The Never-Changing Role of a Realtor

There’s been a whole lot of change in the world we live in.

Change in how we interact with each other—even the way we sneeze. You can’t sneeze into your hand anymore. I learned that the hard way with one sneeze and a roomful of strange looks. And yet, on a normal Sunday, I still instinctively bring my hand to my mouth when sneezing.

But the changes don’t stop there. Building codes have changed—you can’t build a condo today without central air conditioning, upgraded electrical service, and more insulation. Parking isn’t always required anymore. Mortgages have changed too—gone are the days when a mortgage broker sat at your kitchen table with a stack of papers.

And we realtors aren’t immune. The way we advertise properties, the way we talk about them, the way we research them—it’s all shifted.

And of course, there’s the big one everyone talks about now: AI. Honestly, this new trend has made my life easier in many ways, and I’m grateful for it. But I keep hearing the same prediction: that the role of a realtor is going to disappear. The idea is that everything you need to know about a home is online.

But the reality is far more complex—we haven’t come as far as we think. A lot of the information needed to successfully market a home isn’t online at all.

In fact, I currently have three listings that prove it:

• One property has RV parking located on an easement—a detail that changes value.
• One property carries strata fees that look high at first glance, but because it’s a fully funded model, homeowners actually save money in the long run.
• One property features an above-ground walk-out patio—a lifestyle and value detail that isn’t obvious in the listing.

Each of these examples highlights the same truth: properties have unique details that directly affect their value and use. My role is to notice these things, explain them clearly, and make sure buyers and sellers understand what they really mean.

In today’s market, where information is everywhere online, it’s easy to assume that realtors are less essential than ever. But that assumption overlooks the heart of the work we do every single day.

Let’s take a closer look.

Interpreting Local Nuances

No two municipalities are alike, and no two properties are the same. I help clients make sense of details that aren’t obvious on a listing sheet or a website:

• Building codes: Regulations change constantly, and they matter. The electrical service in a seven-year-old condo is very different from what’s required in a brand-new building—something that becomes critical as electric vehicle charging legislation rolls out. In some cases, upgrades can cost up to $50,000 per unit.
• Water systems: In the Township of Langley alone, homes are connected to 5–7 different water systems, plus well water. Some systems come with arsenic concerns, others with copper. Even suburban areas may still rely on septic, with variations between tanks and fields.
• Schools: Families make decisions based on district rankings and reputations. I help clients understand these differences and how they affect property values.
• Crime rates: Safety, perception, and resale value are all tied to local crime statistics, which buyers want to know.

These aren’t small details—they directly impact the value, livability, and future costs of a home.

Valuation Beyond the Obvious

Online tools can generate rough estimates, but they can’t capture the subtleties that shape a property’s true value. That’s where I step in.

• Parking: The difference between a home with an extra stall in a neighbourhood with no street parking versus one with plenty can be dramatic.
• Amenities: RV parking on an easement property versus one without, or new windows set into old frames—details like these shift value in ways algorithms miss.
• Useful life of components: Plumbing, electrical systems, roofing, and more each have lifespans. Mineral-rich water, for example, wears out plumbing faster—a cost most buyers wouldn’t think to ask about.

Valuation is part art, part science, and always rooted in context.

Navigating Contracts and Legal Risks

Contracts in real estate are more than templates. Each one is layered with clauses, contingencies, and obligations. I help clients navigate that.

• Explaining the difference between a “subject to sale” clause with or without a time clause—a detail that can completely change a client’s leverage.
• Recognizing when disclosures are required, such as oil tanks or insurance risks.
• Reviewing title searches to spot problems—like structures built over easements, or decades-old subsurface rights that might still be enforceable.

The cost of getting this wrong isn’t just financial—it can tie clients up in disputes or collapse a deal entirely. That’s why contracts are looked at by multiple eyes: written by the buyer’s agent, reviewed by the listing agent, then by two sets of managing brokers, before they ever get to a lawyer’s desk. That’s a lot of protection for one transaction.

Protecting Clients from the Unknown

Much of a home’s story is invisible at first glance—flood histories, insurance claims, warranty limitations, hidden defects. With two decades of experience, I’ve learned how to ask the right questions and see around corners that clients might not.

Did you know warranty programs often deny insurance claims, leaving owners with little recourse—and no obligation to disclose the issue to the next buyer? Without professional guidance, risks like that can be missed.

Coordinating a Network of Professionals

A realtor’s work doesn’t happen in isolation. Every transaction involves inspectors, appraisers, mortgage brokers, city staff, lawyers, and contractors. I often feel like part HR manager, part project coordinator, and part advisor. My role is to bring the right people together and keep the process moving so nothing slips through the cracks.

Why It Matters

Gone are the days when you had to have a realtor. You can absolutely do this yourself. You can also make your own shoes, file your own taxes, or cook every meal from scratch. You are capable, resourceful, and hardworking.

But doing this job really well requires training, effort, time, and dedication. Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions most people ever make. My role is to make sure that decision is made with full knowledge, proper protection, and the best possible outcome.

So if you’re busy—if you have a full-time job, a family, and other commitments—you may not have the time or energy to become an expert in contracts, title searches, property valuation, and marketing. 

If that’s the case, I’d be honoured to help. I can point out details you might not catch, research your property with the benefit of experience, and maybe even show you a thing or two that helps you make a smarter investment. Even better, I’ll make sure your contract sticks and handle the details, so you can focus on the exciting part—your next move.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling, I’d love to talk. Reach out anytime—I’m here to help.