GETTING STARTED

Our Team will meet with you to discuss your specific real estate needs and how we can help you.

We have found that the best way to find a home is to make the following 3 lists:

MUST HAVE

This list should be of things that you really want and don’t want to waste your time looking at houses that do not have these things. 

Examples:  Location, Gas heat, Under $200,000 list price, 4 bedrooms, main floor family room, etc.

WOULD LIKE TO HAVE

This list should be things that you can live without or install at a later date.

Examples:  Central air conditioning fenced yard, etc.

ABSOLUTELY NOT

This list should be things that you do not want and won’t even look at houses that have these.

Examples:  Pool, busy road, etc.  

Please note that we will not show you any homes that do not match your criteria so, please carefully determine what you cannot live without (Must Haves) and what you will not live with (Absolutely Nots).

Newspaper Advertising

The Guelph Mercury provides a weekly “Real Estate Report” which is distributed free of charge.  

The Real Estate Report is distributed by boxes throughout the city, is  included in the Saturday Mercury as well as in the complimentary This Week (a week in review paper) delivered on Fridays throughout the city.  You can also pick up a copy at our office (Royal LePage Vantage) at 214 Speedvale Avenue West , or our Stone Road Mall kiosk.   

Most advertising by the real estate companies is done by price order and type of home to make it easier for you to find the homes advertised in your price range and area of choice (i.e. Residential in Guelph , Condos in Guelph , Out of Town, Farm, Vacant Land , Commercial).

If you find an ad or several ads you would like more information on, please circle the ad and call us and we will be able to provide you with more information (even if it is not my listing or a Royal LePage Vantage listing).

The Internet

Computers have become a very important part of the real estate industry in recent years.  Not only are all MLS listings on computer, but computers are used for listing presentations, preparing offers, and especially advertising.   

There are several ways to use the internet to search out homes listed in the Guelph area, and to even view the inside and outside of some in virtual reality.  The links listed below will take you to the sites that feature homes for sale. 

REAL ESTATE WEB SITES

• www.hometoguelph.com
• www.guelphmls.on.ca
• www.royallepage.ca
• www.bamboo.com

Multiple Listing Service (MLS ®)

Generally it is in the Vendor’s best interest to have their home listed on the MLS ® system.  This puts their information in the MLS ® book and computer system, for use by all Realtors in the Guelph & District Real Estate Board.

In some instances, Vendors prefer to list their home exclusively with a single real estate office.  In that situation, there is no information on the MLS ® system, and consequently the home does not get as much exposure.  Most real estate firms will cooperate with other brokers. The result is that in the vast majority of times, we will be able to show you any and all exclusive listings.  

If you see a private for sale sign that you would like more information on, please note the address and telephone number and give us a call.  We will contact the owner on your behalf to get the necessary information and set up a showing of the property if you would like to see it. 

Chances are that we have already spoken to the Vendor, and he has agreed to cooperate with us.  Most private sales will pay some level of commission or our remuneration can be built into the purchase price. 

Schools  

As school boundaries change frequently, we cannot guarantee which school your child will attend for any specific home or area. Once we have narrowed your home search and you are ready to submit an offer, we or you, can then call the appropriate school board to determine which school your children will attend.

• The Wellington County Board of Education at 822-4420
• The Wellington County Roman Catholic Separate School Board 821-4600

Please Note—We have a comprehensive list of schools, complete with addresses, contact names, and numbers.  If you would like a copy of this information just ask and we can provide it to you