What you need: To begin, a REALTOR® will assess your needs, so that he or she can help you find the right home. They may ask why you are moving, as well as where you want to live and what type of house is best for you. There are plenty of housing options available in the marketplace – new homes, resale homes, townhouses, condominiums. A REALTOR® can help you choose the one that best suits your current and projected lifestyle. A REALTOR® will also explore any time constraints you might have (perhaps imposed by the need to relocate for employment, or a growing family), your current financial situation, and any future plans that might affect your decision. Get started today by filling out Michelle’s Online Home Search.

What you Want: A REALTOR® will help you identify what you want in your new residence, whether that includes a pool, a particular building design, a certain number of bedrooms, or a specific neighbourhood. You may want to be close to work or family. Perhaps a finished basement is a must-have, or a double garage. A REALTOR® will compare your needs, wants and budget with what is available on the market.

How to find it: One of the most valuable tools in a REALTOR®’s arsenal is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) system, a member-based service paid for by the REALTOR® members of the local real estate Board. The MLS® system allows for co-operation between all REALTORS®, no matter which company they work for. The local real estate Board administers and operates the local MLS® system, while the Canadian Real Estate Association owns the trademark and licences its use to Boards and Associations across Canada.

If you are buying a property, the MLS® system is a valuable research tool for your REALTOR®. They’ll input your criteria and generate a list of all properties that meet your needs. The MLS® system provides REALTORS® with access to detailed information such as room-by-room measurements and specifics on the property condition, renovations, property zoning and rental rates. Through the system, REALTORS® can also access the sales history of a home in order to see how many times it has changed hands and at what prices.

A REALTOR® will accompany you as you view houses and help you assess their suitability and price. As an expert on a property, he or she can provide important facts about the neighbourhood, the cost of heating, the condition of the furnace, and so on.

How to close the deal: So you’ve found the right house and you want to make the sellers an offer. How do you do that? REALTORS® are experienced in arranging fair deals. Your REALTOR® will assist in negotiating an offer, acting as a mediator to head off potential conflicts between you and the seller, and drawing up a legally binding contract.

How to pay for it all: REALTORS® have broad and current knowledge of the financing choices available to home buyers – and there are many of them. The process can be confusing to buyers. At your request, a REALTOR® can assist you in evaluating mortgage options and obtaining financing at the most attractive prevailing rates and terms.

Usually, the REALTOR® will be paid from the proceeds of the sale. The listing agreement states the REALTOR®’s fee.

Buying a home can be an exasperating and time-consuming experience – but if you enlist the services of a REALTOR® who understands the market, knows exactly what is available, and can match your needs and budget to your new home efficiently and effectively, the process can be exciting and fulfilling.