How to Choose a Real Estate Agent

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Making the move from one home to another can be a daunting experience, but a real estate agent makes it easier. The agent working with you can be a source of expert advice and guidance about the real estate market and the process of buying, selling and financing real estate. Your home is undoubtedly the biggest investment most people make in their lives, so it is essential to find a real estate possessing the skill, knowledge and experience to maximize your investment no matter whether you are a buyer or a seller. Here are a few tips to help you to find a real estate agent.

What does a real estate agent do for you?

Before beginning your search for a real estate agent, it might help to understand the services they offer. A real estate agent does more than merely list a home for sale. An agent for a seller assists with the following:

• Finding comparable homes that have recently sold to help homeowners decide on the fair market value of their homes.
• Suggest ways to make the interior and exterior of a home more attractive to potential buyers.
• Market the home through advertising and open houses.
• Handle scheduling of appointments for buyers wishing to view the home.
• Negotiate offers with a buyer’s agent to reach the best agreement for the seller.

Real estate agents working on behalf of buyers provide the following services:

• Find homes for sale meeting the criteria specified by a buyer, including price, location, style of home, availability of public transit and other factors important to the buyer.
• Arrange appointments to view homes meeting the buyer’s criteria.
• Help the buyer determine the value of a particular home in order to make an offer.
• Present a buyer’s offer to the agent for the seller and negotiate to reach an agreement.

Interview a couple of agents before hiring one

There are currently more than 80,000 licensed real estate agents in Ontario, but you don’t have to interview all of them to find the one who is best for you. A good place to begin is with a recommendation from a friend or relative whose experience with a particular real estate agent was a good one.

Buyers and sellers should look around the neighbourhood in which their homes are located or where they want to buy and note the names of agents appearing on signs advertising homes for sale. Chances are those real estate agents know the area and could be a good source of information and guidance.

Set up appointments with some realtors to determine if you feel comfortable with the person’s knowledge of the local real estate market. You also want someone who takes the time to listen to you and offer suggestions to satisfy any concerns you might have and to answer questions about the process of buying or selling.

Find an agent with a strategy

A real estate agent should have a strategy for selling your home or helping you to find the home of your dreams. For sellers, this would include a marketing plan. Agents working on behalf of buyers should offer suggestions for financing the purchase once an offer is accepted and be prepared to recommend lenders.

Open houses allow you to meet agents

If you see a sign advertising an open house, go in and talk to the real estate agent. It’s a great opportunity to see how the agent does business. It also offers a chance to determine if you would be comfortable working with the person.

Ontario real estate lawyers

The real estate lawyers at Diamond and Diamond have years of experience successfully representing buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. Call them today at 1-888-INFO LAW or visit their website to speak to someone now. They offer free consultations and have offices throughout Ontario.