Do you REALLY need a Real Estate Agent???
Selling or buying a home without hiring a real estate agent could mean thousands of dollars back in your pocket. As tempting as this sounds is it really the best move? If you've wondered the same thing, read on to find out why you might want to consider hiring a professional real estate agent.
1. The paperwork headache….
Every state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are always changing. Today's purchase agreements run ten pages or more and this does not include the federal and state mandated disclosures. Real estate agents are experts in their market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork. Remember, one tiny mistake or omission could land you in court or cost you thousands.
2. Negotiating Is Tricky Business
So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. After looking at the list of parties that you will need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll soon realize the value in selecting a real estate professional. You have buyers agents who want the best deal possible, home inspectors, and appraisers, there are many people who you will need to be knowledgeable of, and answer to, during the process.
3. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?
Homes need to be priced right! When someone decides to sell their own home, they may price their home too high due to their emotional attachment they have with their home! This leaves the property to sit on the market making potential buyers wondering what is wrong with the home. Or, as a buyer, you find that amazing dream home and want to offer more than the home is worth! Either way, you need someone who is not emotionally connected to the outcome to give you an accurate value of a home. According to the National Association of REALTORS, selling your home with a REALTOR® could get you $60,000 more on your home sale.
Although sellers and buyers can find sales trends, comparable homes sales, and average days homes were on the market, there is data that ONLY a real estate agent has access to.
Not to mention, real estate websites offering a quick estimate of the value of your home, are not doing a market analysis, they’re just writing an algorithm.
4. Realtors will answer questions even after the closing.
Even the smoothest transactions that close without complications can have issues come up after closing. For example, taxing authorities can collect property tax assessments or transfer taxes can fall months behind, but if you had an agent, they can help you get this sorted out even after the closing.
5. Your time is precious!!
When you hire a real estate professional, you won’t need to know everything about real estate. Instead, you can enjoy your time doing the things that you want to do.
If you are in the market to sell or buy a home this spring or just have questions. I can help!
Your Realtor For Life, Sonya Francis (443) 220-6560 sonyafrancis@remax.net