Why You Need A Realtor When Selling A Home

Selling Your Home is a Big Deal!!

There are many reasons why hiring a real estate agent can be helpful:

Education and Experience - A good realtor understands the complex procedures and paperwork involved in selling a home. Believe me, there is a lot! If you get it wrong…it can cost you. Saves Time and

Energy - You won’t have to spend time scheduling and conducting tours of your home, which cut into your work and weekends. Not to mention having to deal with the buyer’s agent, buyer’s lender, the title company, and all the other potential people and organizations you have to deal with.

Gauging Offers - An agent can help discern serious buyers. There are many other important aspects to consider in an offer than just the offer price. A good agent is looking out for your best interest, which includes all the other terms in the contract.

The Market - A good realtor knows the market and understands the trends, which can help your bottom line.

Preparation - An experienced real estate agent can help you get your house ready for sale, point out housing-code or zoning violations, and suggest improvements to help your house sell.

Negotiation - An agent has the negotiating skills to help you get the best deal possible that is in your best interest.

Professional Contacts - Your agent’s contacts with contractors, inspectors, landscapers and the like can help you find a solution for any problem you may encounter. A real estate agent also regularly talks to other agents. Word-of-mouth is an extremely effective way of finding buyers.

Sales Price – This is the most important part in marketing your home. In most cases, people who sell their home on their own do not have their home priced right. If it is priced too high, it will sit with very few showings. If it’s priced too low, they may be missing out on profit. Also, in many cases, buyers will offer less money believing the seller is simply trying to save money by not paying commission. The buyer’s hope is that they can take advantage of the seller who may not know what their home is actually worth.

Open Houses - Agents can conduct open houses. They have a better ability to get the word out too. Sometime they can do an open house just for buyer agents where they arrive in groups ("caravans") and check out the house. This is usually a quick process, is more convenient than a traditional open house and allows buyer agents in the area to tell their clients about your home.

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - A key tool for real estate agents is the MLS, a massive online database, which nearly all real estate agents subscribe to. This database contains listings of nearly all properties listed for sale across the United States. Buyer agents will usually have their local systems send emails to any buyer who is looking for a home with the same criteria of your home. This database also uploads to national syndications such as Realtor.com, Zillow and Homefinder.com. That way any buyer browsing the internet for homes with your home’s criteria will usually find it. If you don’t have this, you could be missing out on many potential buyers.

"Saving Money Myth” - The main reason why most people decide to sell their home on their own without a realtor is to save the commission. Most agents will charge 6% (which is typically split with a buyer’s agent). One thing to consider is that most buyers ARE represented by an agent. A buyer’s agent will want you to pay the 3% commission that they would typically get.  So, unless you are willing to pay that commission, you will only be listing to the FSBO (for sale by owner) world…in which there are very few buyers. If you are willing to pay the 3% commission to the buyer’s agent, then you would only be saving a possible 3%.

So, you have to answer to the question, is it worth trying to save 3% and then have to deal with all the logistics, handling all the potential issues (without a network of professionals), hoping your home is priced right, and all the other things on this page?

Discount Agents - If you’re considering hiring a discount agent, you have to decide if it is worth it. A full service agent does it all -- prepares your home, helps you wade through all the procedures and paperwork, conducts open houses, uses the MLS, produces slick marketing materials and a nice sign for your yard and in some cases, hires a professional photographer to take pictures of your house, and has all the professional contacts.

A discount service provides less, though what you get depends on the company. Certainly you will pay less. Discount agents usually charge 2% to 4.5% commission. However, they will simply “list” your home and not fully represent you. They will not provide you advice and opinions. A full service agent has a fiduciary responsibility to represent you and to look out for your best interest.  There’s an old saying, “you get what you pay for.”

My incredible success is due to one thing…serving my client’s best interest!  People need someone who will listen to their needs and provide honest opinions and information. With over $48 million in career sales, I have the reputation and expertise to sell your home quickly for the best possible price, and to help you buy the right home, in the right community, for the right price. It would be my honor to serve you!