Why It's Important to Use a Realtor®
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. Think about it: if you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney?
Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a qualified, experienced REALTOR®.
If you’re still not convinced, here are a dozen more reasons to use REALTOR® for your next home purchase or sale:
1. A REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you.
2. A REALTOR® has many resources which can assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.
3. A REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources, and can provide you with local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, etc.
4. A REALTOR® can help you negotiate the Purchase Agreement, as well as any repairs for defects found in the property during the inspection process.
5. A REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, structural issues, and roof condition just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to perform the necessary home and termite inspections who will provide you with written reports.
6. A REALTOR® can help you to understand different financing options and to identify qualified lenders.
7. A REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
8. When selling your home, a REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties.
9. A REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. He/she will act as the marketing coordinator, disseminating information about your property to other real estate agents through the MLS or other cooperative marketing network.
10. A REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property.
11. A REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding agreement that will be more likely to make it through the selling process.
12. A REALTOR® can help close the transaction on your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing, questions always arise. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction forward.
This information should be particularly important to you if you are participating in the first time home buyer tax credit program. There will be numerous questions, as well as pitfalls to avoid. A Realtor® can be the most valuable asset that you will have going into the home buying process for the first time.