Real estate agents are the most common resource for both buyers and sellers, as they have knowledge and expertise in the local real estate market and can help navigate the complex process of buying or selling a house.
But do you really need one?
Well, the advantages of a real estate agents are actually pretty remarkable. In this blog post, we'll highlight the main three reason why you need an agent to sell your home.
local market knowledge
An experienced real estate agent knows the conditions of the local market like the back of their hand. They know what comparable homes have sold in your neighborhood and and at what sales price. They know the features that attract home buyers, what small improvements can drive up the price of your home.
Anyone that tries to sell without a listing agent immediately puts themselves at a disadvantage by losing all that knowledge and insight. (Every agent will have access to the MLS, multiple listing service, to run a few quick checks at least). The real estate industry is hyper-local; any agent representing a listing needs to be an expert in that area.
Marketing and advertising
You need a professional real estate agent to find willing buyers, drive competitive offers, and ultimately close your home sale.
Real estate professionals have access to a variety of marketing and advertising resources that can help get your property in front of potential buyers. Once they have helped you set a sound purchase price, the real work begins -- a home isn't going to sell itself.
Another important consideration is that most buyers will be represented by an agent. So you cannot avoid other agents entirely; in fact, real estate brokers tend to perform best when working directly with their counterparts. So it's a good idea to hire someone who can deal with the buyer agent. (Hey, if agents are going to represent buyers no matter what you do, and the seller pays the commission for that agent, you might as well have your own).
Many homeowners think they can get save money by not hiring a real estate broker, but this usually backfires. A seller's agent is able to help owners make more money by creative a market for their property and sourcing a higher number of offers from buyers and their agents.
Negotiating and Paperwork
Licensed agents are skilled negotiators and can not only help you get the best price for your property up front, but also help save you money throughout the entire selling process. There are a lot of tiny details and steps that happen during a real estate transaction. Every single one of those is an opportunity to lose money or make a mistake.
Of course, real estate deals usually happen in twos. If you're selling your current house, you likely need to coordinate the logistics with the purchase of your next house. Need to talk to a mortgage lender? How about help transferring homeowners insurance? Real estate agents worth their commission can help most sellers on a number of personal finance topics. So you definitely want a good real estate agent to make sure you're doing everything as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
The process of selling a house also involves just a ton of paperwork, including contracts, disclosures, and other legal documents. A real estate professional can help you navigate this process and ensure that everything is completed correctly. This is where you face a decision: would you rather hire real estate attorneys who charge a fortune and con only help in one aspect of the sale, or hire the best selling agent who can handle everything? Smart sellers opt for the wide breadth of brokerage services provided by a good agent.
Final Thoughts
While it is possible to sell a house without the assistance of a real estate agent, working with a licensed professional can be beneficial for many people as it can save time and effort, and help ensure real estate transactions go smoothly.
The best listing agents have unmatched insight into local market conditions and players, possess the tools to attract both the buyer and the buyer's agent to your property, and can help save you money every step of your journey. They will work hard with the other real estate agents involved in the deal to make your sale a success.
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