5 reasons you still need a real-estate agent (© Golden Pixels LLC/age fotostock)

Many people think they can buy or sell their home without going through a Real Estate Agent. The internet makes that an easy assumption these days with all the sites that have homes for sale. Truth of the matter is, you DO still need a Real Estate Agent.

You may think you know the ins and outs of buying or selling a home after tons of research and speaking with other homebuyers but Real Estate Agents will still know more.

Taken from Tara Struyk’s article 5 Reasons You Still Need a Real Estate Agent, here are the top 5 reasons you should pay that agent to do the work for you rather than trying to do it on your own.

  1. Better Access/More Convenience
    A real estate agent’s fulltime job is to be the middleman between the buyer and the seller. He or she will know all the proper steps to take and have all the listings on the market at his or her fingertips. This will provide your home search with better results in a timely manner.
  2. Negotiating is Tricky Business
    Many people think it is more personal to do business directly with the buyer or seller as opposed to going through the Real Estate Agent. Both parties are trying to look after their own best interest and don’t want to feel cheated by an agent. This only works if there is a mutual understanding of the other’s needs and, unfortunately, is not always the case.
  3. Contracts Can Be Hard to Handle
    When you decide to buy or sell a home, the offer-to-purchase contract can be complicated.  This is there to protect you and ensure you are able to back out of the deal if certain conditions aren’t meant. An experienced Real Estate Agent deals with the same contracts on a regular basis and is familiar with which conditions should be used.
  4. Real Estate Agents Can’t Lie
    Being that they are licensed professionals, there are severe repercussions if an agent lies. The agent is bound by law to act in the client’s best interest. Most Real Estate Agents rely on referrals and repeat business to build cliental. Because this is the case, they will always try to do what is best for their client in hopes of getting referrals.
  5. Not Everyone Can Save Money
    Many people do not want to go through an agent because they don’t want to spend the money. Buyers who are looking to purchase a home by a seller also believe they can save money by not going through an agent.  The bottom line is, money is being spent (and a lot of it!) so you might as well do it right and involve someone who truly knows the ins and outs of buying and selling a home.  It could save you in the end.

Until next time,

Orly