Has the thought of packing up and moving to Winnipeg ever crossed your mind? If not, you have many great reasons to consider it. The “Heart of Canada” is quickly gaining a reputation for being one of the most affordable major cities and a fun and dynamic place to live at that. Fantastic restaurants, a wide range of shopping and entertainment opportunities, and stunningly beautiful scenery await you. A few questions floating through your mind may be, “Should I buy a house in Winnipeg?” and if so, “Do I need a real estate agent?”.

Why Choose Winnipeg?

Housing prices are surprisingly accessible here, making them an attractive opportunity for everyone, from first-time buyers and downsizers to investors looking to add to their portfolios. And while technically, you can buy a house without an agent, it begs the question; why would you want to? Considering the multiple benefits you gain from working with an experienced local professional, you’ll never want to tackle the process alone.

Canadians and newcomers are discovering the joy of Winnipeg! Below are just a few reasons why:

• 5 Reasons To Move To Winnipeg Right Now
• How To Find A Great School In Winnipeg
• Benefits Of Buying An Older Home In Winnipeg

Can You Work Directly With a Listing Agent?

Chances are, the seller has a listing agent working on their behalf. This agent can and certainly will help you make your purchase. However, keep in mind that they have a fiduciary duty to the homeowner. What does that mean? It means they are legally obligated to represent the seller’s best interest, not yours. 

The listing agent will do everything in their power to command the highest possible price for the house, with the fewest conditions and best terms for the seller. To put it a little less delicately, the better a listing agent is at their job, the worse it is for you as a buyer.

When you work with a buying agent, they have a fiduciary duty to you. They become legally bound to protect you and always work for your best interests. They will handle all of the negotiations with the listing agent on your behalf to help you make the purchase at the lowest price and the best terms possible for you.

Your Best Advantage in Any Market

Current market conditions will always affect the results you get. During slow buyer’s markets, you’ll find it easier to negotiate a better deal. When the competition heats up, you may have to offer more or make other concessions to buy the house you want. Whether or not the market is on your side, a real estate agent can work their network and use little-known resources to uncover listings you may never have found on your own.

Considering that many houses for sale never appear on major websites, this alone makes working with an agent worthwhile. And no matter what the conditions, a skilled buying agent will always help you get the best possible terms the market will allow.

The Costs and Benefits of Working With a Buying Agent

How much will it cost you to retain the services of a real estate agent? When you think about how much a skilled negotiator can save you, especially in a tough market, their value is priceless. However, as a buyer, the actual cost of hiring an agent may surprise you. After a transaction firms up, both the seller and buyer will have closing costs to take care of.

But it’s the seller who pays the commissions, not the buyer. That means you essentially get all of the benefits of having a professional by your side to help you navigate the entire buying process, and it usually doesn’t cost you any money. Or, to look at it from another angle, working with a buying agent will cost you:

• Most of the headaches, hassles, and stresses associated with a real estate transaction
• Hours of your time freed up from having to uncover countless listings using your own resources
• The heartbreak of buying a home only to discover a significant problem with it after the fact
• The opportunity to overpay for a home without an expert negotiator by your side

All in all, it looks like a fair trade when you find the right agent to represent you!

Are you ready to learn more about the City of Winnipeg and all it has to offer? The posts below are a great place to dig in:

• Our Top 6 Luxury Neighbourhoods In Winnipeg
• A Guide To Winnipeg’s Entertainment District
• Everything You Need To Know About Living In Transcona

Finding the Right Realtor® for Your Purchase

Now that you know the benefits of working with an agent when buying a house, how do you find the right one? Like so many things in this day and age, the Internet is a great place to start. That’s not to say you should base everything 100% on what you read online. Real estate is a “people business”, which means you’ll likely want to meet face-to-face or over a Zoom call before finalizing your decision.

But online research helps you eliminate many contenders, saving you a lot of time and wasted opportunities. Here are some signs to look for before taking the next step.

• A significant online presence with an independent and established website. A real estate agent who relies solely on their broker’s website may not have as many resources to find the right home for you.
• Positive reviews from past clients. A healthy number of reviews suggest that a Realtor® is active and current. Primarily positive comments indicate a high level of service and expertise.
• Responsiveness to your phone calls and emails. If you leave a message, how long does it take them to reply? This could be suggestive as to what level of service you can expect.
• A team of experts at your service. Real estate moves fast, and no one is an expert at everything. A good Realtor® surrounds themselves with a team of support staff and other professionals to ensure you get fast answers and a high level of client service.

Once everything checks out, you can arrange an in-person or virtual meeting. Ideally, the right person will be knowledgeable about real estate as a whole and about your specific city neighbourhood. And while professionalism and expertise are non-negotiable, don’t forget to listen to your instincts as well. Working with an expert you trust and connect with doesn’t just result in a successful purchase. It means having a lot of fun and enjoying the journey along the way.

Are you ready to begin your Winnipeg house hunt? Reach out to us at info@goodfellowrealty.com or call 204-224-2551 for more information or to get started.