Don’t Think You Need a Real Estate Agent? Here Are Five Reasons to Consider Hiring One
Let’s start off with the obvious. Buying a home is not for the faint of heart. It can be a long, arduous process that (hopefully) ends with you making one of the biggest and most satisfying lifetime purchases.
That said, there’s nothing like the elation and joy of getting the keys to your new home and basking in the knowledge that you’re finally a homeowner. On the other hand, you’ll likely need someone to guide you through the complicated laws and regulations, mountains of paperwork, and nail-biting negotiations that typically come with the homebuying process.
While there are people who shy away from the DIY-approach and willingly hire Realtors® to help guide them through the sometimes wild ride of homebuying, there are a select group of brave souls who are willing to go it alone during the homebuying process.
Does the latter group describe you? If so, I commend you on your courage, grit, and dedication. I say that as a seasoned realtor who’s overseen countless real estate deals, from the ones that run as smooth as butter to those that have kept me awake until the wee hours of the morning as I poured over and reviewed documents to close a deal for a client.
1. We Have Extensive Networks That Will Work for You
You’re familiar with the six degrees of separation, right? In other words, the theory that all living things, people included, are connected by six or fewer steps in the relationship chain? Well, it works the same way in real estate, except that rule is probably reduced to three or fewer connections, especially when broken down by city or locale.
Like any other sector, real estate is a who’s who industry and the longer you’ve worked in the field, the more people you’ll meet and form business relationships with along the way.
As you progress through the homebuying process, you’re going to not only need a realtor. Your rockstar real estate team will also require:
A mortgage broker (who will give you access to the best lenders)
A home inspector (to make sure the property is structurally sound and free of potentially costly and time-consuming repairs)
An appraiser (who will provide you with a trained, professional opinion on what s/he thinks the home is worth)
An insurance agent (who will outline the policies designed to buffer you from financial losses as a result of damage to your home)
And possibly a real estate lawyer (to hammer out those esoteric details that need a legal eye and rubber stamp of approval before you sign on the dotted line)
And that may not even cover all of the individuals you’ll need to interact with throughout the homebuying process. For instance, there’s the title officer who must inspect the title to ensure it’s free and clear of legal obstacles that could halt the real estate deal in its tracks. And then of course the escrow officer who helps verify that all of the moving pieces are in place before finalizing and closing the real estate deal.
In other words, unless you have both the time and patience to assemble your own real estate dream team, a seasoned realtor with an extensive network can do the the leg work for you by pairing you with trusted, competent advisors who will ensure your real estate transaction is done legally and professionally.
2. We Focus on What You Want in a Home…With Laser-Like Precision
Before I start working with a client, I always begin my consultation with the following question: “What are your five absolute must-haves in a home?” For some aspiring homebuyers, those winners include a nice en-suite bathroom and an updated kitchen. For others, it may be moving into a home that features spacious bedrooms and huge windows with tons of sunlight.
What are your non-negotiables in a home? Pinpointing those wants and making sure your next house, condo, or apartment includes those amenities, or at least something close to them, should be one of the top priorities of your real estate agent.
3. We’ll Be Honest About What’s Realistic...and What’s Not
While we’re here to be your biggest cheerleader during the homebuying process and steer you towards the best deal, we’re also on hand to be honest about what’s possible within your budget in the current housing market.
When I was just starting my real estate career, I didn’t conduct client screenings. That is, I bypassed the crucial step of interviewing potential clients to find out if they were truly prepared to buy a house. As disappointing as it may be to hear, it’s important you work with an agent who can give you the hard news and necessary advice for making you into the most competitive buyer you can be once you’re ready to step out into the real estate wilderness.
In short, your realtor should be feeding you tips that includes prepping your finances and boosting your credit score before you go down the road of qualifying for a loan. We’re here for guidance — whether that means outlining the amount of money you’ll need for the down payment, why it’s necessary to allot a certain amount of cash for closing costs, or what the upfront fees will be.
Unless your budget is well north of your target neighborhood’s average purchase price, you may need to make concessions on some of your non-negotiables. Intent on snagging a property with a large backyard that’s located in a cul-de-sac? Then perhaps you can forego the large bedrooms in return for the desired acreage, suitable location, and unbeatable price.
If she’s skilled and empathetic to your needs, your Realtor® will also pose questions you may not have considered and that identify the property that meets most, if not all, the items on your homebuying wish list. By sussing out these details with your realtor ahead of the negotiation phase, you’ll enter the homebuying process armed with realistic expectations and a clear idea of what’s important to you for your next home.
4. We’ll Market Your Home for Success...Even if We Have to Spend Our Own Money to Do it
If you’re trying to sell your home, then in addition to finding potential buyers, you’ll need to find a way to promote your property so it breaks through the marketing clutter. In a buyer’s market, that can be fairly challenging if you lack access to marketing dollars or are unsure of how to go about getting the word out to the most receptive audience.
In addition to being knowledgeable about everything real estate, realtors also double as marketers by developing the best marketing strategy for collecting quality leads and ultimately, legit buyers for your home. Often, we’ll spend our own funds and time to print and distribute flyers and brochures, and take property photos that will be featured on multiple websites. Our ultimate goal is to present your property in the best and most flattering light. Bottom line — a good realtor knows the value of effective marketing and will go the necessary lengths, even if they have to dip into their own cash reserves, to make the sale happen.
5. We Have Exclusive, Firsthand Access to Real Estate Properties
That’s right. I admit, the World Wide Web is truly a modern wonder, allowing you to search home listings on real estate listing websites to your heart’s content. But those sites are public-facing, while the MLS (multiple listing service) contains even more property listings that haven’t been pushed yet to third-party websites, or actively advertised to realtors and potential buyers.
Harking back to reason number one on why you should work with a professional, we’re experts on the search area you’re targeting for your next home. It’s our job to know every nook and cranny of a neighborhood and the details on why it would be great for kids (excellent school district) or perfect for young couples who are looking for a vibrant and culturally-rich community (highly-rated restaurants and nearby museums).
Don’t be afraid to maximize your agent’s resources to find properties that are located off the well beaten path or in areas that fall outside your original target areas. You never know what hidden gem you may find by being open-minded and thinking outside the box of what’s desirable, plus affordable.
However, if you’re still unsure on whether going the solo route as a buyer or seller is the right choice for you, then please read on. Here are five reasons why working with a licensed Realtor® can be your guiding star when purchasing or selling your next property.