One of the most common questions people have when looking to buy or sell a home is whether they really need a real estate agent? While going it alone is an option, there are several reasons why it’s a smart idea to have a real estate agent’s knowledge and experience to guide you through the process.
The first reason you should hire a real estate agent is because they know the market. Since real estate agents have special access to pools of data regarding the market. They can utilize their knowledge of area and pricing trends to provide you with advice on purchase or list prices in your preferred area. For buyers, this mean they can help you get the most home for your budget and advise you on the best neighborhoods in the area. For sellers, this means they can advise you on a competitive list price for your home. They’ll also be able to give you detailed information on the neighborhood, school district, and demographics of the area.
While there are online sources available with estimates and housing prices, these can’t completely replace experienced real estate agents who have sold several homes and know the local market.
The second reason you should hire a real estate agent is because they can help you find everything you’re looking for in your budget and will look out for details that you might miss. Not only will they help you find the right size home for your needs, they will point out important features you might otherwise not have noticed. Some of the features they may point out to you include windows, condition of the roof, and the pipes. They can also ask important questions about the home that you might not think to ask. Along with pointing out positive features of the home, they can also spot potential issues or red flags that you want to avoid. Real estate agents with experience should be able to identify repairs that need to be made or recommend a quality home inspector to evaluate the property for you.
The third reason you should hire a real estate agent is for the busy work. Since you probably don’t have tons of extra time on your hands, having a real estate agent handle all of the busy work of buying or selling a home is very convenient. There is a lot of paperwork involved with real estate transactions and some of it might be confusing to someone not in the real estate business. Your agent will simply everything for you and explain anything that you might have additional questions or concerns about. If you are selling your home, they’ll field all emails and phone calls about the home, as well as handling showings to potential buyers.
Finally, the last reason you should hire a real estate agent is for the negotiation skills. Negotiating can be difficult for a lot of people. Some people even feel awkward at the thought of it. Your real estate agent will be your advocate and fight to help you get what you want. Since home buying and selling can be emotional for the homeowner, it’s nice to have a third party who won’t let feelings get in the way.