Instead of dreaming about a white Christmas (all that snow shoveling!), with the lower interest rates recently gifted to us, it’s very possible you’re dreaming about a new home instead.
Traditionally there are 12 days of Christmas, so let’s replace those with 12 reasons why you need to work with a professional REALTOR® when you’re buying or selling a home in the new year. Of course there are many more great reasons to use a REALTOR®, but we’ve narrowed it down to the top twelve.
1. Major money on the line
Not quite a partridge in a pear tree, so probably closer to 5 gold rings. Buying or selling a home will be the largest personal financial transaction that the majority of us will ever experience in our lifetime. It’s a good idea to have a professional REALTOR® guide you through the many confusing ins and outs to avoid any regrets on your part.
2. Financial considerations
Your REALTOR® will have knowledge of common financing considerations such as prepayment penalties, appraisals not meeting the sale price, interest rate increases, inability to qualify and more. They can advise you on next steps and suggest appropriate experts to consult.
3. Choice
Without the help of a REALTOR® to narrow down your choices, it’s difficult — if not impossible — to sort through the thousands of properties on the market to find the one that suits your family and your future. A REALTOR® will sit down with you and help sort through your likes and dislikes to narrow down exactly which type of home will fit your lifestyle the best.
4. Requirements and regulations
Government requirements and disclosures on the federal, provincial and local levels can be overwhelming and costly if you don’t know about them. REALTORS® have information on issues ranging from foreign investment taxes, lead-based paint, flood zones, agency documentation, asbestos, radon, installation of gas shutoffs, and the list goes on!
5. Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®)
REALTORS® have access to MLS® Systems. These are co-operative selling systems that contain detailed information, specialized search tools and analytics about cities, neighbourhoods, and streets — all designed to match buyers with the properties they’re looking for.
6. Media exposure
REALTORS® will use a combination of marketing tools to help sell your home. Along with advertising your home online using the MLS® system, your home can be featured in the exclusive real estate publication Winnipeg Regional Real Estate News that is distributed throughout Manitoba, as well as on their website of the same name.
7. Open houses
REALTORS® will host open houses, exposing your home to as many buyers as possible. Pictures or videos online don’t give buyers the same feeling as physically walking through the rooms in person. Open houses also give buyers a chance to check out a variety of homes to help refine their likes and dislikes.
8. Affiliations
REALTORS® are part of an organized real estate network that includes affiliates such as quality appraisers, lawyers, moving services, repair services, home stagers and a host of other real estate professionals. They are happy to suggest these experts to you as part of their service.
9. Dispute resolution
Almost every real estate transaction includes differences, disputes and required negotiations by a trained REALTOR®. In addition to coordinating all these complex and numerous aspects of the sale, a REALTOR® can help get to a resolution. Only 1 percent of these real estate transactions result in litigation — due to an experienced REALTOR® who can get the deal done.
10. Inspection problems
Inspections may include incorrect findings. REALTORS® find resolutions for these findings through other professionals such as geologists, roofers and quality repair companies. Real estate agents can help to navigate through all these challenges that will protect you, your money and your property.
11. Flexibility
REALTORS® specialize in many different areas. Between offering specialized training for seniors, military relocations, etc, they also offer services in a variety of languages, and even specialize in specific areas of the city and the types of homes you’re interested in, from historic character homes to brand new modern builds.
12. Advice and emotional support
REALTORS® are accustomed to spending whatever time and effort is needed to help you find your perfect home, the result being they spend a great deal of time with you personally, developing a close-knit relationship. This relationship is precisely why many home buyers insist on returning to the same REALTOR® when they’re in a position to sell their home and buy another. They’re always in your corner, every step of the way, so 12 drumrolls for all the REALTORS® out there!
REALTORS® are an invaluable and irreplaceable asset when you’re buying or selling a home. A REALTOR® is a partner who will help you through every step of your home buying or selling journey, so make sure you wrap the perfect one up this year and start off the new year right!