After more than two decades of consumers viewing properties online, Realtors are still used by the majority of home buyers and sellers. Field knowledge and expertise bring value that one cannot gain overnight. These eight points of value show the advantages a Realtor brings to any home buyer or seller.
Pricing Expertise
Realtors obsessively track home prices in their local areas. They know what sells and what doesn’t. People often let emotions cloud their judgement on what a home is worth. A Realtor offers an unbiased opinion based on data and experience in the field. Home sellers frequently think their home is worth more than what buyers are paying. On the other hand, sometimes sellers can leave thousands of dollars on the table if they’ve undervalued their home. A Realtor has the tools to provide accurate and timely data and analysis of what’s happening in your market.
Local Expertise
Agents know what sells in your area. Sometimes pools are a great selling point, other times they’re not. Outdoor entertainment features can add thousands to the value of a home—but the max value of homes in the neighborhood still matter. Realtors know what’s trending locally and for what people will and won’t pay more.
Exposure on MLS
The Multiple Listings Service (MLS) is a database of homes for sale that feeds all local area real estate brokerage websites. Consider it an efficient exchange where the maximum number of buyers and sellers can conduct real estate business. As a home seller, the best way to get the maximum exposure to buyers is to list your home on MLS, which can only be done through an agent.
Professional Negotiation
So much is negotiable in the sale of a home. A Realtor looks at all angles, including crafting a purchase agreement that pushes for your top priorities. A Realtor also finds points in a contract that you may have overlooked.
Marketing Power
A Realtor advises you on how to stage your home for best results, takes professional photos to advertise, and describes your property in its best light. Realtors also draw upon social media, connections, and professional relationships to spread the word. And buyer’s agents have prescreened what a person can afford, so you have true prospects, not looky-loos, viewing the home.
Facilitation of Legal Rules
There are strict guidelines to follow and disclosures required by state law when selling a home. A Realtor can provide the proper forms and explanation. Hiring a Realtor means you don’t need to get in the weeds of learning these rules yourself. Overlooking or disregarding these legalities can have serious financial consequences down the line.
Management of Contract, Forms, and Other Paperwork
Paperwork is unavoidable in real estate transactions. An experienced Realtor can explain in layman’s language the purpose of each form and provide a standard purchase contract form to fill out for making an offer.
Level of Authority
Selling a home with a Realtor means having a greater level of authority with buyers. There are many moving parts to a transaction with inspection timelines, disclosures, proof of loan qualification, etc., that easily confuse people without a Realtor. Seamless facilitation is key to preventing delays or a collapse of the deal.
Make sure you match with the right Realtor—someone with experience who you feel confident in guiding you in your real estate journey.
Real Estate Term of the Week
Buyer’s Agent: A real estate professional who is legally licensed to represent the buyer and their interests in real estate transactions, as opposed to a seller’s agent who has the seller’s best interests in mind.