Go it alone, or use a Realtor®?

     Buying or selling your home involves one of the largest financial investments you may experience in your lifetime.  Transactions today usually exceed $400,000.  If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you try to handle it without the help of a CPA?  What about a $10,000 legal question, would you play attorney?  When you take into consideration the small upside cost (if seller) and the large downside risk (buyer or seller) it would be senseless to forgo for the professional assistance of a Realtor to go it alone.

     You might be thinking “I can just search the internet for my perfect home.”  It is important to note that although the internet has become an important research tool for home buyers, most people have considered it an information resource rather than a substitute for a Realtor.  Nine out of ten homebuyers hired an agent to assist in their home buying process.  Consumers rely on professionals to provide context, negotiate the transaction and help with the paperwork.

     When considering selling your home: research has indicated that smart home sellers realize they need the expertise in pricing their home, making connections with Realtors working with buyers through previews and coordinating open houses, and the importance or professional marketing.  Comparative marketing analysis, appraisals, inspections, warranties, disclosures, and contingencies to name a few; adds up to a lot of knowledge in the real estate process.

     The market is much more complicated than even 10 years ago.  Owners without professional assistance also have to understand and complete paperwork, prepping the home for sale, getting the right price and selling within the time planned.  Just to say “my house is on the MLS” does not mean a complete formula to a completed transaction.  It has been proven that the median home price for selling with an agent is 16 percent higher than a home sold directly by an owner.  Agents are experts in preparing a home and will maximize the value.  There are homes that are staged to help you sell quicker.  Agents provide broader exposure to the market and are more likely to generate multiple bids.  The portion of sales that are between private parties are likely to be at a lower price than those on the open market.  So in other words, an average you can expect a bottom line increase of anywhere from 3 to 10 percent by working with a full service agent.

Why use a Realtor?

Look at the following “Top Ten Reasons” and you will not ever reconsider your decision.

1. Realtors are members of the National Association of Realtors and abide by a strict Code of Ethics.  Have your Realtor show you the code.

2. Your Realtor can help you determine your buying power – that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity.  If you give a Realtor basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you.

3. Your Realtor can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property.  Agents who are Realtors have access to a variety of informational resources.

4. Your Realtor can help you negotiate.  Some areas that involve negotiation include price, financing terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment.  Your agent will advise you on inspections and investigations that need to complete the purchase.

5. Your Realtor can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

6. When selling your home, your 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.  These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

7. Your Realtor markets your property to other real estate agents and the public.

8. Your Realtor can help you objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal without compromising your marketing position.  This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process with possible pitfalls.  Your Realtor can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

9. Your Realtor will impact the stress factor you experience throughout your transaction.  Your Realtor provides objectivity which will help you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you.

10. Last, but not least, your Realtor will help close the sale of your home.  There’s a lot to do between the initial sales agreement and closing.  Selling or buying a home is time consuming.  A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes for both the buyer and seller.

     Save yourself money, time and your mental health.  Hire the best resource possible to put everything into motion.  A professional Realtor will complete all the necessary assignments.  Then you can say, “Hiring a Realtor was the best investment I could make next to home ownership!”

     For more information, contact me directly at (909) 645-5926 for further assistance in buying or selling your home.