WHY HIRE A REALTOR®

Ensure your transaction is handled professionally. Hire a REALTOR®

Buying and selling real estate can be very satisfying, yet the transaction often has a fair degree of complexity to it. REALTORS® bring experience, furnish valuable opinions and provide wise counsel to their buyers and sellers in the real estate transaction.


All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. A REALTOR® has taken extra steps to become a member of an association of real estate professionals that adheres to a strict Code of Ethics and is expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate.


REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. They have access to important information regarding legislative changes and up-to-the-minute industry developments. They recommend legal counsel but will not take the place of an attorney. REALTORS® are dedicated to enhancing their professional abilities and knowledge and are committed to quality service and ethical business practices.


REALTORS® have expertise in determining a selling price that will balance your needs for minimum time on the market and maximum profit. They have experience in marketing properties, and have tools at their disposal to provide exposure to the greatest number of potential buyers.

BUYER BENEFITS


Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $150,000.


If you had a $150,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $150,000 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 foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®. 

But if you’re still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are more reasons to use one:


Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power — that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity.


If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders — banks and mortgage companies — offer limited choices.

Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search.


Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.

Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property.


Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, etc. There are two things you’ll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?


Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate.

There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.


Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property.


Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.


Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.


Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
SELLER BENEFITS

SELLER BENEFITS


When selling your home, your and REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and 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.


Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. In many markets across the country, over 50% 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, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when it benefits their clients.


Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®‘ 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.


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 — 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.


Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title 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 (or settlement).

COMMUNITY When you are looking for a home, you are not buying just a house; you are buying into a neighborhood or community. Buying a home is a significant investment that includes an investment in a specific lifestyle or quality of life. REALTORS® contributes to your quality of life during the transaction and can even help you make the most of your investment. Using the services of a REALTOR® allows you to commit your time and energy to what you choose, instead of worrying about the details of your real estate transaction.

REALTORS® ARE TRUSTED

By working with a REALTOR®, you are ensuring that your transaction will be handled professionally, and that your rights in real estate activities are protected under the Code of Ethics. An independent survey reports that 84% of homebuyers would use the same REALTOR® again. 

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