broker or agent for negotiating a real estate or loan transaction. A commission is generally a percentage of the price of the property or loan.

commitment letter
A formal offer by a lender stating the terms under which it agrees to lend money to a home buyer. Also known as a "loan commitment."

common areas
Those portions of a building, land, and amenities owned (or managed) by a planned unit development (PUD) or condominium project's homeowners' association (or a cooperative project's cooperative corporation) that are used by all of the unit owners, who share in the common expenses of their operation and maintenance. Common areas include swimming pools, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities, as well as common corridors of buildings, parking areas, means of ingress and egress, etc.

Community Home Improvement Mortgage Loan
An alternative financing option that allows low- and moderate-income home buyers to obtain 95 percent financing for the purchase and improvement of a home in need of modest repairs. The repair work can account for as much as 30 percent of the appraised value.

community property
In some western and southwestern states, a form of ownership under which property acquired during a marriage is presumed to be owned jointly unless acquired as separate property of either spouse.

comparables
An abbreviation for "comparable properties"; used for comparative purposes in the appraisal process. Comparables are properties like the property under consideration; they have reasonably the same size, location, and amenities and have recently been sold. Comparables help the appraiser determine the approximate fair market value of the subject property.

compound interest
E-LOAN CDs and Savings accounts compound interest daily. This refers to any interest earned on an account holder's principal balance, as well as any prior interest.

condominium conversion
Changing the ownership of an existing building (usually a rental project) to the condominium form of ownership.

conforming loan
The current conforming loan limit is $417,000 and below. Conforming loan limits change annually.

construction loan
A short-term, interim loan for financing the cost of construction. The lender makes payments to the builder at periodic intervals as the work progresses.

consumer reporting agency (or bureau)
An organization that prepares reports that are used by lenders to determine a potential borrower's credit history. The agency obtains data for these reports from a credit repository as well as from other sources.

contingency
A condition that must be met before a contract is legally binding. For example, home purchasers often include a contingency that specifies that the contract is not binding until the purchaser obtains a satisfactory home inspection report from a qualified home inspector.

conventional mortgage
A mortgage that is not insured or guaranteed by the federal government.

convertibility clause
A provision in some adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) that allows the borrower to change the ARM to a fixed-rate mortgage at specified timeframes after loan origination.

convertible ARM
An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) that can be converted to a fixed-rate mortgage under specified conditions.

cooperative (co-op)
A type of multiple ownership in which the residents of a multiunit housing complex own shares in the cooperative corporation that owns the property, giving each resident the right to occupy a specific apartment or unit.

corporate relocation
Arrangements under which an employer moves an employee to another area as part of the employer's normal course of business or under which it transfers a substantial part or all of its operations and employees to another area because it is relocating its headquarters or expanding its office capacity.

cost of funds index (COFI)
An index that is used to determine interest rate changes for certain adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) plans. It represents the weighted-average cost of savings, borrowings, and advances of the 11th District members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

covenant
A clause in a mortgage that obligates or restricts the borrower and that, if violated, can result in foreclosure.

credit repository
An organization that gathers, records, updates, and stores financial and public records information about the payment records of individuals who are being considered for credit.


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deed
The legal document conveying title to a property.

deed in lieu
A deed given by a mortgagor to the mortgagee to satisfy a debt and avoid foreclosure.

deed of trust
The document used in some states instead of a mortgage; title is conveyed to a trustee.

default
Failure to make mortgage payments on a timely basis or to comply with other requirements of a mortgage.

delinquency
Failure to make mortgage payments when mortgage payments are due.

depreciation
A decline in the value of property; the opposite of appreciation.

due-on-sale provision
A provision in a mortgage that allows the lender to demand repayment in full if the borrower sells the property that serves as security for the mortgage.


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earnest money deposit
A deposit made by the potential home buyer to show that he or she is serious about buying the house.

easement
A right of way giving persons other than the owner access to or over a property.

effective age
An appraiser's estimate of the physical condition of a building. The actual age of a building may be shorter or longer than its effective age.

effective gross income
Normal annual income including overtime that is regular or guaranteed. The income may be from more than one source. Salary is generally the principal source, but other income may qualify if it is significant and stable.

electronic funds transfer (EFT)
EFT allows account holders to transfer funds from an account electronically. This method of transfer is not only highly secure, but also extremely efficient and easy to transact.

encumbrance
Anything that affects or limits the fee simple title to a property, such as mortgages, leases, easements, or restrictions.

endorser
A person who signs ownership interest over to another party. Contrast with co-signer.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)
A federal law that requires lenders and other creditors to make credit equally available without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, or receipt of income from public assistance programs.

equity
A homeowner's financial interest in a property. Equity is the difference between the fair market value of the property and the amount still owed on its mortgage.

estate
The ownership interest of an individual in real property. The sum total of all the real property and personal property owned by an individual at time of death.

eviction
The lawful expulsion of an occupant from real property.

examination of title
The report on the title of a property from the public records or an abstract of the title.


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Fair Credit Reporting Act
A consumer protection law that regulates the disclosure of consumer credit reports by consumer/credit reporting agencies and establishes procedures for correcting mistakes on one's credit record.

fair market value
The highest price that a buyer, willing but not compelled to buy, would pay, and the lowest a seller, willing but not compelled to sell, would accept.

fee simple
The greatest possible interest a person can have in real estate.

finder's fee
A fee or commission paid to a mortgage broker for finding a mortgage loan for a prospective borrower.

first adjustment
When you can expect the first rate adjustment in your ARM loan.

first mortgage
A mortgage that is the primary lien against a property.

float down option
An option to choose a lower rate within 30 days before the closing of your loan and "float down" to a lower rate than the previously locked-in rate. This allows you to pick the best rate within that time period.

fixed-rate mortgage (FRM)
A mortgage in which the interest rate does not change during the entire term of the loan.

fixed second mortgage
See home equity loan.

flood insurance
Insurance that compensates for physical property damage resulting from flooding. It is required for properties located in federally designated flood areas.

foreclosure
The legal process by which a borrower in default under a mortgage is deprived of his or her interest in the mortgaged property. This usually involves a forced sale of the property at public auction with the proceeds of the sale being applied to the mortgage debt.

fully amortized ARM
An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) with a monthly payment that is sufficient to amortize the remaining balance, at the interest accrual rate, over the amortization term.


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good faith estimate
An estimate of charges which a borrower is likely to incur in connection with a settlement.


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hazard insurance
Insurance protecting against loss to real estate caused by fire, some natural causes, vandalism, etc., depending upon the terms of the policy.

home equity line of credit
a credit line that is secured by a second deed of trust on a house. Equity lines of credit are revolving accounts that work like a credit card, which can be paid down or charged up for the term of the loan. The minimum payment due each month is interest only.

home equity loan
a loan secured by a second deed of trust on a house, typically used as a home improvement loan.

housing ratio
The ratio of the monthly housing payment in total (PITI - Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance) divided by the gross monthly income. This ratio is sometimes referred to as the top ratio or front end ratio.


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impound account
An impound account is an account established by the lender to pay a borrower's tax and insurance costs. The borrower's monthly mortgage payment is then increased to cover these costs, with the additional amount being held in the impound account and disbursed by the lender when the payments are due. Lenders typically prefer this arrangement because it reduces the possibility of a lapse in tax or insurance payments that could diminish the value of the lender's investment (your house). Therefore, while it is often possible to opt out of an impound account it will result in additional charges.

interest-only loan option
Loan payments have two components, principal and interest. An interest-only loan has no principal component for a specified period of time. These special loans minimize your monthly payments by eliminating the need to pay down your balance during the interest-only period, giving you greater cash flow control and/or increased purchasing power.

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lien
An encumbrance against property for money due, either voluntary or involuntary.

lender
The bank, mortgage company, or mortgage broker offering the loan.

loan to value ratio (LTV)
The unpaid principal balance of the mortgage on a property divided by the property's appraised value. The LTV will affect programs available to the borrower and generally, the lower the LTV the more favorable the terms of the programs offered by lenders.

lock period
The amount of time that a lender will guarantee a loan's interest rate. Once you've locked in the interest rate on a loan, the lender will guarantee that rate for a certain period of time, usually for 30, 45 or 60 days.

lock-in
A written agreement guaranteeing the home buyer a specified interest rate provided the loan is closed within a set period of time. The lock-in also usually specifies the number of points to be paid at closing.


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margin
The number of percentage points a lender adds to the index value to calculate the ARM interest rate at each adjustment period.

maturity date
A pre-set date informing account owners when they can withdraw principal funds without incurring a penalty. (Please note that you may withdraw any generated interest before reaching an account's maturity date at E-LOAN.)

mortgage
A legal document that pledges a property to the lender as security for payment of a debt

mortgage disability insurance
A disability insurance policy which will pay the monthly mortgage payment in the event of a covered disability of an insured borrower for a specified period of time.

mortgage insurance (MI)
Insurance written by an independent mortgage insurance company protecting the mortgage lender against loss incurred by a mortgage default. Usually required for loans with an LTV of 80.01% or higher.

mortgagee
The person or company who receives the mortgage as a pledge for repayment of the loan. The mortgage lender.

mortgagor
The mortgage borrower who gives the mortgage as a pledge to repay.


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negative amortization
Negative Amortization, or "deferred interest," occurs when the mortgage payment is less than a loan's accruing interest. This causes a loan's balance to grow instead of reduce or "amortize."

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origination fee
A fee imposed by a lender to cover certain processing expenses in connection with making a real estate loan. Usually a percentage of the amount loaned, such as one percent.

owner financing
A property purchase transaction in which the property seller provides all or part of the financing.


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periodic cap
The maximum rate increase for a specific period for a specific loan (ARM) only.

PITI
Principal, interest, taxes and insurance--the components of a monthly mortgage payment.

planned unit developments (PUD)
A subdivision of five or more individually owned lots with one or more other parcels owned in common or with reciprocal rights in one or more other parcels.

points
Charges levied by the mortgage lender and usually payable at closing. One point represents 1% of the face value of the mortgage loan.

prepaids
Those expenses of property which are paid in advance of their due date and will usually be prorated upon sale, such as taxes, insurance, rent, etc.

prepayment penalty
A charge imposed by a mortgage lender on a borrower who wants to pay off part or all of a mortgage loan in advance of schedule.

principal
This term refers to the total amount of money originally deposited into a Savings or CD account. When taking out a loan however, it refers to the amount of debt, not including interest.

private mortgage insurance (PMI)
Insurance provided by nongovernment insurers that protects lenders against loss if a borrower defaults. Fannie Mae generally requires private mortgage insurance for loans with loan-to-value (LTV) percentages greater than 80%.


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qualifying ratios
The ratio of your fixed monthly expenses to your gross monthly income, used to determine how much you can afford to borrow. The fixed monthly expenses would include PITI along with other obligations such as student loans, car loans, or credit card payments.


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rate
The annual rate of interest on a loan, expressed as a percentage of 100.

rate cap
A limit on how much the interest rate can change, either at each adjustment period or over the life of the loan.

rate lock-in
A written agreement in which the lender guarantees the borrower a specified interest rate, provided the loan closes within a set period of time.

rebate
Compensation received from a wholesale lender which can be used to cover closing costs or as a refund to the borrower. Loans with rebates often carry higher interest rates than loans with "points" (see above).

refinancing
The process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan using the same property as security.

residential mortgage credit report (RMCR)
A report requested by your lender that utilizes information from at least two of the three national credit bureaus and information provided on your loan application.


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simple interest
An amount earned on an account holder's principal, according to a specified rate. This does not include any compounding interest.

stated/documented income
Some loan products require only that applicants "state" the source of their income without providing supporting documentation such as tax returns.

subordination
If you are refinancing your first mortgage and have an existing second or home equity line, one option is to "subordinate" the second mortgage: request that your second mortgage holder go back into the second lien position when you replace your existing first mortgage with the new refinance loan.

survey
A print showing the measurements of the boundaries of a parcel of land, together with the location of all improvements on the land and sometimes its area and topography.


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tenants in common
An undivided interest in property taken by two or more persons. The interest need not be equal. Upon death of one or more persons, there is no right of survivorship.

title insurance
Insurance against loss resulting from defects of title to a specifically described parcel of real property.

title search
An investigation into the history of ownership of a property to check for liens, unpaid claims, restrictions or problems, to prove that the seller can transfer free and clear ownership.

total debt ratio
Monthly debt and housing payments divided by gross monthly income. Also known as Obligations-to-Income Ratio or Back-End Ratio.


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variable rate
An interest rate that may change once an account opens.

vendor take back
An agreement in which the owner of a property provides financing, often in combination with an assumed mortgage.

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Lindsay Johnson, part of the Dawn Walton crew, helped us buy our first house in Nanaimo recently and she was excellent. Attentive, forward, honest and fought for a great price and deal. She is down to earth and easy to work with. An easy 5 stars from myself and my family. Would highly recommend Lindsay!
James Scott
In the past two years we have dealt with Dawn Walton for three separate real estate transactions. In every instance, Dawn has been ready & willing to go the extra mile to provide very personalized and attentive service. Despite a full schedule of work and sporting activities, she was always available day and evening to address our questions and concerns. We recommended Dawn to a friend whose home that had been languishing on the market for over a year. Dawn managed to find a buyer within months of accepting the listing. We would not hesitate to recommend Dawn Walton to anyone looking to buy or sell a home in this area.
John & Christine W
Dawn is an excellent realtor. She was very professional throughout the entire process. We werevery happy with the video and photos that were taken that really showed off our home. Webelieve they were so much better than many realtors provide. Dawn was quick to prepare allthe documents and present our home. We felt that she addressed our concerns quickly as they arose and was always very positive. She went the extra mile to ensure she was on-sitefor every showing. We believe she represented us exceptionally well and we would hire heragain to sell our next home.
Nancy & Michael
This estate sale went smoothly and quickly. Thank you, Dawn!
Don M.
We chose Dawn after first seeing one of the properties on her listing. We were impressed by how professional, knowledegable and client centred she was. Since we work abroad and had a limited time, Dawn worked within our 3 week time schedule to help show us many homes within our price range and was very efficient in time and was easy to contact. Dawn would show us the homes we wanted to see and also gave suggestions to see other homes according to what we were looking in a home.We are very satisfied and feel blessed to have purchased our first home with Dawn and team as our agent. She helped find us a reputable lawyer who specializes in real estate and was very informative with us being first time home buyers. Overall, we are very satisfied.
Zhou Y.
So it’s officially official. My house has SOLD! Thank you Layzell Dreger Walton and Associates!Especially you Walton.Seriously, there were a lot of moving parts to this transaction and I sure appreciate the knowledge and experience of my wife! From surveys to septics and easements she madeeverything virtually stress free for me. I see her do it everyday for her clients and this was the first time I was on this end of the transaction. I’ve always been proud of the way she conducts herself in business and it’s nice to know she treats everyone with the same levelof care and attention. Thank you for everything Dawn
Dar R.
Dawn and her team were incredibly helpful. They were diligent to attend to all of our needs and answered all our questions. Dawn went above and beyond and made our first homebuying expereience amazing! We would highly recommend Dawn and her team.
AJ McLeod
My partner and I bought our first home with Dawn (who came recommended by good friends) and she eased a lot of our anxiety related to the buying process. She was a great advocate for us and was up front and clear with us about all the details. Thanks Dawn! We love our house!
Courtney Booth
Dawn and her entire team are the epitome of professional. They go over and above, are extremely organized, and fun to work with. Dawn knows the industry and market very well. Highly recommend!
Heather Jones
My husband and I recently worked with Casey Briggs to purchase our first home. As first time home buyers, we didn't really know what we were doing but felt totally supported by Casey the whole time. He was attentive to our needs and wants, respectful of our budget and got us into the homes we wanted to see. Once we found our home, he was absolutely fantastic in drawing up the contract, coaching us through the negotiations and helping us navigate the purchase process. Casey worked his butt off for us and we can't thank him enough!
Melanie G
Casey Briggs was friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful!Thanks for a terrific experience Casey!
Anoymous
Dawn & her team really know their stuff. She marketed our house perfect. She basically had it sold when she had the sign put up. Very happy with Dawn Walton & Associates.
Jon Oleshak
We highly recommend Dawn and her entire team. We sold our condo and bought a home in just over 2 weeks....moving included! Dawn was there every step of the way. Tara was also awesome, very quick to answer any and all questions. Cherie provides us with marketing updates. The whole process was seamless. We cannot thank Dawn and her team enough.-James, Janelle and baby Grace
James & Janelle Burke
My wife and I highly recommend them. The knowledge and professionalism is top notch. Our priorities in the house we wanted to buy changed during the process and they took it all in stride and helped us through that. Can’t thank the whole team enough for the experience we had and will not hesitate to call them again if we are in the market again!Thanks Dawn, Casey, Tara and Cherie!!
Coby Johnson
This is the team you want! Casey Briggs and Dawn Walton take care of their customers. Casey patiently offered his expertise, his most up to date knowledge of the market and kept us informed on homes that matched our criteria. We own that home now! Thank you Casey! Thank you Dawn!
Richard Kobayashi
Positive, energy plus , service plus
Lorna Mackinnon
It was great to work with Dawn because she listen to what I was looking for, she was available and always got back to me in a timely manner and she always did her homework on the propertys we were looking at. I find her very easy to get along with and she seemed to go out of her way to help me.
Jennifer Blakey
Dawn has been our realtor for a purchase and a sell, both times she went above and beyond. Dawn values her clients and has their best interests in mind. We suggest Dawn to all our friends and family, we wouldn't use any other realtor - she's the BEST!
Delea Trumbley
Dawn and her team guided us with patience, professionalism and sincere friendship through both the sale of our property and into the purchase of our next home.We felt well taken care of from start to finish. Thank you Dawn and Team!!!
Bert and Michelle
Dawn is a great Realtor. She is extremely professional and worked really hard to get us the house we wanted communicating with us every step of the way. Highly recommend!
Madeleine Radford
Very professional, excellent local market knowledge and super follow up.
Rosser Stevens
We had Dawn help us to find our house five years ago. she did such a great job, that we decided to have her as our agent when we decided to sell. Dawn and her staff provided us with the best service one can expect form a real estate team. Dawn was always there for us from listing to the end of the sale. Her staff provided us with weekly marketing stats, feedback from all the showings, etc. We highly recommend Dawn and her team to anyone who is considering buying or selling a property.
Chakra Mannerstrom
They went above and beyond for us, it was a complicated process moving our family over from the mainland and finding just what we need for just the right price, they did it all. They know what they are doing and work hard to get you what you need! They treated us like family and made what could have been a horrendous process, pain free and leaving us confident we picked the right place ...at just the right time. You are all wonderful and we so appreciate the high quality service you gave us!
Chantelle Morvay-Adams
We can't say enough about Dawn and her wonderful team. They helped us sell our house by believing in the price that we wanted and doing everything they could to help us get it??. What we were most amazed about was the quality of the service that they provided; everything from the photography to the frequency of Open Houses to the follow up and counsel was first class. Dawn literally saved us thousands of dollars because of her wise input and we will be forever grateful. We would not hesitate to recommend Dawn Walton and Associates to anyone who wants a partner who goes above and beyond what we expected. In short, she is the "kind of realtor we did not know we were looking for!"
Barry LaValley
After speaking with many realtors, we chose to work with Dawn and her associates. Our decision was based on the professional manner she approached the sale with and her knowledge of the Nanaimo real-estate market. The complete team was great to work with. They produced an excellent marketing package and kept us informed with feed-back from showings. The good work did pay off quickly as the house was sold in short order and we were happy with the results. Expectations were exceeded. Thank you to a great team!
Luc Ouellet
Lindsay, our real estate agent, helped us buy our new home. She is very flexible and was able to accommodate our schedule when going out for viewings, which is not easy with shift work. Lindsay provided a stress and pressure free environment throughout our search. Lindsay was in tune with our needs and thought of us when new options became available. She is very knowledgeable and answered all the questions we had. She is very organized and gave good recommendations for the other facets of the purchase, such as the lawyer and house inspector. We are very happy to recommend her to anyone who is looking for real estate.
Brianna Ferguson
Dawn is so confident and knowledgeable! Her and her team are always on it and made selling our condo super easy.
Emily Potvin
Meeting Lindsay by chance at an open house was the best thing that ever happened to us! Lindsay was incredible to work with from the very start and made the very daunting task of finding our first home much easier and more enjoyable. Lindsay was unbelievably attentive to our needs and immediately honed in on what we were looking for. She was vigilant and responsive to listings every minute of the day, hustling to make sure we didn't miss any opportunities. When we fell in love with a house she guided us through the steps of having an offer accepted with impressive professionalism and aptitude. We are now settled into our new home and are so very grateful to Lindsay every day for making it happen!
Rebecca Burrows
Lindsay Johnson and the whole Dawn Walton Team were absolutely fantastic in helping us find our new home here in Nanaimo! We are quite picky and we looked at many houses. Lindsay found us the perfect new home and was able accommodate all of our wants and needs. I would recommend Dawn Walton & Associates to anyone looking to sell or purchase!
Warren Haugan
Dawn and her team pay close attention to every detail that ensures a successful transaction. They took care of it all and communicated every detail along the way. Total professionals and great people.
Karen K - Dechamplain
We have been so blessed to work Dawn Walton and her team. The customers she refers to us are easy to deal with and love the way she deals with them. We also send our customers to her and we trust and enjoy the way she looks after them. Its a great relationship!
Greg Nowik
We were very lucky to have the services of Lindsay Johnson of Dawn Walton and Associates in Nanaimo in our successful search for a house in Nanaimo. If you are in need of professional assistance in the real estate arena in Nanaimo you will not find a more knowledgeable, honest, hard-working and easy to work with expert than Lindsay. She went above and beyond to help us purchase a home we are very happy with.
Robert Fredrickson
We were thinking about making a move for a while but were too scared to put our house up for sale before finding another house. We spoke to Dawn and explained our unusual circumstances ( we needed a 7 bedroom home). We took the leap and Dawn had our home sold within fourteen days, and found us our dream home. We were very happy with how everything went and would absolutely recommend her. Thanks Dawn & team!
Jami Easterbrook
My husband and I were looking to purchase our first home together, and Lindsay provided a level of service above and beyond what we ever imagined! She made the whole experience fun and exciting, and put so much thought into showing us homes in our price range and style. She is very knowledgeable in real estate, as well as passionate, and was a dream to work with! We are lucky to now call her our friend. We also love that she works very closely with all associates at Dawn Walton, and they really exhibit a team environment. You will feel very cared for with this group of people. ??
Alex Kilshaw
Being first time home buyers, we were very nervous to even look at houses. We weren’t sure what to look for, what to ask, and what to avoid. By asking the right questions, Lindsay successfully managed to understand what my partner and I were looking for in a home.
Natalie Bennett
I recently had the chance to work with Dawn Walton and would highly recommend her to anyone. We suddenly found a home just right for us, it checked all the boxes. She helped us win in a multiple offer and then prepare our home for a fast sale, getting us more than we would have anticipated. The high level marketing and professionalism for the sale of our home was exceptional. She knew how to deal with every little bump in the road and we always felt we were in great hands. Thank you Dawn!!!
Kristoffer Bennett
My fiancé and I had a wonderful experience buying our first home with the help of Dawn Walton & Associates. Lindsay Johnson spearheaded our search with kindness, professionalism and enthusiasm. We were looking for a realtor but we also gained a friend. Thank you so much Lindsay and the rest of the team at Dawn Walton and Associates!
Brenna Mackay
I have observed Dawn’s handling of both Sellers and Buyers and am impressed with the efficiency and fairness she delivers to all of her clients. Her impressive knowledge base of the Nanaimo market enables her to quickly provide the optimum solution for them. As a lender, I observe many realtors and very few come close to the level of proficiency and fairness she delivers on a daily basis. I have no hesitation in referring her as a top quality Realtor
Ron Bedell
True Professionals! We recently moved to Nanaimo where Casey Briggs at Dawn Walton & Associates helped us purchase a home. Having bought and sold previously I can honestly say this was *the best* real estate experience. Casey and the DW team did a great job on our behalf and made the transaction as easy as possible. They are experts and we will definitely recommend Casey and Dawn Walton & Associates.
Kim Elhatton
We had the good fortune of meeting Lindsay Johnson of Dawn Walton and Associates while looking for fractional ownership on Vancouver Island. Lindsay is first and foremost very professional, but has a lovely personal touch . She guided our way to the purchase without putting any pressure on us. She represents her clients and considers their best interests. If you are looking for a wonderful realtor, Lindsay Johnson is an excellent choice. Sue and Chris
Christian Bernard
Helpful with their knowledge of the housing market. Dawn is just great!
Don Kranenburg
We would like to thank Lindsay for everything that she has done for us. We thought we knew what we wanted but once we began looking, found that our wants were different. Lindsay was super patient with us and was able to help us find our home. We highly recommend Lindsay and Dawn Walton & Associates.
Christine Bootsma
My partner and I highly recommend Lindsay Johnson and her team to everyone we know in the market to sell or buy. We have worked with Lindsay on several transactions now, and she is super knowledgeable, genuine, fun to work with and makes a very possible stressful situation smooth and straight forward. Lindsay's level of dedication and diligence to her clients raises the bar of excellence. Thanks again to Lindsay and the whole Dawn Walton team
Krystal Hawksworth
Dawn and her associates were great to work with. In such a fast paced market, I always felt informed on properties I was interested in and was able to find a home I love! Dawn and her team were extremely flexible with my schedule, and very quick at getting back to me when I had any questions. I have already referred a colleague to Dawn and her team, and would recommend them to anyone!
Maggie Walsh
My wife and I found everyone at Dawn Walton & Associates to be very friendly and professional. We felt they went above and beyond with promoting our home. We would recommend them highly.
Roy Campbell
The experience of having our home listed with Dawn Walton & Associates was absolutely stress free! The high quality of photos, videos and all other material was beyond our expectations. Our realtor, Lindsay, was always available to answer questions. You actually felt like you're wrapped in a hug!
Karen Sklenka
Lindsay and her team were incredibly professional and extremely helpful. Selling a house is stressful and any time we needed that extra little help, even just a little positive reinforcement, Lindsay was there to assist - all with a smile and great attitude. 10/10
Michael Elliott
Lindsay Johnson was amazing to work with . She kept me informed through the Buying process. And was a tremendous asset for helping me pick the right house .
Carla Fleck
Lindsay Johnson, with Dawn Walton & Associates, was excellent to work with. From negotiation to closing she was knowledgeable, responsive, and very helpful. We purchased a rental property from out of province and she enabled a smooth transition. I would highly recommend Lindsay.
Paula Brook
We highly recommend Lindsay Johnson for buying or selling. She was very knowledgeable, personable and patient. We have gained a great friend in the process. Thanks Lindsay and everyone at Dawn Walton & Associates.
Jessica Okeley
I love Lyndsay from the start she was quick, interested and a huge help every step of the way. Awesome realtor working for an awesome company. Thank you you are the bomb
Tracy Cramer
Kurt and I would both highly recommend Lindsay Johnson at Dawn Walton & Associates. We moved from the Interior to the Island and she excelled in effectively communicating with us from afar. She is professional, knowledgeable, and demonstrated deep compassion and empathy, understanding the stress of buying during the Pandemic. She was our “ROCK!!!” Lindsay is very thorough and pays attention to details. She was invaluable during the buying process. She went over and above any of our expectations of what we thought a Realtor could offer. “Top Shelf" quality for sure! Thank-you so much Lindsay for helping us during an extremely difficult time and understanding what the meaning of “HOME” really means to us.
Kurt & Susan Huettmeyer
Lindsay helped us find our forever home when we moved from Alberta back to the coast. She was amazing, every step of the way, helping us understand the different neighbourhoods Nanaimo has to offer and the perks of each. We toured houses virtually and then in person, finally deciding to bid on a home I had fallen in love with. Lindsay is warm, open, and very knowledgeable. Working with Lindsay is like searching for a house with a good friend who gets what you are looking for and can steer you through the ins and outs of each part of the process. I can't recommend Lindsay enough.
Echo McNaughton
We have been very happy to have Dawn as our realtor. Dawn is extremely knowledgeable and able to clearly explain all of our questions. Dawn gives great advice and offers different perspectives which helps in decision making. Dawn was able to confidently handle a delayed closing date and made sure we were looked after. As usual Tara was quick to follow up with the paperwork to meet our deadlines. We have enjoyed working with Dawn and her team over the years and would strongly recommend them.
Anonymous
We have bought and sold 4 homes with Dawn and should we consider buying and selling again, we would without any hesitation at all ask Dawn to accompany us on that journey. Dawn and her entire team supported us, helped us, encouraged us and so much more. They go above and beyond what one may expect from their realtor and truly made us feel a part of their family. Buying a home is an incredibly stressful and nerve wracking experience, but we couldn’t image it being with anyone else. Thank you Dawn and family. We love you guys!
Anna Bedard
Dawn and her associates are truly amazing…we had so many questions leading up to buying our new place and Dawn was there to answer every one (sometimes before we ever asked). There is no way that we will ever use anyone else if we need to sell, or buy, again. I recommend Dawn Walton & Associates with all of my heart!!
Shaun Weighill
Dawn was great to work with. She works very hard, always positive and super helpful. She's very quick to respond with questions or inquiries and is very proactive. I would (and have!) definitely recommend her and her team again and I personally look forward to working with her again.
Kendall Rae
Dawn and her team are amazing. We recently relocated from Ontario to Nanaimo, in the midst of an intense seller’s market. We just cold called her on a recommendation from one of the only people we knew in town. Dawn was in full response mode, supporting us from a distance like a champ! She is genuine and caring. She navigated us through this tricky market and we came out on top. We are so grateful and will always work with her in the future.
Allyson Gable
We bought our house in Nanaimo in 2020 during COVID. We were coming to the island from the mainland and because of COVID it made viewing and purchasing very difficult. Dawn Walton made a stressful experience smooth and less stressful. We had to rely on her to find us our dream home, and that is exactly what she did. Thank you to Dawn and her whole team for finding us our forever home.
Fila MacLennan
Love Dawn. Wouldn't work with any other real estate agent when looking to purchase or sell a home.
Debbie Allen
We’ve had successful results when looking for 2 homes through Dawn Walton and Associates. They were very accommodating and listened to our want and need list. They were patient, we searched for many months, on both occasions, and looked at sooo many houses. Sometimes returning to view a house to make sure it was or wasn’t the one up to three times. I believe that after dealing with Dawn the first time, she knew us well enough to know that this house was the one for us. When we first looked at the house, which was not listed officially yet. She came with paperwork completed, knowing that this house was the winner. We both appreciated the foresight and assertiveness that Dawn and Team brought to the table. Dawn Walton and Associates Thank you for all your hard work.
David & Audrey Campbell
Dawn has helped me sell 2 homes! I love her team as much as I love her! So much respect for everything we were going through at the time. I will be moving back to the island again… and Dawn will for sure be my realtor! Dawns ability to be candid and considerate at the same time is a skill most people search a lifetime for. There was not one moment that I felt alone in the choices I had to make… they were there for me every step of the way… with so much insight!
Cheryl Gunderson
Dawn and her team made our first home buying experience fantastic! She made us feel very comfortable and our questions were always met with thoughtful and timely answers. We felt like Dawn was really in our corner the entire time and we ended up buying the most perfect first home for our family. Would highly recommend!!
Katie Backstrom
Casey was wonderful. During SUPER challenging times in the real-estate market everyone at Dawn Walton & Associates were ready to go above and beyond to help me out.
Nick Scott
Awesome to work with during the hard Covid times, went above and beyond to help find our dream home
Joshua Petroski
A huge thank you to Casey and Dawn Walton team for helping us find our home.
Bridget Clerkin
Casey was wonderful to work with. He is very professional, respectful, knowledgeable, experienced and very accessible. He was always a text, email or phone call away, no matter what time, he was there for us. We moved from Alberta and wanted to purchase a property in Nanaimo. This is the first time we experienced buying a home virtually, and Casey made it really easy to connect, made the showing detailed and answered all the questions as we went along. He listened to our needs and expectations. He guided us through the process of buying a home in BC and gave us great advice and pointers. No need to look further, Casey and his team at Dawn Walton & Associates were the best.
P&J Kakulphimp
Our realtor was Casey and he did a great job helping us find a home in Nanaimo when we moved here from Alberta. Anytime we reached out to him, he responded very quickly and was great at providing details and suggestions. We very much recommend.
Shehla Briegel
The sale and purchase of a new home has been identified as one of life’s greatest stresses. Add to that a COVID world and weather events that have created their own unique terminology; heat domes, atmospheric rivers and the arctic vortex. Throughout this tumultuous time, through the steady, unwavering guidance of Dawn Walton I found my forever home. A beautiful rancher nestled within three acres of paradise. I cannot speak more highly of Dawn and her team as they brought to completion the purchase of my new home under the most challenging of circumstances.
Leah Bendell
We’re extremely happy with the service we received with Dawn Walton & Associates when buying our new home. They made us feel like we were their only clients.
Yves Bouchard
An exceptional team of professionals. Very attentive to our preferences and desires to find our new home. We came from the mainland and needed a realtor who was well versed in all the neighbourhoods and what each community could provide our family. They are kind, experienced, collaborative and a strong team. We highly recommend Dawn Walton and Associates.
Lynne Bouchard
My wife and I have bought and sold multiple properties in Nanaimo and met many realtors. When we decided to downsize, we chose this group to help us with the sale. Without question, Dawn and her team provided an exceptional level of service. We received honest and straightforward advice, prompt service, and had incredible follow up to any issues. I would certainly recommend this team.
Danny Phoenix
I am very pleased as to how fast my patio home sold! Showings were done in an organized fashion so I didn’t have to be away from my home too long of periods in a day! Photography did justice to the property, info booklet was beautiful and in less than a week the sale was done! Dawn left me a gift of packing supplies which I really appreciated. I will recommend Dawn Walton Associates to all my friends and Family!
Gail Olyniuk
Lindsay is a lucky charm and hardest working realtor out there! Wow...she sold it in 3 days and for over-asking! Could not have worked out better! WE THANK YOU FROM BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!
Susan McNamee