When you’re choosing a sales representative to work with you on the sale or purchase of your home one thing that should be of consideration is whether to choose your agent based in the area you are selling/buying in or choosing an agent outside of the community.  An Ontario real estate license allows a salesperson to trade in real estate anywhere in the province, However there are many compelling reasons to use a local realtor who is a member of the local real estate board when you are buying or selling your property.

Almost everyone has a friend, a relative or a friend of a friend who’s a real estate agent.  Often people feel obligated to go with someone they know personally or choose them because they will get a discount and think they are saving themselves money. 

Here are some compelling reason why a good local realtor is a strong choice and how to go about choosing one that is right for you.

They have turbocharged searching power.

The Internet is awesome. You can find almost anything—anything! And with online real estate listing sites, you can find up-to-date home listings on your own, any time you want. But guess what? Realtors have access to even more listings. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. A Realtor can help you find those hidden gems.

In today’s quickly moving housing market in Halton a property could be listed and sold before you will ever see it show up in an online search. 

A good local Realtor will have many ways to market your listing online to their network of buyers looking in the area.  It’s their business to know how to efficiently and proffessional market your home to the local market. 
And it’s not just about how much money you end up spending or netting. A Realtor will help draw up a purchase agreement that allows enough time for inspections, contingencies, and anything else that’s crucial to your particular needs.

They know the area BEST.

A good local Realtor is going to know the search area way better than you ever could. Have your eye on a particular neighborhood, but it’s just out of your price range? Your Realtor is equipped to know the ins and outs of every neighborhood, so she can direct you toward a home in your price range that you may have overlooked.

A local Realtor has a network of resources available i.e.: home inspectors, contractors, cleaners, financial sources and others.  They are knowledgeable about real estate developments and trends providing facts, comparable prices, neighborhood trends, and housing market conditions.  They know what schools are top rated in each neighbourhood, where the closest parks are, how easy is it to commute to the city.  They know if there is transit conveniently located, or if there are future plans for better transit etc.

They provide a variety of services including help in setting a listing price within current market guidelines. They offer recommendations and advice to make your home more attractive and “sellable,” and will act on your behalf during negotiations. Your REALTOR® knows how to sell your home in the least amount of time for the best possible price

They are involved in their community and can put you in touch with service people you may have need of. If a buyer/seller is from out of town, they can recommend places to eat which are tried and true, good hotel/motel accommodations, and   sightseeing attractions after the home touring part of their trip is over...and who knows, they might even turn out to be a neighbor!

FACT: Having grown up and lived in the area, we've seen it change. We know the ins and outs, the hot spots, and what the future looks like. Does your cousin Bob know the same information we do? Likely not.

They’re connected to everyone.

Realtors might not know everything, but they make it their mission to know just about everyone who can possibly help in the process of buying or selling a home. Mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, home stagers, interior designers—the list goes on—and they’re all in your Realtor’s network. Use them.

And, of course, they’re working for you at nearly all hours of the day and night—whether you need more info on a home or just someone to talk to in order to feel at ease with the offer you just put in. This is the biggest financial (and possibly emotional) decision of your life, and guiding you through it isn’t a responsibility Realtors take lightly

FACT: As a team who's worked in the area for 16+ years (and also lives here) we can say, we certainly know a lot of people! Need a referral? Just ask!

They know the right questions to ask.

A good Realtor will attend the local property tours, know the listing stock and know their way around the area, which saves time when looking for a hard-to-find listing. 

When buying or selling in rural areas they know the local septic system issues,  they know if there is sufficient water available, if the property is on a well and how to test that water to ensure it is safe.  

Are there any zoning restrictions, are there governing bodies that will have a say in any future renovations or building you want to do to the property, they know about the Niagara Escarpment Commission, Green Belt, and they know about fire and clearance issues, and local building permit application process etc..  An agent who lives and works in the local area can be on hand for inspections to make sure you are protected against costly repairs down the road. 

They are quickly available when you need them.

If you have your home listed and a potential buyer calls your realtor to schedule an appointment but they are only in town for one day, would you not prefer a realtor who is close by and can accommodate that showing? I’m sure you would.

If you have a buyer interested in your property and they are new to the area, don’t you want a realtor who lives in your area who can tell them all the great things about the area and the great things yet to come? I’m sure you would.

Why would you want a realtor who cannot be at your listing at a moment’s notice to show it and who knows nothing about the area?

Ridiculously enough there have been instances of out of town realtors calling to ask about the value on a home they are listing for a relative. Do you really want your realtor who is representing YOUR investment to have to ask another realtor for value? Doesn’t make much sense to me either.

When you hire a local realtor you are obtaining knowledge about the area, knowledge about your market and knowledge about how to buy or sell a property in the area. When you hire a local realtor you are also hiring convenience. They will be available to refill those brochure boxes for you the very day you run low, not days later. They will be able to show your home on a moment’s notice.

It’s in your best interest to use a salesperson who knows the local real estate market and no one knows local real estate better than a local REALTOR®!

Our team has been working the Milton, Campbellville, Rockwood and North Halton areas for over 16 years AND we don’t just work here, we’ve been living here our entire lives!  We have the answers and the expertise to guide you through your next Real Estate transaction with professionalism.

Are you moving outside of the Milton, Campbellville, Rockwood and North Halton areas? We have a network of realtors across the entire country. We can help direct you to a local REALTOR® in the area you're looking in that will meet your needs!