Real Estate Talk:
No results if no trust
All sellers have the opportunity to vet a broker and decide if there is enough synergy and trust
By Joseph Marovitch
May 29, 2025
I recently noticed a neighbour’s property with a Duproprio sign on it. Duproprio provides sellers with the tools to sell their property. Advice is available if the seller asks, but there is no one immediately available to provide professional advice or to protect the seller from legal and marketing pitfalls.
I used to teach first aid and water rescue as a lifeguard in my younger years. I was taught, and I taught my students, that they are lifeguards first and lifesavers second. Real estate brokers are the same. A broker is on hand to provide advice to avoid costly mistakes, and again, on hand to solve the problems that do arise. If left to their own devices, brokers will avoid pitfalls and navigate unexpected issues to a successful conclusion.
An experienced lifeguard who follows proven protocols will avoid problems almost always, except when a person does the unexpected or does not follow the pool or lake rules. A broker who knows their trade and studies the market will act similarly to a lifeguard, except when the seller does the unexpected and does not trust the broker, or does not heed the broker’s advice.
If the vetting was unsuccessful and the trust is not there, the seller must consider acquiring another broker.
All sellers have the opportunity to vet the broker and decide if there is enough synergy and trust to hire the broker. However, once the seller decides to proceed, there must be trust. If the vetting was unsuccessful and the trust is not there, the seller must consider acquiring another broker, not decide to direct the current broker’s efforts, or assume they know the market and the real estate brokerage act.
There are approximately 16,000 brokers in Quebec, of which 7000, plus or minus, work on the island of Montreal. Most of these brokers are very good at what they do, and spend seven days a week with their clients, marketing property, and studying the market.
Their responsibilities include:
- Properly pricing the property, based on current market conditions, to generate maximum interest, inquiries, visits and offers.
. - Targeting the property to the appropriate audience.
. - Provide professional advice to address the constantly changing market, prepare the property, protect the sellers interest, as everyone, broker or not, are required to abide by the real estate brokerage act which is part of the Quebec civil code, vet buyers for financing and eligibility, negotiate the best price and terms and much more.
. - Facilitate the inspector, mortgage broker, surveyor, notary and any other required services and meet deadlines of the offer.
. - And everything entailed in the process.
The broker, or experienced seller, is required to generate as much interest as possible through strategic pricing, marketing and negotiating, to drive the price as high as possible with vetted buyers in the current market conditions, while still balancing an acceptable price with acceptable terms and pre-approved financing.
‘If you are not a professional and you sell the property, there are a vast number of costly expenses that can be incurred.’
As well, the broker does not get paid if the house does not sell, even though they have spent time, money and effort. But if the job is done properly, the property will sell with the best terms, price and in a reasonable time frame.
If you are not a professional and you sell the property, there are a vast number of costly expenses that can be incurred.
Finally, in this uncertain and volatile market, the only way to acquire the best price and terms in a reasonable period of time is by using strategic pricing and targeted marketing to the public and qualified networks.
Should you have questions or comments, please refer to the comments section at the bottom of the page. As well, to view past articles, click here.
Next article: The purchasing process in 2025
State of the market
There is not much change in the market from last week. Uncertainty abounds as buyers, sellers, and businesses await news from the Bank of Canada regarding rates, as affected by applied tariffs. There should be some indication in the coming days when the Fed decides to either apply a rate cut or increase, or keep the status quo.
‘Uncertainty abounds as buyers, sellers, and businesses await news from the Bank of Canada regarding rates, as affected by applied tariffs.’
Currently, rates under 4% are still attainable for five-year terms. It might be wise to lock in those rates and purchase now since neither demand nor supply is high. Where there are those who are selling, better prices and terms may be negotiated. These are cases where sellers are not using strategies and effective pricing.
Have a great week!
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Other articles by Joseph Marovitch
Joseph Marovitch has worked in the service industry for over 30 years. His first career was working with families from Westmount and surrounding areas, hosting children between the ages of 6 to 16 as the owner and director of Camp Maromac, a sports and arts sleep away summer camp established in 1968. Using the same strengths caring for the families, such as reliability, integrity, honesty and a deep sense of protecting the interests of those he is responsible for, Joseph applies this to his present real estate broker career. Should you have questions please feel free to contact Joseph Marovitch at 514 825-8771, or josephmarovitch@gmail.com
