When a REALTOR® is a seller’s agent, he or she must do their best for the seller of the property. The REALTOR® will provide the seller with a fair assessment of the property, prepare a listing agreement, develop a marketing plan and help separate the “lookers” from “buyers.” He or she will ensure that only serious offers are made.
Buyer’s Agent - When a REALTOR® is a buyer’s agent, he or she must do their best for the buyer. A written contract establishing this relationship will explain the services to be provided and spell out if any special fees will be paid. It will also specify what obligations a buyer may have, such as working with the REALTOR® for a specified period of time.
Limited Dual Agent - Occasionally, a REALTOR® will act as the agent for both the buyer and seller. Since the REALTOR® has promised a duty of confidentiality, loyalty and full disclosure to both parties at the same time, it is necessary to limit these duties in this situation if both parties agree. If you find yourself involved in a dual agency relationship, before making or receiving an offer both you and the other party will be asked to consent in writing to this new, limited agency relationship. The REALTOR® will explain fully what kind of information he or she can and cannot disclose to the other party.
No Agency - You may also choose to use the services of a REALTOR® without having any kind of agency relationship. This might occur, for example, when the seller’s agent is showing you a property. The REALTOR® you choose to work with in this situation has a legal and ethical duty to provide you with accurate and honest answers to your questions and can assist you in your search for a home. A REALTOR® who is not your agent cannot, however, recommend or suggest a price, negotiate on your behalf, inform you of his or her principal’s bottom line or disclose any confidential information about his or her principal.
Understanding your relationship with a REALTOR® is the first step in ensuring your real estate transaction is the best one you can make. The REALTOR® you select should be someone who cares about your needs and has the experience to provide you with sound, effective advice and professional service.
Tips for First time buyers
Are you among the many hard working Individuals, or families who pay rent each month, knowing full well that you will never see that money again? For many, this need not be the case. Instead, why not take that money and build it into an investment that can last a lifetime? Right now there are excellent opportunities for first-time buyers. Mortgage rates are attractive and there are plenty of reasonably priced homes on the market.
Shelter Foundation:
Let’s put abuse out of commission!
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention and education programs.
Because we believe in the importance of giving back to the community, Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have our own charitable foundation. All of the administrative costs of the Shelter Foundation are underwritten so that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to helping our cause.
Royal LePage real estate agents and their clients are working to create safer homes and safer communities by contributing more than $10 million since 1999 to help women and children across Canada. Through donating a portion of their commission on the purchase or sale of your property, our agents are helping bring hope and provide shelter for those who need it most.
Our brokers, agents and staff also provide volunteer time and in-kind goods, and hold special community events to help raise funds and awareness to end family violence for more than 30,000 women and children who take refuge in a shelter each year.
To read brave stories of hope from families whose lives have been touched by abuse or to learn more about domestic violence, please visit us at www.shelterfoundation.ca.
Mortgages: Looking for a way to finance your dream home? Over my Years in Real Estate, I have built strong relationships with mortgage specialists that offer you outstanding expertise, advice and convenience when it comes to mortgages, and I would encourage you to contact a few of them, and secure the best rates possible!