Why Should I Work with a Real Estate Agent When Buying a Home?
A Professional You Can Count On
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. Whether you’re a first time home buyer or a seasoned investor, the process can often seem long and complicated. Realtors® are licensed professionals that help guide you through the process with ease. Everyday we work in real estate. We set up viewing appointments, accompany you to showings, provide valuable insight, write contracts, negotiate and ultimately secure the home you want. Having a Realtor® means you have someone to rely on throughout the transaction. We provide clarity and confidence in the multi-layered process of buying a home.
Realtors® See Things You May Not
Real estate agents see a wide variety of builds every day and know quality when we see it. We can easily spot buildings that may “need some work” and advise you accordingly of any risks (eg. rain screening + other major upcoming projects). When we view homes together we notice the small details and provide you with valuable insight and education only a professional who works in the market would know. Furthermore, we use our knowledge to mitigate potential risk within a professionally written contract of purchase and sale.
Our Services Are Free
Real Estate Agents are paid solely by commission. We work for ourselves through designated brokerages. Sellers pay both the buy side and sell side commission to both agents in a transaction. This means, when you use a Realtor® to represent you in a purchase of a home, our services are typically free to you as a buyer. Sometimes buyers don’t realize this and choose to represent themselves.
There is no real benefit to representing yourself unless the listing is through a discount “1% brokerage.” In this case (and ONLY this case) the seller will be asked to increase the commission amount to industry standards. If the seller does not agree, this difference may be picked up by the buyer or the buying agent may agree to a discounted commission rate. This does not come up very often, but it is important to be transparent about any potential costs the buyer may encounter. 99% of transactions will be standard transactions where there is absolutely no cost to the buyer.
It’s Nice to Have an Agent on Your Side
House hunting should always remain a pleasant experience. Realtors® ease the stress of a large transaction by providing a high calibre of service. We have a process, a plan and a mission to find you the perfect home at the right price. We invest our time and energy into our clients so they can relax and enjoy the process instead of stressing over the details.
