Why use a Real Estate Agent?
In our highly competitive market, the services of a qualified real estate agent is of the utmost importance. The most desirable properties are being sold within days of hitting the market and in some cases, before they hit Realtor.ca.
Realtors use the 'MLXchange' system that only licensed realtors have access to. Properties come up on 'MLXchange' a few days before they hit the market and realtors can set up automatic searches that will email their client the minute a property comes up on this system.
This gives their client the advantage of seeing new properties before anyone seeing it on Realtor.ca
Some other reasons to use an agent are:
• Agents are experienced negotiators who will manage your offers and counter-offers.
• An agent is familiar with the neighbourhood and can give you information on local real estate values, taxes, utility costs, services and amenities.
• An agent is familiar with the entire home purchasing process and can advise you of your legal and financial options as well as recommend appraisal, home inspection and contracting services.
• An agent can pinpoint homes that fit your needs and dismiss those that do not, saving you time.
An agent knows the potential problem areas in a house or condo and can guide you away from "lemons" and "leakers."
How does a Real Estate Agent get paid?
Realtors can work for the buyer, seller or both but in most cases they work for either the buyer or seller. The buyer's realtor is normally paid a sales commission by the SELLER upon completion of the sale.
This may seem surprising, but the seller pre-arranges to pay this when their client lists their property for sale, in order to attract realtors with buyers in tow. Therefore the buyer does not pay his realtor any commission.
