With so much information readily available online, people often ask me, "Why should we hire a real estate agent?" Or they contemplate the value of having a buyer's agent work on their behalf. If you have ever wondered the same thing, here is a list of how my services are of value to you though they are offered free to you as a buyer:
1: Education and Experience
You don't need to know everything about buying and selling real estate if you hire a real estate professional who does. Henry Ford once said that when you hire people who are smarter than you are (in a particular subject), it proves you are smarter than they are. Why not hire a person with more education and experience than you? We're all looking for more precious time in our lives and hiring pros gives us that time. When the services of the professional are free, as they are for buyers who work with me, the old adage that "time is money" takes on a practical meaning.
2: As Your Realtor I Am Your Buffer
As your Realtor I will take the "spam" out of your property showings and visits. In an effort to save you time I can preview homes in person prior to showing them to you. This way you do not have to waste your time and energy on a home that does not meet your criteria. If you're a buyer of new construction, I will keep the builder's agents at bay so to speak, and thoroughly vet all special offers and options to ensure that they truly save you money, time, and convenience.
3: Neighborhood Knowledge
Agents either possess intimate knowledge or they know where to find the industry buzz about your neighborhood. They can identify comparable sales and hand these facts to you, in addition to pointing you in the direction where you can find more data on schools, crime or demographics. For example, you may know that a home down the street was on the market for $350,000, but an agent will know it had upgrades and sold at $285,000 after 65 days on the market and after twice falling out of escrow.
4: Price Guidance
Contrary to what some people believe, agents do not select prices for sellers or buyers. However, as an agent I help to guide my clients towards making the right choices for themselves. If a listing is at 6%, for example, an agent has a 6% vested interest in the sale, but the client has a 94% interest. Selling agents will ask buyers to weigh all the data supplied to them and to choose a price. Then based on market supply, demand and the conditions, I will devise a negotiation strategy.
5: Market Conditions Information
I can disclose market conditions, which will govern your buying process. Many factors determine how you will proceed. Data such as the average per square foot cost of similar homes, median and average sales prices, average days on market, and ratios of list-to-sold prices, among other criteria, will have a huge bearing on what you ultimately decide to do.
6. Professional Networking
As a full time Realtor I network with other professionals, many of whom provide services that you will need to buy or sell. I know which vendors have a reputation for efficiency, competency and competitive pricing. Regardless of your need if it relates to home buying I can supply you with a list of references that I have worked with, and provide background information to help you make a wise selection.
7. Negotiation Skills & Confidentiality
Realtors negotiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction and because they are skilled. This is part of my job description. Good Realtors are not messengers, delivering buyer's offers to sellers and vice versa. I am a professional who is trained to present my client's case in the best light and agree to hold client information confidential from competing interests.
8. Handling Volumes of Paperwork
One-page deposit receipts were prevalent in the early 1970s. Today's purchase agreements run 10 pages or more. That does not include the federal- and state-mandated disclosures nor disclosures dictated by local custom. Most real estate files average thicknesses from one to three inches of paper. One tiny mistake or omission could land you in court or cost you thousands.
9. Answer Questions after Closing
Even the smoothest transactions that close without complications can come back to haunt. For example, taxing authorities that collect property tax assessments, doc stamps or transfer tax can fall months behind and mix up invoices, but one call to me can straighten out the confusion. Many questions can pop up that were overlooked in the excitement of closing. I will be standing by ready to assist. As a worthy and honest agent I will not leave you in the dust to fend for yourself.
10.Relationship for Future Business
The basis for my success and continued career in real estate is referrals. Few agents would survive if their livelihood was dependent on consistently drumming up new business. This emphasis gives us agents strong incentives to make certain clients are happy and satisfied. It also means that an agent like me who stays in the business will be there for you when you need to hire an agent again. I will periodically mail market updates to you to keep you informed and to stay in touch.
Finally to cover all aspects of how I will assist your through the transaction in detail you may review "The Real Estate Transaction in 180 Steps What Your REALTOR® Does for You".