How Much Do You Know About Real Estate Agents?

As an Ontario home buyer, how much do you understand about the roles of real estate agents? Take this True-or-False quiz to find out!

1. Any agent who shows you a home is automatically your agent.

False! Agents are legally bound to protect the interests of the seller, unless otherwise specified in a written agency agreement between a buyer and an agent. Working with a Buyer’s Agent is the only way to assure you are fully represented.

2. There’s no harm in giving your personal and financial information to any agent.

False! Agents who represent sellers are required to reveal all they know about the buyer. This puts you at a huge disadvantage during negotiations.

3. When you make an offer through the listing agent, he or she still negotiates for you.

False! The listing agent is required to negotiate the highest possible price that you will pay, without losing the sale. The listing agent is negotiating for the seller, but communicating with both sides – to your disadvantage.

4. You have the right to use a Buyer’s Agent.

True! You should contact a Buyer’s Agent and obtain a personal consultation before you begin looking at homes. Your Buyer’s Agent will arrange showing appointments, provide advice, and represent you throughout the home buying process.

5. You can save money with a Buyer’s Agent.

True! Your Buyer’s Agent will make market comparisons to ensure you do not overpay for a home. He or she can potentially save you thousands of dollars!

6. A Buyer’s Agent doesn’t cost any extra money to use.

True! Your Buyer’s Agent is paid from the transaction proceeds, just like any other agent. As the home buyer, you pay nothing extra for having your own representation.

Ready to learn more about working with a Buyer’s Agent? Contact me today for your free home buying consultation! There’s no charge and no obligation.

Wally Dufrat
Re/Max Twin City Realty, Inc.
Phone: 519-752-5400
515 Park Road North

Brantford, Ontario N3R 7K8

Reasons Why Home Buyers Should Never Contact the Listing Agent

When looking at Ontario homes for sale, it may seem harmless to call the listing agent named on a “For Sale” sign. Or to email the agent who is named on an online listing. But as a home buyer, this is one of the worst things you can do!

This is because the listing agent represents the home seller. Their loyalty and duty is to the seller. As the buyer, this puts you at an immediate disadvantage.

Any information the listing agent collects about you can be shared with the home seller. Such as your motives, your readiness to buy, and the amount you are willing to pay.

The listing agent wants to sell the home quickly, for as much money as possible. He or she will do everything they can to sell you that house. That’s their job! It also gives them the best commission, by having both the buying and selling sides of the transaction.

If you do not buy that particular house, the listing agent will show you something else. But they will likely start with other listings of theirs, or other listings held by their company. This is because they are still working with their seller clients in mind!

When you work with a Buyer’s Agent, you get professional representation dedicated to your needs and interests. A Buyer’s Agent will ask about your goals, provide specific advice, and even help you obtain mortgage financing. Your Buyer’s Agent will show you homes on the market that meet your criteria, without bias as to who holds the listing.

Your Buyer’s Agent will help you make a wise offer, and negotiate the best price and terms on your behalf. You can potentially save thousands of dollars! This is because a Buyer’s Agent is free to counsel you about market value, instead of protecting the seller’s position.

What’s more, it doesn’t cost you any extra money to use a Buyer’s Agent! Your Buyer’s Agent is paid from the transaction proceeds, like any other agent. You truly have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by using a Buyer’s Agent!

Before you begin shopping for a home, contact me first! As your Buyer’s Agent, I can show you any home on the market, and provide you with expert advice throughout the home buying process!

Wally Dufrat
Re/Max Twin City Realty, Inc.
Phone: 519-752-5400
515 Park Road North

Brantford, Ontario N3R 7K8

Use a Buyer’s Agent When Buying a Home!

There’s a difference in real estate representation that all Ontario home buyers need to know!

While the law allows both the buyer and seller to be represented by the same real estate agent, this is not in the buyer’s best interest. This is because the seller has different goals in mind than the buyer does!

Sellers want the highest possible sales price, and terms that serve their advantage. As the buyer, you want exactly the opposite!

Home buyers deserve individual representation when it comes to negotiating the price and terms of the home sale. You deserve to have loyalty, accountability, trustworthy advice, and full disclosure from your agent. Your motives and finances should be kept confidential from the seller. But without a Buyer’s Agent, you are not assured of any of those things!

By law, you are allowed to have a Buyer’s Agent represent you! There are several ways this works to your advantage:

• Access to all homes for sale, without bias
• Dedicated representation
• Protection of your best interests
• Disclosure of material facts than could influence your decisions
• Assistance with all phases of the home buying process
• Counseling about home prices, market conditions and strategic offers 

If you are looking to buy a home in Brantford or the surrounding area, you can trust me to provide you with reliable Buyer Agent services. I can help you find the right home for your needs, and save you money by negotiating diligently on your behalf.

Contact me today for expert home buying guidance!

Wally Dufrat
Re/Max Twin City Realty, Inc.
Phone: 519-752-5400
515 Park Road North

Brantford, Ontario N3R 7K8

Avoid These Common Mistakes During The Purchase of Your Brantford/Brant County Home!

Unless you have bought and sold a number of homes, you are incredibly prone to mistakes during your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate transaction. It’s easy to see why. Housing laws are always changing, and it’s nearly impossible to stay on top of changes in policy. There are also a number of steps that make up a real estate transaction, and if you don’t take part in them on a regular basis then it’s easy to make a costly mistake during yours.

Throughout my many years as a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate agent, I have worked with a number of home buyers, so as you can imagine, I have seen a number of mistakes made. These are some of the most common ones that can cause your home purchase to fall through:

Don’t try and go it alone. I know that it’s tempting to not involve a third party in your Brantford/Brant County home search, but it really does make your life easier. Using a buyer’s agent will ensure that you have a professional on your side to guide you throughout the process, and they will guarantee that no mistakes are made. You’ll also have someone looking out for your best interest. There’s no doubt that you’ll feel more comfortable about your decisions if an experienced professional validates them. The best part is that in most cases, the seller actually pays the buyer’s agent themselves, so you don’t have to pay for the help.

Don’t be brash, but don’t dawdle either. It’s imperative to move as quickly as possible during the negotiation process while still making the right choices. Moving too slowly gives other buyers time to make an offer, and you could get passed over on the home of your dreams. You also want to make sure that you’re thinking through your choices before acting to protect your own interests. The way to avoid moving too slowly or quickly is to have a plan in place. Have an idea of how much you’re willing to spend and stick to it, and have comparable data to back up any offers that you put on the table.

Don’t fall for love at first sight. The excitement that surrounds a home search is hard to ignore, therefore it’s understandable that people often let their emotions take over when they initially start the process of looking. So many people walk in to the first home they see and immediately say, “we’ll take it!” I strongly advise against this. Even if you’re 99% sure that this property is “the one,” you want to make sure that you’re still looking at what else is out there. Committing too early could cause you to end up with a property that requires a lot of investment or extra legwork. You could also end up missing out on a home that’s even better for your needs. You may very well end up in that first home, but it’s important to see what else is out there first to ensure that you make the best decision.

Avoid these common errors, and you will likely avoid costly mistakes that could slow down your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate transaction. If you ever have any questions about buying or selling a home in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to offer my expertise. I hope to hear from you soon!

Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage

Over 525 Closings!
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Website at:
www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

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Tight Credit? You Can Still Get Financing For Your Brantford/Brant County Home!

While it’s true that the Canadian real estate market is faring better than others worldwide, lending restrictions are still quite tight. Many have suffered a financial blow during the recession, and thus have had to face multiple credit issues. This causes a problem during a time when banks are incredibly selective about whom to give a loan to. As a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate agent, however, I have worked with buyers of all walks of life. I can safely say that even if you are facing tight credit, you can obtain the loan that you’re looking for in your real estate transaction.

If you practice these three tactics when you go about getting a loan, then you’re far more likely to see success and obtain the Brantford/Brant County home of your dreams.

1.    Submit all the correct paperwork at once. Most banks aren’t requiring any more paperwork than usual, however they are paying close attention to all the necessary documentation in order to meet their strict lending guidelines. If you submit everything that you need at once, your application will be reviewed more quickly and you’ll look more organized.
2.    Submit all of your pay stubs, bank statements and financial documents for the bank to review. It’s much easier for you to obtain a loan if the bank knows exactly how much money you make and what you can spend on each monthly mortgage payment. The more up-front you are about your finances, the easier it will be for your bank to find the right loan for you.
3.    Pay attention to your credit score. You’re going to want to be on your best financial behavior after applying for a loan. Large purchases or missed payments will put a ding in your credit score, and that can raise some red flags for your lender. Even if your credit isn’t the best right now, if it’s apparent that you’re taking the right steps to get back on track and are actively working to rectify your mistakes, then you’re far more likely to get a loan. In my opinion, honesty is the best policy. The more up front you are with your lender and the more proactive your actions, the better.

As simple as these actions may seem, they go a long way in obtaining a mortgage loan during a time when so many are struggling to get financing. Navigating a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate transaction is far from easy, and I consider it part of my job to take some of the stress out of the process. If you have any questions about how you can go about purchasing a Brantford/Brant County home, don’t hesitate to contact me and ask. I’d be happy to help. I hope to hear from you soon!

Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage

Over 525 Closings!
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantfordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

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Great Skills to Know When Owning a Brantford/Brant County Home

When you own a home in Brantford/Brant County there are many things to think about. Most of the time home buyers are thinking of the big things like furniture and appliances. However, there are certain skills every homeowner should know in order to take care of their home properly.

One skill that every homeowner should have is being able to locate a stud within your wall. This is extremely helpful when decorating and putting nails in the wall. While having an electronic stud finder is great, you can’t always depend on it. A great way to find studs is to start at the corner, where there will always be a stud, and then measure out every 16 inches. Studs are placed 16 inches apart so once you locate one, finding the rest will be simple.

Unclogging a sink is another great skill to have as a home owner. You see commercials everyday for products that will unclog your drain, but there are ways of unclogging it by yourself. A great way to do this is by using a flat head plunger to try to plunge the clog out of the drain. Another helpful tip, if you know for a fact that hair is causing the clog, bending a meal coat hanger into a hook, you can scoop the hair out, relieving the clog.

Burnt out light bulbs can be a pain, but it is even worse when you go to remove it, and the base of the bulb stays in the lamp. Due to the sharp glass it is not wise to just try to unscrew it with your bare hands. A handy tip is to get an uncooked potato, preferably one that fits comfortably in your hand, cut the potato in half and then stick the open end onto the leftover bulb, then screw it out the bulb.

Know your circuit board. When the power goes out, and you head to your circuit board with a flashlight, you should know which switches to flip, and which ones not to. Flipping the wrong switches can cause more damage than originally occurred.

Being friendly with your neighbors is also a good idea. When you first move into your Brantford/Brant County home, getting to know the people around you will give you a sense of comfort. Knowing your surroundings is always an excellent idea.

If you have any questions, or are interested in buying or selling Brantford/Brant County real estate, feel free to contact me! I look forward to hearing from you!

Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage

Over 525 Closings!
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantfordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

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What to Watch For As a Home Buyer!

While buying a Brantford/Brant County Home there are many aspects of a property that attract you to it. But one of the most important parts of buying a home is noticing the negative as well as the positive. Finding a home that has great curb appeal is nice, but when you look down the street, are other yards littered with for sale signs? When multiple homes in one neighborhood are for sale, chances are there is something wrong with the neighborhood. Asking questions is always the best choice. Find out why so many people are moving away from that area. 

Freshly painted walls are a big selling point in a home; however when only one wall in a room has fresh paint on it, that usually means something happened. Whether it is something small like covering holes from hanging art, or spackling a large area where a hole once was, it is important to notice the discrepancies between each wall. 

When you're walking through a home and your nose is filled with a strong scent of perfume or potpourri, chances are it means that there is another smell that they are trying to cover up. It could be the smell of cigarettes, or a pet that isn’t well trained. Some smells are practically impossible to get out of the home so this is definitely something that would need to be fixed before closing. 

Looking at the outside of the home, seeing plants growing from the gutters, you may casually think that the gutters need to be cleaned out. If the past owners didn’t clean them, what else didn’t they clean? Something that seems small and miniscule can end up costing you hundreds of dollars in clean up all around the home. 

Occasionally, while showing the home, you'll notice that certain rooms will be off limits or locked. Ask why. There may be a dog that they don’t want to get out. There could also be a major construction error that the sellers don’t want you to see right away.

Any and all questions that come to your mind should be asked, and you should always be provided with a confident and factual answer. 

If you are interested in more information, or in selling or buying a home on the Brantford/Brant Real Estate Market, feel free to contact me!

Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage

Over 525 Closings!
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Direct:  (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantfordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

Connect with Me

"Like" Me on Facebook

"Follow" Me on Twitter

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Read My Active Rain Blog