- Looking out for your best interests:
By asking a REALTOR to act on your behalf during the sale of your home,
you create an Agency Relationship and become the REALTOR's client.
REALTORS always owe their clients full fiduciary duties, such as loyalty,
obedience, confidentiality, accountability, duty of care, and full
disclosure of all pertinent facts.
- Getting the best price:
Professional marketing means top dollar and a faster sale. REALTORS spend
a lot of time and energy making sure they know their local market inside
and out. They know the current market value of properties in your area and
are your best resource for determining and getting the best and highest
price possible. All REALTORS have access to all of their agency's
resources and marketing skills, ensuring that all potential buyers are
quickly made aware of your home.
- Showcase your home in the best possible light:
"First impressions
count!"
As unfair as it might be to your home, after only fifteen seconds most
buyers have already developed a perception of your property that will
colour their feelings during the rest of the showing and perhaps
dramatically affect how they perceive the value of the property. REALTORS
can offer a great deal of information and advice on how to significantly
increase your chances of obtaining the highest and best price for your
home.
- Dealing only with qualified buyers:
REALTORS have access to pre-screened and pre-qualified buyers who are
really serious about buying in your neighbourhood. They work full-time
making these connections and are literally the best source of potential
purchasers.
- Negotiation expertise:
REALTORS do many things, but one of their most important functions is to
negotiate on behalf of their clients. When you sell your house, you want
the best price in a reasonable amount of time. Your REALTOR's job is to
facilitate this by drawing up legally binding contracts, assisting in
negotiating any offers, offering advice and perspective, and if needed,
acting as a mediator during any potential disputes between you and the
purchaser.
- Professional experience:
A REALTOR brings to the table all of his or her knowledge, training and
negotiation skills, and will explain exactly what you can expect from the
buying/selling process. He or she will be able to explain your rights and
obligations, help organize and strategize, and even discuss financing
options.
All REALTORS are members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
This organization requires all of its members to adhere to a strict Code
of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice. The Code and Standards are
very important because they assure that all REALTORS offer the highest
level of service, honesty and integrity possible. All REALTORS are subject
to constant professional monitoring that keeps them directly accountable
to the individual consumers they serve. CREA also ensures that all of its
members are knowledgeable and highly trained in order to better serve the
public and offers ongoing education courses so that REALTORS continue to
meet the highest professional standards in an ever-changing industry.
- Access to Multiple Listing Services:
REALTORS have exclusive access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The
MLS system is one of the most effective marketing tools available, giving
all REALTORS nation-wide access to your property.
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