(Especially If You're Worried About the Cost)
Are Realtors worth it for first-time buyers? Learn why working with a Real Estate agent is essential—especially in Edmonton—and why buyers don’t pay their agent directly.
Buying Your First Home? You Don't Have to Do It Alone
If you’re thinking about buying your first home in Edmonton, you’ve probably got a mix of emotions going on—excitement, nervousness, confusion, and maybe even a little skepticism. I get it.
You might be asking yourself:
Do I really need a Real Estate agent?
Aren’t they expensive?
Can’t I just find a house online myself?
These are fair questions. But here’s the truth: when you’re buying your first home, the right Realtor is more than a door-opener or paperwork pusher—they’re your guide, advocate, and shield throughout a very complex process.
And here’s the kicker: you don’t pay your Realtor directly. I’ll explain more on that in a bit. But first, let’s talk about what a good agent actually does for you.
1. A Realtor Simplifies a Complicated Process
If you’ve never bought a home before, it’s easy to underestimate how many steps are involved—and how many ways things can go sideways.
I walk you through every stage of the process:
✅ Getting pre-approved
✅ Understanding your budget and priorities
✅ Booking and attending showings
✅ Analyzing the value of a property
✅ Making an offer that protects you
✅ Managing conditions (like financing and inspections)
✅ Keeping deadlines on track
✅ Helping you close without surprises
There are over 20 key steps between finding a home and getting the keys—and every one of them can impact your money, time, or legal rights. My job is to keep you safe, informed, and confident every step of the way.
2. Most Buyers Don’t Know What They Don’t Know—That’s Okay
Buying your first home is like learning a new language. There are terms like “subject to financing,” “deposit,” “closing costs,” “title insurance,” and “adjustments” that can make your head spin.
When you work with me, you don’t have to pretend you know it all. I break it down in everyday language, and I’ll keep you informed without overwhelming you.
You’ll know exactly what’s happening, what’s coming next, and what decisions need to be made—before they sneak up on you.
3. Your Realtor Is Free (Yes, Really)
Let’s tackle the elephant in the room: the cost.
Most people assume that working with a Realtor must be expensive, especially if you’re already worried about affording a down payment or closing costs. But here’s what most first-time buyers don’t realize:
In almost every case, the buyer’s Realtor is paid by disbursements made by the seller’s lawyer at closing. The purchase price of the home includes the Realtor’s commissions - meaning you don’t need to pay them out of pocket.
That means:
You get all the professional advice, negotiation skills, and contract management—without paying out of pocket.
You don’t need to save extra to cover the Realtor’s costs.
You get full representation, without any hidden fees.
Here’s how it works: when a seller lists their home, they agree to pay a commission—usually split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. That money comes from the sale price and is paid out on closing.
So if you don’t hire a Realtor, the seller’s agent often keeps the full commission—while you get no representation. It’s literally a lose-lose proposition.
Bottom line? Not using a Realtor doesn’t save you money. It can actually cost you more in the long run.
4. Local Knowledge = Better Results
Born and raised right here in Edmonton, and currently living in the West End, I know this city inside and out—especially family-friendly areas like Edgemont, The Hamptons, Secord, and nearby communities.
I’ll help you:
Avoid overpriced or underperforming neighbourhoods
Find hidden gems that match your lifestyle and budget
Understand future developments that could affect home values
Choose communities with good schools, parks, transit, and walkability
You can Google neighbourhood stats, but you can’t Google lived experience. I’ll give you honest insight based on real-life knowledge, not just numbers.
5. I Help You Stick to a Budget You Can Actually Live With
Banks might approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending—and that’s dangerous if you’re not careful.
I help you look beyond just the mortgage payment and consider:
Property taxes
Utility costs
Maintenance and upkeep
Emergency savings for surprise repairs
What you'll still need to furnish or fix up after you move in
Owning your first home should feel empowering, not overwhelming. I’ll help you find a property that fits your life and your bank account.
6. I Catch the Deal Breakers Before You Make an Offer
You know what’s worse than overpaying for a house? Moving in and realizing you missed the warning signs.
During showings, I help you spot red flags like:
Water stains or moisture issues
Cracks in the foundation
Bad renovations or DIY jobs
Roofing and window concerns
Layout flaws that don’t work in real life
I’m not trying to scare you off—I’m protecting your investment. My job is to make sure you go in with eyes wide open.
7. I’ll Negotiate Like It’s My Own Money on the Line
Negotiation isn’t just about price. It’s about possession dates, inclusions, conditions, repairs, and timelines.
I handle the back-and-forth with the seller’s agent and ensure your interests are protected. Whether the market is red-hot or slowing down, I’ll guide you on:
How aggressive we can be
When to walk away
What’s fair (and what’s not)
What terms give you flexibility and safety
This part alone can save you thousands—not to mention a ton of stress.
8. I Handle the Paperwork, Timelines, and Legal Stuff
There’s a lot of paperwork in a real estate transaction—offer to purchase, addendums, waivers, condition removal forms, trust agreements... it’s no joke.
Miss a single date or detail, and you could lose your deposit—or the house itself.
I keep everything organized and on track, working directly with your mortgage advisor and lawyer to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
9. You Don’t Have to Worry About Making the Wrong Decision
One of the biggest fears for first-time home buyers is making a mistake—buying the wrong home, overpaying, missing a problem, or feeling buyer’s remorse.
I’m not here to “sell” you anything. I’m here to advise you. That means I’ll be honest if a home is:
Overpriced
In a declining neighbourhood
Poorly built or renovated
Wrong for your goals (even if it looks great)
You can count on me to give it to you straight—even if it means walking away.
10. I Protect You From Legal Liability and Financial Risk
Buying a home isn’t just a financial decision—it’s a legal contract with a ton of fine print. If you’re not careful, one misstep can leave you legally exposed or stuck with unexpected costs.
As your Realtor, I protect you from the kinds of risks you may not even know exist.
Here’s how I help safeguard you:
Clear Conditions: I ensure we write strong conditions into your offer—like financing, home inspection, and review of documents. These clauses give you legal outs if something goes sideways.
Deadlines and Timelines: Every step has a clock on it. If you miss a deadline—even by a day—you could lose your deposit or waive a right you meant to keep. I manage those timelines so you're never caught off guard.
Contract Language: I make sure the offer includes everything you expect—appliances, window coverings, even possession dates. Leaving details out creates grey areas that can turn into legal headaches.
Document Review: For condos or newer homes, I make sure you have the chance to review all necessary documents—like condo bylaws, reserve fund studies, or warranty coverage—and flag any concerns early.
Avoiding Dual Agency Pitfalls: If you go directly to the listing agent, they legally represent the seller. That means no one is protecting you. When I work for you, I work only for you. No conflicts. Just clear, loyal representation.
Bottom line: I help make sure the contract you're signing protects your interests—not just the seller’s.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
✅ Do I need a Realtor to buy a house in Edmonton?
You don’t have to hire a Realtor—but going it alone means you’re navigating one of the biggest financial decisions of your life without expert guidance. You’ll also have to deal with contracts, negotiations, inspections, and legal timelines on your own.
For most first-time buyers, working with a Realtor is a no-brainer.
✅ How much does it cost to use a buyer’s agent in Alberta?
In almost all cases, it costs you nothing. The seller pays your agent’s commission as part of the sale. You get full professional service—without paying out of pocket.
✅ Will I get a better deal if I don’t use a Realtor?
No. The seller typically pays the same total commission whether you have a Realtor or not. If you skip representation, their agent may just keep the full commission—and you miss out on expert guidance and protection.
✅ When should I reach out to a Realtor?
Honestly? The earlier the better. Even if you're 6–12 months away from buying, I can help you:
Understand the market
Get pre-approved
Set realistic expectations
Build a game plan
This way, when the right home pops up—you’re ready.
✅ Can’t I just use REALTOR.ca or Zillow?
Those sites are great for browsing, but they don’t:
Alert you to homes before they hit the market
Give you context about pricing or value
Help you negotiate
Spot potential issues
Protect your legal rights
Your Realtor does all that—and more.
Let’s Make Your First Home Purchase a Smart One
Buying your first home is a huge milestone—but you don’t have to do it alone. If you want someone who’s in your corner, who knows Edmonton inside and out, and who genuinely wants to see you succeed—I’m here to help.
📍 Based in West Edmonton. Helping first-time buyers in the Greater Edmonton Area.
👉 Let’s Chat - I’m available at 780.232.2064.
