Congratulations! You have decided to purchase a home, or are thinking about buying one. By all means, have a good poke around on this website, and check out what my associates and myself have to present and feature...but honestly, the most comprehensive source for checking out the market is realtor.ca. It's owned and operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association, and has everything (apart from a very few exclusive listings that for whatever reason are being kept solely with the listing office). You can search for any area, price range, number of bedrooms etc, and get a very good feel for the market. What the mls system doesn't provide is more detailed information, such as whether this is good value for the area, or how long the property has been for sale. For this you would need a Buyer's Agent.
When you see something interesting....all I ask is that you give me a call.
Straight talk about Buyer Agency
It's important to understand for whom the agents involved in a real estate transaction are working. The listing agent, or the Realtor who has the listing posted on the website and on the sign in front of the property is always working for the Seller. You can expect to be treated honestly, fairly and with due care by any Realtor, but the listing agent has fiduciary duty to his client....the Seller. For instance: it's very easy to become comfortable speaking with a listing agent regarding a property (after all, we're all in the business of facilitating communication and agreements between diverse parties). If you were to casually mention that you really want the home, and are willing to go another sum of money beyond your opening offer, you may have just spent more of your hard earned dollars than you needed to. That agent is bound by his fiduciary duty to report to his client (the seller) that you are not making your best offer.
A Buyer's agent , on the other hand, works for You! He has an open offer of co-operation with the listing office, access to all the necessary information, and the tools and knowledge to make sure your interests are being protected. You can have one individual who will review your wants and needs, set up showings on appropriate properties, counsel and advise you through the buying process, and generally be available to guide you through what can be a stressful experience, and all at no cost to you. The buyer's agent receives a portion of the total commissions paid by the Seller.
In the following reports, you'll find information to help you make a wise buying decision. We'll take you through the planning process step-by-step , to help you determine which home is right for you. You'll find a host of informative articles on mortgages, viewing homes, the offer, closing details and moving.
Please contact me if you have any questions about buying a home in Lanark County or elsewhere in Ontario.