When it comes to milestones, few things are more life-changing than selling your home and moving to a new one. It’s an exciting time, but mixed emotions are perfectly normal. 

On the one hand, you may feel like you’ll miss the home you’re currently living in. Then again, think of all the experiences and memories you’ll create in your next house. Soon, you’ll find new favourite places around the neighbourhood and meet new friends as you get out to explore. 

The anticipation can feel both nerve-wracking and exciting. But before any of it happens, you have two projects to attend to; the sale of your current home and the purchase of the new one. It can be a hectic journey, but what better way to take the first step than finding a real estate agent to guide you through it all?

The Difference Between Buyer and Listing Agents

Real estate transactions can seem very complex and difficult to understand when don’t deal with the market every day. That’s why you’ll want to have an experienced expert by your side to explain the process and provide effective solutions when issues arise. How does it work when selling and buying?

• The listing agent represents the seller. The goal is to help you sell your home with the least stress and for the highest dollar amount possible. 
• The buyer agent helps you in your new home search. Now, the agent’s mission is to help the buyer purchase the best house for the least amount of money possible.

When buying or selling a home, knowledge and preparation are essential. The following resources will help you be ready for anything:

• What Real Estate Lawyers Do
• How To Negotiate A Real Estate Contract
• The Deal Fell Through. What Happens Now?

Where Do You Start?

Whether you use the same agent or not, the secret to a successful relocation is to find the right person in the first place. Your real estate agent should always work in your best interests to optimize your results no matter what the market is doing. 

When selling, this means:

• Helping you prepare your home to appeal to potential buyers. Knowing what renovations to make and what to avoid will save you time and help you earn more money from your sale.
• Setting a compelling price point that generates interest without undercutting the value of your home. This is both an art and a science and requires an instinct only years of experience can bring.
• Marketing your home aggressively for maximum exposure to qualified buyers.
• Negotiating relentlessly to ensure you do not leave any money on the table.

Once your transaction is complete, you now reenter the market as a buyer. It’s time for your agent to switch hats and put their skills to use on the other side of the transaction. 

Often, this means working with their network of other real estate professionals to uncover ideal listings for you and your family. During the offer stage, your agent will negotiate with the seller to secure the property at the best terms and price for the market.

Can your agent excel at all of these tasks? If so, you should absolutely consider using the same expert to sell and buy. Before you decide, here are some other points to consider.

Are you ready to maximize your results when selling your home in the current market? The following resources will help:

• What’s Your House Really Worth?
• Minor Upgrades, Maximum Results
• The Power of Staging When Selling Your Home

Should You Ever Consider Using Separate Agents?

In real estate, there are many guidelines to follow to help you stay on track. However, very few things are ever set in stone. While you may benefit from using the same agent to sell and buy in most cases, some circumstances call for a different strategy.

• Local expertise is an invaluable resource when buying and selling. You might consider using two separate agents when relocating to a different city on the other side of the country.
• Your agent may not be equipped for the task, or you may feel disappointed with your selling experience. This can happen when using a family member or friend as your real estate agent. They have a license but lack the knowledge and expertise to get the results you’re looking for. If that happens, it might be time to switch to a new professional.
• Some Realtors® specialize as buyer or listing agents. In that case, you can stay under the umbrella of the same brokerage, where each team member helps you experience a seamless transition.

Will you benefit from working with a real estate agent? Find out more in our article, “Fact Vs Fiction About Working With A Real Estate Agent.”

The Benefits of Using the Same Agent

The most tangible benefit is that an agent who consistently works both sides of the transaction knows how both buyers and sellers work. This insight gives you a distinct advantage, especially during a busy market where you may be facing steep competition. 

This alone may be all the reason you need to use one agent throughout your entire relocation. Still, there is another even more valuable benefit.

Think of the relationship you will develop with your agent when working together for so long. By law, your Realtor® is required to represent your best interests at every turn. But what does that entail? 

Building a long-term relationship means your agent will better understand your dreams, goals, fears and worries and will help you overcome any obstacle that comes up during your relocation. They will see you as a person, not just a number. When a personal relationship exists, your success feels like their success. Your real estate agent will be even more inspired to help you achieve your goals. 

Are you thinking about selling your house in the Halton area in the next few months? Our experts are happy to help you get started by answering any questions you may have. You can connect with us today right here or by calling 905-332-9223 for more information.