1. You’ll get more traffic with an agent and higher price
If you’re selling a home, the thought of paying 3-4% commission to a real estate might leave a sickening feeling in your stomach.
A good agent will net you more and be doing all the work. Always remember its not the fee that matters its, the service and the negotiation/marketing skills of the agent that counts. Don’t think cheap when selling your largest asset. You will only be cheating yourself, agents that discount to get business lack the required skill to get themselves extra dollars, don’t give these agents your property because they clearly don’t have the skill to get premium prices other than drop the price! You need to focus on what you’ll gain by using a good agent.
You probably have a full-time job, and I’m willing to bet that this job isn’t selling houses. What you don’t realize, however, is that selling a house is a full-time job. It takes more than a sign in your front yard to sell a property. You’ll have prospective buyers calling on a daily basis and you’ll have to filter these calls. Plus there’s the job of scheduling showings of your property, and you have to be available when buyers are available. The reality is that you might not have time to coordinate a home sale. You are also to emotional and need a middle man to make sense and filter information coming to you. A real estate agent, on the other hand, can make himself available and give your property the attention it deserves, stay neutral and make sure you are making informed decisions.
2. You need someone looking out for your interests
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, you need someone who’ll put your interests and needs first. If you’re a seller without an agent, don’t think you can ask the buyer’s agent a bunch of questions and receive impartial advice, and vice versa. It doesn’t work this way. The agent may answer your questions. But at the end of the day, he’s not working for you. You need a professional who can guide you through negotiations, or else you could make or accept a bad offer.
3. You’ll receive a better understanding of how real estate works
Buying and selling real estate is a complicated, complex process, and you’ll probably run into a few roadblocks. If you don’t have any knowledge of real estate, there’s a good chance you won’t know how to address issues as they arise, which can slow down the entire sale. As a seller, there could be rules, forms and disclosures you don’t fully understand. For example, if the property has a major problem that you don’t disclose to the buyer, the buyer might take legal action after the sale.
An agent can explain the paperwork and help you understand your rights as a buyer or seller. If you run into problems with the title company, bank or appraiser, your real estate agent can run interference, deal with these headaches and keep the sale on track.
4. It’s not coming out of your pocket
It’s understandable why some sellers skip using an agent. But as the buyer, you don’t pay the realtor’s commission. And since this money isn’t coming out of your pocket, you’ve got nothing to lose by using a realtor. If anything, an agent can help you finish a winner. Your agent can help you determine the best price to offer or counteroffer on a property, as well as provide advice on whether to ask for seller concessions, such as a seller credit toward repairs or closing cost.
5. You’ll receive expert opinion
Using a real estate agent is also beneficial because you’re able to receive an expert’s opinion. As a seller, it’s often difficult to recognize issues with your property. You probably think your house is in perfect condition, however, your real estate agent can provide an honest opinion about the property. He might suggest making a few changes to drum up the most interest, such as rearranging furniture or removing clutter. An agent can also provide advice on setting the right asking price for the house.
If you’re a buyer, your real estate agent likely has knowledge of the area, which means he can recommend a neighborhood or school district that’s a right fit for your family. And since agents show many houses, your agent might be able to quickly identify a home as a good buy, or a money pit.
Because real estate is a complex transaction, there are reasons why you should never buy or sell without an agent. If you’re looking to buy or sell – stay looped in to additional money saving tips & tricks.
