Why use a real estate agent?

5 reasons professional guidance is vital when buying or selling a home

Do I need to use a real estate agent? The answer seems quite obvious if you were asking us: absolutely. However, the world continues to present the illusion that you can navigate these tricky waters on your own when buying or selling the most valuable item you may ever own. Do you really want to do this without an expert? Here are some of the key benefits of working with a real estate agent:

1. EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE: Being represented means you will have the counsel of a professional who can walk and guide you through various scenarios that can help you or warn you during the process. An experienced realtor does this for a living, and you want to leverage their knowledge so you can make the best decision for you and your family.

2. NEGOTIATING SKILLS: It’s not just about getting a seller the most money for their house or getting a house for a buyer at the best price. It’s the ability to communicate with the other party to position you to secure the best offer or get the home of your dreams. No two real estate transactions are alike, and good realtors understand what to do and when to do it to get the best deal for the buyer or pick the correct offer for the seller.

3. ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND NETWORKS: A real estate agent has access to a vast network of resources. From the MLS and other private platforms, a realtor can assess the micro market environment your house is in: sellers market, buyers market or balanced market. The agent then uses this to provide the client a strategic plan. In addition, the agent has connections with other agents, lenders, inspectors, and contractors. These are all key elements in the buying and selling process.

4. KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL MARKET: We have written previously on how real estate is local. Realtors are plugged into the local markets and use this knowledge to advise clients on how to list the home and position it in a way to generate the maximum market return.

5. SAVES YOU TIME AND MAXIMIZES MONEY IN YOUR POCKET: There is more work to selling a home than sellers realize, from marketing, photos, showings, staging, inspections, etc. Sellers who get hung up on paying commission sometimes do not realize a lower or no commission, and maximizing your net proceeds is not the same. A good realtor will more than make up for the difference a seller thinks they are saving in not paying a commission.

Your home is the most valuable asset you own or valuable purchase you will make. Given the points stated above, if your goal is to sell or purchase a home, the answer is clear – using a realtor is the best way to achieve it.

Whether you’re selling a home or buying a home, The Move Smarter Team can help you navigate this process. Click the button below to get started. Samantha and Raul are ready to help.