Tag: cottage life

The 7 Habits of A Highly Effective Realtor

A day in the life of a Realtor is a hectic mix of meetings, coffee, showings, emails, property tours, open-houses, offers, more coffee, negotiations, and a million other little tasks that keep the real estate buying and selling process looking seamless for our clients.

Following are the 7 traits of a top-performing agent, and the one that you should be seeking out for your next real estate deal.

A GREAT AGENT IS

Proactive and creative

Selling a home today requires a special combination of pricing, marketing, and in most cases, staging. A great agent will approach your sale with unique ideas to showcase the best aspects of the property and generate buzz.

An excellent communicator

You should never be left wondering where your agent is and what step you are in the process (whether buying or selling). A great agent keeps you in the loop, is proactive on follow-up and ensures that you are never overwhelmed.

Highly knowledgeable

A great agent will know the city, town, district, or neighbourhood like the back of their hand. And if for some reason they dont, they will make it their duty to learn it all for you! You should be able to get the full scope of the lifestyle that comes along with a new home; schools, neighbours, services, transportation. Beyond being a neighbourhood guru, a good agent knows exactly whats going on in the market and how to react appropriately based on whether you are buying or selling.

Friendly and positive

Your agent is someone you will be spending a lot of time with during the sale or purchase of your home. They should make the process as enjoyable as possible for you with a positive attitude and approachable demeanor.

100% trust-worthy

A great agent is someone you can trust whole-heartedly. They give you all the facts, they are honest about negative aspects of your transaction, and they look out for your best interests, not theirs.

A savvy negotiator

The sale/purchase negotiation is perhaps the most important step in the real estate process. You want a tough negotiator on your side who knows exactly what will entice buyers/sellers, and what will turn them off when to push, and when to retreat.

Incredibly organized

With so many moving parts: showings, marketing, preparing documents, running open houses, negotiating, market comparisons, the list goes on and on! A great agent has a step by step plan for executing each step, is clear in sharing their approach with you, and does not let any detail slip through the cracks.

*Key photo: TheHitBoard

Real Estate Q & A: what are some of the most important things to look at when buying a home?

Whether you have already looked at over 50 different homes, or you are just setting out on your house hunting journey, there are a few key things to keep in mind when touring each property. Although your emotional reaction can be an important element (after all, buying a home is one of the most significant investments of your life!), you should try to check that at the door, at least for your first visit. Focusing on the following 5 elements at each home viewing will keep feelings at bay so you can objectively evaluate the property.

1. Neighbourhood

There is a reason realtors are known for touting location, location, location!? Your community is one of the most important factors in feeling ?at home in your house. This includes access to public amenities like parks, restaurants, services, and schools. Dont forget to consider your commute as well as your potential to make friends in the area.

2. The Innerworkings

The internal systems; furnace, air conditioning, hot water tank, etc. are major factors in the efficiency, comfort and overall function of the home. These are elements that could require an additional investment to replace or repair after the sale if they are not up to date or code.

3. Finishes

The quality of materials used throughout the home should be in line with the asking price. Inspecting fine details like door frames, baseboards, and windows will ensure that you catch any areas where a builder could have cut corners.

4. Proof of past work

Ask your agent to inquire about past work done on the home renovations, additions, even new appliances. The previous owners should be able to present you with proof of any of these in the form of receipts, work orders, etc. Having a paper trail will a) ensure that work was done when stated, and b) that you are aware of any warranties for future repairs or replacements.

5. Ceilings

Roof and water damage are some of the costliest home repairs, so make sure to look up, way up at the ceilings in each room of the home in search of bubbles or any possible water damage. A?thorough home inspection?should also uncover any existing water damage in the home.