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The Era The Banner The Bradford Topic HomeFinderCa Thursday Jan 28 Get a Realtor on your side If youve decided to take what may be the biggest step in your life and financial future the first person you should consult is a Realtor A Realtors skill can guide you through the details of the complicated buying or selling process and his or her knowledge of the housing market can help you make the best possible choice Realtors are extremely dedicated individuals whose professional obligation is to serve the best interests of their clients So why are they so uniquely qualified to serve your home ownership needs and what does it take for these individuals to become real estate professionals Before receiving a real estate license in Ontario an individual must go through an intensive educational process developed by OREA on behalf of the Real Estate Council of Ontario But thats only the beginning During the first two years after receiving their license real estate professionals participate in an articling program taking additional courses while they work under the guidance of an experienced real estate broker Then to maintain that license a real estate professional must complete continuing education courses including a real estate update course every two years in order to be called a Realtor a licensed real estate professional must become a member of a local real estate board as well as the Canadian Real Estate Association CREA and the Ontario Real Estate Association OREA When you work with a Realtor you can expect strict adherence to provincial law as well as to a national code of ethics ensuring youll receive the highest level of service honesty and integrity There are some obvious advantages to having a Realtor who is welleducated knowledgeable and experienced But there are even more reasons to choose a Realtor A Realtor has access to an array of services including the Multiple Listing Service MLS which can provide instant thorough and accurate information on properties that might interest you If you are selling a home a Realtor will give you a fair assessment of the market value of your property develop a marketing plan to attract potential buyers and give you tips on how to increase the saleability of your home in order to obtain the best price possible If you are buying a home a Realtor will act as an intermediary and help you deal at arms length with potential vendors He or she will help you to assess your needs and what you can realistically afford target appropriate neighborhoods provide facts on the costs of running a home and narrow down your search to a few desirable properties Finally a Realtor not only helps you to buy or sell a home He or she can also provide you with a list of lenders lawyers mortgage brokers and other professionals whose expertise you may need to complete a real estate transaction When you work with a Realtor youre working with a professional who has a strong commitment to quality education ongoing training and customer service This article is provided by the Ontario Real Estate Association en Buying a Home just make sure youre comparing apples to apples Choose one of our great agents to help you Decide on a location Choose a community Consider location of schools and shopping Compare home values in your price range Prearrange financing Most importantly toe to your Showcase of homes earned each week in The Era The Banner and The Topic for up to date listing formation