Resources

Should you have any further questions, please contact us.
RENTAL PROPERTIES      CONTACT US      CURRENT PURCHASERS      REALTORS      LISTING AGENTS   
FAQ
Q:What are the advantages of buying a new home vs. a used home?
A:The answer to this question is about more than the latest colors and styles of cabinets, appliances, floorings and trims. Sure, it's great to have everything new and to make these choices yourself, rather than settling for someone else's taste, but there are many other benefits to building a new home. Thanks to the improved construction techniques and materials that are available today, it is more exciting than ever to build a new home. New technology in heating and air conditioning systems, types of insulation and even plumbing fixtures provide new homes with energy efficiency that can't be matched by homes built in the past. Products such as flooring, siding, and exterior trim require less maintenance and last longer. This is truly a benefit for today's busy homeowners. High tech features like Category 5 wiring and multiple cable and phone jacks put new homes on the information highway without expensive retrofitting.

Consider how different our lives are from generations past and you'll see that the designs of new homes offer clear benefits for today's families, with generous storage space, more bathrooms, larger family rooms and kitchens. Often newly built neighborhoods have newer amenities, like schools, parks and recreational facilities for everyone's enjoyment.


Q:What are the benefits of buying a Sunlight Heritage home?
A:Sunlight Heritage Homes offers a quality product at an excellent price, a winning combination that offers superior value for our buyers. Of course many buyers claim to offer value, but Sunlight Heritage Homes has an efficient system in place to ensure it. It provides a method to analyze every component of a home to determine what elements add to the home's value and what can be eliminated or scaled back.

Q:What assistance can you offer with selling my current home?
A:The Sunlight Heritage Homes sales staff can put you in contact with an experienced, professional Realtor® who can assist with the sale of your home. Sunlight Heritage Homes receives no referral fee from these professionals; rather, we select those who have a strong history of successful sales.

Q:Will I have the opportunity to inspect my new home prior to closing?
A:Every nook and cranny! Before you take possession of your new home, you will attend an orientation conducted by a member of Sunlight Heritage Homes' construction staff. You will tour the entire home, and have an understanding of each component-heating, cooling, appliances, windows, cabinets, flooring, electrical and plumbing systems, and more. You will receive information about operation, maintenance and warranties. This is your opportunity to have all your questions answered. But don't worry about taking it all in-you'll get it all in writing, and our customer service representatives are always available to answer questions as they come up.

Q:Buying a home seems like such a big step. How can I be sure it's the right thing to do?
A:Only you can make the final decision, but a Sunlight Heritage Homes' professional Sales Representative can make it a lot easier by providing the information you need to make an informed decision. Our free, no obligation analysis can compare the actual costs of renting vs. buying; show you how building equity can be the best start for a secure financial future. Call today to make an appointment with a Sales Representative at the Sunlight community of your choice.

Q:To whom do we direct any questions we may have?
A:It is best to begin by asking your Sales Associate. While any member of the Sunlight team can answer most questions, we want to ensure that the correct person answers any questions you may have. Depending on the nature of your question, you will be directed to the appropriate person. We endeavor to answer all your questions within a timely manner.

Q:What makes Sunlight Heritage Homes Limited different from other homebuilders?
A:
  • Customer focus, commitment and service
  • Reliability
  • Product and Design
  • Value

Q:How many years has Sunlight Heritage Homes been in business?
A:Sunlight Heritage homes was established in 1988. However, Manuel Ribeiro, our president has been in the industry for over 30 years.

Q:What other communities has Sunlight Heritage Homes built?
A:Completed or communities currently in progress are:
  • Laurentian Village in Kitchener
  • Clair Hills in Waterloo
  • Custom homes in Cambridge, Waterloo, St. George, North Dumfries, Castlewood Place, Clair Meadows, Devil's Creek Country Club Estates

Q:Is Sunlight Heritage Homes registered with the Tarion Warranty Corporation?
A:Sunlight Heritage Homes is a registered builder with the Tarion Warranty Corporation. Among our many achievements, we have maintained the highest rating of excellence since our inception.

Q:What kind of houses does Sunlight Heritage Homes build?
A:We build a variety of homes to suit our homeowners' needs and have a large supply of plans that include bungalows, split levels, two-storey, back splits and walkouts. You name it - we can build it!

Q:What type of warranty is offered by Sunlight Heritage Homes?
A:By carefully selecting premium products and professionals, Sunlight Heritage Homes provides you with the assurance that your home is built with the quality you expect. For every home we build, we include the following warranties:
  • Sunlight Heritage Homes Limited One Year Warranty on defects for workmanship and materials.
  • Sunlight Heritage Homes Limited Two Year Warranty on water penetration above or below grade and defects in materials or workmanship of the electrical, plumbing and heating delivery and distribution systems.
  • Tarion Seven Year Warranty (Purchaser paid) on major structural defects and septic systems.

Q:What is included in a Sunlight Heritage Home?
A:As each home is different and tastes vary, it is best to refer to your Agreement of Purchase and Sale to determine what is included in a Sunlight Heritage Home.

Q:Is GST included in the price of a Sunlight Heritage home?
A:Home prices include the GST and take into consideration potential rebates. When referring to our price list, please keep this in mind; not all builders include the GST in their list prices. Please also note that rebates are based on specific criteria outlined by Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

Q:What is an Agreement of Purchase and Sale?
A:An Agreement of Purchase and Sale is a Legal contract between you, as the Purchaser, and Sunlight Heritage Homes Limited as the Builder/Vendor. It sets out in writing the details of the home Sunlight Heritage Homes Limited will be building for you. It will also have attached to it a number of schedules dealing with several aspects included with the purchase of your new home. These schedules form a part of the agreement and will include, but are not limited to, any conditions of the agreement (i.e. financing, approval of the plans by a third party, solicitor approval etc.,) the payment structure of the agreement and any restrictions that run with the land that you should be aware of. (i.e. limitations on clotheslines, commercial or non-operable vehicles on the lot, alterations to the grading etc.). Your Sales Associate will be happy to review these documents with you and answer any questions you may have. However this is not meant as a substitute for Purchasers discussing the agreement with their solicitor.

Q:Can my solicitor review the Agreement of Purchase and Sale before we sign?
A:Sunlight Heritage Homes Limited is happy to forward our agreements to your solicitor prior to a purchaser signing them. In addition to this, the main body of our agreements contains a clause making all our agreements conditional upon the Purchasers solicitor's approval. In this way should a purchaser wish to sign the agreement first, because of time constraints they may have, such as being in from out of town and have to get back, they can rest comfortably knowing that they still have the added protection of their agreement not becoming firm and binding until approved by their solicitor.

Q:What is a Developer's responsibility?
A:The developer is responsible for the services to your home, for example, sewers, water mains, roads, street lighting. The developer enters into an agreement with the municipality to deliver such items to the new subdivision.

Q:What is the price range of the community?
A:Prices vary with each community. Our Sales Associate will be pleased to review our price ranges with you. Please keep in mind that changes made to a home may increase the price of a home. We will guide you through this process, so you are comfortable with your selections and your budget.

Q:What are the lot sizes?
A:Lot sizes vary with each community. Our Sales Associate will be pleased to review our lot sizes with you.

Q:Are there lot premiums?
A:Depending on the community, lot premiums may apply. Our Sales Associate will be pleased to review lot premiums with you.

Q:We have our own lot. Can Sunlight Heritage Homes build on it?
A:Absolutely! In addition to our development sites Sunlight Heritage Homes is proud to offer our customers our full range Custom Home Building Services.

Q:We want to buy a Sunlight Heritage home but we need to sell our current home before we can fully commit to purchasing a Sunlight Heritage Home. What course of action should we take?
A:We recommend that you discuss your options with our Sales Associate. In such an instance, Sunlight Heritage Homes may enter into an agreement with you that is conditional upon the sale of your current home. We do not proceed with construction until the waiving (or removal) of all conditions contained in your Agreement of Purchase and Sale and the contract becomes firm.

Q:Can we reserve a lot? Is there a cost to reserve a lot?
A:If you are interested in reserving a particular lot, we encourage you to do so. Without a reservation, another interested party may choose the lot you are considering. The reservation amount is dependent on the community. Please note that this amount is applied to your first deposit upon the signing of a purchase and sale agreement.

Q:Can financing be arranged?
A:Sunlight Heritage Homes is proud of its working relationship with a number of financial institutions and will be happy to assist you with your financing if requested. In addition often the institutions we work with offer Sunlight Heritage Homes' customers preferred rates with prolonged commitment periods to accommodate construction time frames. Please ask your Sales Associate for details.

Q:Are plans pre-determined or can they be modified to suit my needs?
A:While we have chosen plans that we think will suit the community we are building, all can be modified to suit your needs. Each neighborhood will be distinguished for its character. To accomplish this, we avoid repetition in elevation designs and try to prevent side-by-side or across the street replication. Please check with our Sales Associates to determine if the lot you are considering has any pre-selections or limitations.

Q:Is there a pre-determined exterior colour selection package?
A:We consider streetscape to be very important. Generally, we do not provide pre-determined colour schemes. Exterior colours will be selected and reviewed in consultation with our Designer to prevent side-by-side or across the street replication. Please check with our Sales Associates to determine if the lot you are considering has any pre-selections or limitations.

Q:Is there a model home available for a tour? Is a tour of a home under construction permitted?
A:Depending upon the community you are considering a model home may be available for you to view. From time to time as we progress through our New Home Sites or as we move from a completed site to a new one a model home may not be available for viewing. Please contact our Sales Associate to determine if this is the case as you prepare to make your decisions”. In addition we may be able to offer you an opportunity to view a home already under construction. However, due to insurance and Health and Safety Regulations we must insist that you are accompanied by a Sunlight Heritage Homes representative and that all Health and Safety requirements are adhered to.

Q:Can we visit the site at any time or are pre-scheduled visits preferred?
A:Due to Insurance and Health and Safety Regulations all site visits must be pre-arranged with a Sunlight Heritage Homes representative. Green tab Steel toed work boots and Hard Hat must be worn at all times. In addition to this being for your safety we are also available to answer any questions as they arise.

Q:Can we take pictures of our new home's construction?
A:By all means feel free to take photos either from the street or when visiting the site accompanied by your Sunlight Heritage Homes Representative.

Q:Can Sunlight Heritage Homes build in the winter?
A:By taking the appropriate measures, we can most certainly build in the winter.

Q:How and when do we make colour and product choices? Is there someone to assist in colour selections?
A:You will choose exterior/interior colours and materials from our samples. Our samples are available for viewing in our Sales Centre. If there is something in particular you like that we do not have, if it is within our means and your budget, every effort will be made to obtain it for you.

Q:What kinds of floor coverings are best for me?
A:The old saying “different strokes for different folks” was never more appropriate than when it comes to picking out floor coverings for you home. You should let your lifestyle and the make up of your family determine the types of floor coverings that will be used in different locations in the home. For instance, active families, with small children and pets, should look to the most durable floor coverings, especially in high traffic areas.

Q:Should I consider upgrading the carpet in my home?
A:Carpet is one of the most frequently upgraded items in new homes, and for good reason. At the time of initial purchase, the buyer has the best ever deal on upgraded carpet as most builder's will credit the cost of the standard carpeting toward the cost of the upgraded flooring.

Q:What should I consider in choosing colors for my home?
A:Neutral colors are strongly recommended as they will match the furnishings you have now ...and those you may choose in the future. Moreover, neutral colors may be a big help in facilitating the rapid sale of your home when it comes time to move up. Many a home sale has been nixed by an overbearing color that won't go with the prospective purchaser's furnishings. Additionally, lighter colors make rooms feel larger.

Q:How should I prioritize spending my upgrade budget?
A:It is a good idea to start with a list of all the things you want in your new home and then prioritize them before you begin the task of reconciling with the total amount you want to spend.

Q:What is the construction time frame?
A:When building a home, we take into account such things as special order requirements, materials and trade availability. As such, we set your closing date accordingly.

Q:Will we be notified of delays?
A:We recognize the importance of your closing date. Sunlight Heritage Homes makes every effort to foresee potential delays in order to rectify them before they occur. We intend to continue this practice, but if for any reason there is a delay you will be notified as soon as we become aware of it.

Q:When is the landscaping completed? The driveway paved?
A:In some locations these items are included in your agreement of purchase and sale while in others they are not. Please consult with your Sales Associate to determine which is applicable for the location you have chosen. For those locations where they are included these items are usually dealt with in spring or early fall.

Q:Can we construct a pool, a fence or a deck?
A:A homeowner may install a pool, a fence or deck as long as the Developer has given written approval and/or as long as it is in accordance with the Municipality's by-laws and the proper permits are obtained. However, if you intend to do any of the above in future, it is best to check with us, as there may be restrictive covenants in your Purchase and Sale agreement.

Q:What are your After-Sales service procedures?
A:We are committed to our homeowners. In fact, we have a special section in our Homeowner guide to deal with this issue. For more details, our Sales Associate will be pleased to review our procedures.

Q:What "other" costs should we be aware of?
A:While this list is certainly not exhaustive, here are some of the costs you may incur:
  • Modifications and Upgrade charges
  • Interim Financing Costs
  • Legal Costs (usually includes solicitor and administration fees, land survey, title charges, etc.)
  • Ontario Land Transfer Tax
  • Tarion Warranty Corporation Fee
  • Realty Taxes
  • Telephone and Utility company hook-up and account set-up fees
  • Moving company charges

Q:What is a supplementary tax bill?
A:This is an additional bill issued by the Municipality, which reflects the increase in the value of your property as a result of improvements. Usually, owners of new homes are initially assessed on the basis of the value of the land only. Keep in mind that a new homeowner is responsible for the full amount of taxes as determined by the appropriate agency. Please also bear in mind that it may take a while before the assessment is made. It is best to check with the municipality's tax agency regarding this matter.


website designed by: stephsco