Why Use a REALTOR®?
We have Fiduciary Duties. What does that mean?
Real estate agents, when contracted to act as fiduciaries, must act in the best interests of their client and remain completely loyal. In particular, a fiduciary must not act in any way that would cause their duty to the client to conflict with his or her own self-interest. Also fiduciaries cannot use their position for personal gain. What this means is that an agent must not permit their own interests or the interests of third parties interfere with their client’s interests without the client providing the agent with their informed consent.
We must provide Full Disclosure.
As a Licensed Agent, I'm required by law to provide Full Disclosure. What this means is I have to be forthright about any issues that I am aware of which might have bearing on a Real Estate transaction. For example: Am I related to the seller or buyer? Am I aware of any latent defects or issues with the property? I'm not allowed to exagerate any situation, etc. In short, I cannot conceal information, lie, exaggerate, make a secret profit and a multitude of other failings.
Protecting your Privacy.
There are a series of regulations in place to ensure that a Licensed agent respects and protects the Privacy of Clients and Customers alike.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
As a licensed real estate salesperson myself as well as my and Broker Ontario must participate in RECO’s insurance program. This insurance provides essential protection for my clients and customers through its errors and omissions insurance, consumer deposit insurance and commission protection insurance. Much like you use a Lawyer as a layer of protection in legal matters, use a licensed Real estate professional for the ame reasons. We mitigate your exposure legally and financially.
The fact is, most people who try to sell their own home end up using a REALTOR® in the end anyway. Sucessful "For Sale By Owner" results are extremely low and if you use one of the services available that post you on MLS there are still significant costs involved which are also upfront, not after sale as they typically would be with Dave. Before anybody decides to fly solo through this complex, time consuming and financially perilous process, they should consider these questions.
Will you really “save” the real estate commission?
When buyers see a home for sale ‘by the owner’, they see a bargain. They imagine the REALTORS® fee going into their pocket, not yours.
Are you familiar with real estate law?
Complicated and ever changing, real estate law governs nearly every phase of selling your home.
One wrong move and an entire deal can fall through, or worse, a lawsuit can ensue.
How many potential buyers will you reach?
Selling a home takes more than just hanging a “For Sale” sign. How will you promote your home? Will you write your own ads? How will you use the Internet, knowing that you’ll have no inside access to www.mls.ca and therefore will not be able to post your home on this service?
Do you have the time?
Promoting a home is a full time job, and you may already have one. Will you be able to take calls at any time? How about screening the callers to figure out if they’re qualified to buy your home?
Not everybody who calls is even suitable to walk through your home, but how do you tell?
Do you know the market well enough to get the most for your home?
Lacking years of experience, the average do-it-yourselfer is merely guessing at their listing price. Often they set the price too low and miss out on thousands of dollars, or they price their home too high and drive away willing buyers.
What about your selling skills?
If the personalities of prospective buyers rub you the wrong way, can you still deal with them effectively? What about your own defensiveness when you hear negative comments about your home? Best to keep it at arms length through a REALTOR®.
Do you have the negotiation skills to keep a deal on track?
When an offer comes in, emotions can run high with so much money on the line. This is why direct seller-to-buyer deals often end in disaster. REALTORS® keep it professional and are indispensable when it comes to bargaining with buyers.
Source: OREA (Ontario Real Estate Association) www.howrealtorshelp.ca