RE/MAX Twin City is #1 in the City of Brantford, County of Brant & Surrounding Area!

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

Brantford, Ontario N3R 7K8

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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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!
 

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Find the Right Mortgage For Your Brantford Home

It can be difficult enough to understand the intricacies of your mortgage loan, but when you are given a bunch of different options to choose from, things can get even more complicated. As a Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent, I have to be familiar with the various types of loan options in order to help my clients figure out which would be the best for their financial situation. I also have developed relationships with a number of lenders in the area, all of which I refer my clients to for top-notch and superior loan advice.

Finding the right mortgage is not an easy process. It takes a lot of thought and planning. You need to be prepared to do a lot of research and weigh a lot of options before deciding on the best plan of action. Using the right mortgage lender in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market and your agent, you will be able to choose the best financing option for your transaction. Here is where you need to start when selecting a mortgage:

•    Ask yourself some important questions. The key is to start with yourself. Don’t focus on interest rates, taxes, homeowner insurance or anything else at the moment. Those numbers are what they are in this market. Your ability to pay those fees depends on your current situation, which is why you need to ask yourself some important questions before you start shopping around for rates. These questions include factors like, “Do I have a financial plan? Do I plan on getting married or starting a family in the near future? How much can I afford to spend on a home in relation to my other expenses?” Notice how these are all questions that relate directly to your personal and professional life, not the particular transaction you’re entering. If you can’t answer these questions confidently and with a plan in place, then now may not be the best time to take on the responsibility that comes along with a mortgage loan.
•    Familiarize yourself with what’s out there. Pre-approved mortgage. Open mortgage. Closed mortgage. Bridge financing. Is your head spinning yet? These are just a few of the many types of mortgages available on the market today. You need to discuss your personal needs with your Brantford/Brant County loan officer and review all of the options available to you. Do your research and familiarize yourself with the various kinds of mortgages on the market. The more you know, the better you will be able to find the plan that will work best for your individual situation.
•    Use your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent to help. Not only will your agent have the connections to loan officers in the area that can help you, but they’ll also be able to answer basic questions about mortgage loans. They’ll also be able to help you figure out some of the answers to the important questions above as they guide you throughout the entire buyer and seller process. This is one resource that you will definitely want to use!

If you start by focusing on your needs and what is practical for your financial situation, then, with the help of your Brantford/Brant County Real Estate Agent and loan officer, you will find the right mortgage loan. It’s all about planning ahead and being honest about what you can afford. If you have any questions about how to go about buying a home in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be happy to help in any way that I can. 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.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

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Avoid These Common Mistakes After Applying For Your Brantford Mortgage

Despite the fact that lending restrictions are easing up on the Brantford Real Estate market, obtaining funding for a home purchase is still not easy. After submitting a loan application on a Brantford home, lenders go through the slow review process and determine whether or not you are eligible for a loan. The process of applying for a mortgage is complicated, and you want to make sure that you are on a positive note with the lenders. That means that even after the application is submitted, you have to be on your best “financial behavior” for awhile.

Many Brantford home buyers tend to make common errors immediately after submitting a loan application that could result in them getting denied a mortgage. If you avoid them, then the likelihood is that you will obtain your Brantford home loan without a hitch. Here are some of the most common mistakes that people make immediately after submitting their loan application:

•    Don’t deposit large amounts of cash into your bank account. Lenders need to be able to source your money, and cash isn’t really traceable. Making small deposits is okay, but if you’re receiving large cash gifts from family members you may want to refrain from making the deposit for awhile. It makes it more difficult for a lender to track your assets.

•    Don’t make any large purchases. New cars, large amounts of furniture and other large-scale purchases raise a red flag to lenders if they are bought too close to when you submitted your application. These sorts of purchases tend to require additional funding over large periods of time, and that could interfere with a potential mortgage payment. In order to avoid any questions about your spending, save the large-scale purchases for AFTER you receive funding.

•    Don’t co-sign loans for anyone else. Even if you’re not going to be paying the monthly payments on another loan, you are still obligated since your name is on the paperwork. The lenders will count this against you, so doing this when you’re trying to obtain a mortgage may not work in your favor.

•    Refrain from changing bank accounts. Lenders track assets. If you’re switching bank accounts immediately after applying for a mortgage, this task is made much more difficult due to a lack of consistency within the accounts. If you’re going to do this around the time you submit a loan application, make sure you talk to your lender first.

•    Don’t apply for new credit OR cancel existing credit accounts. Your FICO score is affected every time you apply for a new credit card, which could impact your interest rates or result in you getting denied a loan. In regards to canceling existing accounts, depth and length in your credit history matters. If you cancel a long-standing credit card, you score will be affected, which could complicate matters when the lenders are reviewing your application.

As a Brantford Real Estate Agent who frequently works with home buyers, I feel that it’s important to educate my clients on how to put their best foot forward during the loan application process. This can be a complicated and stressful part of any real estate transaction, and avoiding these common errors will ensure a smoother outcome.

If you have any questions about how to start your Brantford home search, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’ll use my years of experience to help you throughout each stage of the transaction. I hope to hear from you soon!

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

Over 521 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.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!
 

Connect with Me

"Like" Me on Facebook

"Follow" Me on Twitter

Find Me on LinkedIn

Find Me on Google+

Read My Active Rain Blog