Buying a home? This can be a daunting process which you don’t need to go through alone. Having a Realtor, the right Real Estate Professional working with you can make the process of buying your home a smoother process from start to finish. Why use a Professional Realtor when purchasing a Home? Here are a few very good reasons:

1. Code of Ethics: Professional Realtors must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must conduct their business in compliance with the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act (2002) – it’s the Law.

2. Equal Representation: The Seller has a Salesperson and/or Realtor working for the Seller’s “Best Interests”. As a Buyer, it is possible as of January 1st 2006, to have Representation and have a Realtor that works for “Your” Best Interests. With Buyer Representation a Realtor will owe you these same “Fiduciary Duties” – Disclosure, Competency, Confidentiality, Obedience, Loyalty and Accountability. Seems rather simplified, but remember a Real Estate purchase is a “Buyer Beware” transaction and if you are not represented, the Realtor has a Legal Duty to limit the services provided to: honesty, fairness and due care when answering questions; not go above and beyond to protect your interests. [“Buyer Beware” – basically ask the right question specifically, get the right answer]

3. Shared Liability: A Professional Realtor has Special Skills and Knowledge and as such is held accountable to the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act. Laws which protect “You” the consumer and we must carry insurance to protect “You”.

4. Your Check and Balance: It is often difficult to avoid “Over Paying” for that property you fall in love with, after all, Residential Re-sale is an “Emotional Purchase” for both the Buyer and the Seller. A Professional Realtor can help “You” to stay focused on the reasons, wants and needs of your purchase.

5. Don’t Pay too Much: A Professional Realtor will provide you with a “Market Analysis” – a price range of “Value” of comparable properties which have “SOLD”. You will be able to make an informed decision when it’s time to negotiate Price.

6. Contract Law: A Professional Realtor is Competent to create and write a Valid Agreement of Purchase and Sale with conditions and clauses favorable to “You” and Legally Binding on the Parties.

7. Negotiate: Professional Realtors are “Skilled” Negotiators. Unless impossible to do so a Professional Realtor should “Present All Offers” to the Seller in Person on your behalf. This meeting with the Seller often sets the “Tone and Duration” of negotiations.

8. Professional Referrals: Professional Realtors have access to and are able to recommend other reputable Professionals such as Mortgage Brokers, Private Lenders, Lawyers, Home Inspectors, Contractors, Land Surveyors, Movers, Lock Smiths, Handy Men and other services which may be important both Before and After the Sale.

9. Follow-Up: A Professional Realtor will provide “After Sale Service” to ensure you are satisfied with your purchase and that things are the way they were supposed to be.

“the right Realtor doesn’t just make a difference... it is the difference”

Let the Professional services of teambeckett work for you. Connect with teambeckett today at teambeckett.ca or call 519-539-0447 and let’s walk “hand in hand” through the steps of success when buying Your home.

Information authored and courtesy of Terry Beckett, SRES, ABR, SRS, Broker, Realtor.