When you decide the time has come to shop for a new house, you want to stack the deck in your favour. That means working with a good real estate agent.
Defining real estate agents and REALTORS®
All real estate agents must be licensed. In addition to having a real estate license, I am a REALTORS® aswell. The term REALTOR ® is a trademark that identifies a licensed real estate agent as a member of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). All REALTORS ® make a pledge to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards.
As your REALTOR ® I will act as your eyes, your ears and your voice throughout the home buying process. You need to feel assured that you’re receiving the best information and advice, so you can have confidence that you’re making a savvy real estate investment. That makes choosing the right agent for your needs a top priority.
You’ll be working closely with your real estate agent, so it’s important to choose someone who understands your situation, knows the local real estate market, and can give you the advice and guidance you need.
Asking the right questions
We encourage you to interview several agents before choosing the one you want to work with. Determine which features of your new home are most important to you (see Needs vs. Wants), and ask the prospective agent about their knowledge in those areas: How well does he know your desired neighbourhood? How familiar is he with the issues associated with older homes? If you’re prepared to do some renovations, to what extent is he familiar with remodeling pricing?