As a general rule of thumb, you're looking for an agent who:

• Has the experience, qualification and abilities to help you buy a home.
• Has in-depth knowledge of your area and the market in general.
• Will work hard on your behalf.
• Has resources to support the buying effort.
• Will keep you well-informed during the process.
• Has a personality you are comfortable with.

About the Realtor
In Canada, any real estate salesperson that uses the title 'Realtor' is a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association and as such, subscribes to a high standard of service and to a strict Code of Ethics. The Standards of Business Practice for Realtors are exact in their intent, and clearly state what a Realtors duties are, and to whom the Realtors owes these duties.

Your relationship with your realtor is defined by a legal term called agency. The essence of this relationship is that you, the principal, have given authority to the licensed agent (the company to whom your individual salesperson is registered), the authority to represent you in your dealings with others. Your agent and their salespeople are legally obligated to protect and promote the interests of you, the principal. Specifically, the agent owes the principal the following:

1. Undivided Loyalty
   The agent must protect the principal's interests at all times and disclose any known facts which may influence the principals decision. This has very critical implications for a Buyer.
2. Obedience
   The agent must obey all lawful instructions of the principal.
3. Confidentiality
   The agent does not disclose any secrets of the principal that may affect the transaction. An example of this would be motivation for selling or how high the buyers will go on their price.
4. Reasonable Care and Skill
   It is expected that the realtor exhibits the same level of skill and competence in their activities as would be expected from an average person in their profession. It would not be appropriate, for example, for a residential specialist to tell a client that he/she can handle a complex commercial transaction unless it were true. However the client has the right to expect the same skill level as that of an experienced commercial practitioner.
5. Full Disclosure
   The realtor has the legal duty to make absolutely sure that all parties to a transaction know exactly whom the realtor is working for, and the nature of that relationship. The realtor also has a binding legal obligation to disclosure any personal interests that he/she may have in a transaction. The principal must be informed if the realtor or his/her relatives or business partners have any interest in the transaction. This applies to both direct and indirect interests.
6. Full Accounting
   All of the principal's monies must be held in "trust" in accordance with the Real Estate Act. Monies held in trust can only be paid out according to the principal's instructions.

When you become a buyer you want to know there is someone in your corner who is looking out for your interests and is not confused about where his loyalties lay. As a professional he knows how to represent you and not interfere with other obligations. He knows the real estate market well and can guide you to the right areas for your situation and help you find the right home. He is a team player and has professional mortgage brokers, home inspectors, lawyers and other specialists he relies on to safeguard the largest investment your are likely to make.

Dan listens to you. He discovers all of your needs before giving advice or taking action. Each individual and family is different and unique. He makes sure he understands your needs and then helps you fulfill them.

Dan has been a licensed real estate agent ever since 1965 when he first started in the family insurance and real estate agency in Ontario’s Ottawa Valley. Smiths Falls is a small community where he got a broad range of experience sometimes unavailable in larger centers. He left the family firm in 1972 and started a real estate agency. He was one of the first real estate brokers in Ontario to buy a Century 21 franchise. Within 9 months his office was number one in his market area. In 1980 he sold the business and moved to Kelowna.

The Okanagan has been home for Dan ever since, except for a brief 18 months when he managed a RE/MAX office in the Caribbean. After a few years of working with Block Brothers Realty he started another real estate and insurance office. During this period he developed land and built homes. In 1987 he joined RE/MAX as a sales associate. Today he is an independent broker operating as Smallwood Realty Inc.