It is important to understand why Comox Valley real estate agents ask questions. Not all real estate agents conduct business the same way, nor do all ask the same number or type of questions. Nevertheless, all Comox Valley agents do ask questions for a variety of different reasons. Let’s explore a number of reasons.
The Comox Valley real estate industry is a highly regulated industry. Comox Valley estate agents have a number of obligations placed on them through various laws, regulations, rules, codes of conduct and by policies of their respective offices. Some of these obligations include explaining things to people and asking questions to ensure that the intent and spirit of the law is followed when it comes to dealing with clients.
For example, British Columbia Real Estate Council rules establish disclosure requirements for Comox Valley real estate agents that must be carried out before providing professional real estate services (also called trading services) such as showing homes to people. One such requirement involves providing and explaining the information contained in the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) brochure Working With a REALTOR at the first reasonable opportunity. This brochure deals with the issues of Agency and Privacy as they apply to real estate in BC.
A second example concerns the REALTOR Code of Ethics. The REALTOR Code of Ethics requires REALTORS to respect agency or other contractual relationships. What this means in practice is that a REALTOR cannot interfere with a relationship that has been established between a Comox Valley Realtor and their client. To help ensure that this ethical requirement is followed, Comox Valley real estate agents will often ask if you are currently working with a real estate agent. If you are not, the real estate agent is free to offer you agency and help you buy or sell Courtenay real estate listings. If you are, they cannot provide you with professional services if another real estate agent is already providing you with services. You are certainly free to work with whomever you wish and you may certainly change real estate agents if you wish but be aware that your current relationship should be terminated before you enter into a new one.
Another reason that a real estate agent may ask you questions is to determine your Comox Valley property needs. Are they near term, longer term, related to home buying, related to home selling, etc. By understanding your needs a real estate agent will be able to better meet your real estate needs.
As well, a real estate agent may ask you questions just to get to know you a bit better. Just as people are free to choose their agent, so too, are agents free to choose who they will agree to work with. The agent-client real estate relationship involves human interaction, cooperation, trust, and communication on both ends. Since real estate agents provide professional services to people, if both parties are not committed to each of these elements, the relationship generally does not work very well.
These are some of the reasons that you may be asked questions by an estate agent. Just as agents expect you to ask questions of them, you should also expect agents to ask questions of you. Should you wish to discuss these real estate considerations further or ask any other questions of me, please contact me and I will be pleased to set up an appointment with you to help you with your real estate questions and needs. Contact Brett Cairns of RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty in Comox and get Brett working to meet your real estate needs today.