On the surface, it seems easy to buy or sell a home yourself. After all, you’re intelligent, so why should you hire an agent to do what you can do on your own?
The truth is, a lot more goes into a real estate transaction than you probably realize. Can you sell your home without an agent? Maybe. But should you? The answer is a resounding no.
First, agents have a tremendous amount of expertise in their field. The industry has its own language, not to mention stipulations and loopholes. Guess what? Your agent is well versed in all of it. Plus, buying or selling a house involves countless legal forms, documents, reports, and disclosures. Do you really want to chance making costly mistakes that could delay or even destroy your deal?
Next, agents have access to off-market opportunities that you simply do not. Anyone can search homes on Redfin or Trulia. However, a good agent has built an extensive local network and knows about listings before they become available to the general public. These hidden gems could mean the difference between the home of your dreams and “better luck next time.”
Another reason you should never buy or sell without a real estate professional is because agents are expert negotiators. In every single transaction, there is going to be some kind of negotiation — and many tend go get a little heated. There’s competition, cutthroat tactics, and bidding wars to deal with. Trust us when we say that a savvy, seasoned agent will seal the deal more quickly than if you tried to do it yourself.
In addition to knowing about off-market listings, agents are also connected to many, many people who help your transaction run smoothly. These people include mortgage brokers, stagers, attorneys, inspectors, interior designers, Title companies, escrow, movers and more. The job of an agent is literally to make your life easier.
Finally, agents earn their commission — and then some. They wear tons of different hats: data analyst, therapist, stager, host, salesperson, negotiator. Agents spend their own money to market your home so that they can do the best job for you. They’re invested in your success and will do what it takes to ensure you succeed!
Also, be sure to use a Realtor, they subscribe to and are held accountable to their own code of ethics
In conclusion, you should never go it alone when it comes to buying or selling a home. If you would like to strategize about your next real estate move, contact me today...let's chat!
Source: Realtor.com