A broker can deal directly with home buyers and sellers, or can have a staff of salespersons or brokers that can either be independant or employed by the brokerage Why should I use a real estate salesperson?
A real estate salesperson or broker is more than just a "sales person."  They act on your behalf as your representative, providing you with advice and guidance and doing a job - helping you buy or sell a home.  While it is true they get paid for what they do(once they find you a property and the transaction closes) , so do other professions that provide advice, guidance, and have a service to sell --such as Certified Public Accountants and Attorneys.

The Internet has opened up a world of information that wasn't previously available to homebuyers and seller.  The data on listings available for sale is almost current - but not quite.  There are times when you need the most current information about what has sold or is for sale, and one of the only ways to get that is with a professional real estate member.

If you're selling a home, you gain access to the most buyers by being listed in the Multiple Listing Service®.  Only a licensed real estate agent who is a member of orgainzed real estate can get you listed there - which then gets you automatically listed on some of the major real estate web sites.  If you're buying or selling a home, the MLS® is your agent's best tool.

However, the role of a professional real estate member like Jason Steele has changed in the last couple of years.  In the past, real estate professionals were the only way home buyers and sellers could access information.  Now brokers and sales people are evolving.  Because today's home buyers and sellers are so much better informed than in the past, expertise and ability are becoming more important which is why you need to talk to Jason Steele first.  Staying on the cutting edge of technology and real estate education, Jason can offer the guidance and assistance you need.

The real estate professional is becoming more of a "guide" than a "salesperson" -- your personal representative in buying or selling a home.

What is the responsibility of the real estate broker to me?
A REALTOR®  must disclose to you in writing, who exactly they represent in any real estate deal. A REALTOR® may represent you as a buyer or a seller; he or she may also represent both buyer and seller in the same transaction. Because all REALTORS® are guided by a stringent Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice, a REALTOR® should always treat you fairly. In Ontario, if you feel you have been treated unfairly, you can either contact the local board and file a complaint or visit http://www.reco.on.ca which is the Real Estate Council of Ontario.  The enforce the Real Estate Bussiness Brokers Act in Ontario.

As your representative, the REALTOR® owes you the duties of utmost care, integrity, confidentiality and loyalty. Make sure you discuss agency with your REALTOR® . If a REALTOR® is showing you homes, they are automatically deemed to legally be your representative , and owe you all of the associated obligations. Likewise though if you are allowing a representative to show you properties, you may be under obligation based on what is called "implied" agency.  You are acting as if they are your representative, therefore they see you as a client. 

What do I need to decide when I’ve decided to buy a home?
If you've decided to buy a home, start by determining what type of community, or specific neighbourhood, you're interested in. List your space needs, including:

• living space requirements (i.e. how many bedrooms);
• what you're bringing with you from your old house;
• how close to schools, shopping and other services;
• the size of down payment you can afford; and,
• price range.

How will a real estate broker help me find my dream home?
Once you've identified the features you want in a home, the search begins. A REALTOR® will use various tools to try and find properties that meet your specifications. One of the important search tools will be the local MLS^® system. By sitting down at a computer the REALTOR® can key in your needs, choice of neighbourhoods and price range and immediately come up with a list of suitable properties available through the MLS^® system.  Because this is a member-to-member system, your representative will have access to information usually before it is uploaded to the public system.

How do I decide my price range when buying a home?
It's important to be realistic when you're thinking about a down payment and setting a price range. You don't want to be saddled with something you can't afford. At this stage, it's a good idea to talk things over with a real estate sales professional and a mortgage professional as well.

Once I find a house I like, what would be the next step?
Once you find the house you want to make your home, you can work with a REALTOR® to strategically develop an offer. In the offer, you should specify how much you're willing to pay. State when the offer expires, and suggest a closing date for the transaction. You can also propose some conditions on the offer. Some common types of conditions are:

• getting a suitable mortgage (include the amount, interest rates and any other figures you feel important);
• selling your current home (the seller may continue to look for a buyer, but will give you the right of first refusal);
• the seller providing a current survey, or a "real property report," showing the location of the house on the property owned by the seller and that there are no encroachments;
• the seller having title to the property (your lawyer will check this out when he or she conducts a title search to see if there are any liens on the property, easements, rights of way or height restrictions);
• if there is a septic system, the seller should have a health inspection certificate, stating the system meets local standards;
• if you still have any doubts about the home's safety and construction, you may wish to make the purchase conditional on an inspection by a qualified home inspector;
• any inclusions - basically, what stays and what goes.

What will I need to bring with my offer?

You will need to present a deposit along with your offer. An appropriate deposit will show your good faith to the seller. The seller's agent is bound by law to bring all offers to the seller's attention.

After your offer is accepted and all the conditions are met, the offer becomes binding on both sides. If you walk away from the deal at that point, you may lose your deposit. You may also be sued for damages. Therefore make sure you understand and agree with all of the terms of the offer before signing.