Talk to a PRPTY agent: what to bring and what to ask

Who you would be speaking with

PRPTY agents are real-estate professionals who work with Real Estate Partners at Real Broker, a Calgary-based team. The real-estate content on this site is educational, and a conversation with an agent is a separate step in which you can ask about your own circumstances.

Speaking with an agent does not oblige you to buy, sell or sign anything. If an agreement is proposed, read it carefully and take the time you need. See working with a buyer’s agent for what to look for.

What to bring

Bring a short summary rather than a pile of paper. A one-page note is enough to make the first conversation concrete.

• Your result from the main buy vs rent calculator, including the key inputs you used
• A realistic price range and your intended down payment, with its source
• Your current rent and how long you expect to stay in the next home
• Your mortgage pre-approval or pre-qualification, if you have one (see the mortgage readiness checklist)
• Your must-haves, nice-to-haves and deal-breakers, including commute and property type
• Any timing constraints, such as a lease ending or a job change

What to ask

Good questions help you judge fit and understand the process. They also show whether the agent explains things plainly and discusses trade-offs honestly.

Ask how the agent works with someone who is still deciding between buy vs rent, what the process looks like from first showing to possession, and how the agent is paid. Ask what costs to expect on top of the price and which professionals you will need, such as a lawyer and an inspector.

• How do you help me understand the full monthly cost of a home, not only the mortgage payment?
• What does your agreement cover, how long does it last and how can it be ended?
• How and when are you paid, and does GST apply?
• What are the main risks you see in my plan, and what would make you advise waiting?
• How do you handle inspections, condominium documents and conditions on an offer?
• How will we communicate during the search?

What to expect, and what not to expect

Expect a conversation about your goals, budget, timing and process. An agent can explain how Calgary-area transactions generally work, outline the steps and costs and describe how they would approach your search.

Do not expect a guarantee of a price, a result or a return. Nobody can promise where prices, rents or investment returns will go, and that uncertainty is why the buy vs rent result should be tested under several assumptions. A good agent will be comfortable with that.

An agent is also not a substitute for a mortgage professional, a lawyer or an accountant. For questions about qualification, contracts or tax, expect to be referred to the right specialist.

If renting is the better fit for now

Sometimes the conversation, and the numbers, point to waiting. That can be the right answer if your time horizon is short, your down payment is thin or the monthly cost of ownership would strain your budget. Renting while you save, build credit and use registered accounts is a legitimate plan.

You can return to the decision later. Revisit the buy vs rent checklist when your circumstances change, and read the guide to buying a home in Calgary if you are ready to look at the steps. For help with the neighbourhood question, see choosing a neighbourhood.