Do I Need A REALTOR®?
Saving the commission crosses the minds of many sellers - unfortunately for the seller, it also crosses the minds of many buyers and their offers will reflect this. If you are considering selling your home without the services of a professional REALTOR®, you should be aware of the following statistics.
- For Sale By Owner homes, on the average, net less than homes listed with a professional REALTOR®
- Only about 1 out of 20 For Sale By Owner homes actually sell!
- Within 90 days, over 90% of For Sale By Owners decide to list with a professional REALTOR®
If Selling:
A REALTOR® can advise you on how to make your home more competitive and marketable.
A REALTOR® has extensive product knowledge enabling him/her to set a competitive and fair price so that your home will sell quickly.
A REALTOR® has an enormous network of potential buyers as well as access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) giving your home maximum exposure.
A REALTOR® has well-honed negotiating skills to ensure that you get the best price possible for your home.
A REALTOR® is skilled in drawing up legally binding contracts.
A will see to all the details from beginning to end and look after any problems that may arise leaving you to enjoy your search for a new home.
If Buying
A REALTOR® will help you determine what you can afford and what kind of home will best suit your needs.
A REALTOR® will then provide you with a list of homes for sale that are in your price range and possess all the qualities you require.
A REALTOR® saves you a lot of running around and wasted time by providing you with a list of quality homes and securing appointments to view them.
A REALTOR® has a wealth of information on everything from financing to amenities within the community.
A REALTOR® will negotiate on your behalf to make sure you get the best possible price.
Buying New
Once you have made the exciting decision to buy a new home, careful research is a must. The following checklist will help you get started and make your search a little easier.
- Determining a price range is the first step.
- Now that a price range is established it is time to decide where you want to live. Research the neighbourhood thoroughly before making a commitment.
- Select a quality builder. Ensure that the builder belongs to a professional association with a strict code of ethics. If there is a New Home Warranty office in your area, ask them for a list of registered builders. References work. Ask for recommendations from people who have recently built. Talk to at least three registered and recommended builders before choosing one. Check out the quality of work in the builder's previous homes and talk to the homeowners. Ask about a follow-up system for any problems you may have after you have moved in.
- Contact a real estate office and request a REALTOR® who specializes in new homes. Someone who is familiar with the professional home builders in your area.
- Some important questions to ask yourself before building your home:
- How long will I stay here?
- How many will live here (will it increase or decrease over time)?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms are needed?
- Do I need a finished basement ?
- Do I need a formal dining area or just a large kitchen?
- Do I need a room for a home office?
- What are my storage requirements?
- Will there be boarders?
- Do I wish to (or can I afford) to upgrade some of the standard choices?
Your must haves and your would be nice choices should be discussed with your professional builder. The builder will be able to help you achieve the maximum from your budget by offering you alternatives to costly projects.
Just remember, builders and developers are not REALTORS® and are not bound by the Real Estate Act. This means that an uninformed buyer may discover that the property they purchase is nothing like the property they were sold. Furthermore, because their builder is not covered by Errors and Omissions insurance, the unwary buyer may find themselves soley burdened with fixing problems left behind by the builder. Having an agent asking the right questions on your behalf and working for your protection is the surest way to ensure the timely and accurate fulfillment of your builders contract.
