Choosing a Real Estate Agent

You see so many different For Sale, Sold and For Lease signs with so many different Realtor names. You browse the listings on MLS and see so many more. With so many agents out there, how do you choose? Do you go by their picture? Do you look at how many listings they have? What's a home buyer to do?

Here are a few recommendations when beginning your search:

1) Get referrals from family, friends and co-workers.  

2) Meet with a few agents to conduct mini interviews.

3) Check the online search of The Real Estate Council of Ontario to see if the agent is registered. RECO regulates the activity of trading in real estate in the public interest and has been put in place to protect your best interests.

4) If you are a seller, find out how much their commission is.

5) Normally, it is helpful if the agent is familiar with the area you are looking in. 

6) Choose someone who displays professionalism and a willingness to work for your needs.

7) Should you want, your agent should be able to assist you with other necessary real estate related services, for example, arranging a house inspection, arranging a mortgage and finding a real estate lawyer.

8) If you are selling your home, does the agent have a plan of attack for marketing your house. MLS, ads, open houses?

9) Not all agents work the same schedule. If you are only available to view properties on Sundays, make sure your agent works weekends. Communicate your availability during your interview with them.

10) This isn't a deal breaker, but if your sales representative has a website, that is a very good way of gathering even more information about them and seeing what affiliations they have.

Will you be participating in Earth Hour 2011?

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. 

Last year on March 27, 2010, a record 128 countries and territories  united across the globe making it the largest voluntary action ever witnessed.

Earth Hour is a worldwide event started by the World Wildlife Fund that rallies millions of people to show support for action on climate change. This year, after the lights come back on, residents are being challenged to think about what else they can do to make a difference and be part of a solution.

Last year, Hydro One Brampton reported a five per cent drop in power usage in Brampton, which is equal to 21.7 megawatts, or enough electricity to power 18,000 homes.

Climate change is the biggest environmental threat to life on Earth wreaking havoc with the natural systems that

regulate the earth’s climate: 

• Melting glaciers and ice caps on every continent, creating heat waves, and dehydrating forests and

wetlands

• Affecting the lives and communities of everyone on the planet

On average, every person in the world is making a footprint 50% more than what the planet actually produces per person, per year. In other words, it takes 1.5 Earths of productivity to support humanity each year, but we have

only 1 Earth!

Half our footprint is carbon from fossil fuel emissions. Canada is one of the top 10 nations contributing to global climate change. While other leading countries of the world are pioneering green energy technologies and solutions, we are holding on to an old strategy based on developing increasingly carbon-intensive forms of energy in the Arctic and the tar sands. We must value carbon more, consume less, insulate better, and hasten the switch to alternative fuels like wind, solar, tidal and hydropower. WWF-Canada is calling on business and political leaders to drive this fundamental shift. Our success will ensure that Canada is on the right path for future generations, our economy and the planet.

Guerrero Law’s employees will be participating by switching off their lights for Earth Hour at home. Antonio Guerrero has prepared his guitar to play music by candlelight for his family during that hour.

What will you be doing during Earth Hour?

If you need ideas, visit the Earth Hour website to find out how you can participate.