WHY YOU NEED A REALTOR TO BUY A HOME?

Looking for a home?

Most people are familiar with hiring a real estate agent to sell a home, but fewer are aware that as buyers, they are also able to hire an agent to work diligently, protect their interests and find the best possible property for the best possible price. Many people assume that the best person to call when interested in a property is the listing agent, when this is not the case!


Buyers often approach the task of finding a new home by calling the number on “For Sale” signs, searching real estate magazines & newspaper ads and using web sites such as MLS.ca. What they may not realize is that by contacting the listing agent directly (the name on the “For Sale” sign or the ad), they are actually calling the agent who’s first and foremost responsibility is to protect the interests of the seller!

This is not to say that listing agents are not to be trusted – they are licensed professionals and are obligated to work with a buyer in a fair, honest and ethical manner as their customer, but they do not necessarily owe buyers the fiduciary duty that they owe their client, the seller. Without a signed Buyer Agency Agreement, anything that you disclose to the listing agent about your budget, motivation or otherwise, can and will be used to benefit the position of the seller during negotiations.

What is a buyer to do? Hire your own Buyer Agent! You can interview potential buyer agents and choose the one who you feel will work the hardest for you, has the best track record, and whom you feel comfortable with. Furthermore, a buyer agent’s services are almost always paid out of the gross commission that the seller has paid to their listing brokerage!

When you have found the sales representative that you want to work with, you will sign a contract called a “Buyer Agency Agreement” which legally obligates your agent to provide you fiduciary duty, confidentiality and to protect your interests and motivations. In return, you agree to work solely with your agent for the time period stated therein, and allow them to collect their commission from the sale of the property that you purchase.

Once you have chosen your Buyer Agent, you will be in a much better position to find the best property for you. Many listings are sold before the “For Sale” sign ever goes up and there is a time lag between realtor’s MLS and the public MLS website, so your Buyer Agent is able to notify you about a hot listing before it hits the public portals. Once your agent understands your preferences, they will also keep their eyes open for you as they inspect properties daily. Remember that during the day, while you’re at work, your agent will be out inspecting and comparing properties to find you the perfect fit! In addition to helping you find a property, a good agent will also be able to help you with things such as mortgage pre-approvals, lawyers, insurance, and home inspector referrals.

Buying a home can be an intimidating task. Hiring a Buyer Agent to guide you through this process is one of the best ways to ensure that you will be prepared to make a confident and informed decision when the time comes to place your offer.

For more information, please call Michelle Makos at 905-831-3300 or 416-300-3004 or email at michelle.makos@rogers.com

Buyer Represenation Explained



Looking for a home?

Most people are familiar with hiring a real estate agent to sell a home, but fewer are aware that as buyers, they are also able to hire an agent to work diligently, protect their interests and find the best possible property for the best possible price. Many people assume that the best person to call when interested in a property is the listing agent, when this is not the case!


Buyers often approach the task of finding a new home by calling the number on “For Sale” signs, searching real estate magazines & newspaper ads and using web sites such as MLS.ca. What they may not realize is that by contacting the listing agent directly (the name on the “For Sale” sign or the ad), they are actually calling the agent who’s first and foremost responsibility is to protect the interests of the seller!

This is not to say that listing agents are not to be trusted – they are licensed professionals and are obligated to work with a buyer in a fair, honest and ethical manner as their customer, but they do not necessarily owe buyers the fiduciary duty that they owe their client, the seller. Without a signed Buyer Agency Agreement, anything that you disclose to the listing agent about your budget, motivation or otherwise, can and will be used to benefit the position of the seller during negotiations.

What is a buyer to do? Hire your own Buyer Agent! You can interview potential buyer agents and choose the one who you feel will work the hardest for you, has the best track record, and whom you feel comfortable with. Furthermore, a buyer agent’s services are almost always paid out of the gross commission that the seller has paid to their listing brokerage!

When you have found the sales representative that you want to work with, you will sign a contract called a “Buyer Agency Agreement” which legally obligates your agent to provide you fiduciary duty, confidentiality and to protect your interests and motivations. In return, you agree to work solely with your agent for the time period stated therein, and allow them to collect their commission from the sale of the property that you purchase.

Once you have chosen your Buyer Agent, you will be in a much better position to find the best property for you. Many listings are sold before the “For Sale” sign ever goes up and there is a time lag between realtor’s MLS and the public MLS website, so your Buyer Agent is able to notify you about a hot listing before it hits the public portals. Once your agent understands your preferences, they will also keep their eyes open for you as they inspect properties daily. Remember that during the day, while you’re at work, your agent will be out inspecting and comparing properties to find you the perfect fit! In addition to helping you find a property, a good agent will also be able to help you with things such as mortgage pre-approvals, lawyers, insurance, and home inspector referrals.

Buying a home can be an intimidating task. Hiring a Buyer Agent to guide you through this process is one of the best ways to ensure that you will be prepared to make a confident and informed decision when the time comes to place your offer.

For more information, please call Michelle Makos at 905-831-3300 or 416-300-3004 or email at michelle.makos@rogers.com

Market is still going strong !



Re/Max Sells - #1 Pickering

 Its been a long day... just in but happy to say my Buyers are thrilled to have purchased their dream home tonight in Pickering.  First day on the market and we moved on it and it paid off !   Listing agent was a true professional and negotiations were fair and everyone walked away smiling.  Thats real estate !  If it is done right, everyone walks away happy !!

Welcome to Pickering, Olga and Lou... you will love raising your family here. 

Not only do I feel good about tonight's sale, I have made friends for life.  Real estate is about relationships.  It is about building trust and working together.   Next time you are thinking of moving, make sure the Realtor you work with is someone you feel comfortable with.  WE are on the same side.

Ok well I am signing off now, going to get some much needed sleep and back at the grind in the morning ! 
Night night !

Thinking of Buying A Home? Think About This !

Thinking of Buying a Home?

When buying the most important purchase in your life, why leave it to chance.  Find a professional Realtor who will put your needs first.  

New or Resale … you NEED a Buyer’s Agent

Buyers should be aware of their options so they are better able to protect their positions in a transaction. The role of the Realtor has been undergoing tremendous change over the past several years. Prior to 1991, all Realtors worked for the Seller in a Real Estate transaction. A buyer can now choose to retain representation with a Licensed Realtor and receive the same legal relationship that Sellers have received for nearly 100 years.

A buyer who understands their options will typically want to sell their Real Estate representative EARLY in the transaction in order to avoid potential conflicts of interest should they be making many calls to various Realtors (typically listing agents representing the Seller) or if shopping New Home sites (representatives are not necessarily Realtors – thereby having no accountability to the Buyer through RECO* or REBBA**).

With the advent of the Internet, many Buyers are conducting tremendous research on their own before looking at homes or contacting a Realtor. It cannot be understated that part of the research conducted from a buyer’s perspective, is the careful selection of the Realtor to represent their interests in the acquisition of property. A skilled Buyers agent will add tremendous value to the buyer during the drafting of the contract, during negotiations, and overseeing the contract to completion. If you’re going to spend the next 25 years paying for your new home… shouldn’t you spend a few minutes finding the right person to help make it all happen?

We know your rights … do you?

You have the right to remain silent anything you say while un-represented could be used against you during negotiations;

You have the right to be REPRESENTED

If you choose NOT to be represented;

Then all Realtors will work on behalf of the Seller during negotiations.

To find out more, please feel free to contact me, or book a complimentary private consultation to discuss your Real Estate Goals. My services are guaranteed to ensure your complete satisfaction!

Here is a little video from the Toronto Real Estate Board about the important of signing a Buyer Representation Agreement and let them look after your best interests !