Buying
or Selling Detached Homes in Brampton? Here are Some Tips:
Brampton has become a popular place for
families. Its clean streets, good schools, spacious parks, sense of community
and diverse residents have helped propel its population growth. It has become
the 9th largest city in Canada. Part of Brampton’s appeal is the
spacious, detached homes that are affordable, while still offering close
proximity to work in Mississauga or Toronto. When buying or selling a detached
home in Brampton, it’s important to find the right REALTOR® to make your personal dreams a reality.
What
Makes a Good Real Estate Agent?
When looking for the right real estate
agent, look for someone you can quickly form a positive relationship with. You
should be comfortable asking questions and feel like you are being listened to.
However, don’t fall for someone who just tells you what you want to hear. Rather,
find a REALTOR® who is a seasoned
professional and able to give good, solid, practical advice. Buying or selling
a house involves hundreds of thousands of dollars, and is likely the single
most important financial transaction a person can make. Here are some "dos” and
"don’ts”:
- DON’T be pressured to enlist a friend
or family member who is also a real estate agent. Personal relationships can
make communication about finances more complicated.
- DO ask for referrals. Ask your friends
and colleagues for recommendations.
- DON’T only consider agents from large
firms. It’s the person-to-person connection that is important. Also, large
firms often have high overhead costs and higher commission fees. Boutique
firms, such as the Brampton-based JN
Asensio Realty can offer a more personalized service.
- DO look for agents that are properly
licensed and registered members of reputable associations such as the Ontario Real Estate Association,
the Brampton Real Estate
Board or the Real Estate Council of Ontario.
- DON’T sign up with the first REALTOR® you meet with. Shop around until you
find a good match.
Be
Prepared to Ask Questions
Be sure to have a list of questions
ready for all potential REALTORS®.
If you are selling, ask what kind of marketing plan they have. Do they
recommend door-to-door flyers? What kind
of on-line listings will they do? What
kind of staging do they recommend? Ask to see previous listings and
photographs. Ask about commission fees and whether they are negotiable. While a
5% fee used to be written in stone, quick sales are making some GTA REALTORS® more flexible. However, always weigh the commission rate with the service you
will receive. A REALTOR® who has to sell more
homes to make the same income may not be as able to give you the kind of
attention you need.
If you are buying a home, ask any
potential agents to walk you through the process; explaining any potential
costs, such as legal fees, land transfer taxes, house inspections or
surveys. Be clear about your budget and
needs. Plan for the future: if children are on the horizon, make sure good
schools are part of the picture. Be sure the REALTOR® is familiar with various neighbourhoods and can make the right recommendations
to suit your lifestyle.
When looking to buy or sell a detached
home in Brampton or the GTA, be sure your real estate agent is someone you can
trust. The negotiating process can be stressful. You must be confident your
best interests are front and centre.