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Finding the right Realtor to work with is a key component of success in the real estate world. Whether you are looking to purchase your first home or expand an investment portfolio, you need to find an experienced professional with expert knowledge of the local market who will listen – really listen to your wants, needs and goals. Choosing the right Realtor will not only help you achieve the short-term goal of buying or selling real estate, but it will leave you more knowledgeable and better positioned for your next foray into the market. The wrong choice will leave you frustrated and regretful over wasted time and opportunity.

For some, it is an easy task to choose an agent, particularly if they act upon the referral of a trusted friend or family member. If you do not have anyone specific in mind and are searching for a trustworthy real estate professional, here are a few pointers to help you select a Realtor with the right skills, experience, competence and reliability to get the job done.

Interview prospective Realtors. – Increasingly people interview a number of agents to determine if the “chemistry” works. At the Howard Team, we are happy to sit down with prospective clients and share with them the reasons others have chosen our team to represent them in buying and selling real estate. During the interview, clients inquire about our qualifications, experience and knowledge of the local real estate market. We encourage them to ask as many questions as they can to determine if we are the right fit for them. Here are a few basic questions to start the dialogue:

• How long have you been a full-time Realtor?
• How many transactions have you been involved with over the course of your career?
• Do you work primarily with buyers, sellers or both?
• What price range do you generally work in?
• Do you work with an experienced network of other real estate pros? Mortgage loan reps? Appraisers? Home inspectors?
• What is your advertising strategy? Do you have a marketing plan for my home?

If you are a seller and a Realtor recommends an asking price for your home, ask to review the recent neighbourhood comparable sales or other data upon which the asking price is based. Beware of red flags – such as an agent who is quick to overvalue your home.

Be forthcoming about your own goals. – Remember that we cannot properly represent your interests unless we are familiar with your long and short-term goals, likes and dislikes. Be prepared to answer a few questions about yourself, your plans and your lifestyle. We are not prying; we simply need to get to know you in order to help make your dream a reality.

Ask for testimonials. – Any agent who has been working for a while should have a list of satisfied customers. Don’t be afraid to request references and follow-up to see what they have to say.

Most of our clients at the Howard Team tell us that they chose to work with us because we provide the mix of expertise and experience that makes them comfortable. Most importantly, we listen to our clients, share our knowledge and craft a plan to help them achieve their goals.

Choosing a Realtor is an important decision. Hopefully, the person you select will be a good fit and end up being your Realtor for life. Among other things, your Realtor should be someone you enjoy conversing with and spending time with, especially if you will be house hunting. Like any relationship, successful business relationships require an investment on everyone’s part. It takes time to build a mutually-beneficial relationship based on trust.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

International publications such as The New York Times and The Economist are increasingly aware of what the residents of Calgary have known for a very long time – Calgary is a great place to call home!  For the past several years, London’s The Economist has consistently ranked Calgary in the Top 5 among the world’s “Most Livable Cities.”   In 2014, The New York Times awarded Calgary the No. 17 spot on its annual list of “52 Places to Go.”  We all have friends and acquaintances that took the advice of travel editors and planned a trip to Calgary only to end up moving here on a permanent basis.  They fell in love with Calgary for many of the same reasons we all love it.  Here are just a few of the reasons we all believe Calgary is such a great place to live.

The Best of All Worlds

Visitors and newcomers quickly discover that life in Calgary eliminates the sometimes-agonizing quandary of city vs. country.  Calgary has it all – clean, mountain living with a cosmopolitan vibe.  There are not many major cities in the world where you can enjoy a majestic mountain view from a downtown office or apartment loft.  It is a well-planned city that is simple to navigate. Designed on a grid and broken down into directional quadrants – North East (NE) North West (NW) South East (SE) and South West (SW).  Numbered streets and avenues make it easy to get around. Streets always run north-south and avenues always run east-west. At the axis, where the numbering originates, are Centre Street and Centre Avenue – navigational ground zero. The city has kept pace with its population growth with new infrastructure being introduced on a regular basis to quell any issues

Housing Choices In-Line with Modern Trends

The multitude of housing options available to residents of Calgary is perfectly in synch with the wants, needs and demands of today’s homebuyers and renters who are migrating back to city centres in droves.  While these people appreciate the lifestyle and amenities available to them in downtown living, they also yearn for the small-town feel that is alive and thriving in Calgary’s many diverse neighbourhoods.

A City Built for the Active Lifestyle

Most Calgarians are 100% vested in an active, outdoor lifestyle and the city’s beautiful landscape never ceases to impress.  The scenic Bow River wanders right through the city and some of Canada’s most epic landscapes surround Calgary.  Calgary’s world-class system of parks and trails keeps nature accessible to all who live, work and play here.  There are over 8,000 hectares of parklands and 800 km of multi-use pathways connecting them.  Some of the world’s finest winter resorts are only a little more than an hour’s drive.  Whether it’s camping at Mount Kidd, ski weekends at Sunshine or a simple stroll along the Bow, there are outdoor options for all ages and tastes. No matter what time of the year, there are always well-maintained parks and pathways to enjoy.  It is almost impossible to stay indoors with so many year-round options.

Calgary has earned its burgeoning reputation as a “must see” destination.  During a period of rapid growth and migration, the city has retained its small town charm and sense of wonder.  Many of the people who chose Calgary as their home over the past decade came here for the jobs and ended up staying for the lifestyle.  We are fortunate to enjoy an exceptional quality of life here in Calgary and are both proud and grateful to call this youthful, vibrant city our home.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.