Thursday, May 17, 2012

Is Hiring a Realtor Right for Me?


Special Guest Blog Post

By Tom Miller @ www.NewHomeSource.com 

It’s a question as old as real estate itself. Well, perhaps not quite that old, but its one that many a home buyer/seller has pondered. Hiring a Realtor is all about your specific needs. No two transactions are identical. However, most transactions occur in a pattern that a seasoned Realtor has seen before. With their intimate knowledge of the real estate world, there is something to be said for consulting a professional.

Let’s start with the seller’s point of view. You’re trying to sell your home but there are plenty of new terms, piles of paperwork and quite a bit of time involved. What’s more, you have a full time job and you just don’t have the time to figure out the best way to market your home. These reasons alone are enough to consider hiring a Realtor. Not only will your Realtor have an intimate knowledge of the market, they will also know how to expose your home to the widest possible audience. This expertise helps to put the most money in your pocket, as you will likely have a larger number of interested buyers. How does your agent metaphorically cast this larger net? In large part, by exploiting the internet to its full potential. Using their own website, as well as the online MLS, they can reach a wide audience with photos and descriptions of your home. And with 9 out of 10 of all home sales beginning with an internet search, you’re going to want to have your home as visible as possible online.

Let’s look at it from the buyer’s point of view. As the buyer, you want to get the best possible deal on a home. Real estate isn’t cheap, but your Realtor has the skills to help you get the home of your dreams for the budget you can afford. Your Realtor can help you budget your money, search in the right areas, and be very helpful during negotiations. They can talk you through your mortgage, and put you in the right financial standing to purchase the perfect home. Real estate agents are involved in the market every single day, so you can be sure they have a good pulse for where the right home for you is waiting.

Furthermore, whether you are buying or selling, when it comes to negotiations, paperwork, etc., there’s nothing like having solid representation. A good metaphor is going to court without a lawyer. You’re legally allowed to act as your own representation, but hiring a lawyer is always going to be much more effective.

In either case, entering a transaction unrepresented puts you at risk of coming up short in the end. This is a big investment, so its time you treat it as such. Hiring a Realtor will always be the smart option. For more information about your real estate needs, be sure to contact David Greenlees -ABR at Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate today!
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