Tips For Choosing the Right Chilliwack Real Estate Agent
Finding a Chilliwack real estate agent who is right for you requires doing a little homework, and asking the right questions. Choosing an agent is a decision that could ultimately cost OR save you thousands of dollars! Keep in mind the individual you choose will be handling almost every maneuver in the biggest financial investment of your life. Experience, interests and expertise vary from agent to agent, so you should ask VERY specific questions in order to align your own needs with the abilities of your representative. Here's a great list of questions you can use as a guide to find the agent that is right for you!
1. How long have you been involved in residential real estate in this area?
If the agent hasn’t been connected to the residential real estate market for several years, s/he will be out of touch with the cyclical nature of the current market. Your agent must be familiar with trends of the local market and have an eye for the ways in which it will change. This knowledge could mean the difference of thousands of dollars in the long-run.
2. What is your marketing strategy for my home?
A realtor should be able to lay out for you, in detail, a marketing plan to sell your home. Examine this plan carefully. How much money does the realtor allot for advertising? What type of media does s/he use? They should be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of one form of media over another, explaining why their particular marketing strategy will sell your home faster and for top dollar. The realtor should employ current, innovative marketing techniques that indicate creativity and a willingness to market outside of the box. Stay away from realtors who rely on traditional, dated forms of advertising. They simply won’t work in the current real estate market.
3. How do you support a buyer throughout the process?
A realtor should be able to indicate how s/he will support you through each step of the home-buying or selling process, offering you a unique system to suit your needs and goals. Also, ask if a specialist will be available at each level of the sale. Your realtor should always be on hand to answer questions, but the specific resources of an expert can be invaluable during different stages of the process.
4. What other properties has your company sold in my area?
The realtor should be able to provide you with a complete, detailed listing of their own sales in your area, as well as other comparable sales. You should get a clear idea of what you might be able to expect both from the realtor and from the current market.
5. What is your experience with financing options? How would you suggest I approach my own financing plan?
Each buyer requires a different financing strategy. A realtor should be able to suggest a plan catered specifically to your financial background and needs. Don’t just depend on your lender for information and guidance on financing a new home. Let your agent lead the way.
6. On average, how close is the selling price of your listings to their asking price, and how long do they take to sell?
You can contact the Real Estate Board to obtain information on the selling record of an agent. The Board also has statistics on a broader scale, so you can see whether an agent’s selling performance is higher or lower than the board average, and whether s/he tends to sell faster or slower than the board average. Placing the realtor’s performance on a scale will help you get an idea of how much you might expect your home to sell for, and how long it might take to sell.
7. What is your philosophy/method of negotiation and how will you apply it when selling my home?
Your realtor should be able to articulate effective and informed negotiation tactics that demonstrate a commitment to securing the best price for you.
8. Do you have a reference list of clients I could contact?
Do some homework! Choose a few names on the list and call them. The stories of others who have gone through the home-selling process can be a valuable source of information.
Buying a Family Home in Chilliwack
Whether you are looking to buy a condo, townhouse or a single family home, Chilliwack is a great place to raise a family!
Being located 100 km from Vancouver, families choose to live here because our housing is affordable and we have exceptional quality of life! Our population of over 92,000 is growing and we have great recreational options, shopping, and an array of arts and culture. With our lower cost of living, as well as competitive land and housing costs, Chilliwack is also a great place to locate your business. (Source: The City of Chilliwack)
The school district in Chilliwack is growing with 19 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 1 elementary-middle school, and 3 secondary schools. There is also 1 alternate education, and 1 distance education school. And once your children graduate they don't even have to leave home as the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) has campuses in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Mission as well as regional centres in Hope and Agassiz.
I was born and raised in Chilliwack and my wife and I have also chosen to raise our family is this great city! I have extensive knowledge of the different neighborhoods and areas of Chilliwack and am always familiar with the current homes on the market. Whether your family is large or small, I can help you find the right home for your needs!
Is This the Right Time For YOU to Purchase a Home in Chilliwack?
In September, home sales in Chilliwack and area jumped quite drastically from the same time last year. A total of 281 homes were sold...last year that number was 162...that's a 25% increase! Homes that were priced competitively went the quickest.
With target interest rates currently at 1.75%, this is a great time to purchase your very first home, a move-up home or even your forever home!
Buying a home is exciting but can be a bit overwhelming! It's important to have someone you can trust to make the process as smooth as possible. I am focused on your best interests and pride myself in being the trusted agent you deserve! From referring you to a mortgage professional with an excellent reputation, to helping you locate and access properties for sale that match your specifications, and finally helping you through the myriad of details attending the actual purchase, I am here for you!
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the REBGV, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the REBGV, the FVREB or the CADREB.
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