|
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $300,000.
If you had a $300,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CA? If you had a $300,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an solicitor?
Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.
Buying and selling real estate is not a
simple thing. It is, in fact, a significant
business transaction that requires a team
of talented and skilled people to ensure
everything is completed properly and in
the right process.
As an important part of most real estate
transactions, lawyers, financial advisors,
mortgage specialists, home inspectors,
property appraisers, interior decorators,
movers and REALTORS ® all play a
significant role within their areas of expertise. And of all these
professionals, REALTORS ® are the ones that assists clients
though the entire real estate process with care, professionalism
and competency.
It is estimated there are more than 146 large and small tasks that
must be managed for a successful real estate transaction to be
closed. A committed and professional REALTOR ® will make the
complex process of selling or purchasing real estate both simple
and painless.
As an overview of what a REALTOR ® can do for you in your next
real estate transaction, here are the top ten reasons why enlisting
a REALTOR ® is one of the best investments people can make in
the process of buying or selling real estate.
10. REALTORS ® provide their clients with expert valuation
on the value of any property they are seeking to sell or to
purchase
How do you decide upon a fair value for a property you are
selling or purchasing? Your REALTOR ® will analyze real
estate values in comparable properties, and will help you
determine a price reflecting the current real estate market.
9. REALTORS ® provide professional advice on how to
prepare your property so that it shows at its absolute best
REALTORS ® know exactly how to present a home in its
best light, and they advise clients on how to improve the
showing of their home to potential buyers. When viewing
properties, REALTORS ® also provide a critical eye to flaws
that may be more significant than clients realize.
8. REALTORS ® use the Multiple Listing Service® to put a
client’s property front and centre in the real estate market,
or to find a property that fits with what their client is
seeking. Once on MLS a REALTOR can then prescreen potential buyers to make
sure they are sincere and qualified. Realtors consider all safety concerns when
dealing with owners and tenants before showing their home.
Only REALTORS ®, those real estate agents who are
members of the Vancouver Real Estate Board and the
Canadian Real Estate Association, can list properties on the
MLS ® system. When listed on the MLS® system, the entire
network of 73,000 Canadian REALTORS ® can access your
property details and bring it to the attention of their clients.
Who wouldn’t want such a team working for them?
7. REALTORS ® take care of all the nitty-gritty details
involved in selling or purchasing a home
When you select a REALTOR ® to help you sell your home,
your REALTOR ® will plan and manage open houses for
you, they will show your home regularly
to potential buyers, and they will
work evenings and weekends to ensure
the right buyers are matched with the right
sellers. Realtors are on call until the home is sold! Their are many questions
that often arise and it is nice to know your REALTOR is available for you.
6. REALTORS ® take care of advertising. REALTORS® not only list your property
in the MLS® system, but they also advertise properties in other publications
which best suit the property.
5. REALTORS ® take care of yard signage. If your home is for sale but nobody
knows it, how can it possibly be sold? REALTORS® provide attractive,
recognizable yard signage to let people know that your
valuable property is available for purchase!
4. REALTORS ® assist clients in understanding all offers to
purchase. REALTORS® are experts in all conditions of sale, and
provide explanations and expertise regarding offers made
for a property. As your REALTOR ® works on your behalf,
he or she will advise you on any conditions of sale that
may be problematic, and will take steps to negotiate any
unacceptable elements.
3. REALTORS ® know how to negotiate an acceptable sale
price. Because home ownership is a substantial investment
that can have emotional implications, both buyers
and sellers usually have too much at stake to be good
negotiators. While representing their clients, REALTORS ®
remain professionally detached and are able to negotiate
satisfactory sales prices in real estate transactions.
2. REALTORS ® know the pulse of the current market
REALTORS ® are professionals who live, breathe and study
real estate. They know the Greater Vancouver marketplace
from day-to-day exposure and how its pulse is beating.
They are professionals with intricate, expert knowledge that
assists everyone who is interested in buying or selling a
property.
1. REALTORS ® put your mind at ease and let you relax
through the real estate transaction
In today’s busy, busy world and intense real estate market,
isn’t it worth it to have a professional guide you through a
complex business transaction with ease and security? REALTORS® are
professionals in the process of selling and purchasing real
estate, and they provide a value that is worth its weight in
gold.
AND FOR BUYERS:
Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell? To me this is the most important reason to use a Realtor. Sometimes a buyers agent will be better at stearing you in the right direction.
Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investYour REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each igations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, creeks,proximity to negative influences, renovations done with or without permits, asbestos, oil tanks, grow ops, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.
Although i am a REALTOR i think the most important thing you can do when buying or selling is hire a REALTOR with experience who treats every sale like their own. If you try and save money by cutting corners or think it is best to not work with your REALTOR you will end up paying in the long run. Statistically those that try and save on commission end up paying more in the end. Either through a higher sale price when buying (thinking you will get a better deal with a listing agent) or a lower sale price when selling( by cutting corners when selling-properties do not sell themselves!)That is why REALTORS are so important. What most people don't realize is that with experience comes every sales scenerio so we know what WORKS!
Top ten reasons why REALTORS ® are worth their weight in gold
by Sheryl Campbell
|