Realtors have considerable knowledge of market values and only Realtor shave access to MLS â€" the Multiple Listing Service. If you‘re selling your home, they can provide you with a topâ€"notch marketâ€" ing strategy. If you‘re buying, a Realtor will help you match your needs, while still helping you keep within your budget. Regardless of whether you‘re buying or selling, a Realtor is definitely an integral part of your team. But just who does a Realtor work for? Many people buying a home assume the Realtor they‘re dealing with is working for them. However, in a normal or typical MLS transaction, a Realtor‘s first line of obligation is to the vendor â€" the person selling the home. Realtor services are invaluable While it is possible for a Realtor to work specifically for a purchaser, this is not common practice and only occurs if there is a contractual arrangement between both the agent and the purchaser. ..Q..._.’..._.7..O........Q‘...O..........‘QQ.....O....‘........Q.O.Q.,.. Realtors do have an obligation to be fair and honest to buyers, under the Realtor code of Ethics. If you‘re selling your home, the listing contract is between you and the real estate brokerage which listed your home â€" not with an individual salesperson. In fact, when you sign a listing agreeâ€" ment, you‘re enlisting the services of a certain company and both the broker and salespeople are working for you. They are paid from the proceeds of the sale and work on your behalf 100 per cent. As a seller, you should rely on your listing broker or salesperson for counsel; there‘s no question about who they repreâ€" sent. You may wonder about salespeople who work for other brokerage companies than the firm which listed your property. Do they work for you as well? WHAT ABOUT OTHER SALESâ€" PEOPLE? LISTING CONTRACT Under an MLS system, everyone is an agent of the vendor unless there is some contractual arrangement to the contrary. In the past, many purchasers have not underâ€" stood this and have come to think that the opposite is true since they are the ones who tend deal a lot more closely with Realtors during a real estate transaction. who tend deal a lot more closely with If there‘s any confusion in your mind Realtors during a real estate transaction. at all ask. It‘s important to get the situaâ€" To dispel this confusion and let buyers _ tion clarified if you‘re at all unsure. That and sellers know exactly what services way, you can avoid confusion and disâ€" they can expect from a Realtor, the indusâ€" _ crepancies later on. Condominium seminar On Saturday, Jan. 30th, a seminar on "Condominiums" will be held at the Howard Johnson Hotel, 590 Argus Road, Oakville, Ontario. This is another in the series of sucâ€" cessful seminars presented by Linda Davies Real Estate Limited. Usually these seminars provide information for prospective buyers; this time it is intendâ€" ed to appeal to condominium owners and board of directors. It will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Topics to be covered are: The value of your condo!...Maintaining and managing vour condo!... What owners and boards try has introduced mandatory disclosure rules. Now, under the Canadian Real Estate Association professional standards, all Realtors are required to disclose who they are working for to all parties involved in a transaction. can do!...How to find more value in your condo!...The unique aspects of marketing and selling condominiums!...What is top price?...How to appeal your taxes!...and much more!!! Speakers will include: Jay Leedale, P. Eng.: Robert Halsall & Associates. Jay Leedale is a structural engineer and building science consultant whose main interest is the physical design, care, and maintenance of strucâ€" tures. Howard Colt: Property _ Tax Consultant. Howard Colt will discuss the (See "Condo" Page RE 16)