Three Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent
Although some websites promise an easy way to buy or sell a home, there is no substitute for a real estate agent. The experience that agents have can help clients navigate the tricky real estate realm while finding their dream home. These are three of the top reasons that make real estate agents irreplaceable.
Community Connections
For people moving to a new neighborhood, real estate agents can provide home buyers with knowledge of the area. This includes information on the location of schools, utility bills, taxes, local attractions, hiking trails, and lots more physical information. Although real estate agents cannot discuss people or answer other questions that might violate the Fair Housing Law, they are still a wealth of information about whether the physical attributes of a neighborhood fit a client’s needs.
Negotiation Assistance
A major part of buying or selling a home is negotiation. Real estate agents can provide expertise for the negotiation process. Real estate agents understand their listings and can point out issues with the property that can drastically impact negotiations. While some real estate agents have formal training in the negotiation process, all real estate agents have experience in performing these specific negotiations. Agents also know the legal particulars of home buying and selling that people must adhere to that impact the negotiation process. Using special techniques and a vast understanding of the housing market, real estate agents can negotiate for the best deal possible.
Exclusive Access
Not all sellers list their homes online for individual sale by the owner. Real estate agents have exclusive access to many listings. Going without a real estate agent could severely limit the available properties. Real estate agents also do the hard work of arranging a viewing for their clients. Agents call other agents or brokers to set up a viewing. They can also discuss the home more with the other agent to find out if it meets a prospective buyer’s needs, which saves a wasted trip.
The guidance and experience of a real estate agent are integral to a smooth and successful home buying or selling process. There are too many risks for going through the process alone. Real estate agents know their properties and the process well, ensuring a good deal for their clients.
