Buying or selling your home is a major emotional and financial decision! You want to know you can count on the expertise of a professional REALTOR®, who will be on your side to ensure the transaction is smooth from start to finish.
Why use a REALTOR®?
Your REALTOR® knows the local market and has access to accurate property values, which can help with pricing your home to sell. If you’re looking to buy and you find your dream home, they have your back and can negotiate the offer on your behalf!
As part of being a REALTOR®, they also must keep their skills up to date with technology and changing laws and regulations. This means they are fully equipped with the tools and knowledge to navigate an everchanging landscape.
How to choose a REALTOR®
A great place to start your search is on REALTOR.ca. You can also ask family and friends for recommendations or check out online reviews and social media! 
We suggest interviewing at least a few REALTORS® before making a decision.
Some of the questions you can ask are as simple as “tell me about yourself”. This will help you gauge if you’re comfortable with them and their communication style. It’s also important to discuss things like how frequently they will contact you, what method they use most, phone, email or text etc.
Some REALTORS® offer different kinds of services, so you could ask them to walk you through their process to find out if it’s a good fit. Some may also specialize in certain neighbourhoods or style of home (like condo or duplexes).
It might be helpful to find out how many clients they have at the moment, and how much time they’ll be able to spend with you! Think of it like dating – you want to have an idea of what you’re getting into before you make a decision.
If you’re selling your home, you can also ask them how they would market your property.
Knowing how long they’ve been in the business is important, but don’t automatically discount younger, less-experienced REALTORS® because they may bring a different kind of experience to the table! You want to find the balance for what you’re looking for!
This is a job interview for REALTORS®, so don’t be afraid to ask for references (and check them)!
Buying or selling your home is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll make, so it’s important to work with someone you trust. You’re looking for a professional to be on your team, and someone who understands your need. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions until you find the right fit!
