Finding the right REALTOR® in Calgary will be critical to your buying or selling journey. Once you begin your search for a real estate professional, you should be prepared to ask them a list of questions. Depending on their answers, you will rest assured that you’re working alongside someone who has your best interest at heart. Whether you are looking to buy a house or sell yours, you should certainly prioritize working with a REALTOR® who wants to help you every step of the way.
Are you a selling or buying agent?
While most real estate professionals can help you on either side, you may want to consider working with someone specializing in your needs. For example, Realty Unleashed is primarily a listing brokerage. Of course, we help buyers too, but our services are most attractive to people who are listing their homes. Because we offer free home staging and cleaning services, we work with sellers a lot! Narrow down your needs and ensure that you communicate what your needs are to your real estate professional.
What neighbourhoods do you work in?
This is one of the first questions you should ask your prospective REALTOR® in Calgary. While most real estate professionals know the market overall, it’s always ideal to work with someone fluent in the neighbourhood you’re buying or selling in. Many REALTORS® have areas that they specialize in. If they sell or buy many homes in Inglewood, for example, they become familiarized with the ins and outs of Inglewood. And if you are looking to buy a property in Inglewood, you’re going to want to work with someone acquainted with the neighbourhood. Your REALTOR® should have a good grasp on the market stats in the city and the neighbourhood you’re interested in.
What commission will I pay, and what do you include in your service?
Every real estate brokerage can choose what its commission rate is. While most of these rates are typically very similar, there are some differences. Our services are included in our brokerage fee of 7% on the first $100,000 and 3% on the remaining balance of the sale price. Half of this fee is offered to the brokerage facilitating on the buyer’s side. As we mentioned earlier, each client’s needs differ based on whether they are selling or buying. Check with your potential REALTOR® about what their services mean to you. It’s up to you to choose if these services are worth their commission cheque.
Are there any hidden fees or cancellation fees that I should know about?
Your REALTOR® should be transparent with you about all their fees! It’s always okay to ask about hidden fees or cancellation fees ahead of time so that you aren’t hit with the news you owe money for something you weren’t expecting. Before you sign with any real estate professional, you should ask them to go over your contract. You must have a good understanding of your contract and its components. For many clients, it’s a deterrence if they have to pay their real estate professional a fee even if their home doesn’t sell; you will want to confirm whether or not they have a cancellation fee.
Do you have other reputable professionals you can pass along?
Whether buying a home or selling, you will be working with more than just a real estate agent. You must be working with people you trust. Once you’ve found a REALTOR® in Calgary, ask them to refer you to other professionals who will be involved in the buying or selling process.
Additional professionals that your REALTOR® can refer to you:
- Real estate lawyers
- Mortgage brokers
- Mortgage lenders
- Title company
- Moving companies
- Home inspectors
Just like you want to trust your real estate professional, you also want to rely on the other professionals. You will be sharing personal and sensitive information with people who are virtually strangers. It can help relieve discomfort if your trusted REALTOR® can recommend people that they regularly work with.
Working with Realty Unleashed
Realty Unleashed is primarily a listing brokerage. While we certainly work with buyers, our services are there for sellers! Realty Unleashed offers free home staging, free listing and move-out clean, yard maintenance, and much more; (you can read all about our services here). If you are looking for a REALTOR® in Calgary, we would be thrilled to assist you! Our team of real estate professionals is equipped to help you sell your beloved home in this very hot seller’s market – you can reach out to us here!
