Choices, Choices, Choices!
Searching for a home that matches you wants and needs can be a very time consuming exercise. By using a realtor, the number of possible choices can be reduced to manageable number that matches your specific requirements.
Some of the examples of preferred requirements could be: Price, Size (Square Footage of home), Lot size, Zoning,Type of neighbourhood, Detached Home, Town Home or Condo, Parking, road system, Local Shopping, Public Transit, Employment Zones, Schools, Quality Ratings of Schools, Parks, Sports fields, Bicycle paths, Sports leagues for children and teenagers, Libraries, Property Taxes, Service Clubs, Hospitals, Fire Stations, Health Clinics, Day Care, and Senior Centres just to name a few.
Once one of our Realtors determines what your requirements are they will be able to compile a list of homes and properties that you as the customer, can choose which ones you would like more information and possibly arrange an on-site viewing. You as the customer can also ask us to research properties that you may have found on your own.
Note:
To be either a "Client" with us, we are required to present you a service agreement. By signing the agreement as a "Client" we as the Brokerage are then obligated to provide you with all known facts about any home and property that you are interested in. This is known as fiduciary duty.
Various forms of legal protection that Realtors are required to have such as "Errors and Omissions" and "Consumer Deposit" insurance are in place to provide our "Clients" with the highest level of consumer protection and professional assistance in the purchase of their new homes and properties.
Our Salesperson or Broker will then negotiate an acceptable form of compensation usually by use of percentage commission on the sale of the home or property. This commission is paid by the seller on the outcome of the sale of the property, and in many cases, the commission is evenly split between the Buyer and Selling Sales representatives for both Brokerages.
Our obligations to you as the Buyer:
If you are a buyer, an agent can:
• Assist you with getting pre-approvals for financing so you know how much you can afford
• Make you aware of any tax exemptions you might be eligible for
• Gather and share information about neighbourhoods and homes that meet your requirements, and arrange to show you homes you’d like to see
• Make inquiries about zoning, permitted property use, or other aspects of the home
• Advise you on the best approach in competing offer situations and how to protect your offer information
• Negotiate with sellers to achieve the best results, price, and terms, for you
• Guide you through paperwork and closing the transaction successfully
• Provide referrals to other professionals you’ll need (for example, home inspectors, lawyers, or contractors)
Contact us today to get more information on how we can find the right home for you.
info@smartcityrealty.ca
Phone: Office: 613-663-2545
Cell: 613-324-5409
Please Note: Under the new TRESA rules Ontario Realtors are no longer allowed to offer a "Customer Agreement" with our Brokerage. Those buyers and sellers are now classified as unrepresented Buyers or sellers,
The following quote is from the Real Estate Council of Ontario about the difference between being a "Client" or a "Customer":
No More "Customers"
Under TRESA, the term "customer" will no longer be used. Instead, there will be a "client" or a "self-represented party." A client is a client of a brokerage, whereas a self-represented party is not a client of any brokerage. If any service is being provided by a brokerage, whoever is receiving that service has to be a client of the brokerage, meaning a representation agreement must be entered into.
If you are involved in a real estate transaction and are not a client of a real estate brokerage, you
are considered a self-represented party. This means that you have chosen to represent yourself,
which has different rights and responsibilities. Very few buyers or sellers make this choice.
There are significant risks to representing yourself in a real estate transaction if you do not have
the knowledge and expertise required to navigate the transaction on your own. You will be dealing
with a seller or buyer who is benefitting from the services, opinions, and advice of an experienced
real estate agent.
RECO recommends that you seek independent professional advice before you proceed as a
self-represented party.
If you choose not to work with a real estate agent, it will be your responsibility to look after your
own best interests and protect yourself. This may include things like:
• making inquiries about zoning, permitted property use, or any other aspect of the property;
• determining what you believe to be the value of the property you are buying or selling;
• determining how much you are willing to offer or accept;
• navigating competing offer situations;
• deciding what terms you want to include in an offer or agreement of purchase and sale; and,
• preparing all documents.
You have the right to change your mind
If you’re concerned about completing a transaction on your own, or you need advice from a real
estate agent, you can choose to become a client of a real estate brokerage at any point during the
transaction