Why Should I Use a Real Estate Agent?

Using an Agent

 

Selling Your Home?

  • Are you preparing to sell your house?
  • Do you know how you want to list the property?
  • Will a real estate agent do a better job of getting top dollar than you?

Benefits of choosing an agent:

Experience

A local agent knows the area. He or she has years of experience talking to previous sellers. Would you call a plumber to repair your roof? The same concept should apply to your house. Unless you have a real estate license, a local agent can typically make the process easier, faster, and at a higher selling price.

 

Contacts

Forbes says that one of the biggest advantages of using a real estate agent is because he or she is part of a vast network of brokers and property firms. He or she may know an agent with a client looking for a property similar to yours. Sometimes, these sales never even make it to the market. While this case is rare, your agent has access to valuable resources that can speed up your home sale.

 

Negotiation skills

Selling a home is not always cut and dry. Negotiating is an art that takes practice. The time your agent has in the field gives them the skills to navigate the process much smoother than a first-time seller. The process can get tricky when buyers ask for concessions or repairs. Staying out of this part of the sale ensures that your emotional connection to the home does not override the best decision for your transaction. Bankrate says that your agent can help you maintain top dollar when buyers ask you to accept a price lower than listing. Your agent can find out why the party wants to lower the price. He or she can then find a way to give the buyer something they want without you giving up more than the market dictates.

 

Convenience

If you are a busy homeowner with full-time work, family commitments, or other responsibilities, then it may not be easy for you to take on selling your home at the time. In these situations, a brokerage firm can keep the ball rolling while you take care of other matters. This way you can sell the home without getting behind or spreading yourself too thin.

 

No attachment to the home

When your agent does not have a connection to your house, it makes it much easier to look at the sale as a business transaction. An FSBO may feel an offer below listing is not worth it when the price he or she sets. An agent knows the local comparisons. The broker can help sellers find a good listing price that is fair to the buyer and seller to make the transaction go faster. Putting your home up for sale should involve current research to ensure that you get the most value from your sale.

 

Safety

A property firm can set up private showings where they run a check on the people that tour the home. Your agent can run a credit check to see if the person can afford the property. A background check lets them know who has a criminal record. Using a broker can offer security that thieves will not case out your home an open house, says Realtor.

 

Other benefits of using an agent

 

  • Knowledge of all property transactions
  • Home inspections
  • Insurance
  • Property appraisals
  • Selling types
  • Short sales
  • Foreclosures
  • HUD acceptance
  • Auctions

 

Reputable agents have a pledge of honesty

When choosing a brokerage firm instead of opting to sell your property as an FSBO, an honest company keeps your best interests at heart. Realtor says that not all agents are the same. The ones with ties to national associations must uphold the best practices of the industry and to provide quality services to clients.

 

Choosing to sell your home under the for sale by owner banner has one enticing benefit, and that is saving the cost of paying an agent. The only thing is that there are many advantages of using a brokerage firm. If you accept an offer that is below asking price as an FSBO, how can you be sure you made the best decision? Could an agent get you more money or renegotiate the terms of the contract so that you do not make all the concessions? If you list your home at the wrong price point, then you might lose thousands of dollars on the top end the sale. The money you would pay an agent might not be as much as the listing mistake if you are not careful about home comparisons.

 

 

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