This is a question that I try to answer before it’s even asked. While every REALTOR offers different services, one of the primary reason buyers and sellers choose US to help with their real estate transactions, is simple – we work for YOU! This is one of the most expensive transactions you’ll deal with, and you should have a professional looking out for your best interests.
Check out this video about all the “verbs” we take care of for you! What does a REALTOR do for me?
You may have already read my posts about Signing the Buyer Representation Agreement or Signing A Listing Agreement, but you may not know that REALTORS are governed – quite rigorously, I might add – by some very large regulatory bodies including the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). In fact, you can even search our names on RECO to a) ensure we are actually a real estate profession under these governing bodies, and b) to see if we’ve ever had any legal claims against us! This can certainly give you peace of mind when you finally decide who you want to work with.
We know your time is precious. Assuming you choose to work with a full-time REALTOR, our job goes far beyond what you see when we’re together. The paperwork alone is very time-consuming, and very important to protect you. We even preview homes before we take you there (assuming you don’t want to see the property the same day!); this ensures that nobody is fooled by pretty photos of a dump. Wouldn’t you be upset if your REALTOR took you to a property without looking at it first and it was in worse condition than you all expected?!
We have a duty of care to you that ensures your protection, and insurance to back that up. If you go it alone, either buying or selling, you don’t know if the other party is being truthful. REALTORS are obligated to be forthcoming about all information pertaining to the transaction so you know you’re covered! I recently had someone tell me they bought privately – no REALTORS were involved. It turns out the homeowners were lying about foundation issues, roof issues, and plumbing issues! He told me he has a new found respect for what I do.
The bottom line is that we’re full-time professionals for a reason. You probably don’t fix your own transmission, or install your own windows, or write your own wills! The important decisions in life need to be properly cared for by a professional. Certainly I’m biased, but I wouldn’t be in this line of work if I didn’t believe I was helping people. Make sure you think long and hard before deciding to work alone. Go ahead and interview a few REALTORS to see what they can offer you! You may be surprised.
