Do you know what it means to work with a Comox Valley Realtor? The British Columbia Real Estate Association produces a brochure called Working with a REALTOR. This brochure covers the various types of relationship that can exist between a person and the REALTOR that they choose to use. When Comox Valley residents can engage a Comox Valley Realtor either as a client or as a customer. Privacy and the use of personal information collected about you is also a subject of discussion in this brochure. Comox Valley real estate agents have an obligation to explain the contents of this brochure to you at the first reasonable opportunity because it addresses and explains the various types of relationships that could exist with a Realtor.
What does at the first reasonable opportunity mean? The British Columbia Real Estate Council Rules are specific about this issue. Section 5-10 states “Before providing trading services to or on behalf of a party to a trade in real estate, a licensee must disclose…the nature of the representation that the licensee will provide to the party”. But what are trading services? They are defined in the Real Estate Services Act and they include things such as finding and showing real estate and advising on price. Why is this important? Your Comox Valley realtor is bound by these regulations.
If you call up a Comox Valley real estate agent and ask for advice on the price of a Courtenay properties or you ask to be shown Comox homes, you are asking that agent to provide you with real estate trading services. In doing so, you have, in effect, asked to begin a professional relationship with that agent. Since the REALTOR Code requires REALTORS to respect the agency or other contractual relationships, two different Realtors cannot provide trading services to the same person at the same time. Do not be surprised, therefore, to be asked a number of questions by the Realtor including whether or not you are currently working with another real estate agent in the local area. If you called up a Comox Valley real estate agent and asked to be shown a Comox Valley home and you were, you are working with a realtor.
Why is all of this important? When you ask a Realtor questions, do not be surprised when the Realtor also asks you questions. Comox Valley Realtors are licensed professionals who are bound by a Code of Ethics, and by many different property laws and regulations. Competent Realtors can effectively provide you with a wide range of real estate services related to the purchase or sale of your home. They can provide you with services either as a client or as a customer. Effective relationships are generally built on trust, and trust must be earned by both parties in a relationship. Open, honest, two-way communication is a good way to start building the trust required to give you peace of mind in this important relationship. If you are looking for peace of mind when buying or selling your home, contact me and ask me to explain my services to you as either a home buyer or as a home seller of real estate in the Comox Valley.