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Buying a home: what to look for in a Realtor®

If you’ve bought or sold a home in the past, you likely already know the value of working with someone who understands the market and the process.
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If you’ve bought or sold a home in the past, you likely already know the value of working with someone who understands the market and the process. Not only can it save you a lot of time and energy, it can save you money, particularly when it comes to buying or selling a home at the right price.

But choosing a Realtor® can be a daunting task. There are numerous Realtors® to choose from and few of us are knowledgeable about what distinguishes one from the other.

We asked Erik Carlson, a Realtor® with Oakwyn Realty for his thoughts on how to choose the Realtor® that’s right for you.

“Because a big part of what a Realtor® does is aggregate and organize information for their clients, he or she should be highly organized, adept at using the tools at their disposal, and a skilled communicator” Erik says. “With my training as a teacher, educating my clients about the complex world of Real Estate is a natural part of the process for me. The key is to make the information easily digestible and relevant to the client’s needs.”

Great organization is only part of it, however. Professionalism is a key factor, as well. Is your Realtor® late for meetings? Is there often a long response time when you leave a message?

“A Realtor® needs to be at your service during the entire process,” Erik says. “Their commitment to you and the profession should be full-time with focused actions to reflect that.”

Whether you’re in the market as a first-time buyer, or for a step-up, semi-detached or detached home, your success depends in part on having the right information about the location, including neighbourhood details, information about any amenities, and comparative property values.  Realtors® are experts at finding this kind of information and have access to more of it than anyone else.

Still not sure? Independent review sites such as RealSatisfied.ca are a good place to start.

“Having your needs addressed is as important as finding your new address,” says Erik, who earned a 4.8 out of 5 rating on RealSatisfied.ca. “If you feel that your needs are not being given the attention they deserve, it may be time to find a different Realtor®.”

For more information about Erik Carlson, call 604-719-1501, or email. You can also visit Erik online or connect with him on Twitter and Facebook