Sometimes a move takes you a bit further afield than the streets and town you already know so well.
How do you find someone you can trust to help you find the right home when you haven’t established your own network of connections there yet?
One of the smartest things you can do is reach out to your local REALTOR® first. She or he will vet and search for an agent that would be a good fit, someone who has a proven track record.
Once you are connected with the local expert in the area you are moving to, Nick FitzGibbon (or any agent) can continue to help. He can be involved in the negotiations, review the offer, etc., to ensure that you are being taken care of properly.
“I pride myself on being an expert in the geographical areas that I work in (Guelph, Puslinch, Fergus, Rockwood, KW, Cambridge). In my opinion, there is a huge advantage in being a ‘local’ realtor and focusing my energy and effort on the neighbours and cities I specialize in,” says the REALTOR®.
“When I have trusted clients ask if I can help with their real estate needs in other areas, this is when I look for a strong referral to make sure my clients get this same advantage in their transaction,” he says.
Working with a local REALTOR® to find an out of town one may seem counterintuitive, but it offers several advantages.
First, the local agent understands the market you are moving from in a way the out of town agent never will, including how best to prepare your home to sell.
Second, they have a wide network of buyers who they’ve worked with before, and know other local agents who can help market your home.
Third, they are able to leverage the many professional connections they have built over the years, which extend to multiple cities and markets beyond their primary areas of focus.
For the best REALTORS®, the majority of their business comes from repeat clients and referrals from the people who know and trust them. Repeat clients have had a successful working relationship in the past—and often stay in touch or become friends—while referrals generally only come from the most trusted sources. These personal recommendations are worth their weight in gold, as it means you get the very best advice on both ends of your move.
The benefits to using a local REALTOR® in the market you’re moving to are obvious. They can get you in to see newly listed homes quickly and they have much deeper knowledge about the many factors at play in their area, including neighbourhood specifics, schools, community amenities, environmental issues, local politics, the latest happenings and future plans.
Says FitzGibbon, “Being able to refer my clients to a local expert gets them the best of both worlds. I still get to be a part of their transaction and can ensure they are being well taken care of, while at the same time working with a local realtor who is more familiar with all the finer details of that area and neighbourhood.”
For more information, visit Nick FitzGibbon’s Let’s Talk Real Estate or call 519-821-3600.