Don’t Be Your Own Realtor
When it comes to trials, there is an old adage that whoever represents themselves in court has a fool for a client. The reason for this is pretty simple. The law is very complex and it is always best to work with a lawyer who spends their life dedicated to learning its complexities. The same is true for real estate. Some people think that being your own realtor is a good idea because it can save on realtor fees. However, while it might seem tempting to be your own realtor when buying or selling a home, it is far better to work with a professional. Realty transactions are far more complex than most people realize. That is why it is always best to work with a professional and experienced realtor when buying or selling your home.
The Benefits of Buying or Selling a Home with a Realtor
Trying to avoid paying a realtor might seem like it is an easy way to save money. However, there are many advantages of working with an experienced and professional realtor that far outweigh the fees. In fact, a professional realtor can help you sell your home for more than your asking price. Likewise, an experienced realtor can help you find a good deal if you are buying a home. Professional realtors are more than worth the cost of working with them. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages they give you when you are trying to buy or sell a home …
Pricing
Experienced realtors know your market inside and out. This allows them to help you set the perfect price for your house when you put it on the market. Pricing your home properly is especially important in a changing market. Throughout 2020 home prices steadily increased and this trend is continuing into 2021. Realtors do not look at prices in a vacuum. They understand what the other homes in your market are selling for and understand the trends. You want to make sure that you can sell your home for as much as possible, while also avoiding it sitting on the market. Set the price too high and you could be sitting in limbo while waiting for offers. Set the price too low and you will miss out on profit. The bottom line is those who sell their homes with realtors get more for their homes than those who don’t.
Realtors can also make sure that you get the right price for when you are buying a home. Buying a house is an emotional process. It is easy to get caught up in the moment and fall in love with a place. Sometimes, your attachments to a place can override your good judgement, which causes you to pay more than you should. Realtors offer an outside perspective that allows you to know the true value of a house and what a reasonable price for it would be.
Preparation
A lot goes into selling a home. We wrote extensively about it in our Sellers Guide, which helps you sell your home for more than your asking price. There are home inspections, home repairs, home upgrades, staging, photographs, and marketing. All of this is necessary to even get an interested buyer, let alone successfully show your house. Realtors can help guide you through these processes. We know which upgrades and renovations offer true return on your investment. We also know the best ways to stage your home to make it a black canvas potential buyers can see themselves living in. Marketing is a whole other ball of wax. A large part of our success is having a network of marketing avenues that allow us to get your listing in front of as many people as possible. Failure to do any of this can drastically decrease the amount you can get for your home.
Point Person
If you are buying a home or selling a home, there is a lot to manage. Between home inspectors, lenders, contractors, listing providers, there is a lot to stay on top of. To do all of this, work your regular job, manage your house, and your family is simply too much for most people. That’s a lot of hats to wear and it can be especially difficult if you do not have experience in those roles. Realtors give you a point person to run your whole operation. They are your person of contact for any questions or issues you have. It gives you a single resource where you can get all the information you need about the house you are selling or buying.
Negotiations
Having a real estate professional help you with negotiations is invaluable. Again, buying and selling a home is an emotional exercise. This can cause you to overspend if you fall in love with a home you want to purchase. It can also cause you to overvalue your current home when you are trying to sell it due to your personal attachment. Realtors help remove the emotion from the process and act as an intermediary that is working for your best interests.
Contracts
Real estate contracts are complex legal documents. Failure to understand and comply can ruin your sale, cost you money, or even place you in legal trouble. It is our job to stay educated about all legal matters related to buying and selling homes. Attempting to save money by listing your own house or buying your own home can cost you a lot more if you run afoul of the contract. Real estate is highly regulated by many overlapping jurisdictions and a wide variety of agencies. It is important to make sure that your transaction is in accordance with all aspects of the law.
Final Thoughts
Just because you can do something, it doesn’t mean that you should. Sure, you can sell your home yourself or you can negotiate the purchase for a home, but that doesn’t mean it is best. Real estate is our profession. It is not a hobby. We wake up everyday going through these processes for our clients and educate ourselves about best practices. Buying or selling a home is a stressful process even if you are not in charge of every aspect of the transaction. Save yourself time, energy, and stress. Work with an experienced and professional realtor who fiercely advocates for your best interest and helps make your dream of owning a home a reality.
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home and you want an experienced professional in your corner, contact us! The team at Streamline Realty is here to help you through every step of the process and make it as easy as possible.
