When working with a REALTOR®, it’s generally understood what services they provide — finding you a home that suits your needs and wants while keeping your budget in mind, or helping you sell your home to the right person for the right price.
While these services get the job done, some REALTORS® go above and beyond in their own way to give their clients additional help and advice. Like everyone, REALTORS® have their own connections and strengths that they can bring to the table for their clients.
Here are a few lesser known benefits that working with a REALTOR® could provide.
Ability to interpret confusing data and lingo
All REALTORS® are involved in the industry every single day and stay up-to-date on new policies and patterns. Interpreting complex data about a neighbourhood or trend is just one of their specialties. They know the industry like the back of their hand, enabling them to help you find your dream home or sell a house for the right price.
REALTORS® can help their clients understand each step in the process so that they can be a part of the decision and feel confident that they made the right choice.
Negotiation and navigation skills
Once you have figured out what you want, a REALTOR® can help you negotiate a reasonable price and guide you through all the paperwork (and there is a lot of paperwork). Some have a special knack for negotiating and will be able to make the process as pain free and efficient as possible so that you can get on your way fast.
By going the extra mile in guiding and supporting clients, many REALTORS® will preemptively solve problems. They have been down this road before, and they know what may go wrong. This knowledge bolsters their ability to stay a step ahead.
Some REALTORS® are extremely effective at both empathizing with your emotions and preventing them from getting in the way of the rational decision-making process. A REALTOR® can help keep you on track towards your real estate goals.
REALTORS® go through unique experiences during their career, giving them a breadth of knowledge on how to avoid, approach, and solve problems. When it comes to the new stress test rules and regulations, requirements to own and operate a secondary suite or rental property and more, a REALTOR® may be able to give you all the information you need and help you navigate policies.
Professional networking
REALTORS® also build professional connections during their career — from inspectors, to contractors, to designers, and more. Sometimes, if they feel it would help the situation, they will share their contacts with their clients.
Perhaps you’re looking for a home that requires a lot of renovations and your REALTOR® knows that you will need a contractor in the future. They may hand you the business card of someone they trust to help set you up for success.
Advice throughout the deal
Once the deal is accepted, it’s easy to feel like everything is said and done — but there will be sure to be some turbulence along the way between acceptance of the deal and closing. Luckily, some REALTORS® are proactive and will watch for this and give you advice after a deal is accepted.
Mistakes in contractual documentation can be a major hindrance during a real estate deal, leading to a plethora of problems that are difficult to overcome. It’s imperative that you avoid contractual errors and not only can a REALTOR® avoid these mistakes during the process, but many can give you additional advice after acceptance so that you are as informed as possible going forward.
Relationships for future business
REALTORS® work hard for their clients. When it comes to nurturing relationships, many REALTORS® go above and beyond — they develop personal relationships with their clients that are mutually beneficial and may lead to future business.
Clients and REALTORS® who know and trust each other will find that there are plenty of opportunities for advancing in real estate for both parties. Perhaps you will want to upgrade in a few years or buy a second home and use it as a rental property and you will need advice and guidance from a REALTOR®.
Developing and maintaining a relationship with your REALTOR® is perfect because they will keep you in mind as they go about their day — remember, they are in the industry every single day, they will know what is coming, where trends may go, and if a property would suit you or not.
Consult a REALTOR® you trust
As you work alongside your REALTOR®, you will discover the breadth of expertise and special skills that they bring to the table — it could be a massive professional network of contacts that could help you with renovations on the home you’re buying or maybe they know some unique pitfalls to avoid or have knowledge of upcoming developments that could block your dream view.
The bottom line is that a REALTOR® is there to guide, negotiate, and assist you in your real estate endeavors to the best of their abilities. REALTORS® will have different strengths and will be able to help you when unique problems arise — the important thing is to find a REALTOR® you trust and who suits your specific needs!
