Many people believe you need to hire a REALTOR® when you want to sell your home. Time and time again this has proven to be true. In a fast-paced environment, you need someone that can navigate the unfamiliar waters and advocate on your behalf on all fronts. You wouldn’t hike Mt. Everest without a guide, would you? So why sell your home without a professional by your side every step of the way? There are many reasons why you should hire a REALTOR® to represent you when selling your home. No matter how fast (or slow) the market may be moving, the benefits of hiring a professional will always outweigh the alternative. Here are five reasons that we feel are among the most important of them all.
1. A real professional by your side.
An amazing REALTOR® holds a particular skill set, first and foremost is being a professional salesperson. You want a REALTOR® that is self-motivated and requires very little management time from you. Timing in this market is critical and you will need someone that knows the business and works quickly, efficiently, and courteously with other agents in order to purchase or sell your home. You definitely do not want to hire a REALTOR® that is a whiz on the phone, “okay” with email, completely unorganized, or only knows how to put a template in the MLS and advertise for your home on their broker’s website. This will not bode well for you. You are looking for a Real Estate Ninja.
2. A local market expert.
How many homes have you purchased or sold in the last six months? Do you factually know why the house down the street is listed for significantly less or more than you believed it should initially? A quality Realtor does. Good real estate agents study the market trends and historical data in order to educate and set realistic expectations for their clients. Hyper-focused knowledge of your local market will be the key to a successful transaction. Whether you are purchasing or selling a home, knowing the market is a must!
3. More exposure.
When working with a real estate professional, you will have greater access and more exposure whether buying or selling a home. In this busy market, agents are able to leverage their own relationships and play matchmakers between buyers and sellers for homes that have not yet been listed to the public.
4. An effective plan.
When working with a licensed Realtor, you will jointly develop a strategy to which the agent will execute. It is their job to keep the transaction on track and moving forward. It is also their responsibility to identify loose ends and tie them up quickly. Unresolved items could end up costing a buyer or seller their dream home.
5. Avoid legal troubles.
Remember those unresolved loose ends? Those can also land you in a bit of trouble legally. Wouldn’t you like someone in your corner that can help you avoid pitfalls or advocate on your behalf if something were to go awry? While your agent may not be an attorney, he or she can identify those potential issues and direct you to competent legal counsel should the situation come to that.
The unfortunate reality is that many people make the mistake of asking a friend, sister, cousin (who recently got their real estate license), or a part-time agent that could sell a home but will do so with no real game plan. Your safest bet is to have someone in your corner that has the right tools, the best resources, expert knowledge of the market, and a high level of experience working through the real estate transaction. You want to partner with a true real estate professional. When you do, you will feel confident knowing that you have an industry expert on your side to advocate for your wishes and with your best interest at heart.