Categories for Representation & Consumer Guidance

What Real Estate Consumers Should Expect From Their Brokerage

Most consumers have a general idea of what they expect from a real estate agent. A seller may expect advice about pricing, marketing and negotiations, while a buyer may expect help identifying properties, evaluating opportunities and preparing an offer. Commercial and investment clients may require assistance with leasing, acquisitions, due ...

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The Difference Between Transactional Sales and Professional Advisory

Not every real estate transaction requires the same level of advice, analysis or professional involvement. Some transactions are relatively straightforward, while others involve significant financial commitments, contractual obligations, operational considerations and risks that may continue long after a property has been purchased, sold or leased. That distinction can also influence ...

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Mortgage Rates, Property Prices and the Real Cost of Waiting to Buy

When mortgage rates begin to decline, it is understandable that prospective homebuyers may consider waiting. The reasoning seems straightforward: if borrowing becomes less expensive in the future, waiting for another rate reduction should make the eventual purchase more affordable. But real estate affordability is determined by more than the mortgage ...

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Commission Rebates May Have Tax Implications

Commission rebates have become one of the ways some real estate brokerages differentiate their services. A buyer or seller may be offered a portion of the remuneration associated with their transaction back as a rebate, sometimes described in advertising as a percentage of commission, a fixed dollar amount or simply ...

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Buying an Estate Sale Property in Ontario: What Buyers Should Understand Before Making an Offer

Buying a property from an estate can look very similar to any other resale transaction. The property is listed, buyers arrange showings, an offer is prepared and, if accepted, everyone works toward closing. The difference is that the person selling the property may not be the person who lived there, ...

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