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help for
Home Sellers |
...get the most out of selling your next home |
Let Us Sell Your Home
"Selling a home is the largest business transaction most of us will ever make."
 The selling process can be very complex and time consuming, however with the aid of our services, be certain that you will come away satisfied.One of my main responsibilities is to arrive at an accurate estimate of value for your home, so I ensure a detailed evaluation and analysis of every part of your home. My work doesn't stop there, as I will fully investigate the real estate market and compare your property with similar listings to make sure that you receive the highest amount you deserve for your home.
I will follow a comprehensive step-by-step marketing program that will provide you with service that is professional and courteous. In the end, you will be sure that the price you set reflects the true value of your home under current market conditions... rest assured that you will be satisfied with your selling price once I have completed the proper research and evaluation.
Working with a REALTOR®
The Seller Agency Relationship
When a real estate company is a 'seller's agent' it must do what is in the best interest for the seller of a property. A written contract called a listing agreement establishes seller agency. It also explains services the company will provide, establishes a fee arrangement for the REALTORS® services and specifies what obligations a seller may have.
A seller's agent must tell the seller anything known about a buyer. Example: 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 agent can expect fair and honest service from the seller's agent and disclosure of pertinent property information.
Dual Agency
Occasionally, a real estate company will be the agent of both the buyer and the seller. The buyer and seller must consent to this arrangement in their listing and buyer agency agreements. Under this 'dual agency' arrangement the company must do what is best for both the buyer and the seller. Since the company's loyalty is divided between the buyer and the seller who have conflicting interests, it is absolutely essential that a dual agency relationship be established in a written agency agreement. This agreement specifically describes the rights and duties of everyone involved and any limitations to those rights and duties.
So Who's Working For You?
It is important that you understand who the REALTOR® is working for. For example, both the seller and the buyer may have their own agent which means they each have a REALTOR® who is working for them... or, some buyers choose to contact the seller's agent directly. Under this arrangement the REALTOR® is working for the seller, and must do what is best for the seller, but may provide many valuable services to the buyer.
A REALTOR® working with a buyer may even be a 'sub-agent' of the seller. Under sub-agency both the listing agent and the co-operating agent must do what is best for the seller even though the sub-agent may provide many valuable services to the buyer. If the seller and the buyer have the same agent, this is dual agency and the REALTOR® is working for both the seller and the buyer.
Code of Ethics
REALTORS® believe it is important that the people they work with understand their agency relationship. That's why agency disclosure is included in a self-imposed Code of Ethics which is administered by the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). The Code requires REALTORS® to disclose in writing the nature of the services they are providing, and encourages REALTORS® to obtain written acknowledgement of that disclosure. the Code also requires REALTORS® to enter into a written agency agreement with any sellers or buyers they are representing.
REALTORS® are governed by the legal concept of 'agency'. An agent is legally obligated to look after the best interest of their client. The agent must be loyal to that person. A real estate company may be your agent, if you have clearly established an agency relationship with that REALTOR®. But often, you may assume such an obligation exists when it does not. REALTORS® believe it's important that the people they work with understand when an agency relationship exists and when it doesn't... and, understand what it means.
Source: Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB). Re-Printed by permission on TaraRosen.com. |