First-time Homebuyers Find their Perfect Home and Get Cashback on their Purchase

With Wahi’s cashback program, homebuyers can get 1% cash back on their home purchase to use towards renovations, furniture, or even a vacation — no strings attached.

By Kristin Doucet | 3 minute read

First-time homebuyers Marlon and Kadeja bought their first home, a townhome, in Clarington, Ont.

Last month, Marlon and Kadeja bought their first home with Wahi. After renting for several years, they realized they needed a more permanent space for their two growing children. 

“We wanted a stable home for our family,” says Marlon, who works as an operations manager in property management. “And we were also interested in having our own investment.” 

They began their search in the Durham region, an ideal area for prospective buyers who want to be near green space and the waterfront at a more affordable price. Townhomes tend to be in great supply throughout the region, making homeownership more within reach compared to other parts of the GTA. 

The planned extension of the GO line in Durham, which will include four new station stops (two in Oshawa and two in Clarington), also makes for a more convenient commute for those who work outside the region. 

“We knew we wanted a home in Durham with three bedrooms and parking, and in a safe community with a good school,” says Kadeja, who works as a nurse. The couple had been looking at homes for sale for three months with no luck until their mortgage broker, Rocket Mortgage, told them about Wahi.

Marlon and Kajeda were excited about Wahi’s MyBuy program, which would allow them to get 1% cash back on their home purchase just a few short weeks after closing. That’s free money they could use towards renovations. “That was the reason we chose Wahi,” adds Kadeja.

After learning about Wahi’s program, they downloaded the Wahi app and soon after were matched with their Wahi REALTOR©, Connie. When homebuyers choose Wahi’s MyBuy service, they receive virtual service from their dedicated Realtor over in-person service. Wahi passes the savings of their virtual business model on to the customer, which amounts to 1% of the purchase price. 

 “The app was great — very informative and easy to use,” says Marlon. “ The chat option was a great way to communicate [with Connie].”

Like having a personal real estate assistant on the go, the app, which is available at the App Store and Google Play,  includes recommended listings, shows nearby open houses, and lets you chat with your Realtor to get all of our real estate questions answered quickly and easily.

“The app is beneficial,” adds Kajeda.” You get to view properties, see sold history and many other details that help you decide if you want to further explore a property.”

Thanks to the convenience of the Wahi app and the trusted advice provided by their Wahi Realtor, Connie, It didn’t take long before Marlon and Kadeja found a townhome in Clarington that checked off all the boxes. 

“We would recommend Wahi to anyone given the knowledgeable staff and professional service we experienced. Our friends and family could benefit from [the app],” adds Marlon. “We also found the cashback a great incentive because you get some funds back after such a large purchase — and those funds can go a long way.”