In real estate transactions, 87% of buyers and 91% of sellers used a real estate agent.
Do you need a realtor when you’re buying or selling a house?
The answer is, “Yes!”
Why? A real estate agent fights for you every step of the process. You get a real estate expert by your side to explain things, negotiate on your behalf, and handle the crisis when a problem arises.
It’s tempting to save money on real estate transactions by doing it yourself, but you may cost yourself more if you make mistakes.
We’ve put together five reasons everyone should use a real estate agent for all transactions.
1. Expert Guide and Objective Information
Unless you’re in real estate yourself, you likely lack the expertise to navigate the sale on your own.
If you search the “best realtor near me,” you’ll find a number of qualified agents who are well-versed in real estate. Agents know every procedure and piece of paperwork they need to complete to ensure the sale happens.
They can explain to you what’s happening and give you objective information about homes and transactions. Your agent is your go-to resource for every question you have about the purchase or sale.
Agents also stay current as regulations change. This helps you ensure your transaction goes smoothly.
2. Access to Listings and Marketing Tools
Real estate agents have access to the MLS, where they can keep up to date on which properties are available. As a seller, you can get your property listed on the MLS with your agent, which gains you a lot of exposure.
Realtors often have insight on properties that haven’t been listed yet but will be soon. As a buyer, this can give you the edge on finding the perfect property, especially in a hot market.
Agents also have greater marketing capacity, which is beneficial when you sell. You likely don’t have the time or expertise to market your home effectively on your own. You also don’t have the established marketing channels that allow your agent to reach more people.
3. Negotiation Support
When you have an agent, you don’t have to handle the negotiations yourself.
Negotiations can be tricky and can quickly turn heated when handled directly between buyer and seller.
Say you love a home, but you’re not a fan of the dated interior design. If you’re negotiating directly with the sellers and tell them their home decor is ugly, you may offend them and hurt your chances of getting a good deal.
Realtors understand how to negotiate fairly while keeping the situation professional. They also know what’s fair for pricing and what to ask for when in regards to concessions or allowances for repairs.
If you go without an agent but the other party has one, you’re up against a pro negotiator. The other party will likely come out on top.
You still have final approval of the negotiations, but you don’t have to get your hands dirty.
4. Support for Problems
Do you know what to do if you suddenly lose your financing or your buyer backs out of the deal? What happens if your lender says you don’t have the proper paperwork?
Your agent works on your behalf and puts out the fires that inevitably happen in real estate transactions.
5. Time Savings
Even if you understand the basics of real estate transactions, having the time to do those tasks can be difficult. Your realtor handles the work full-time and does everything for you. Other than gathering documents and signing the paperwork, there’s not a lot you need to do.
Do You Need a Realtor?
So do you need a realtor for your next transaction? Realtors help you in many ways, whether you’re buying or selling, and ultimately make the process less stressful, easier, and more profitable. Check out additional articles to get more great advice and tips.