G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Buying A Home Buying A Home is one of the biggest investments/purchases most of us will ever make in our life. It normally involves borrowing a large sum of money which is to be paid back over 20-30 years – a significant part of our lifetime. Despite that, many buyers go into this exercise without knowing what to expect or what to look for. One of the most important aspects in buying a home is the cost/value. While no one will mind if they pay less than the home is worth, it is a different story to find that you have paid too much. Also, mortgage-lending institutions normally lend up to 90% of the value or cost of the home, whichever is the lower. For example, assume you are buying a home for $600,000 and hope to borrow $540,000. (You have made a $60,000 deposit from your own funds). If the valuer then determines the home that you are buying is worth only $540,000, the mortgage lending institution will only lend you $495,000 and you will have to find an extra $55,000 on your own or possibly lose the deposit you made on the house. There are two simple ways to avoid this happening to you. The easiest way is when you have finally decided what house you are going to buy, find out from your mortgage lending institution who are the valuers on their panel, then select one of them to value the house before you make a deposit. Another way is when making a deposit, specify that if the independent valuation report done by the Bank is less than the agreed purchase price, you have the option of canceling the contract and getting a full refund of your deposit. If you adopt this option, ensure that the deposit will be held in escrow with an attorney or other such professional to avoid problems if a refund becomes necessary. Another important factor to consider in purchasing a home is how much extra money you will need for closing costs. There are several costs involved in addition to the actual price of the house. Some of these include: Attorneys’ fees for the Deed of Conveyance which transfers the house to your name. It is based on the cost of the house and generally, it is 1.5% on the first $100,000; 0.75% on the next $400,000 and 0.5% on the balance. . (Shortcut if cost > $500,000 – Divide cost by 200 and add $2,000.)Don’t forget – add VAT @ 12.5% The Stamp Duty on the Deed of Conveyance. The first $850,000 of the purchase price is exempt. After that, it is 3% on the next $400,000; 5% on the succeeding $500,000 and 7.5% on the balance. The stamp duty is payable to the government and the rates stated here are for residential homes. (Shortcut if price > $1.750,000 – Calculate 7.5% of cost and subtract $94,250.) Attorneys’ fees for preparing the Deed of Mortgage. This is based on the amount of money you borrow and the rate is the same as in (1) above. This can be reduced by 50% if the same solicitor prepares both deeds and property not under RPA. Stamp Duty on the Deed of Mortgage. Again, this is based on the amount of money you borrow and is payable to the government. The amount varies depending on the type of property (residential, land, etc.), purchase or refinance, and if the amount borrowed is larger than the purchase price. In the case of a purchase of a residence, it is often $2.00 per $1,000 (0.2%) assuming mortgage is for more than $850,000. (If less, then there is no stamp duty). In other cases, it is $4.00 per $1,000 (0.4%). Valuation fees which are usually between 1/3 to 1/5 of 1% of the value of the property, plus VAT @ 12.5%. Mortgage Lending Institution Fee (Varies between 1/3 – 2% of the amount borrowed). Mortgage Indemnity Fee. The calculation of this depends on several circumstances. It can be either 1.5% of the loan amount or 18.5% (of which 6% is a government charge) of the amount on which the mortgage indemnity is taken. Let the loan officer advise you on this. Do not forget the house itself. There are many questions you have to ask yourself. What is the traffic like at rush hours (a.m. and p.m.)? Remember you will be in it for the next 20-25 years. Do all the plumbing fixtures work? If not, why not? Is the electrical wiring adequate for all you equipment? (e.g. fridge, stove, a/c, kettle, washer, dryer, etc.) Do you see any leak stains on the ceilings? If yes, it could mean that the roof needs repairs/replacing. Is there any evidence of termites? You may want to call an expert to determine this. As you can see, there is a lot to be aware of in buying a home. Do not “Buy in haste and Regret in leisure”. Given below are 2 examples of the approximate closing costs involved in buying a home which we hope will be helpful. The above costs/fees are estimates only and are likely to vary from case to case. The above information is believed to be correct as of the date of writing. Before you make any decisions however, you are advised to consult with a suitable professional such as an accountant, an attorney, a financial advisor, etc.

G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy G.A. Farrell & Associates Limited (”GAF&A”) is committed to maintaining industry standards, best practice and ethics. In this regard, this policy exists so that GAF&A and those who work for the company observe and uphold a zero-tolerance position on bribery and corruption. POLICY STATEMENT GAF&A is committed to conducting business in an ethical and honest manner and is committed to implementing and enforcing systems that ensure bribery is prevented. GAF&A’s zero- tolerance for bribery and corrupt activities means it is committed to acting professionally, fairly, and with integrity in all business dealings and relationships, wherever in the country we operate. GAF&A will constantly uphold all laws relating to anti-bribery and corruption, in particular, Prevention of Corruption Act 11:11 as amended. GAF&A recognises that bribery and corruption are punishable on conviction on indictment to a fine of twenty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for two years or on summary conviction to a fine of two thousand dollars and to imprisonment for four months. DEFINITION OF BRIBERY Bribery refers to the act of offering, giving, promising, asking, agreeing, receiving, accepting, or soliciting something of value or of an advantage so to induce or influence an action or decision. A bribe refers to any inducement, reward, or object/item or value offered to another individual in order to gain commercial, contractual, regulatory, or personal advantage. Bribery is not limited to the act of offering a bribe. If an individual is on the receiving end of a bribe and they accept it, they are also breaking the law. Bribery is illegal. Employees must not engage in any form of bribery, whether it be directly, passively (as described above), or through a third party (such as an agent or distributor). They must not bribe a foreign public official anywhere in the world. They must not accept bribes in any degree and if they are uncertain about whether something is a bribe or a gift or act of hospitality, they must seek further advice from the company’s compliance manager. WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE This section of the policy is sub-divided into four (4) areas: Gifts and hospitality GAF&A accepts normal and appropriate gestures of hospitality and goodwill (whether given to/received from third parties) so long as the giving or receiving of gifts meets the following requirements: It is not made with the intention of influencing the party to whom it is being given, to obtain or reward the retention of a business or a business advantage, or as an explicit or implicit exchange for favours or benefits. It is not made with the suggestion that a return favour is expected. It is in compliance with local law. It is given in the name of the company, not in an individual’s name. It does not include cash or a cash equivalent (e.g. a voucher or gift certificate). It is appropriate for the circumstances \e.g. giving small gifts around Christmas or as a small thank you to a company for helping with a large project upon completion). It is of an appropriate type and value and given at an appropriate time, taking into account the reason for the gift. It is given/received openly, not secretly. It is not selectively given to a key, influential person, clearly with the intention of directly influencing them. It is not above a certain excessive value, as pre-determined by the company‘s compliance manager. It is not offered to, or accepted from, a government official or representative or politician or political party, without the prior approval of the company’s compliance manager. Where it is inappropriate to decline the offer of a gift (i.e. when meeting with an individual of a certain religion/culture who may take offence), the gift may be accepted so long as it is declared to the compliance manager, who will assess the circumstances. GAF&A recognises that the practice of giving and receiving business gifts varies between countries, regions, cultures, and religions, so definitions of what is acceptable and not acceptable will inevitably differ for each. As good practice, gifts given and received should always be disclosed to the compliance manager. Gifts from suppliers should always be disclosed. The intention behind a gift being given/received should always be considered. If there is any uncertainty, the advice of the compliance manager should be sought. Facilitation payments and kickbacks GAF&A does not accept and will not make any form of facilitation payments of any nature. We recognise that facilitation payments are a form of bribery that involves expediting or facilitating the performance of a public official for a routine governmental action. We recognise that they tend to be made by low level officials with the intention of securing or speeding up the performance of a certain duty or action. GAF&A does not allow kickbacks to be made or accepted. We recognise that kickbacks are typically made in exchange for a business favour or advantage. GAF&A recognises that, despite our strict policy on facilitation payments and kickbacks, employees may face a situation where avoiding a facilitation payment or kickback may put their/their family’s personal security at risk. Under these circumstances, the following steps must be taken: Keep any amount to the minimum. Ask for a receipt, detailing the amount and reason for the payment. Create a record concerning the payment. Report this incident to your line manager. Political contributions GAF&A will not make donations, whether in cash, kind, or by any other means, to support any political parties or candidates. We recognise this may be perceived as an attempt to gain an improper business advantage. Charitable contributions GAF&A accepts the act of donating to charities — whether through services, knowledge, time, or direct financial contributions (cash or otherwise) — and agrees to disclose all charitable contributions it makes. Employees must be careful to ensure that charitable contributions are not used to facilitate and conceal acts of bribery. We will ensure that all charitable donations made are legal and ethical under local laws and practices, and that donations are not offered/made without the approval of the compliance manager.

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G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. Loan Calculator

G.A. Farrell & Associates Ltd, a leading firm of Chartered Valuation Surveyors, specialized in the valuation of properties in Trinidad & Tobago. FAQs Note: ‘End-user’ refers to the actual person or entity that will be relying on the Valuation Report e.g. a lending institution or statutory body. What are the requirements to make a Valuation Request? For a typical Valuation Request, we require the following documents: A copy of a valid form of Identification (ID, DP or Passport) A copy of Deed / Title document or any Lease(s) A copy of Survey Plan / Cadastral Sheet Please note that additional documents may be required based on the type of property and/or the purpose of valuation. What is the fee for a standard residential valuation request? Our fee is dependent on the value of the property and in most cases, the following fee structure applies: $2,200 for the first $500,000 of the opinion of market value and ¼ of 1% of the excess over $500,000 plus VAT, subject to a minimum fee of $2,200 plus VAT. For example, if a property is valued at $1M, our fee would be $3,450 plus VAT @ 12.5%. Therefore, the total cost would be $3,881.25. Please note that our fees may vary based on the type of property and/or the purpose of valuation. How long is a Valuation Report valid? Typically, a valuation report is valid for six (6) months however, it depends on the requirements of the ‘end-user’ and their informed opinion of the validity of the Valuation Report as time passes. Where are you located? We have five (5) branches located throughout Trinidad & Tobago and they are as follows: #23 Ariapita Avenue, Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I. #51 Harris Street, San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I. 1st Floor, No. 9, Mulchan Seuchan Road, Chaguanas, Trinidad, W.I. #51-59 Tumpuna Road, Shops of Arima, Inner Mall Shops, Arima, Trinidad, W.I. Unit 5, Tateco Building, Wilson Road, Scarborough, Tobago, W.I. What is the turnaround time for a standard Valuation Request? Upon receipt of all required documents and access, delivery of the final report will take approximately 10 working days (excluding weekends and public holidays). Depending on the property type and location, additional time may be required. Why would I need to have my property valued? You may require a Valuation Report for various reasons, some of which are noted as follows: An opinion of what you should pay if you are purchasing a property Mortgage purposes for a long-term loan To determine a replacement cost of a building for Insurance purposes To finance the Construction of a new building If selling a property, to have an opinion of the sale price for marketing purposes An accurate assessment of the applicable Stamp Duty Tax (e.g. when transferring ownership of a property) A record of Assets for accounting purposes such as in a Balance Sheet Statutory requirements – Probating a will or litigation Are your Reports accepted by ‘end-users’? Yes, we are on the panel of approved service providers to all the major Mortgage Lending Institutions and Statutory Bodies. What are the methods of payment? Payment can be made at our offices (San Fernando, Chaguanas, Port of Spain, Arima or Tobago) via cash, debit card, credit card (also, over the phone or via our website), cheque, online transfer or bank deposit. Do I need to make an appointment before visiting the office? It depends on the purpose of your visit. Generally speaking, no appointment is required to visit our office. Our offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm (GMT-4), excluding Public Holidays. For the purpose of requesting a valuation, you may opt to do this online via our online form here . Can someone (otherwise called an agent) make a valuation request on my behalf, I being the client? Yes, someone can make a valuation request on your behalf however, we require a valid photo ID from you, the Client as well as the Agent. What are the requirements to collect a completed Valuation Report? In order to collect the completed Valuation Report, the outstanding balance on fees must be settled in full. Kindly note if someone (an Agent) is collecting the Valuation Report on your behalf, we require a letter authorising the Agent to collect on the client’s behalf as well as a copy of a valid photo ID for the Agent. Do you value agricultural land? Yes, we value agricultural lands generally once there is a motorable access to the lands and Cadastral Survey Plan is available. As such, all requests will be screened prior to acceptance. Kindly note that we only value the surface rights (i.e. freehold or leasehold interest) and not what is grown in the lands such as crops and timber trees. What are comparables? RICS Valuation – Global Standards December 2024 defines Comparables as “an item of information used during the valuation process as evidence to support the valuation of another, similar item. Comparable evidence comprises a range of relevant data used by the valuer to support a valuation.” The primary source of comparables is Agreements-of-Sale. If I instruct that I need my Valuation Report to come in at a particular figure, can the company facilitate this? It would be unethical to accept such an instruction. Our Valuation Opinion is based on consideration of all relevant factors including the analysis of comparables (defined above). It would go against best practice to report a valuation opinion that does not follow this process. This is supported by the fact that G. A. Farrell & Associates Limited is a RICS-regulated firm with a duty to uphold international standards [RICS – Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors]. When conducting a site visit, does the Valuation Officer need access to all rooms? Yes. Access to all areas of a building allows for a complete visual inspection of the premises which contributes to a realistic and reasonable assessment of the market value of the property. If I commissioned a Valuation Report to determine a price for my property, can a prospective purchaser use this Valuation Report e.g. to secure a mortgage? As per international standards, a Valuation Report can only be done for one specific purpose. As with the example above, a Valuation Report done for the specific purpose of sale, should not be used for mortgage purposes. We recommend that a prospective purchaser secure his / her own Valuation report. I did a valuation of my property previously and I need an updated Valuation Report. Can the date on my initial Valuation Report be changed? The initial Valuation Report would have been done at a specific date. If we changed the date on the Valuation Report to a later date, this means that the same Valuation Report exists at two different dates. This would be unethical and therefore, we cannot simply change the date on a pre-existing Valuation Report. As such, we advise that a new Valuation Report be commissioned. If my property was already valued in the past by G.A. Farrell & Associates Limited, what will it cost to get an updated Valuation Report? In cases where we have done a Valuation Report on the same property within the last three (3) years, and for the same client, a discount of up to 30% of the fee is given, subject to the applicable minimum fee. For properties valued within the last four (4) to six (6) years, and for the same client, a discount of up to 15% of the fee is given, subject to the applicable minimum fee. Do you also prepare Quantity Surveyor’s Reports? Yes, we do prepare Quantity Surveyor’s Reports on structures that have not exceeded its foundation stage of construction. However, please confirm with your lending institution that we are on their panel of approved Quantity Surveyors. If you require both a Proposed Building Valuation and a Quantity Surveyor’s Report, confirm also with your lending institution that they will accept both Reports from our firm. Do you conduct valuations for properties without Town and Country Planning Division (TCPD) approvals? In the absence of TCPD approvals, once reasonable and practical, we can value the property, but our opinion of value would be based on the following assumption: “All relevant approvals have been obtained from the relevant authorities.” How should I choose a valuation firm? It is important that when a valuation report for a specific purpose is required, you ensure that the Valuation Firm selected is approved by the ‘end-user’. Qualified Valuers will be chartered (i.e. have a professional RICS designation, MRICS or FRICS), a RICS-registered Valuer and may also be a full member of the Institute of Surveyors of Trinidad & Tobago (ISTT), as evidenced by the designation, MISTT.

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