Your Calgary real estate team is basically comprised of a Calgary REALTOR ® (hopefully me), your mortgage broker or lender, a home inspector and your lawyer. By choosing the right mix of people to assist you it will make the process of purchasing a Calgary property much easier and much less stressful on you.
Choosing a Calgary REALTOR ®
One of the very first basic steps in choosing a Calgary REALTOR ® is to sit down and basically interview them. Some of the questions that you might want to ask your potential Calgary REALTOR ® are:
- How long have you been in the business?
Experience goes a long way especially when it comes to a detail oriented business such as real estate. By working with someone who has experience it will help to ensure that things will be done in the most correct way and you will also benefit when it comes to negotiations. Along with length of time in the business has the REALTOR ® made an effort to increase their knowledge and education within the real estate industry. Managing an office at one point as well as becoming an Associate Broker have both increased my level of knowledge exponentially compared to my previous years the business.
- What areas do you specializing in?
Working with someone who has no expertise in condominiums for example will not benefit you at all and in fact can cause more problems if you are buying a condominium. This also ties into experience. The areas that I have specialized in includes condominiums, single-family residential as well as acreage properties. Each area of specialization has its own unique requirements.
- Do you work with both buyers and sellers?
- Do you work with buyers seeking the same requirements in a property at the same time?
Someone who only works with one or the other is less likely to understand the other side of the coin so to speak especially during negotiations. Having a full understanding of the approach from the other side can be a benefit. Working with both buyers and sellers keeps you well versed in the market.
- It is very difficult to work with buyers who have exactly the same requirements at the same time and still be able to fully look after each buyer’s best interests. Working with only one buyer at a time looking in a specific area, price range or type of property can greatly reduce any potential conflicts.
These are by no means all the questions you should ask and you may come up with ones of your own. Make sure you ask about them upfront before you spend time out looking at properties. Having a good rapport and relationship with someone that is going to be looking out for your best interests and acting as your agent is very important. Basically would you trust this person with one of the most important financial purchases you can make?
Choosing a Calgary Home Inspector
Choosing the right home inspector can at times be difficult and you should be able to rely on the advice of your REALTOR ® to recommend a few home inspector’s with whom they have seen working for clients best interests. When choosing a home inspector the cost for their services should not be the only factor. Not all home inspectors are created equal. Some home inspectors have had a greater degree of education, experience and knowledge. Often times the equipment that an inspector uses can mean finding an issue or missing it.
Check on the professional list to find some inspectors who have provided good service to clients.
Choosing a Lawyer
In your choice of lawyer your decision should be based on experience in a real estate transactions as well as being able to fit in with your schedule and of course cost. The ability of the lawyer’s office to communicate and stay in touch with you as needed is often as important as the transaction itself. If you find that it is difficult to reach and stay in touch with the assistant and/or the lawyer then perhaps you may need to consider switching. Check out the professional list for Lawyers in Calgary.
Now that you have chosen your Team you will begin the process of finding a Calgary Property and writing your Offer to Purchase.
