Why should I use a REALTOR® to Buy or sell my house?

This is a question that has come up a lot lately. There is many reasons why using a REALTORS®, should be seriously considered when buying or selling your home.

I would like to start with a quick explanation of ‘Who is a REALTOR®’?

Not all licensed registered brokers, or salespeople are REALTORS®. Only real estate licensees who are members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) are REALTORS®. These REALTORS® are held to a high standard of professional conduct, ongoing education, and to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice.

Here are some of the Benefits of using in REALTOR® in any Real Estate transaction.

•Your REALTOR® will walk you through the entire sales process from the initial contact to the closing of your transaction.

•Your REALTOR® can help determine your buying power and refer you to a mortgage specialist best qualified to maximize your loan and minimize your cost.

•Your REALTOR® provides local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, etc. They can help you find the best location for you and your family to grow.

•Your REALTOR® has the details on comparable pricing, neighborhood trends and housing market conditions, which is important for deciding when to sell and also when to jump into the housing market.

•Your REALTOR® has full access to all the features of the Multiple Listing Service.

•Your REALTOR® is able to negotiate the best deal. There are number of negotiating factors, including price, financing, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs or furnishings. With the experience and training your REALTOR® has you will be in very good hands.  In the end the goal of most REALTOR®'s is to reach a Win-Win scenario.  

•Your REALTOR® assists you in providing due diligence to evaluate the property. This may include inspections for mold, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests. Your REALTOR® can assist you in determining what conditions to recommend and assist in finding qualified professionals to investigate and provide a report to you.

•Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often REALTORS® will provide guidance on staging or repairs that enhance the property. Your REALTOR® will harness the power of the Multiple Listing Service to expose your property to a large network of qualified buyers as well as coordinate marketing through the most effective array of other advertising media such as Email notifications and Facebook.

On top of all the benefits listed above, you are protected when you work with a REALTOR® for a number of reasons:

•All REALTORS® are graduates of a real estate education program and are committed to pursuing ongoing professional development courses;

•REALTORS® must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice; which guarantees professional conduct and service excellence.

•All REALTORS® carry errors and omissions insurance;

•A licensed brokerage supervises the business conduct of all REALTORS®

To sum it all up, a REALTOR^® works for you and must, by law, look after your best interests.