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⚡️ “Property for sale Collingwood Ontario”https://t.co/5ibn0KjJIK

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) December 8, 2020

[liveonthebay]

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Property for sale in Collingwood: Contact us todayhttps://t.co/7fvoENRbB5 pic.twitter.com/qKatpmJiyn

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) December 8, 2020

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Tweeted

We all know we need to keep on top of cleaning/maintenance, just a quick list to keep you on track. https://t.co/j3jMkUXsH3

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) March 29, 2019

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Tweeted

Feels early for Spring Cleaning but here we go! #springcleaning #bathroommoldhttps://t.co/wJTTREirh4 https://t.co/fxIX8JiK1n

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) March 13, 2019

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Tweeted

Cool concept, West Elm will let you rent out home decor "bundles". #homedecor #staging #gettingreadytosell https://t.co/tb7Rf3DWsg https://t.co/7qzDmhbYqL

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) March 11, 2019

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Tweeted

Very Interesting article on Real Estate Market 2019. https://t.co/xEMUxJQQ1B https://t.co/Q7mX3og5gA

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) March 8, 2019

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Tweeted

Two Collingwood events named tops in Ontario by Festival and Events Ontario (FEO) - Elvis Festival & Sidelaunch Days https://t.co/MYxlGV8QGw

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) March 7, 2019

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Tweeted

Blue Mountain Resorts has really done a great job this year the lights are incredible. #LOTBJilldoes https://t.co/AksP9IwYTF

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) December 26, 2017

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Tweeted

We have been out a few times and the conditions are excellent. #LOTBJilldoes https://t.co/lgu1RRFPg3

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) December 26, 2017

[liveonthebay]

Tweeted

Wonderful acts of kindness this time of year. #LOTBJilldoes https://t.co/z9zO6U00Ak

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) December 26, 2017

[liveonthebay]

Tweeted

Merry Christmas and Happy New Yearhttps://t.co/yUeIwqIvyS#bluemountain #LOTBJilldoes

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) December 26, 2017

[liveonthebay]

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MarlLake Village Wasaga Beach https://t.co/FGZXYUzAmM

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) December 15, 2017

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Tweeted

Lora Bay Thornbury https://t.co/7B5sUPV7l5 pic.twitter.com/bVVa4qbKyQ

— Jill Does (@cllngwdhomes) December 14, 2017

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BEST Tips for Finding the Right Agent as a Home Buyer

I am surprised by how many people I know and talk to that are not aware of the difference between a buyer’sagent and a seller’s agent in a real estate transaction. (For the sake of simplicity of this discussion, we will not be referring to FSBO’s: For Sale By Owners). But rest assured, they play two CRITICALLY different roles in a transaction.

I hear plenty of people who are starting their home buying search say, “We don’t need an agent to find us houses, I will find what I want on [fill in name of online real estate portal here]. And you know what? They may be right…INITIALLY. Many tech savvy home buyers these days come into the process more well-informed than ever before. They may know what they want, where they want it, and think they don’t need a buyer’s agent to get it done. The truth is, buyer’s agents these days act less like a “home finder” and more like a “home consultant”. So how do you boil down what’s important in finding someone to represent you and YOUR best interests as a buyer? Focus on a few key areas:  

TECHNOLOGY

With buyers armed with more and more data and info at their fingertips at all times, the job of a buyer’s agent has become less about the actual “search”. Way back in my formative years, buyers needed agents to send them properties listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) in order to really know about what was on the market. Now buyers have access to the same real-time data that we REALTORS do (although not all sites are created equal in this regard). So how do you know what to use and which agent can leverage these technologies to your benefit when searching for your dream home?

First of all, just because buyers can have access to the same data as REALTORS, does not mean they don't need the guidance of one to sort through it all. That means having an agent who is well-versed in all the different technologies and sites and portals available to buyers. I cringe when I hear "old school" agents talk about how their buyers know more about the emerging sites and technology than they do. That's like going to an accountant who doesn't know what Quickbooks is or how to use it. Or trying to buy tickets to a ballgame from a ticket broker who has never heard of StubHub. How can you properly counsel someone as the subject matter expert when you don't have a better grasp than they do on the available technological resources and how to use them? It's not an option anymore to be technologically savvy, it's a requirement. Make sure your REALTOR is using this technology to their (and most importantly, YOUR) advantage, and ask them for their advice / recommendations on what to use. With my buyers, if they are going to be doing most of their searching / research on their phones, I use a different solution than if they are going to be using a desktop most of the time. If they have no technological skills, it just means I have to utilize what is available on their behalf and deliver it in a way they can use it.

MARKET EXPERTISE

Plenty of people know a lot of things about homes and particular areas. But those people also have jobs which means they simply can’t spend all of their time looking at home prices, trends, market details, marketing strategies, zoning, building/repairs, financing options, and plenty of other things that come into play being a full-time agent/expert in real estate. As a REALTOR, that’s our job. That’s my job. Not only is it a requirement for the job…I also like it…a lot.

So while you may know a ton about real estate, make sure you take into account the advice of your agent as well. I learn new things every day from buyers that end up helping me with other buyers down the road too. We just want to pass along that knowledge and information to ultimately help YOU, our CLIENT. It’s our job to give you the tools, resources, and information to make the best decision. Why not take as much of it as you can?

Read More: BEST Tips for Finding the Right Agent as a Home Buyer