For many people, their home is their most valuable asset and is likely the most expensive purchase they’ll make in their lifetime. Thus, choosing the right realtor is crucial to the buying process. Real estate brokers all have different personalities, levels of knowledge and experience, and core values. These differing approaches will impact not only how they interact with you, but also how they negotiate on your behalf, and how they manage your transaction from beginning to end. While it may seem like real estate agents are a dime a dozen, it’s important to find one who meets certain criteria. Here are some of the most important things to consider when choosing your realtor. 

Stay Local 
It’s always a good idea to work with a local broker who has an intimate knowledge of your target neighbourhoods and its streets and homes. This unique expertise can reap significant benefits for you. A broker who is noticeably visible and active in a specific area will know many of the homes in that neighborhood inside and out, sometimes having sold them a few times over. 
Neighbourhood specialists also have an intimate knowledge of local housing statistics and market trends. Plus, an agent with an excellent local reputation will have a network of satisfied clients in the community, which they can leverage when they’re looking to find you the right buyer or seller. Lastly, a realtor with expertise in a particular district will most likely have good working relationships with other professionals in the community. This includes other local brokers, building inspectors, tradespeople, moving companies, notaries, and more. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, your agent should be able to connect you with all the right people to help make the process as smooth as possible.

Do Your Homework 
Just as you’d interview a few candidates before hiring someone for a job, it’s equally important to properly vet your real estate broker before committing to them. We recommend meeting with at least two or three in order to determine what kind of value they bring to the table. You’ll want to ensure that they’re a good “fit” when it comes to things like personality, professionalism, and expertise.  

Trust 
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a broker is trust. As with any other relationships you have, trust is key. Make sure that when you meet with your realtor, that they are honest and forthcoming. There should be an observable sense of transparency and things should appear to be entirely above-board. If you get that “funny feeling” they may not have your best interests at heart, trust your gut and choose someone else to represent you.  

Communication 
Communication is as important as trust is to any relationship! A good realtor needs to be a skilled communicator in more ways than one. Be sure to choose someone who not only hears what you’re saying… but who really listens. Communication is, of course, a two-way street, and not all of us are expert communicators. So any shortcomings you may have in the communications department should definitely be made up for by your realtor. Keep in mind, this is the person you will trust to negotiate on your behalf. Remember, you will be full partners in this adventure.  

Reliability and Availability 
These important attributes go hand-in-hand. When working with a real estate professional, you must rely on them to be available when you need them, and to be dependable and predictable. The last thing you want is someone who doesn’t return your phone calls promptly, or who can’t be there for a visit on short notice. This is why working with a team of realtors can be advantageous, because when one broker isn’t available, there’s another team member to take their place. This can be crucial in a hot, competitive market.

Using the Same Realtor for Two Transactions When buying and selling a home simultaneously, it may be tempting to use the same agent for both transactions. Perhaps they’ll offer you a reduction in commission if you agree to work with them on both deals. This is fine if you happen to be moving around the corner or staying in the same area. However, if you’re moving to an entirely different region, using the same realtor might prove to be a bad idea. As previously mentioned, they may not have the same knowledge of that area and may lack the expertise necessary to really protect your interests. Something to consider...
As always, Team Broady is here to help with all of your real estate needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today at 514-613-2988 or email us at info@teambroady.ca.