Overlooked 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.
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. If you’re looking to sell, a realtor can also help prepare your home for potential buyers at an open house. Check out this article from Best Company to get some great home staging tips.
Plus, for extra peace of mind, all brokers and salespersons are required to be insured. The insurance program administered by RECO includes consumer deposit insurance. The coverage that protects your deposit is available under the insurance program at no cost to you. In the event of fraud, misappropriation of funds or insolvency there is coverage available to consumers of up to $100,000 per claim to a maximum of $3,000,000 per occurrence. If the deposit is being held by your lawyer, you should contact the Law Society of Upper Canada to determine what insurance protection may be available.
Why you should hire a realtor
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.
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About the expert: Mike Kelly
Mike Kelly is no stranger to working under pressure, Mike works hard for his clients in the Toronto real estate market while always maintaining a relaxed, low-stress environment. He builds trust with his clients through open and honest lines of communication.
