Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of our latest FAQs! If you have any unanswered questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us to get all the information you need today!
Home Selling
I’ve heard there are limited service agents who charge less. Why shouldn’t I hire the cheapest agent?
As with most things in life you get what you pay for. Why would a buyer’s agent show your home and collect a discounted commission when they can earn a full commission by selling the house down the street? And if you offer less to your listing agent chances are they will spend less time and money marketing your home in favour of other listings that will pay them more. As a result you may end up reducing the price on your home by several thousands of dollars when price really was not the problem.
Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. The small savings in commission could wind up costing you several thousands of dollars in price reductions.
Why should we list our home for sale with you?
Let’s examine one of our program benefits: we allow you to cancel the listing at anytime. Most agents will not give the consumer this right. You might ask yourself why agents need to “lock you in” for four to six months. Why would they be afraid to give you the right to cancel? Our philosophy is that we would rather strive to earn your business everyday. We are confident that we can provide a superior level of service and care. If we don’t, we don’t deserve your business. It’s that simple.
What about local “commission free” companies?
Most commission free firms are local companies who provide an advertising service such as a website. They are not educated, trained or licensed to provide professional real estate advice. If you want to sell your home privately, these companies are worth considering. The mistake many people make is to assume their home will sell for the same price regardless of who sells it. Studies have shown that homes sold through a professional REALTOR® sell for an average of 16% more than those sold privately.
The reason is that the most serious buyers – those who have sold their present home or those transferred into town – typically go to work with REALTORS® and are willing to pay for the convenience and security of dealing with a licensed and insured real estate brokerage. Bargain hunters and casual lookers, however, will typically look at private sellers as their goal is to save the same commission the seller is trying to save. They have no urgency and their primary motivation is to save money by buying below market value.
Again, absolutely! Any agent who does not place your home on MLS® is doing you a huge disservice.
With over 3000 agents in the Edmonton area, it is important to tap into that agent base of buyers. Also, if you are not on the local boards MLS® System or on the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton MLS® System you cannot appear on REALTORS.ca®, the number one real estate site in Canada.
How long does it take to get my home on the market?
Once we have a signed listing agreement and a spare key, we can have your home on the market within 24 hours. However, it usually takes a day or two for the sign company to professionally install the sign.
How long is your listing agreement for?
For ease of paperwork, we typically use a six-month period. But remember, unlike most agents, you are free to cancel anytime.
Home Buying
Start by evaluating your situation and obtaining pre approval, for a mortgage. After that seek the assistance of a real estate agent who can assist you in navigating the search and acquisition procedures.
A pre approval is when a lender confirms the amount you can borrow. It shows sellers that you’re an capable buyer, which makes your offer more competitive.
