Why Use a Realtor When Buying a Home?
1. A Realtor can sit down with your family and help you decide what kind of property you really need, and what you can afford. They can then also help refer you to a lender most suited to your needs.
2. A Realtor will help you find all suitable available properties, using the Multiple Listing Service and their comprehensive network of contacts. This includes properties that have not yet been advertised in real estate newspapers, and haven't yet made it to public-access websites. A Realtor will take care of all the legwork for you.
3. A Realtor is an invaluable source of information on current market conditions and the community that you're thinking of moving into. They will provide you with important details about school boundaries, zoning and utilities, as well as providing details on market values in the area.
4. A Realtor will walk you through your property purchase, explaining all the legal paperwork and your obligations when entering a property purchase. They will help you prepare a successful offer when you've finally found the home of your dreams, and then present the offer and negotiate on your behalf.5. Finally your Realtor can then recommend other professionals such as lawyers, notaries public and home inspectors to make sure your home transaction completes as smoothly as possible.
Why Use a Realtor When Selling a Home?
6. Your Realtor can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
7. Your Realtor markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your Realtor can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your Realtor acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The Realtor Code of Ethics requires Realtor to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
8. Your Realtor will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts.
9. Your Realtor can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your Realtor can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
10. Your Realtor can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your Realtor is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).