It’s no doubt the Squamish real estate market is one of the hottest in the Province, and with the influx of buyers coming from outside of Squamish we are also seeing a trend of out-of-town real estate agents now operating in the Squamish market.
Historically, real estate agents typically refer their clients (and receive partial commission) when they are buying outside of their area to local agents for better expertise. For example, if a Squamish client was looking to buy in Nanaimo, it would be practice to refer them to a skilled agent in that market. Even though we may know Nanaimo well, we can pull all of the stats on the MLS and we could probably do a good job finding our client a home, we need to consider the best interest of the client and in most cases, that would be to work with a local professional.
There may be some instances where working with an out-of-town agent is in the client’s best interest (and their are no restrictions to do so); however, nine times out of ten the local agent has a better understanding of the nuances of a community that out-of-town agents simply cannot know.
If you’re thinking of moving to Squamish and are torn between using a Squamish agent or an agent from Vancouver (or somewhere else) to represent you, let us tell you why using a local agent is usually the best decision.
Squamish is not Vancouver
Squamish is not a suburb of Vancouver, it’s not a neighbourhood of Whistler either; it is its own community with very different social, economic and environmental aspects to consider.
Out of town agents will tell you about the ease of the commute, that the market is booming and that the return on investment is good. Local agents will tell you which schools have French immersion, what streets are affected by train noise, and where the upcoming developments are that could impact your investment.
Yes, Squamish is only 45 minutes from Vancouver but it’s a small town with a very different set of circumstances that you as a buyer will want to understand.
Having local expertise is key
If knowing how noisy a building is before you buy, what flood risks are present to your property and how many bike trails are within a 5-minute radius of your home is important, a local agent is going to be the best person to represent you.
Just like a Squamish agent will not know the intricate details of a Vancouver neighbourhood, out-of-town real estate agents simply can’t know the intricacies of life in Squamish unless they live here.
Not only will you want key detail about the market currently and over-time (not just stats), you will also want to know what your new neighbourhood is like, where the best sushi restaurant is, and what the plans are for that empty lot across the road are.
You’re buying a house, not a pair of jeans
It’s safe to assume buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make, it’s not like buying a pair of jeans. Don’t you want all of the information and insight that’s possible when making this life altering decision? There’s a plethora of amazing real estate agents in Squamish who are passionate about what they do and completely tuned-in to the market and community.
Better integration into the local community
Choosing a local real estate agent means you are choosing someone in your new community to represent you. Often this person will be key in helping you integrate into the community, meet new people and connect professionally. Local real estate agents work with a network of local lenders, mortgage brokers, building inspectors and tradespeople who will be the beginning of your support system here in Squamish.
On the pulse of market trends
Yes the Squamish market is hot, yes you can find all the stats you want on the MLS with regards to sales price, days on market, number of listings etc. but what about experiencing real estate trends over time? Don’t you want to know which buildings offer the best re-sale and which demographic is buying in a particular area? Having a real estate agent who has operated in Squamish over time, has seen the town shift and has experienced highs and lows of the market, will be able to give you deeper market insight during the buying process.
In the end it’s the buyer’s choice, to use an out-of-town agent, have their agent refer them to a local real estate agent in Squamish, or work with someone locally. Normal practice has been to refer to local experts however this trend seems to be shifting. Weigh the pros and cons of choosing a local agent verse using an out-of-town agent, hopefully this article has helped you identify some important considerations.
- DUPLEX FOR SALE: 38035 Sixth Avenue & 38033 Seventh Avenue - December 5, 2019
- Squamish Real Estate Stats | March 2019 - April 14, 2019
- Buying Pre-Sale or Re-Sale | Weighing up the Pros and Cons - April 14, 2019