Surina Hart, Quinte Real Estate Broker Royal LePage | MLS listings for Belleville, Brighton, Cramahe, Quinte West, Trenton & Prince Edward County

Open House Buyer Etiquette

Friday, Jan. 01 2010  |  Posted by: Surina  |  0 comments

When viewing homes by going through an open house, remember that you are going through another person's home. Respect of another's home is quite common sense and there are points of etiquette that should always be kept in mind.

The REALTOR® at the open house is acting as a host on the Seller's behalf and should be treated with the same respect you would give the Seller.

If you are asked by the REALTOR®, to sign a guest register before viewing the home, please do so. It is a common and reasonable request that the Seller have a record of who was viewing their home when they were not present.

If the REALTOR® presents you with the option of a guided tour or going through the home at your own leisure, feel free to go off on your own. However, the advantage to having the REALTOR® take you on a tour of the home, is that she is able to point out the features of the home that may be otherwise missed if looking on your own. Another benefit to the guided tour, if you have any questions, you can ask immediately instead of trying to remember to ask the REALTOR® later.

Wear slip on shoes and remove your outer footwear at all times, unless the REALTOR® suggests otherwise. Even in the summer or dry weather, removing your shoes before viewing the home will ensure the Seller's home is kept pristine. Furthermore, do not carry your shoes with you while you go through the home; nothing is worse than a trail of little drops of mud. If protecting your feet is a concern, do not wear sandals, socks provide enough layer of protection for your feet.

Negative opinions of the home is considered impolite as you walk through an open house. Remember, the walls have ears and unkind comments could come back to haunt you.

The furniture and furnishings belong to the owner; if you admire a particular piece of art or object, do so at a distance.

Refrain from using the lavatory during an open house. 

A Buyer's Viewpoint

It is easy to get sidetracked by the appearance and aesthetics of a home, and although this may be important to you, there are many factors to keep in mind when viewing a home.

Before viewing a home, prepare a list of questions you want to ask the hosting REALTOR®. It is very helpful to bring along a notepad and pen to write down information that could be easily forgotten, especially if you are viewing many homes in a day.

Take your time when viewing each home. Remember that you have big decisions to make, so look at each home thoroughly keeping your family's needs in mind. Making note of what each family member needs before your search begins can be quite helpful. When you enter each room, take into consideration the room size, window & door placement and the closet or storage space it has to offer.

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Working With A REALTOR�

Friday, Jan. 01 2010  |  Posted by: Surina  |  3 comments

When working with a REALTOR®, it is important to understand who the REALTOR® works for. To whom is the REALTOR® legally obligated?

REALTORS® are governed by the legal concept of "agency". An agent is legally obligated to look after the best interest of the person he or she represents. The agent must be loyal to that person.

A Real Estate Brokerage may be your agent -  if you have clearly established an agency relationship with that REALTOR® with a representation agreement. But often, you may assume such an obligation exists when it does not.

REALTORS® believe it is important that the peope they work with understand when an agency relationship exists and when it does not - and understand what it means.

Honest and Integrity

Most real estate professionals in our province arre members of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and only members of OREA can call themselves REALTORS®.

When you work with a REALTOR®, you can expect strict adherence to provincial laws, which includes a Code of Ethics. That code assures you will recieve the highest level of service, honesty and integrity.

Highest Professional Standards

Before recieving a real estate registration, candidates must successfully complete an extensive course of study developed by OREA on behalf of the Real Estate Council of Ontario. That is only the beginning: in the first two years of practice, registrants are required to successfully complete three additional courses as part of their articling with an experienced Broker. In addition, all registrants must continue to attend courses throughout their careers in order to maintain their registration.

In real estate, there are different possible forms of agency relationship:

1. Seller Representation

When a real estate Brokerage represents a Seller, it must  do what is best for the Seller of a property.

A written contract, called a Listing Agreement, creates an agency relationshiop between the Seller and the Brokerage and established Seller representation. It also explains services the Brokerage will provide, establishes a fee arrangement for the REALTOR'S® servics and specifies what obligations a Seller may have.

A Seller's agent must tell the Seller anything known about a Buyer. For instance, if a Seller's agent knows a  Buyer is willing to offer more for a property, that information must be shared with the Seller.

Confidences a Seller shares with a Seller's agent must be kept confidential from potential Buyers and others.

Although confidential information about the Seller cannot be discussed, a Buyer working with a Seller's agenc can expect fair and honest service fom the Seller's agent and disclosure of pertinent information about the property.

2. Buyer Representation

A real estate Brokerage representing a Buyer must do what is best for the Buyer.

A written contract, called a Buyer Representation Agreement, creates an agency relationship between the Buyer and the Brokerage, and establishes Buyer representation. It also explains services the Brokerage will provide, establishes a fee arrangement for the REALTOR'S® services and specifies what obligations a Buyer may have.

 Typically, Buyers will be obliged to work exclusively with that Brokerage for a period of time. Confidences a Buyer shares with the Buyer's agent must be kept confidential.

Although confidential information about the Buyer cannot be disclosed, a Seller working with a Buyer's agent can expect to be treated fairly and honestly. 

3. Multiple Representation

Occassionally a real estate Brokerage will represent both the Buyer and the Seller. The Buyer and Seller must consent to this arrangement in writing. Under this multiple representation arrangement, the Brokerage must do what is best for both the Buyer and the Seller.

Since the Brokerage's loyalty is divided between the Buyer and the Seller who have conflicting interest, it is absoslutely essential that a multiple representation relationship be properly documented. Representation agreements specifically describe the rights and duties of everyone involved and any limitations to those rights and duties.

4. Customer Service

A real estate Brokerage may provide services to Buyers ad Sellers without creating Buyer or Seller representation. Thiuis is called "Customer Service". 

Under this arrangement, the Brokerage can provide many valuable services in a fair and honest manner. This relationship can be set out in a Buyer or Seller customer service agreement.

Real estate negotiations are often complex and a Brokerage may be providing representation and/or customer service to more than one Seller or Buyer. The Brokerage will disclose these relationships to each Buyer and Seller.

Working With A REALTOR® - Provided By: The Ontario Real Estate Association

 

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Real Estate as a Career

Friday, Jan. 01 2010  |  Posted by: Surina  |  0 comments

Ontario real estate professionals are recognized as among the best educated in the world thanks to the OREA Real Estate College's award-winning education program.  

Becoming a salesperson within Ontario, one must move through various mandatory and elective stages to become a registered salesperson successfully completing all courses with a passing grade of 75%. Within the pre-registration stage, individuals must successfully complete a three-phase education program, meet regulatory requirements, and be employed by a real estate brokerage in order to obtain provisional salesperson registration.  

Provisional salespeople, once registered RECO, enter a two-year articling stage. During this stage, three additional courses must be completed to achieve permanent salesperson registration including Real Property Law.

Broker Registration can be pursued after meeting RECO Broker registration requirements and successfully completing the Professional Real Estate Brokerage mandatory course along with an elective.

The 2009 Real Estate Career Guide is available for those interested in pursuing a real estate career or to learn more about the requirements and educational process of a REALTOR®.  

Provided by: The Ontario Real Estate Association 

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