September 25, 2024

Buying a home with a real estate broker

Trying to find the ideal property can feel as if you’re on an emotional rollercoaster with its ups and downs. From visiting prospective properties to negotiating to signing a promise to purchase, there are many steps to becoming a homeowner – which can sometimes cause a lot of stress! How can you make this process go smoother? Your transaction can be a more pleasant and secure experience when you use the services of a real estate broker. With impartial and supportive advice, this professional will help make your project become a reality.

As you read through this article, discover how you can benefit from the expertise and support of a real estate broker. Thanks to their experience and knowledge, they will guide you through each step of the transaction in a neutral and impartial manner—a significant added value according to the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB).

Benefit from personalized support

A broker is responsive and ready to provide you with the personalized help you need to acquire a property most suited to your needs. Whether you are looking for a single-family home, an undivided condo, a multiplex or a vacation home, they work in your best interest to ensure that when you purchase a property, you get the best possible conditions according to your financial situation.

	Tips and tricks To better understand the support services of a broker, consult our Comprehensive 12-Step Guide to Buying a Home. Prepare well when meeting your broker for the first time. This is a key step in ensuring the success of your project and learning what goes on behind the scenes in the profession! Keep in mind that this ally is there to offer you expert advice on your purchase.

Effectively selecting your ideal properties and preparing for your visit

One of the biggest benefits of buying with a real estate broker is access to the Centris system. This powerful search tool lists more than 60,000 properties for sale throughout Quebec. The biggest benefit? Your broker receives new listings almost in real time, thus providing you with a head start in your search.

This platform is reserved for members of a Quebec real estate association or board. Your broker has access to detailed information on each property to help you prepare for your visits. They select homes that meet your criteria, saving you valuable time.

	Tips and tricks Prepare a list of questions to ask when visiting a property so that you don’t forget anything important.

Access to a network of real estate experts

A broker understands the ins and outs of the market and can provide you with invaluable advice such as recommending a pre-purchase inspection. They can also help you secure the financing needed to buy the property of your dreams. The accurate and precise information provided by these real estate experts gives you the assurance that you will find a property in line with your expectations and needs.

Thanks to their extensive network of professionals, including mortgage brokers, building inspectors, appraisers, surveyors, and notaries, a broker ensures a secure process. This enables you to make informed decisions and reduce the risks associated with the transaction.

	Tips and tricks Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or not, your broker is present at every visit and accompanies you through each step to help you avoid costly mistakes. Their advanced expertise and network provide you with comprehensive, reliable support throughout the entire process.

Facilitating real estate negotiations and document preparation

The assistance of your broker in negotiating the sale, drafting the Promise to Purchase, and properly completing the forms and clauses provides peace of mind. They guide you through crucial aspects like the minimum down payment or a legal hypothec. In the case of multiple offers, counter-proposals, or rejections, they help you keep a cool head and find solutions. Their expertise in real estate negotiations is invaluable.

Moreover, they inform you of the details involved in signing the notarial deed and explain the various costs related to the purchase: mortgage fees, closing costs, transfer duties, and other expenses. They also help you assess the liquidity needed throughout the process.

Benefit from the broker’s knowledge of laws and regulations

Buying with a real estate broker ensures you benefit from the best legal protections. Whether it is in the context of a brokerage contract to purchase or to sell, a broker is subject to the Real Estate Brokerage Act, strict rules, and a rigorous code of ethics throughout the entire transaction process.

To guarantee this protection, the broker must:

Have accredited compulsory basic training
Hold a brokerage licence
Comply with the requirements of the Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ)
Have professional liability insurance

These requirements are intended to better protect clients.

Benefit from their professional development

Since 2015, all real estate brokers are required to participate in a professional development program overseen by the OACIQ. In addition to standardizing real estate brokerage practices, this initiative aims to develop skills and better equip the province’s approximately 18,000 brokers, of which nearly 15,000 are QPAREB members.

Each professional must complete training courses offered by the OACIQ or other recognized accredited organization. These courses cover a range of topics, from marketing and case law to housing quality, contract drafting, ethics, and financing.

As a buyer, you benefit from your broker’s up-to-date knowledge of current laws and regulations. They are always in a position to provide sound advice, including whether it’s the right time to buy a home or if you should wait.

Ready to buy with a broker?

No matter your situation, choosing to buy with a real estate broker is a wise decision. It’s a good idea to meet with several professionals before selecting the right one for you. You will be spending a lot of time with them throughout the buying process. Be sure to choose an ally who helps you define your needs, guides you in choosing your future neighbourhood, provides property comparisons, and is available to answer your questions.

Consult our directory to find an expert broker for a smooth and secure transaction.

Article written in collaboration with:

Real estate broker: a vast network of experts at your service

Continuing education program: your broker trains annually