Todd Shyiak
Executive Vice-President, Century 21 Canada
Buying a first home is a thrilling milestone — and a daunting one. Choosing the right real estate agent will help a homebuyer proceed with confidence.
Purchasing a first home is a huge moment in anyone’s life — both thrilling and daunting. That makes it especially important first-time buyers work with a real estate agent with the right skills and resources.
“When buying your first home look for a real estate agent who listens first and asks the right questions so they can really understand your needs, and then has the expertise to guide you through all the details,” says Todd Shyiak, Century 21 Canada executive vice-president. “From that, you can select homes to view with confidence.”
Keys to consider in an agent
A good agent will offer new homebuyers insights into considerations they may not have though of — the need to budget for strata fees, say, or commuting, schools, and clauses to include in an offer on that perfect home.
We know purchasing a first home is daunting, which is why we have done everything we can to help make the process as informed and smooth as possible.
“This is a important relationship, especially when buying your first home,” Shyiak says. “Make sure you are working with someone who really gets what you are after, and who is backed by a strong brand with the resources to help you make this most important purchase.”
He adds there are five things first-time home buyers should look for in an agent:
- Listens first.
- Can clearly explain the entire process and timeline.
- Is transparent about costs and the budgetary impacts of a buyer’s must-haves and nice-to-haves in a home, helping them make realistic decisions that meet both their budget and needs.
- Helps protect their client’s interests throughout the purchasing process.
- Is responsive, organized, and patient with questions.
National support. Local knowledge
Founded in Richmond, BC in 1976 and marking its 50th anniversary in Canada this year, Century 21 Canada has been living and breathing residential real estate since its founding. Over those decades, the central brand has developed extensive resources and training programs that are constantly refreshed and updated. Agents are trained how to support first-time homebuyers in particular — to listen, ask questions, explain, and work as a partner. They focus on a short list of key considerations:
- Helping buyer identify what they need in a home — their must-haves and nice-to-haves – giving advice based on years of experience. What that means is different for everyone, so advice must be tailored to each buyers’ situation.
- Viewing homes that best match the client’s budget with their must-haves.
- Clearly explaining the purchasing process and contract clauses, so there are no surprises.
- Identifying risks and key considerations, including financing, inspections, and taxes.
CENTURY 21 Canada is a network of more than 400 locally-owned real estate offices with agents who have deep understanding of their housing market, backed by the extensive training and resources offered by the national brand. It’s a powerful combination.
“Together, our national resources and agents’ local knowledge ensure first-time homebuyers get everything they need, from detailed explanations of timelines and taxes to viewing homes that meet both their budget and family needs,” Shyiak says.
If you’re looking for a new home, find out how Century 21 Canada can help you get the keys https://www.c21.ca/first-time-home-buyer-resources.
