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An Explanation of the Process
A REALTOR will not take it for granted that you know all the ins and outs of the buying/ selling process. Instead, he or she will provide you with a full explanation of what to expect and that's important so you're not faced with any surprises along the way.
 
An Assessment of Your Needs
One of the first questions a REALTOR will ask is, Why are you moving? A REALTOR will also explore any time constraints you might have (perhaps imposed by the need to relocate for employment), your financial situation and any future plans.
 
A Plan to Find Your Dream Home
A REALTOR will help you identify what you want in your new residence. A pool? A garage? An extra room? A particular building design? What about the neighbourhood? Proximity to schools or work? A REALTOR will compare your needs, wants and budget with what is available on the market and make recommendations that save you time and effort.

He or she will also accompany you as you view houses and help you assess their suitability and price.As an expert on a property, a REALTOR can provide facts on the neighbourhoods, the cost of heating, the condition of the furnace, and so on.

In other words, he or she will work with you to achieve your dream.

Access to Properties for Sale
Multiple Listing Service or MLS is an exclusive service accessible only through a REALTOR and it can be a valuable tool. Through MLS, the details of a wide variety of listed properties are made available to the REALTOR you work with. That can save you a tremendous amount of time and effort in your hunt for the right home.

If you are interested in learning about what is available on the market please check out my Toronto Listings page, which enables you to preview properties for sale

 
Knowledge of Financing Options
REALTORS have extensive knowledge of the financing choices available to home buyers and there options and obtaining financing at the most attractive prevailing rates and terms.
 
A Skilled Negotiator
REALTORS are experienced in arranging fair deals. He or she will assist in negotiating an offer, acting as a mediator to head off potential conflicts between you and the seller, and draw up a legally binding agreement.
 
Honesty and Integrity
Most real estate professionals in our province are member of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and only members of OREA can call themselves REALTORS

When you work with a REALTOR, you can expect not only strict adherence to provincial laws, but also adherence to a Code of Ethics. And that code is very important to you because it assures you will receive the highest level of service, honesty and integrity.

 
Highest Professional Standards
 
Before receiving a real estate license, candidates must successfully complete an extensive course of study developed by OREA on behalf of the Real Estate Council Ontario. That is only the beginning: in the first two years of practice, licensees are required to successfully complete three additional courses as part of their articling with an experienced broker. In addition, all licensees must continue to attend courses throughout their careers in order to maintain their licence.

 

 

A new home is a very important purchase in your life and can be a complex process.   

Check your Credit

Before you apply for a home loan, regardless of your credit, it's a smart idea to obtain a copy of your credit report and review the information.  If there are errors or things that need to be addressed, it's easier to address them before you have found a house, than after you have found a house and are trying to close your loan.

 
Get approved before you buy

An approval means that a lender has reviewed your credit history, verified your assets and employment, and has approved your loan before you have found a home to purchase.  As long as the home appraises for at least the purchase price, the loan should close.

Getting approved also gives you an advantage over other buyers.  Your firm approval makes it easier for you to negotiate on the price of a home.

Find a great Buyer's Agent

Traditionally real estate agents represent the sellers in a transaction. When you are not working with a buyer's agent, they are less likely to negotiate the best price or contingencies for you.

Before working with an agent, establish if they are a buyer's agent or a seller's agent.

 

 
Learn about the Neighbourhood

Often times the house you find may be in a neighborhood that you're not familiar with.  This just means that you'll have to do a little more research.  If you find a house that you like, ask for a list of the neighborhood properties that sold in the last year. 

  • How does your home rank? 

  • Is it at the top of the price range? 

  • Is it average or on the low end?

Check out the schools - A good school district means your neighborhood will always be valued by families which is a great reassurance to purchase, not to mention the value-add if you have school-age children.

Next, contact the police station and obtain crime statistics.

  • Are they acceptable to you?

 

Talk to the neighbors. The more people you talk to, the better sense you will get of who makes up the neighborhood and how they will effect your time spent in it.

Check out the location of the shopping, police and fire stations, schools, and air traffic overhead. These are all things that might affect your property value or quality of your life.

 
Protect Yourself

Ask your Realtor for a copy of the documents you will be asked to sign if you decide to buy the house.  Read them ahead of time so that you'll understand the questions that you will be asked, the things you need to know, and the decisions you will need to make.

 
 

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