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Consulting a REALTOR®

REALTORS® are members of The Canadian Real Estate Association who subscribe to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice. Members of the Victoria Real Estate Board are members of both the British Columbia and Canadian Real Estate Associations.

• A REALTOR® will fully explain the details of your working relationship (called "agency") so that you are clear as to when a REALTOR® is working for you or for the seller.
• A REALTOR® has access to hundreds of current listings of homes for sale because of a co- operative system called the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®).
• A REALTOR® can provide you with a customized list of homes that best meet your needs -- size, style, features, location, proximity to schools, shopping, etc. - and then make arrangements for you to view those homes that appeal to you the most.
• A REALTOR® will help you determine how big a home you can afford.
REALTORs® are familiar with the local lending market and can offer helpful advice.
• A REALTOR® has no emotional ties to any type or style of home and can be objective in pointing out the merits of one home over another.
• A REALTOR® will have information on zoning changes, taxes, utility costs and school and recreation services that could affect your decision to buy a home in a specific area.
• A REALTOR® will assist you in negotiating the terms of your purchase, which can be a nerve- wracking process for someone who is not experienced in negotiating.
• A REALTOR® will advise you of the legal process required in obtaining title and taking possession of your property; the costs associated with buying a home such as insurance, mortgage registration and legal fees will be explained in detail.

Source: Victoria Real Estate Board 2015

Selling Your Home - Why it Pays to Use a REALTOR®

Before selling your home, you will need a clear understanding of the legal issues and potential pitfalls. One wrong action could result in a lot of cost and frustration, which is why it is essential to have a REALTOR® working with you, as he or she will make the sale of your home a successful and satisfying experience.

REALTORS® use the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) to give your home maximum exposure. MLS® is a computer-based system that relays valuable information about your home to hundreds of REALTORS® and potential homebuyers.

Setting a price for your home is an important but difficult process. Again, this is where the services of a REALTOR® prove invaluable. REALTORS® have the experience to help you understand how the market works and decide upon a realistic price that meets your goals. REALTORS® also pre-screen potential buyers to make sure only those who are serious and financially qualified view your home.

REALTORS® will also develop a marketing plan to help your property receive maximum exposure. This will likely include placing your home on the MLS® system and placing a "For Sale" sign on the front lawn. The plan will likely also include arranging open houses for other REALTORS® and potential buyers, and developing advertisements and feature sheets/mailers to market your home.

Once you have accepted an offer to buy your home, your REALTOR® will help ensure that all the proper paperwork is completed. He or she will also make sure that both parties meet the necessary conditions outlined in the agreement.

When you work with a REALTOR® you will likely get a better price for your home than if you try to sell it yourself. Apart from the financial benefits, however, there is an extra measure of comfort and security that comes from having a REALTOR® on your side. Remember that REALTORS® are governed by a code of ethics and standards of business practice. They have also been trained and licensed under the provincial Real Estate Services Act to assist in transactions involving real property. When it comes to buying or selling property, using a REALTOR® just makes sense.

Source: Victoria Real Estate Board 2015

Heidi’s Corner

I am a mother to two amazing young ladies, and a few furry friends. The one thing that is for certain is how much I love interacting with people; my energy comes from those around me. My schedule starts early with my youngest and ends when everyone has what they need whether that be help with Grade 7 Science and Math, spelling or finding you the prefect home. Sometimes the middle of the night is when I do my most creative thinking!

I want to know everything I can about you, sorry if you think I am being nosy but it’s how I can best find you a suitable home. Being a real-estate professional allows me access to multiple tools and resources to find the right fit for you and your family. Sometimes that extra bit of information points me at something I heard or saw and allows me to reach out to see if this fabulous little gem may be just what you were looking for.

I pride myself on keeping up on all the most current information and am constantly educating myself so I can be of the most help to you. I am fortunate enough in my line of work to be able to surround myself with experts in multiple fields that all work towards the end goal of building dreams. I have lawyers to answer questions, brokers to ensure accuracy, and mortgage specialist that I can bring to you to help with financing.

My partner Joanna has the same deep commitment to fulfilling your every wish and her and I work together to make sure that you are getting the most professional, dedicated team of real-estate professionals available. From Mobiles to Mansions, the team of Stieg and Manning is here to help you find the perfect property.

Joanna’s Corner

I am the lucky mom of two amazing young boys who keep me on my toes from martial arts to boys being boys! We share our home with our four dogs, I keep bringing home strays, the more the merrier is the way we look at it in my home. I passed my love of nature on to my boys, having been born and raised in the Cowichan Valley I have access to some of the most beautiful land in the country and spend any spare time I have touring and learning about our Island so I have the best information available to answer your questions. 

I have a creative eye and attention to detail that helps me focus on the right home for the right family. I love hopping in my car to check out a property that may be ‘just right’ for a client that is looking for that perfect location, whether it be Courtney, Sidney or the Gulf Islands. 

I always have a camera with me as photography is one of my hobbies and allows me to see things through a different lens. I bring a fresh approach to real-estate and as a dedicated professional I seek to ensure that you have access to the best services available. 

Heidi and I work with a fabulous team of professionals to make sure that our clients get the best level of expertise available to them, between the two of us we have all bases covered and would love to help make your wishes come true.