Every real estate transaction has two sides. On the one side is the seller, on the other, the buyer. These two parties have diametrically opposing goals. The first to dispose of a property for the most money. The second to acquire property for the least money. To compound the issue, the stakes are very high. For the seller, the property usually represents a significant portion of their financial security as well as being the focal point of much nostalgia. For the buyer, the purchase represents the bittersweet combination years of mortgage debt coupled with dreams of loving family home. Rather than just a straight-up investment decision, both sides become mired in emotion and stress. Compounding this complexity is the rapidity with which the Toronto market moves. In this situation, either as the buyer or the seller, it makes sense to want to have someone with experience in your corner. Let the real estate agent deal with the legal and financial complexities while you deal with the impact of this life changing decision. If you are on the buying side of this transaction, you’ll want to hire a great buyer agent. Here are five traits shared by all amazing buyer agents.

Traits of a great buyer agent:

1. They listen. You should feel heard and understood when you speak. Are you asking for a renovated house but they keep showing you fixer-uppers? Time to have a conversation.
2. They push back. Even the most reasonable buyers can have unreasonable expectations, especially in Toronto’s market. You want a detached home for 1 million in the core? A good buyer’s agent will save you a lot of time and tell you that this is an unrealistic expectation.
3. They are local. A good buyer agent is very familiar with the neighborhoods they service. They should know about listings before they come out. They should know about development applications that might affect the neighbourhood. They should know more than you do about the neighbourhood.
4. Detail oriented: They’re about to help you sign a very large contract. They should be able to explain every single detail about that contract to you.
5. They are right: You are relying on your agent to tell you the true values of the properties that you are seeing. Their estimation of value should be pretty close to the ultimate selling price.

Once you find your perfect agent it’s your turn to listen. Sometimes it is your agent’s job to deliver uncomfortable news. Remember that you are hiring them for their advice. Contact us if you have any questions.