BUYING a property involves aking major decisions about here and how you will live ar miainy years, and often has {ty important implications for your financial future. “For this reason,” notes aleri¢ = MacLean, Better Business Bureau General 2 fea tanager, “almost ali hoaine Sauvers enlist the services of a estate agent or broker to Ap. them with this complex ansaction.” A real estate agent (sales- acrson} is a person tteensed ay the provinces to handle real late sal The broker. or agenVnominee, is the person t whom the salesperson orks and is usually the wher or manger of the real ‘ite company. The broker is censed separately but is wally responsible for their iesperson's actions. W To choose a real estate gentbroker, ask friends, ¢ighbors. and. co-workers t referrals: or simply visit Open Houses” for properties Already on. the market. Not. nly will you get an idea of e@- types of properties that re-savailable © at. various tices, ‘but you. can also bserve .a-number of zeal Rstate agents on the job. You y also’ want to interview ‘than, one real. estate pesent. 4... Consider. the following: ave. they. made’ references Available to: you?’ Do ‘they. nature of the services being provided been adequately explained to you? Do you understand how real estate fees and Wansaction closing costs are to be calculated? And finally, de you feel com- Tenable with then? MacLean cautions buyers or ‘sellers than before you enter inte a relationship with a read estate agent. you shouid review the “Working With A Real Estate Agent pamphiet. “Every broker und sales- person in BUC. has aecess to one. Ask unyens te show you a copy. Since there can be more than one type of rela- -Uoenship between a salesper- son and buyer, it is important to determine at the outset what type of relationship works best for you.” In our province. most real estate bourds use the ‘assumed buyer agency’ sys- tem. This means that the agent working with the buyer is “assumed” to be working for that buyer unless specifi- cally stated to the contrary. Buyers can also work with a salesperson and receive “customer” and “sub-agency” services. Once again, these relationships are best clarified by reading the ‘Working With A. Real Estate. Agent brochure. - If your salesperson is act- ing as your agent, they are required to keep all your con- fidences private. However, if ayvency services, this may not be the case. Be careful about the type of information you divulge to your salesperson in these circumstances because the salesperson may be oblig- ated, because cf an agency relationship. to reveal this information to another party. When yeu are ready to make an offer en a property, the salesperson will write up a contract that reflects the terms and conditions under which you are willing to buy. ‘Your offer is then presented to the seller either by your salesperson or in conjunction with the seller’s salesperson. If you are selling your property you should expect your salesperson to provide you with a marketing plan, ar explanation of their fee, and a comparative market analysis. They will then ask you to sign a listing contract which will give them the exclusive right to market your property for a specified period of time. This is a contract. so mike sure you read it all before you sign. Best results are usually obtained by ensuring that the listing contract provides for the property to be listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) of the local rea! estate board. The salesperson will then do their best to get buy- ers to make an offer on your property. When an offer is made it is their job to make sure that. you have sufficierit | \__ 1569 WHITESAILS ‘SUNSETS GALORE BOWEN ISLAND West ocean view and increditle sunsets from this 3 bedroom and 3 dathroorn faniily home. Close to beach, Purchase includes membership to clubhouse, pool and tennis courts. GREAT LOCATION - GREAT VIEW UPPER CAULFEILD . BEST PRICED PROPERTY IN QUEENS 4 ddim & den immac., fam home on large, priv. lot. New roof, nanny suite pater. & more, Great house, great price. 2031-28th St, West Van Gonvenienily close to shopping, schools & wth | Tremendous value ‘offered: in’ this PvE easy access to the highway, this traditional style | Mediterranean style homa. Quality built'with Sle beauty is anxiously awaiting @ new owner. | roof & hot water heating. 5 bedrooms, 4.baths, market information to make a . your salesperson is supplying decision. ave a written marketing plan you .with customer or: sub- -CHARAC CTER: LOVERS’ ALERT» 1945 MAHON rs opportunity to own a beautifully y. Charming country cottage in Central Lonsdale — 2 or 3 bedroom home set very well back o ona: iodated home with complete 2° beautiful park-like lot wiih original farm-house fruit trees. Fir floors, stone fireplace, original wain- bdrm accommedation on. the i scotting, good large kitchen and bathroorn with claw-foot tub. Across from a large park and duck, ground floor and 3 bdrm plus tam- ponds. “Wonderful family neighbourhood! , : ily. room up. Both levels have 5 $279, 900 | ‘appl. and patio or deck area. ‘Excellent “Tempe ‘Heights” loca- THE ALEXANDERS ~- ESTHER & ALEX 731-7821 cal hours _ "OPEN SUN 2-4 * 2893 MUNDAY PLACE Two homes’ in one!. Excellent tion. Asking $463,900 LAURIE DAYTON 18ST OPEN SAT 2-4 4311-1155 ROSS RD. Large 1. odrm home in the popu- lar “Waverly” condo living at its finest laundry hook-up, gas F/P, sunroom, spacious floor plan & more. Great location, close to all ‘amenities. Attractive financing available. Pets welcome. Asking $129,000 JEREMY LEEVERS 022-6995 POPULAR CENTRAL LONSDALE 492 LYONS PLACE, NV. Good value for this 4 bdrm, 2 bath bsmt horne on a quiei street. Note the large 50°x130' !ot with a fenced back yard. Some cosmet- ig changes would transform this to a delightful home! This home also provides excellent rental rev- enue for the investor. Children just walk to the elementary” schoo! behing. All offers consid- ered! $299,000 OPEN SAT 10-1 #414-1363 CLYDE AVE. 2 bdrm & toft Ambleside condo with 1024 sq. ft. Great view. Don't miss this excellent opportunity, Pets and rentals are welcome. { Great value. Condo living at its & finest. Asking $260,000 : WENDY TSE 951-7787 PHILIP LANG 671-5981