|
|
Why Use a REALTOR® When Selling a Home?
A real estate agent can help you understand everything you
need to know about the home selling process.
Not all real estate licensees are the same; only those who
are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR)
are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the
REALTOR "®" trademark on their business cards and other
marketing and sales literature.
REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a
transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict Code
of Ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of
knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate.
An independent survey reported that 84% of home buyers would
use the same REALTOR® again.
Real estate transactions are one of the biggest financial
dealings of most people’s lifetime. Transactions today
usually exceed $250,000. If you had a $250,000 income tax
problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help
of a certified professional accountant? If you had a
$250,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the
help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and
the large downside risk, it would be wise to work with a
professional REALTOR® when you are selling a home.
If you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®,
here are more reasons to use one:
1. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you
up-to-date information on what is happening in the
marketplace as well as 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.
2. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that
will significantly enhance the salability of your property.
3. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real
estate agents and the public. In many markets across the
country, over half of real estate sales are cooperative
sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings
in the buyer.
Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator,
distributing information about your property to other real
estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or
other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for
agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS®
to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit
their clients.
4. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to
advertise your property. There is a misconception that
advertising sells real estate. NAR studies show that 82% of
real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through
previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal
contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your
REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home.
Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany
qualified prospects through your property.
5. 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 of appraisals, inspections and financing – and a lot
of 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.
6. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home.
Issues may arise between the initial sales agreement and
closing (also called settlement or escrow), for example,
unexpected repairs might be required to obtain financing or
a title problem is discovered. The required paperwork alone
is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best
person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move
the transaction to closing.
|
