You may be right to say you can do without a real estate agent in the course of buying, selling or renting a piece of real estate, albeit how far can you really go without one? This article gives 5 reasons why you will forever need a real estate agent.
If most of us had our way we would bypass the middle man when it comes to buying, selling or leasing a property. Going through a real estate agent in the course of a real estate process ensures that we spend more than we bargained for, especially if the agent is only out to exploit you.
However, most often than not a real estate agent makes the job of property search easy for the prospective buyer, as well as making the sales process effectual and productive for the seller.
Just like you are forced to seek the expertise of professionals in other spheres of human avocation where you lack the expertise, seeking the services of a real estate agent to help you out with your property search is almost non-negotiable.
If we can visit a doctor whenever we fall sick, so do we need the expertise of a professional when on the verge to buy, sell or lease a property.
During a home or property search, there is a certain level of expertise that only an experienced real estate agent can provide. The real estate agent makes the whole process a walk in the park for the buyer and the seller or probably the renter.
Thinking of hiring an agent to help you buy, rent or sell? Below you’ll find 5 reasons why it’s essential to work with a real estate agent.
- A Good Agent Will Focus on Educating vs. Selling to a Client
It is common knowledge that most agents are more interested in making money from a real estate transaction that anything else their job entails, but a good agent in all sincerity wouldn’t just stop at that. They will also educate you on the entire process so you understand what to expect and situations that may come up once the buying, renting or selling process begins. The agent, just as you, wants to make sure you make a smart and educated decision, at least that is what their job should really be about.
Let’s say you’re a seller and ready to get your home off the market so you can move. Is your property really ready for the market? What about the price, is it fair? Is the location of your property going to hasten the sales process? Do you know how much it costs to sell a house in that area?
There are a lot of questions that must be answered before your home is actually listed. An agent will help you learn about every aspect of selling a home so you have confidence.
An agent transforms the way you think about buying and selling a piece of real estate. They will focus on setting realistic expectations and guiding you through the process so buying doesn’t seem as overwhelming
2. Real Estate Agents Know How to Handle Heated Conversations
While it would be nice to get through a real estate transaction without any problems, this is very rarely the case and sometimes certain home buying situations can get out of hand. For example, what would you do if you were buying a home and the home inspection revealed a problem with the roof, troublesome plumbing, or black mould? Or, what would you do if you were selling a home and the inspector was trying to make a simple problem seem like a larger one? Facing these problems alone can feel impossible and turn you from hopeful to irritated, resulting in clouded judgement.
When you have a great real estate agent providing excellent service, you have someone who knows how to deal with even the most stressful situations — all without losing their cool. Whether you want to prevent a buyer from backing out or you need help telling a seller about repairs that need addressed, your agent will be there. Their experience in this field and critical thinking skills means they’re able to solve problems to help you through.
Even with research you can never anticipate what’s going to come and the myriad of challenges that could be waiting for you. If you want to stand tall and fight for the deal, then an agent is going to be your best line of defence.
3. It Takes a REALTOR to Know Local Market Conditions
When it comes to both buying and selling a home, there are a lot of things you’ll learn during the process. For example, if you’re selling, do you know what the local market conditions are? For those without experience, this is very unlikely. Real estate agents are in-tune with conditions in your immediate market so they know things like:
Type of audience for your home
Where to advertise to buyers
Where most buyers are coming from to see your home
Average number of days it takes to sell a home
The average asking price versus sales price
Trends for real estate in your area
Challenges you could face due to your location
With in-depth knowledge about your market and real estate conditions in your area, your agent can educate you all about the facts. This means facing reality rather than having expectations that are likely not to be met. Even if you’re looking to buy, they will help make sure you get the most for your money and are aware of every realistic challenge, obstacle, and possibility for you to expect.
With so many mistakes that could occur without the right knowledge, it’s necessary to have the guidance of a real estate professional. They’ll help you avoid these mistakes and make smart decisions that are likely to save you money
4. Agents Know How to Negotiate the Best
You may think you can negotiate the best deal for yourself without the help of a real estate agent, but let’s be true to ourselves; do you really know how to sell a home? What if the buyer presents an offer you want to counter, or one that is way too low for you to even consider? When it comes to buying a home, there are just as many needs for negotiating. What would you do if the seller wouldn’t fix something or come down on a too-high price?
Knowing what to do can feel impossible when you’re in the situation, especially if you haven’t dealt with it before. By working with an agent you’ll be able to create a smart strategy, negotiate effectively, and manage the situation in the best way possible.
How do they do this? By using their experience, gathering statistics on the local real estate market, and considering smart negotiation tactics they’ve learned over the years. Having them as your buffer will ensure you’re not at the forefront and can keep emotions out of such an important financial decision
5. REALTORS® Know How to Create Outstanding Marketing
In most cases, a buyer would not walk into a poorly presented open house and begin to imagine the potential it could have. Sure the agent might be able to try and explain what could be, but having the buyer imagine it can be difficult. This is why it’s essential to prepare a home for being sold in the right way.
While you may be able to find each of these things on your own, that doesn’t mean you’ll make the right choices. For example, do you know which real estate photographer is going to get the BEST shots of your home so it’s clear how big the rooms are?
With each of these details you don’t want to take chances. You’ll save time, money, and frustration by having an agent help you with finding professionals who will do an excellent job of presenting your property.
Your home has its own individual style, story, and appeal. While you might know that, conveying that to others may not be so easy. An agent is going to be the one to help you effectively market why your home is so fantastic.
Walking into the real estate process without any knowledge of how it works is a recipe for disaster. In addition to not understanding the market and changes that are so common, you won’t have a reliable source for information.
With a top real estate agent on your side, you can let go of common worries and smile knowing you have an experienced professional, eager and ready to help you. By hiring them, you can look forward to the good things that are about to come!
