When you have decided to buy or sell a home, the services of a qualified real estate professional are of utmost importance.

The ideal sales agent will have a good working knowledge of local real estate market conditions, be prepared to deliver a high standard of service to customers, and have the support of a large real estate company. Most importantly, a good agent will save you time and money.

Here are the advantages of working with an agent:

When selling a house

• An agent knows real estate values in your neighbourhood and will help set an agreeable and competitive price on your home.
• An agent will establish a marketing strategy for your home ensuring that your property is exposed to scores of potential buyers.
• An agent takes care of the many tasks involved in selling a house (from placing your listing to putting up the for sale sign). This ensures that the transaction is simple and low-stress for you.
• An agent is an expert in the home selling process and as such will advise you of your rights, options and obligations.
• An agent is an experienced negotiator and will work for to get you the best price possible price

When buying a house:

• Agents are experienced negotiators who will manage your offers and counter-offers.
• An agent is familiar with the neighbourhood and can give you information on local real estate values, taxes, utility costs, services and amenities.
• An agent is familiar with the entire home purchasing process and can advise you of your legal and financial options as well as recommend appraisal, home inspection and contracting services.
• An agent can pinpoint homes that fit your needs and dismiss those that do not, saving you time.
• An agent knows the potential problem areas in a home and can guide you away from "lemons."

Royal LePage has offered the ultimate level of real estate services to our customers since 1913. Our Sales Representatives are the best in the business, our products and services are the best on the market, and our company is committed to delivering the best results.

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Use this helpful checklist as a reminder of the things you need to do before you move.

Book the movers. You can choose to have the movers pack everything, or just the breakables, or you can pack yourself. It's a good idea to obtain estimates from several different companies.

If you own your present home:

• Arrange to have our gas, water, and electric meters read on the day you leave and have the bills forwarded to your new address.
• Have your oil tank read and filled before your sale closes, and provide a receipt to your legal professional if required.
• If the water heater or furnace is rented, arrange for a transfer of the rental agreement to the purchaser.
• Disconnect your telephone, cable TV, and water softener.

If you rent your present home:

Give necessary written notice to your landlord and make arrangements for the return of any monies you have on deposit.

At your new home:

Make arrangements for the gas and electric utilities, water softener, telephone and cable TV to be connected on the day the sale closes.

General:

• Get "Change of Address" cards from the post office and send out well before moving day.
• Have the post office forward your mail to your new address.
• Cancel any contracted services and pre-authorized cheques.
• Inform gardening, dry cleaning, garbage pick-up, newspapers, magazines, diaper and other home services. Arrange for service at your new address.
• Obtain a letter of introduction from your current branch to help establish new accounts. Transfer trust or bank accounts and securities.
• Cancel or transfer social, athletic, civic, religious or business affiliations and memberships.
• Arrange for transfer of medical, dental, prescription and optical records.
  Change the address on your driver's license(s) effective the day of the move.
• Collect all items out for cleaning, repair or storage. e.g. fur coats, dry cleaning.
• Make special arrangements for the moving of perishables, such as plants.
• Make special arrangements for the moving of your pets.
• Dispose safely of all flammable liquids as it is illegal for movers to carry them.

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Your Royal LePage Real Estate Professional can prepare a personalized plan for you containing all activities intended to market your property. At Royal LePage, your property will be aggressively promoted through Royal LePage's own property advertising publications and Internet site, other Royal LePage offices and Real Estate Professionals, the MLS information library (unless it's an exclusive listing), and mailings to potential buyers in your area.

1. Ensure that past home renovations have not damaged the structure the home. Other structural damages to look for are whether termites have caused extensive damage, if settling of the home over time has caused damage to the foundation, and/or whether support beams and joists are strong and sturdy or cracked or otherwise damaged.

2. Ensure that the electrical and wiring systems are safe and acceptable. Loose wires or incorrectly installed or wired receptacles, switches or electrical box problems are all hazardous and should be corrected. All homes should have a minimum of 100 amp service.

3. Ensure there are no leaks evident. Water can run and leak into odd and unexpected places, causing extensive damage over time. If there are signs of water leakage, they can quite be often spotted by examining the underside of sinks and dishwashers, along ceilings, on floors or along basement walls. Plumbing fixtures, water-using appliances, drain pipes, water supply inlets and outlets and basements and roofs can all be causes and sources of water damage.

4. Ensure that safety issues are resolved in your home. Trim foliage which may impair a safe view of the area around the home, ensure that windows open easily and close and lock securely and that entrances/exits to the home are able to be securely locked. Hazards such as hidden curbs, loose railings and/or stairs, unused wells which are not capped, etc., should be corrected.

5. With respect to plumbing, ensure that all fixtures are in good working and free from large cracks. Faucets should run easily and shut off completely, proper grouting and caulking should be present around bathtubs, toilets and other fixtures should be bolted down securely and drains should be clog free. The home's water heater should be in good working condition also.

6. All heating and cooling systems may have to be checked to ensure they are relatively up to date, clean, in good working condition and have clean filters. Refrigerant should be checked in any air conditioning units and may require proper servicing.

7. Also, a general, unbiased overview of your home by a neighbour or friend may reveal matters which need to be dealt with that you may overlooked.

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