Choosing The Right Agent

How to choose the right agent

When you decide the time has come to shop for a new house, you want to stack the deck in your favour. That means working with a good real estate agent, and there are none better than the sales representatives at Royal LePage Landmart.

Defining real estate agents and REALTORS

All real estate agents must be licensed. In addition to having a real estate license, all Royal LePage agents are also REALTORS®. The term REALTOR ® is a trademark that identifies a licensed real estate agent as a member of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). All REALTORS ® make a pledge to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards.

Your agent or REALTOR ® will act as your eyes, your ears and your voice throughout the home buying process. You need to feel assured that you're receiving the best information and advice, so you can have confidence that you're making a savvy real estate investment. That makes choosing the right agent for your needs a top priority.

You’ll be working closely with your real estate agent, so it's important to choose someone who understands your situation, knows the local real estate market, and can give you the advice and guidance you need.

Buying a home is personal and emotional. So the relationship with your real estate agent has to be built on expertise, trust and mutual respect. They have a fiduciary duty to act in your best interests, to be completely transparent and accountable to you. Here’s what a Royal LePage agent will do:

• Educate you about the current market conditions
• Discuss and analyze your wants and needs against your budget
• Guide you to homes that fit your criteria
• Coordinate the work of other professionals you’ll need during the process
• Negotiate with the seller on your behalf
• Make sure all the required paperwork is fully completed, accurate and that deadlines are met
• Work with you to resolve any challenges that may arise
  
  Asking the right questions

We encourage you to interview several agents before choosing the one you want to work with. Determine which features of your new home are most important to you (see Needs vs. Wants), and ask the prospective agent about their knowledge in those areas: How well does he/she know your desired neighbourhood? How familiar is he/she with the issues associated with the type of home you are looking for? If you’re prepared to do some renovations, to what extent is he/she familiar with remodeling pricing? If you’re a senior or have other particular needs, does he/she have knowledge about your needs?