The Critical Role of the Realtor® in the Real Estate Transaction

Surveys show that many homeowners and house buyers are not aware of the true value a REALTOR® provides during the course of a real estate transaction. At the same time, regrettably, REALTORS® have generally assumed that the expertise, professional knowledge and just plain hard work that go into bringing about a successful transaction were understood and appreciated.

Many of the important services and steps are performed behind the scenes by either the REALTOR® or the brokerage staff and traditionally have been viewed simply as part of their professional responsibilities to the client. But, without them, the transaction could be in jeopardy.

The REALTOR® Commitment

Through it all, the personal and professional commitment of the REALTOR® is to ensure that a seller and buyer are brought together in an agreement that provides each with a “win” that is fair and equitable.

The motivation is easy to understand. For most full-service brokerages, they receive no compensation unless and until the transaction is complete.

A Variety of Choices

The variety of brokerage business models in today’s real estate industry affords the homeowner a greater range of options than ever before.

But no matter which option is chosen, before signing a Listing Agreement, Buyer Representation Agreement or otherwise engaging the services of a REALTOR® agreeing to compensate them, the homeowner should understand exactly what services will, or will not be, provided.

Why Use a REALTOR®?

Not every real estate salesperson or broker is a REALTOR®. That term and the familiar Block “R” logo are trademarked by the Canadian Real Estate Association in association with the National Association of REALTORS® in the United States. CREA owns the MLS® trademark also. Both trademarked logos can only be used in Canada by members of the Canadian Real Estate Association who accept and respect a strict Code of Ethics. The MLS® database is operated by member boards in various provinces and in Ontario by real estate boards belonging to the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) which provide an ongoing inventory of available properties and ensure maximum exposure of properties listed for sale. This is important because most resale homes in Ontario are listed and sold through the MLS® systems.

For that extra measure of peace of mind, ensure the individual seeking to represent you is both a registrant of the Real Estate Council of Ontario and a member of the Ontario Real Estate Association – – – permitted to be called a REALTOR®. Check the RECO website www.reco.on.ca for a searchable list of our registrants.