Why REALTORs® are invaluable.

Can You Trust Yourself to Buy and Sell your Home Properly Without a Realtor?

The Canadian real estate market continues to hum along. You may be one of the many people out there who have decided to take the plunge and become a homeowner, or maybe you are looking to sell your home. 

Your friends have tried it, so maybe you decide to go the route of a private sale of your home, embarking on your property search using the tools such as MLS, rew.ca or craigslist to help you. But what happens when you find that the process stalls and that you are not getting what you want out of the situation?

Has the promise of technology and ease been exaggerated in your case? Could the narrow exposure that your private sale offers keep potential buyers from even knowing about your home? And what about when you find your dream home…but can’t make an appointment to see it without a realtor to represent you in the process?

These are just some of the scenarios that can stand in the way of you buying or selling. If you find yourself in these situations, perhaps it is time to find yourself a good realtor.

For a quick overview of why realtors are invaluable for buying and selling your home, check out the infographic below.

Little-Known Factors That Could Affect Your Home Sale

Realtors offer experience and a network of connections that can be hard to find if you are embarking on this process alone. 

EXPOSURE

A realtor has a large network of associates, colleagues and mechanisms that will allow you to sell or buy faster and with better results. If selling, your property will be exposed to many more potential buyers through the power of mls.ca, as well as through other important channels such as social media, the agent’s home website and company website, and through word of mouth through the agent’s network of peers. 

 “Realtors have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which they can access 2 days before the new listings are available on the public MLS website. And having access to the sales history of the property, tax assessment, recent price adjustments, sales history in the area and other critical information can be vital in negotiating the best price for clients.”

KNOWLEDGE

A real estate agent will bring his/her experiences to the table. They are privy to much more data and information than we could obtain through private channels. For example, if you are a young family looking for a great neighborhood to raise your children, a realtor can help you find the perfect area. They do so by using their knowledge regarding the schools, parks, shopping and other amenities in the area.

A real estate agent can also help their buyer make informed decisions about all aspects of the building or structure that they potentially could own, such as any problems with structural integrity, liens on the property, strata rules and regulations etc. Finally, when it comes to the negotiating and legal side of buying or selling, a realtor has all the skills and paperwork needed to ensure that you are making the best and most confident decision possible.

SUPPORT

When you hire a realtor, they are at your call to help you view that home you love in a timely manner so that another buyer doesn’t snap it up. They are there to negotiate the price on the sale of your home so that you get the best amount possible, and the same goes for when you finally decide to put that offer in on your potential new home.

 “one of the most important key points (that a realtor brings to the table) is honesty and integrity.”

Conclusion

Though many sales take place as a result of website and social media exposure, the majority of real estate transactions continue to occur thanks to the powerful channels of communication between agents. In fact, if you are thinking of buying or selling a home, hiring a realtor may be the wisest decision that you will make. 

The promise and ease of the online world for buying and selling a home has shifted the power firmly in the hands of you, the consumer. Realtors are no longer the gatekeepers to vital home information they once were. However, the numbers don’t lie. 

Despite the advances in technology and availability of alternative sales model options, Canadian realtors continue to play a dominant role in the buying and selling of homes in Canada. 

So, are you planning to use a Realtor the next time you buy or sell a home?