Did you know there are around 2500 real estate brokers in Canada? That’s right!
This makes the task of choosing the right real estate brokerage or a Broker to buy or sell a home quite a daunting task. After all, you have to pick the best bet from 2500 options.
However, choosing a real estate broker is one of the most crucial tasks for a successful home-buying or selling experience. This process could spell the difference between a seamless process without any stress and headaches and a nightmare you can’t seem to wake up from.
Below, we have listed a step-by-step process on how to find the best real estate broker in Canada. By closely following these steps, you can pick the perfect real estate professional who is qualified and experienced to help you in your home buying or selling process.
Step-By-Step Guide to Picking the Ideal Real Estate Broker for Buying or Selling Your Home
1. Hit Up Friends and Fam Who Have Moved Houses Lately
The easiest way to find the best real estate brokerage in Mississauga is to ask your friends and family. So, tap into your personal network – be it your friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues who you know have bought or sold a home recently. You will certainly have someone in your personal network who can point you in the direction of a Broker with whom they had a successful experience.
Make sure to note down the names of those real estate professionals who went above and beyond to help your acquaintance. As per a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors, 89% of homebuyers say they will use their real estate professional again or recommend them to others.
Here is another thing that you should know about real estate brokerage referrals – you need to ensure that they will be the right fit for you. Your friend may have a higher budget than you, may have bought a home in a different area, or may have sold his/her house in a different market than today. We mean to say that a Broker who was perfect for your brother or colleague may not be the perfect fit for you.
2. Tap into Technology to Find the Best Real Estate Professionals
Yes, old-fashioned methods for searching for Brokers such as referrals are still valuable. However, the Internet is also an indispensable tool when it comes to hunting the best real estate professionals. In fact, 43% of homebuyers used a real estate brokerage in Mississauga referred to them by websites, reviews, and social media. So, apart from asking your friends for referrals, use online sources such as REALTOR.ca to find qualified and expert Brokers.
3. Get Hands-On and Do Some Real-World Digging
You need to act a tad bit like a detective when it comes to finding the best Broker in Mississauga. A little investigation and on-site research can work wonders in helping you pick the Broker.
One way you can do some in-person investigation before actually meeting with the real estate professional is by driving around the area where you are buying or selling a home. Look for yard signs or open house hoardings in the area as you are driving by. If there are quite many signs for the particular real estate brokerage or Broker you are considering, that could be an indication that you should schedule a meeting. This will be the real estate professionals who will know the neighbourhood in and all, making them solid candidates for the job.
4. Hit the Web and Do Some Digital Detective Work
Once you are done with the footwork, do some cyber investigation on the brokerage firms you have been referred to or you found them online. Look at what kind of listings they have put on their website and take a glance at their social media accounts.
Go through the online reviews that previous clients have posted about the real estate brokerage in Mississauga. You can sweep aside a few negative reviews about the Brokers. But, if you see more negative feedback than positive ones or if the firm is not addressing the not-so-good reviews, cross the name of the brokerage off your list.
5. Connect with the Best Brokers Face-to-Face for a Meeting
After you have found some Brokers whose names shine in the neighbourhood and social media, pick the top five who you think might be best for the job. Schedule a one-on-one physical meeting with the Brokers if possible or connect with them via Zoom.
Meeting with different Brokers can help you gauge better if the professional will be able to understand your needs and address them. Ask the real estate brokerage some questions to understand how they work and how they can help you buy or sell a home. A well-reputed Broker will readily answer your questions and help you understand their work process better.
Questions to Ask a Broker for Homebuyers | Questions to Ask a Broker for Homesellers |
How long have you been helping homebuyers find their ideal homes? | How long have you been helping home sellers in listing and selling their homes? |
What neighbourhoods or types of properties do you specialise in for buyers? | What specific marketing strategies do you use to sell properties? |
How will you keep me informed about new listings and updates? | How will you inform and update me about the home sale process? |
How do you approach the negotiation process to ensure the best price deal for homebuyers? | How do you approach the negotiation process to ensure the best price deal for home sellers? |
What are the key factors affecting property values in the area? | Can you provide advice on home pricing strategies and market trends? |
Can you provide references from past homebuyers you have worked with? | Can you provide references from past home sellers you have worked with? |
6. Now Is the Moment to Decide on a Broker
Now comes the important part of this whole process – choosing the best real estate brokerage in Mississauga out of all the shortlisted candidates. Compile all the research you have done, go through your interactions during the interviews, and make a final decision. But don’t sweat over this Broker selection process too much. If you have followed all the steps above and have done your due research, you can certainly make a well-informed decision.
The Broker You Choose Can Make or Break Your Homebuying or Selling Journey
The real estate brokerage you have picked will be your advocate in the entire property transaction. They will represent you and help you achieve the best outcome from this process – whether it is finding the perfect home on a budget or selling a home in the shortest time possible for the best deal. They will defend and protect your interests when things sometimes go wrong while buying or selling your home. So, follow the above-mentioned steps point by point and pick the ideal Broker who has the skills and experience to turn your home buying or selling journey into a successful one.