Buying Houses for Sale in Vernon & the Okanagan

Buying a home is an incredibly enormous undertaking, at the same time there is no reason for it to be the cause of major anxiety or stress. Vernon and the North Okanagan is one of the most beautiful places in the world to live. People form all over have indentified Vernon BC and the North Okanagan as there place to live, whether you're a young family just starting out or planning to retire here, our population is ever growing.

The Collins Group and there agents fully understand that the decision to buy a home in the Vernon BC/ North Okanagan area involves huge decisions both on the financial level and on a personal level. Our Realtors always keep the interests of our Buyers #1.

If you are like most people, buying a home in or around Vernon BC could be the biggest investment you ever make. Whether you are a seasoned buyer or this is your first time, we know how to walk you through the steps, and make it as enjoyable of a process as possible. Our experience dealing with the local market, our vast knowledge of the Okanagan, our continued dedication to a very high level of service, and our passion for the Real Estate business, make us the choice for many years to come when buying in and around the Vernon area…

Check out our real estate listings: Okanagan Homes, Vernon Homes for Sale, Kelowna Homes for Sale, Armstrong Homes, Cherryville Real Estate, Coldstream Homes for Sale, Falkland Real Estate, Lumby Real Estate & Winfield Homes.

Find Your Dream Home in Vernon & the Okanagan Valley

As one of Vernon leading Real Estate Teams and leading experts in our market, we regularly track everything currently for sale. In many instances, we know of homes in the North Okanagan that are not yet listed on the Multiple Listings Service (MLS).

Choosing a Realtor in Vernon & the Okanagan

Not all agents or brokers are REALTORS® - there is a difference.

As a prerequisite for selling real estate, real estate professionals must be licensed by the state in which they work, either as an agent/salesperson or as a broker. Before a license is issued, minimum standards for education, examinations and experience, which are determined on a state-by-state basis, must be met. After receiving a real estate license, most agents join their local board or association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the world's largest professional trade association. They can then call themselves REALTORS®.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of NAR and who adheres to its strict Code of Ethics (which in many cases goes beyond state law). In most areas, it is the REALTOR® who shares information on the homes they are marketing, through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Working with a REALTOR® who belongs to an MLS will give you access to the greatest number of homes.

What Are an Agent’s Obligations to You?

A real estate agent is bound by certain legal obligations. Traditionally, these common-law obligations are to

put the client's interests above anyone else's
keep the client's information confidential
obey the client's lawful instructions
report to the client anything that would be useful
account to the client for any money involved

A REALTOR® is held to an even higher standard of conduct under the NAR’s Code of Ethics.

In recent years, state laws have been passed setting up various duties for different types of agents. When you first start working with a REALTOR®, ask for a clear explanation of your state's current regulations, so that you will know where you stand on these important matters.

Seller’s Agents and Buyer's Agents

Suppose you sign an offer to buy a home for $150,000. You really want the property and there's a chance other offers are coming in, so you tell the agent that "We'll go up to $160,000 if we have to. But of course don't tell that to the seller."

If you're dealing with a seller's agent, he or she may be duty-bound to tell the seller that important fact. In most states, the seller's agent doesn't have any duty of confidentiality towards you. Honest treatment might require that the agent warn you that "I must convey to the seller anything that would be useful so don't tell me anything you wouldn't tell the seller."

If you're dealing with seller's agents, it’s a good idea to keep confidential information to yourself.

These days many home buyers prefer to hire a buyer's agent, one who owes the full range of duties, including confidentiality and obedience, to the buyer. A buyer's agent is often paid by the seller, regardless of the agency relationship.

Evaluating a Real Estate Agent

In making your decision to work with an agent, there are certain questions you should ask when evaluating a potential agent. The first question you should ask is whether the agent is a REALTOR®. Here are other questions you should then ask the agent:

Do you have an active real estate license in good standing? To find this information, you can check with your state’s governing agency
Do you belong to the MLS and/or a reliable online home buyer’s search service? Multiple Listing Services are cooperative information networks of REALTORS® that provide descriptions of most of the houses for sale in a particular region.
Is real estate your full-time career?
What real estate designations do you hold?
Which party do you represent - the buyer or the seller? This discussion is supposed to occur early on, at "first serious contact" with you. The agent should discuss your state's particular definitions of agency, so you'll know where you stand.
When I commit to working with you, how will you help me accomplish my goals? Will the agent show you homes that meet your requirements and will he or she provide you with a list of the properties you’ve been shown?

How We Help as Your Vernon & Okanagan Realtors

The REALTOR® you work with can be one of your most valuable resources in the home buying process. Unlike many real estate agents who are simply licensed by their state to do business, REALTORS® have taken additional steps to become members of the local board of REALTORS® and have agreed to act under and adhere to a strict Code of Ethics. Here is what a REALTOR® can do for you:

A REALTOR® can help you determine the price you can afford.
A REALTOR® can often suggest ways to accrue a down payment and explain alternative financing methods.
A REALTOR®, in addition to knowing the local money market, also can tell you what personal and financial data to bring when you apply for a loan.
A REALTOR® is already familiar with current real estate values, taxes, utility costs, municipal services and facilities, and may be aware of local zoning changes that could affect your decision to buy.
A REALTOR® can usually research your housing needs in advance through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - even if you are relocating from another city.
A REALTOR® can show you only those homes best suited to your needs: size, style, features, location, and accessibility to schools, transportation, shopping and other personal preferences.
A REALTOR® often can suggest simple, imaginative changes that make a home more suitable for you and that will improve its utility and value.
A REALTOR® is sensitive to the importance you place on this major purchase and commitment that you are about to make.
A REALTOR® can facilitate negotiation of a win-win agreement that will satisfy both you and the seller.