Buying or selling a home may be the single largest investment you make in your lifetime.

Buying or selling a home may be the single largest investment you make in your lifetime. There are so many intricacies that are involved that require specialized advice from your accountant, your lawyer and most importantly your REALTOR®. The job of your REALTOR® is to make this process as painless as possible.

Did you know that know all licensed or registered salespersons or brokers are not REALTORS®? The term REALTOR® is actually a trademark that can only be used by members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). CREA members adhere to a very strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice. So when you use the services of a REALTOR® you are guaranteed that you will be receiving the highest level of professionalism and ethical conduct. Only REALTOR® have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®), which is your most powerful marketing tool in the real estate industry.

The services your REALTOR® can offer are many. You can expect them to be knowledgeable about the area you are investing in, the fair market value of properties in the neighbourhood, where the schools & hospitals are located, housing market conditions, comparable prices, where your local landfill site is, the safety of the drinking water and much more. Even more importantly is their duty to disclose property information so that there are "no surprises". And if you are the seller, you will want to know that your REALTOR® has pre-screened buyers to ensure they are financially qualified to be purchasing your home.

To have the seal of REALTOR® behind ones name means that they have completed the qualifications, been tested and adhere to the strict rules and regulations of the Canadian Real Estate Association as well as ongoing education to ensure current, up-to-date practices.

The services offered go beyond finding the perfect home or commercial property. Your REALTOR® should have a "rolodex" of referrals in the area of mortgages, lawyers, home inspectors, town planners, contractors, cleaning personnel, well and septic advisors, accountants etc. They are your "go to" person in the area of real estate. They have a fiduciary responsibility, to act honestly and fairly and negotiate the best possible price regardless of whether you are the buyer or seller.

Make sure the person you are entrusting the most important financial decision of your life is a licensed REALTOR®!