It can be a topic of hot debate among Realtors®… Can a real estate agent really claim to be a “specialist” in a specific area? Can an agent be a “condo specialist”, an “Inglewood specialist”, a “rural specialist”, or a “buyer specialist”? These are loaded questions and you would probably get as many answers as agents if you were to ask it in a room of Realtors®. We thought it would be an interesting subject to dissect and see if we can answer definitively one way or the other. Join us as we break it down...
What Is A Specialist?
Let’s start by defining what we mean by “specialist” or “specialize”. For the sake of this article, we are referring to an agent who may claim to be a specialist in a particular area. They may claim to specialize in a certain neighbourhood or district of the city, or they may claim to specialize in a specific area of real estates like condominiums, or investment properties, or foreclosures.
To be clear, there is no official designation by Calgary Real Estate Board or any other governing body that can make a Realtor® a licensed “specialist”. But real estate agents can most certainly choose to focus their efforts in any geographical area or area of service they choose.
Why Specialize?
Once upon a time, real estate agents were forced to specialize or focus on a particular aspect of real estate because there was no other way to do it. Before the internet and email and the MLS®, agents would have to find and research listings and carry around the details of properties in a binder. But today every licensed real estate agent and even most buyers and sellers can access every listing through the MLS®. So if every agent can access the same information, statistics, and data why would a Realtor® even bother to specialize?
The truth is… many don’t. Some Realtors® focus on building a network and will work with customers in a variety of markets, buying and selling every kind of property. This option may be especially popular with newer agents who are still working hard to establish a reputation and a client base. And some agents might just really like variety day to day, and don’t really care for one particular aspect of real estate over another.
But some agents will choose to focus on a particular area of expertise (or maybe even a couple of complementary ones) for a number of reasons including:
They really enjoy a particular aspect of their job. Or they feel like they do a really good job with a certain segment. For example, some agents will specialize in working with First Time Home Buyers because they experience great satisfaction from helping new buyers find the perfect home for their first purchase.
Their experience has naturally led them to a deeper understanding of a certain market. A Realtor® may find that their referral network is predominantly one demographic, so they are often connecting with new clients who are buying and selling in the same market like the inner city, for example. This experience will lead to a deeper understanding of this particular market and give the agent insight into details and intricacies specific to that market after closing multiple deals in that area. This agent may have more experience navigating sales in multi-family dwellings or expensive, luxury penthouses than an agent whose transaction history is all in rural Alberta.
It is a smart marketing strategy. The diverse needs of buyers and sellers in the Calgary market are vastly different. We have downtown, suburban, estate and semi-estate, detached and semi-detached, neighbourhoods with HOAs and architectural controls. Every real estate agent is competing for buyers and sellers and wants to find a way to stand out. Many Realtors® will choose to focus their knowledge, expertise, and marketing efforts on one or a few areas, rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
So the most general answer to the question “Can A Realtor Actually Specialize In Inner City Real Estate?” is yes; they most certainly can. A specialist can really guide buyers and sellers with expertise and experience in the area of real estates that is most relevant to them. Working with an agent who knows your neighbourhood well, or who has a really good understanding of the type of property you are buying or selling can help you find the perfect home, or effectively market your home for sale and achieve an optimal offer to purchase.
Buying And Selling In Calgary’s Inner City:
The Tanya Eklund Group are Calgary’s Inner City Real Estate Specialists. We specialize in Inner-city because we have helped many buyers and sellers close successfully in downtown Calgary. But we also specialize in the inner city because we, too, live here. And work here. And play here. And raise our families here. An inner-city specialist is your best resource if you are seeking a home or looking to sell your property in Calgary’s core. But our team specializes in more than just the inner city, we are a dynamic, full-service team with extensive knowledge of the entire Calgary real estate market. We have cultivated a network of buyers and sellers, and support players so we can guide you through every step of the process with the most skilled professionals. And we are masterful negotiators ensuring that every offer is fair and favourable for our clients. Reach out to our team at 1-403-863-7434 and let’s talk about your home.
FAQ
Q: What questions should I ask if looking for a home in the inner city?
A: We recommend you consider the following:
- Do you want to bike, walk, or drive to work?
- Are you someone who takes transit?
- Do you need particular zoning?
- Are there specific schools you would like your child to attend?
- Are you seeking specific amenities like gyms, restaurants, shopping, child care?
Q: Do I need an Inner City Realtor®?
A: A Realtor® who specializes in the inner city will have the experience and knowledge to navigate some of the unique challenges that can arise when buying or selling in the city’s core neighborhoods. Zoning, valuations, housing type, offer conditions, marketing and more can be different for inner-city properties than for those in more suburban neighborhoods.
Q: I’m not sure what inner-city neighbourhoods to consider.
A: We know the inner city well. In fact, we ourselves work, live, and raise our families here. We can help you understand the amenities, features, and benefits of the inner-city communities from Altadore to Winston Heights and show you properties in the perfect neighborhood for you!
