What is the Comox Valley real estate service spectrum? Broadly speaking it involves the type and depth of real estate service provided by a Comox Valley realtor. Hiring a REALTOR® can sometimes be a challenging task. Given that you are hiring someone to represent you in the purchase or sale of your home, this is a task that should not be taken lightly.
As I discussed in a previous blog, Comox Valley realtors are individuals, and as such, it is reasonable to expect that they will provide different types and levels of service. They may also offer services that are constrained by time, and they may charge different commissions. They are a number of other issues you may wish to consider as well.
First, what motivates the Comox Valley realty professional? Are they motivated by getting as many Comox Valley full featured property listings as possible? Do they truly care about you and your needs or are they motivated by something else? All real estate professionals must maintain minimum standards to continue to be licensed but how far above these standards do they strive to achieve? Do they go beyond the minimum continuing education requirements for their profession and are they taking additional courses and learning on their own to improve the service that they provide to their clients? Do they take optional professional development courses? The answer to these questions is often related to their basic character. Ask for character references and talk to others who know them well think of them. Do not merely rely on something that is written on a website or other medium.
Second, do they fully explain their Comox Valley realty services and approach to you at the front end of the process? Do they keep you fully informed throughout the real estate process? Do they regularly follow up and do what they say they are going to do in a timely manner? How successful are they? By this I am not merely referring to their overall success, I am referring to success measured by such things as sell-to-list ratios and other metrics relevant to the industry. Do they offer guarantees that would be very difficult, if not impossible, to deliver? For example, can anyone actually guarantee and deliver on a stress-free experience when buying or selling a home given that some elements of stress emanate from things that are beyond their control? The answer to these questions comes down to professional competence. Ask for testimonials from people who recently engaged their services and see what they think. Talk to these people and ask them about their experience.
Your home is, in most instances, your most expensive investment. Is is treated with the care and respect that it deserves by the professional that you hire to buy or sell yours? Clearly, there are a number of things that should be considered when hiring a real estate professional to buy or sell your home. Have you talked to at least three different REALTORS ® before hiring one? Have you talked to people who know them WELL, both personally and professionally? Looking for more? Contact Brett Cairns of RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty.