As we noted in Part I, entering the real estate market is more than just finding the right home. It’s about the experience and understanding how the process works. There shouldn’t be any surprises along the way, or after you have completed the purchase of your new home.
The key to all of the above is finding the right realtor. In Part II, we provide additional qualities and characteristics of a realtor that will help to ensure a great home-buying experience.
- Track Record/Focus
- Strategist/Negotiator
- Communication
- Tech Savvy
- Reputation
Additional Characteristics
1. Track Record/Focus
Real estate in Toronto and the GTA is complex and fast-paced. The ideal agent will be fully engaged in the market, updated on changes and fluctuations, and works in real estate full-time. Don’t choose someone who only does this as a hobby.
2. Strategist/Negotiator
You don’t necessarily want a wheeler and dealer, but someone who is an expert at the skill of negotiation. Finding the right home and negotiating the right price are two wants that are hard to balance, so be sure that your agent has experience in finding the right deal by deploying the right strategy. They should also know how to walk away and how to respect your wishes if an offer isn’t going how you wanted it to.
3. Communication
Given the fast-paced market, responsiveness from your realtor is paramount. The quality of communication will often dictate the success of your experience. Be sure to choose someone who will work with your preferred method of communication. Whether that’s via text, phone, or email, it’s crucial to be on the same page.
4. Tech Savvy
Real estate has changed over the years, and part of its acceleration is due to technology. Documents can be signed remotely, properties can be viewed online, deposits can be made through online banking, and agents can be available even when they’re not at the office.
5. Reputation
The real estate profession is like any other: there are bad realtors. The good thing is that there are also online platforms that can help you narrow your search and avoid a lot of the bad actors. Be sure to research all of your options on Google, Facebook, and Yelp. Look for detailed reviews and be suspicious of short, five-star reviews. And if you can’t find the realtor online, that’s another reason to avoid them.
If you follow the recommendations in this blog and Part I (LINK), you’ll put yourself in a better position to find the perfect realtor for you. And if you do that, you’re that much closer to finding the home for you and your family!
Are you ready to move to the next stage? Let’s chat. Send me an email (hillary@hillarylane.ca) or text/phone (416-882-4707).
Photo by Marten Newhall on Unsplash
