{"id":19843,"date":"2017-02-07T09:25:41","date_gmt":"2017-02-07T17:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.garbuttdumas.ca\/?p=19843"},"modified":"2017-02-07T09:25:41","modified_gmt":"2017-02-07T17:25:41","slug":"10-questions-a-buyer-should-ask-their-realtor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.garbuttdumas.ca\/2017\/02\/07\/10-questions-a-buyer-should-ask-their-realtor\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 questions a buyer should ask a Realtor"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finding a Realtor may be the most important step in your search for a new home. There are questions a buyer should ask their Realtor to make sure they\u2019re a good fit for the way you like to do things. Your Realtor should understand your needs and desires, keep your best interests first and foremost.
\nThink of it as a job interview; if you like what you hear, like their qualifications and feel like they\u2019re a good match for your needs, they\u2019re hired.
\n1. What is your experience?<\/b>
\nOne of the first questions a buyer should ask their Realtor is about their experience. \u00a0Not just in terms of years, but in real estate the number of sales is just as important.
\nYou want to make sure your Realtor has a good base of knowledge and experience in the type of properties you\u2019re looking for, and that they’re well in tune with the current market.
\nIf the Realtor doesn’t have much experience it\u2019s good to know if\u00a0they have\u00a0any related experience or knowledge. \u00a0A background in real estate investment or construction could be a valuable resource to tap as you evaluate possible properties.
\n2. What is your approach to the buying process?<\/b>
\nDoes your Realtor\u2019s way of doing things align with your own philosophy and approach. Some buyers prefer to monitor listings themselves and then just inform their Realtor to set up a showing when they find one of interest. Other buyers prefer to sit back and entrust their Realtor to do all the leg work. Make sure each of you has a clear understanding of who\u2019s watching the market.
\nAnd be clear about your timeframe for your search; some buyers are very anxious and want to get their new home purchased quickly while others are more patient, willing to wait until they find the \u201cperfect\u201d place. If you\u2019re the latter, you don\u2019t want your Realtor pressuring you before you\u2019re ready to buy.
\n3. What are your expectations from your clients?<\/b>
\nYou should know what your Realtor expects of you. Conversely, your Realtor should know what you expect of them.
\nBe open in all your communications with your Realtor; let them know when you\u2019re anxious to buy, or when you might want to take a break from the search. Try to stay focussed so you, or your Realtor, aren\u2019t expending a lot of wasted energy. Make sure your financing is in order, and you\u2019re pre-approved for a mortgage so when the right home does come along, your Realtor can move quickly and confidently on your behalf.
\nBe realistic in your expectations; it may take some time to find the perfect house, or you may have to make some compromises if you need to move quickly.
\n4. Where do you primarily work?<\/b>
\nA Realtor who is familiar with the community and its neighbourhoods will likely get you the best result. \u00a0If you’re looking in a specific area, that Realtor should know it well.
\nA knowledgable Realtor will be able to recommend neighbourhoods, and even streets, that are the best fit for your needs. They\u2019ll be give you valuable information about schools in the neighbourhood, as well as daycares, parks and transit service.
\n5. What is your approach to evaluating a property?<\/b>
\nA property evaluation, or Comparative Market Analysis, will compare a home you\u2019re looking at to other similar homes in the area that are for sale or were sold recently. This will give you an idea of the local market conditions and what it will take to purchase the home you seek in the area you desire.
\nYou should ascertain your Realtor\u2019s approach to doing their evaluation; how detailed are the evaluations? A generic condo can be easy to evaluate, especially if there have been recent sales above or below. But evaluating a unique home can be quite difficult as there\u2019s little to compare it with.
\nA skilled Realtor will be able to evaluate a property\u2019s value with confidence and accuracy. They\u2019ll look at similar properties outside the neighbourhood, as well as in similar neighbourhoods. Or they could use a replacement cost approach that calculates the value of the land and what it would cost to build a comparable home.
\nIf a Realtor doesn\u2019t provide you with any guidance and just wants to hear your offer, you may want to find another Realtor.
\n6. Are you part of a team, or do you work independently?<\/b>
\n

\"One
One of the questions a buyer should ask a Realtor is whether they work as part of a team.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\n 
\nYou want to know whether the Realtor you\u2019re dealing with is going to be there for you when you need them or whether you\u2019ll be tapping into a team of Realtors. Make sure you have a clear understanding of who is your primary contact and who is the backup if your Realtor isn\u2019t available. If your Realtor doesn\u2019t have a backup, establish a contingency for when they\u2019re not available; the perfect property could come along at any time and you want to know you can jump on it.
\n7. How many clients are you currently working with?<\/b>
\nThis may give you an idea how much time and energy your Realtor will have available for you. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for references. Keep in mind the references the Realtor provides will likely be their best and happiest clients so try to dig a little deeper by asking around the community or other people who\u2019ve recently bought or sold a home. Search their name on Google and Facebook, check out their profile on LinkedIn.
\n8. What happens after I buy?<\/b>
\nA great Realtor will be there for you if there are any issues before, during and, especially, after the purchase, such as the seller not fulfilling their end of the contract, or leaving the place in a shambles. They\u2019ll also be available to help you settle in, perhaps recommend professionals and trades to help with any renovations or repairs you want to do. A Realtor who doesn\u2019t abandon you once they\u2019ve handed over the keys to your new home will likely be your Realtor for life.
\n9. What is your availability and how will you communicate?<\/b>
\nDoes your Realtor prefer phone contact, or email? How often will they update you? What hours are they available? And what happens if the right property comes along when the Realtor isn\u2019t available?
\nYour Realtor will likely have the same questions for you.
\nThe more you know about your Realtor\u2019s way of operating, and vice-versa, the more likely you\u2019ll have a good home buying experience.
\n10. What else do I need to know?<\/b>
\nIt\u2019s always a good idea to ask an open-ended question to give the Realtor a chance to highlight a unique service they might offer, or speak to areas you might have overlooked. That extra little tidbit of information could be the tipping point to your decision.
\nBonus question. Do you own a brewery?<\/b>
\n
<\/a>
If your Realtor owns a brewery, that’s a bonus!<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\n 
\nThis question might throw your Realtor. Unless of course they do happen to own a brewery, in which case you may end up with a particularly thirst-quenching welcome gift when you take possession of\u00a0your new home!<\/p>\n

Questions a buyer should ask their Realtor: It’s all about trust<\/h4>\n

There\u2019s no general rule for forging a great relationship with your Realtor. It\u2019s all about trust and personal preference.
\nBut your Realtor should be responsive to your needs; they should be patient when you need to take a little time, and proactive when you\u2019re anxious. Your Realtor should be a good listener who will offer advice and help find solutions. And, most importantly, your Realtor shouldn\u2019t try to sell you into every property you view.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Finding a Realtor may be the most important step in your search for a new home. 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