Archive for the ‘Buying: Questions & Answers’ Category
Buying: Questions & Answers
These are some of the frequently asked questions asked by buyers. Please look through some of these Q & A’s to answer some of your questions:
- What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker?
- Why should I use a real estate salesperson?
- What is the responsibility of the real estate broker to me?
- What do I need to decide when I’ve decided to buy a home?
- How will a real estate broker help me find my dream home?
- How do I decide my price range when buying a home?
- Once I find a house I like, what would be the next step?
- What will I need to bring with my offer?
What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker?
The person you normally deal with is a real estate agent or salesperson. The salesperson is licensed but must work for a broker. All listings are placed in the broker’s name, not the salesperson’s.
A real estate salesperson is more than just a “sales person.” They act on your behalf as your agent, providing you with advice and guidance and doing a job – helping you buy or sell a home. While it is true they get paid for what they do, so do other professions that provide advice, guidance, and have a service to sell –such as Certified Public Accountants and Attorneys.
A realtor must disclose to you in writing, who exactly they represent in any real estate deal. A realtor may represent you as a buyer or a seller; he or she may also represent both buyer and seller in the same transaction. Because all realtors are guided by a stringent Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice, a realtor will always treat you fairly.
If you have decided to buy a home, start by determining what type of community, or specific neighbourhood, you are interested in. List your space needs, including:
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living space requirements (i.e. how many bedrooms);
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what you’re bringing with you from your old house;
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how close to schools, shopping and other services;
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the size of down payment you can afford; and,
Once you’ve identified the features you want in a home, the search begins. A REALTOR will use various tools to try and find properties that meet your specifications. One of the important search tools will be the local MLS® system. By sitting down at a computer the REALTOR can key in your needs, choice of neighbourhoods and price range and immediately come up with a list of suitable properties available through the MLS® system. Also common are MLS® catalogues, which provide additional information about each property, along with its photograph. Both computer systems and catalogues are updated regularly.
It’s important to be realistic when you’re thinking about a down payment and setting a price range. You don’t want to be saddled with something you can’t afford. At this stage, it’s a good idea to talk things over with a real estate sales professional.
Once I find a house I like, what would be the next step?
Once you find the house you want to make your home, you can work with a REALTOR to develop an offer. In the offer, you should specify how much you’re willing to pay. State when the offer expires, and suggest a closing date for the transaction. You can also propose some conditions on the offer. Some common types of conditions are:
- getting a suitable mortgage (include the amount, interest rates and any other figures you feel important);
- selling your current home (the seller may continue to look for a buyer, but will give you the right of first refusal);
- the seller providing a current survey, or a “real property report,” showing the location of the house on the property owned by the seller and that there are no encroachments
- the seller having title to the property (your lawyer will check this out when he or she conducts a title search to see if there are any liens on the property, easements, rights of way or height restrictions)
- if there is a septic system, the seller should have a health inspection certificate, stating the system meets local standards
- if you still have any doubts about the home’s safety and construction, you may wish to make the purchase conditional on an inspection by a qualified engineer
- if you still have any doubts about the home’s safety and construction, you may wish to make the purchase conditional on an inspection by a qualified engineer
- any inclusions – basically, what stays and what goes.
What will I need to bring with my offer?
You will need to present a deposit along with your offer. An appropriate deposit will show your good faith to the seller. The seller’s agent is bound by law to bring all offers to the seller’s attention.