When it comes to buying or selling a home, the temptation to work with a friend-of-a-friend or a big-name agent from out of town can be strong. But in real estate, where local nuances, property-specific expertise, and market knowledge matter, choosing a local REALTOR® can make all the difference.Whether you're buying a home in Peterborough, selling a rural property outside the city, or searching for the perfect spot on the water, working with someone who truly understands the area (and your type of property) can save you stress, time, and money.
Local Market Knowledge Gives You an Edge
A local Realtor® doesn’t just know what the houses down the street are worth, they know why they sold for what they did. That insight comes from living and working in the community every day, talking with other agents, attending local events, and staying tapped into what’s really happening in the market.This matters because real estate isn’t just about data. It’s about context and the story behind the numbers.
• Is that “hot” neighbourhood about to get a new school or grocery store?
• Did the home next door just sell off-market?
• Are bidding wars starting to cool in a certain area?
Local Realtor® hear about these things first — often before they show up in the stats. That kind of intel helps buyers get in early and sellers price strategically.
Not All Realtor® Are Interchangeable
Real estate is not one-size-fits-all. The agent who specializes in the urban condo market, for example, may be fantastic at navigating condo bylaws, elevator bookings, and maintenance fees, but they may not be the best fit to guide you through buying a rural home with a septic system and a dug well.Likewise, if you're selling a waterfront cottage on the Lake, you want a Realtor® who understands the shoreline, can explain shore road allowances, and knows what buyers are asking about, things like water depth off the dock, weed levels, and year-round accessibility.
Working with a Realtor® who knows your specific property type matters. It ensures your home is marketed properly and any buyer questions (or concerns) are answered confidently and accurately.
Rural Properties Come With Unique Responsibilities
A rural home is very different from a home in town. Whether it's on a well and septic, located on a private road, or surrounded by conservation land, there are more moving parts involved and more chances for something to go sideways if they’re not handled properly.A local rural Realtor will know:
• What documents are needed for well and septic systems.
• How to guide a buyer through water testing and inspections.
• The importance of access roads, lot boundaries & set-backs, and zoning.
This isn’t the time to work with someone guessing their way through. A misstep here can delay closings or lead to expensive issues after the fact.
Waterfront Properties Aren’t Just About the View
Cottages and lakefront homes in the Kawarthas are in high demand — but they’re also high-stakes when it comes to due diligence.A local waterfront Realtor® brings a different level of knowledge:
• Is the shoreline owned or part of an unopened shore road allowance?
• Is the lake suitable for powerboats, or restricted to non-motorized watercraft?
• How’s the water quality — and is the cottage on a holding tank or septic?
Even a local Realtor® may not be intimately familiar with every single lake and that’s okay. What matters is that they know what questions to ask, and more importantly, who to ask. From verifying shoreline ownership to clarifying local bylaws and water usage restrictions, a well-connected local Realtor® knows how to get the right answers quickly. That means fewer surprises for you, and a smoother, more informed buying or selling experience.
A buyer coming in from the city might not even know to ask these questions and an out-of-town agent might not know to answer them.
Local Connections = Real Results
A big part of what makes a local Realtor® effective is the relationships they’ve built, not just with other agents, but with home inspectors, lawyers, contractors, and tradespeople. They know who to call when a job needs doing right (and quickly).Even more importantly, they talk with other Realtor® in the community often getting the inside scoop on what’s coming to market or which sellers might be ready to move. That network can open doors (literally) for buyers, and give sellers more eyes on their listing.
Final Word
Whether you're buying a home, selling your property, or investing in rural or waterfront real estate, working with a local Realtor® who knows your market, your neighbourhood, and your property type is more than just a smart move, it's a strategic advantage.If you’re thinking about making a move in Peterborough or The Kawarthas, I’d be happy to chat, no pressure, just real advice from someone who knows the area and understands what matters to buyers and sellers alike.
Let’s talk when you’re ready.
Tom Sangster, REALTOR®
Royal LePage Frank Real Estate, Brokerage
Making Real Estate Work For You
…in Peterborough & The Kawarthas Share
*Photo by David McBee: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-and-white-house-388830/