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26 - Real Estate: The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday A pril 5, 2006 A realtor helps smooth the home buying process Making your new home purchase easier! Finding the right home, getting a fair price, calculat ing mortgages rates, figuring out closing costs...all of these factors and many more make buying process and transform this confusing experience into one of most exciting times of your life. Think of a realtor as a professional who brings buyers and sellers together for the sale of property. Realtors are licensed real estate professionals who are members of their local real estate board. Therefore, they have access to the MLS services which are operated by these boards. This service pro vides realtors with a listing of a wide variety of property for sale, which could very well include your "dream home". Who Does a Realtor Work For? ' A realtor usually works for the seller and, therefore represents his or her best interests. However, as a buyer, you can still expect competent service, knowing the realtor is bound by ethics and law to be honest and thorough in representing a property for sale. A realtor will provide you with a wide range of services and will not take it for granted that you know all the in's and out's of buying a home. So, one of the first things^he or she will do is thoroughly explain what to ive expect, so you don't encounter any surprises along the way. j* needs, wants and what you can actually afford. This profile of your home is compared with what's available on the market. A realtor will then accompany you as you view houses and help you assess whether or not the property and price is right. When you actually discover your "dream home", a realtor will help you select the most appropriate m ort gage option and obtain financing at the most attractive prevailing rates and terms. Negotiating Skills Negotiating is one of a realtor's areas of expertise. So, you can rely on him or her to arrange a fair price for your home. A realtor will assist in negotiating an offer, act as a m ediator to sm ooth over any potential conflicts between you and the seller and draw up a legally bind ing contract. Sales Representat (905) 634 - 7 75 5 $399,900 E-mail: inichaelo@royallepage.ca I Selecting a Realtor Downtown Oakville Excellent opportunity. 5 minutes walk to downtown & lakefront. Charming 1 floor with 9' ceilings, hardwood flooring, woodburning fireplace. Enclosed heated front porch, original trims, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath. 60'x120' lot ideal for expansion, detached garage. Oversized Cuban style split w/major addition on private park-like 100'x200' lot in convenient neighbourhood. Short.walk to Bronte Harbour shops & restaurants. 2+1 beds, 3 baths, 2 car garage. So, how 'do you go about finding a realtor to help make your home buying dreams a reality? Narrowing Down Your Home One of the best ways is to ask your friends if they can , Choices A realtor will help you zero, in on recommend a realtor they have used in the past. Another way to become familiar with Realtors is to specific locations for your new home. He or she will also help you check local newspaper advertisements. Many of them operate in specific areas where they decide what type of home you would like to buy since there are many know the properties and locations very well because options such as new homes, resale they research all the listings and inspect many of the homes, townhouses, and condom ini open houses. Therefore, they have an excellent idea of the market ums. In addition, a realtor will help you differentiate- between your value of comparable properties in those areas. Another fun idea and effective way to m eet real tors is to visit open houses where you OPEN HOUSE would like to buy your home. SUNDAY 2-4 You can also check the real estate m signs in that area for names of real tors. Once you've narrowed down your choices to a couple of realtors, make sure that you interview them to find out which one has the best combina tion of experience and knowledge in the type of home and area that you are esfOak Trails all-brick 3 bedroom beauty. interested in. Gorgeous hardwood main and upper levels. Of course, personality, reliability, Huge kitchen with oak cabinetry and large and reputation, should be strong fac pantry, walks out to wrap-around deck and fenced yard. Spacious master with 4 piece tors in your decision. Also ask them sandraensuite. Finished rec. rm. with gas FP & MURPHY for references from previous buyers more! $342,900 Sales Representative and sellers who have worked with ROYAL LEPAGE BURLOAK REAL ESTATE SERVICES · 905-634-7755 them. 2148 NIGHTSTAR DRIVE 251 NORTH SERVICE RD. ROYAL Le PAGE Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Broker SUPER COURT LOCATION 1 SUPER COACH STYLE HOME! GENTLEMAN'S CLUB JACKIE PEIFER, Sates Representative 905 ii For this freehold townhome featuring new flooring, fresh decor, 3 bdrms, main floor home office, 2-tiered deck and-^sunny exposure. www.jackiepeifer.com 905 Finished top to bottom, this 2 storey offers hardwoods, main floor family room with gas FP , open concept to kitchen, huge rec room, 2nd floor laundry, great curb appeal and quiet, child-friendly crescent! www.jackiepeifer.com JACKIE PEIFER, Sales Representative Stately finished lower level complete with sep. entrance, built-in bar, billiards room, gas fireplace, 6th bedroom, steam room and 3pc bath. Oh yes, and 3850 sq. ft. of additional living space on the main and upper levels plus the private, landscaped inground pool. All backing onto woods. Call Jan for a private viewing. PRIME SOUTH EAST Spacious reno'd home on large treed lot. Sun-filled living room & family room. 3+ BRs. Designer decor throughout. Walk to lake and town, Minutes to major hwys & GO. SUE HODGE, Sates Representative 905 janjacklin@royallepage. ca JAN JACKLIN, Sates Representative 905 338 3737 3 38 37 37 338 3737 338 3737