Nowadays, many individuals believe they can bypass a real estate agent and either buy or sell a home on their own. However, there are aspects to working with an agent that would be sorely missed if you attempted to either buy your dream home or sell your old home on your own.
Real Estate Agents for Buyers
There are many things a buyer’s agent can do that you cannot. Local real estate agents are working for you to make sure you buy the home of your dreams at the right price, so they will be looking for homes that are in your interests and within your price range. One thing you won’t be able to do on your own is find out about homes that you could buy before they even go on the market. An agent knows about homes pre-market, and as a result can give you many more options to look at.
Furthermore, a real estate agent may have access to information that you may not be able to retrieve on your own. For instance, the agent can look at the history of the home and find out what it has sold for in the past and what the taxes were. The agent can also find information on homes within the neighborhood and their price range when they sold.
Real Estate Agents for Sellers
Let’s face it – selling a home on your own is not easy. It can be done, but is the time spent worth it? And are you sure you’re getting the best price? A seller’s agent can ensure these things and will also provide you with more exposure to the buying market, since about 80 percent of individuals buying a home use a real estate agent.
A real estate agent will also be better able to market your home than you could on your own by reaching out and networking with fellow agents. They can also obtain all of the demographic and pricing information about your home to better sell to potential buyers during the open house.
Additionally, a real estate agent can give professional virtual tours of the property. Professional photography sessions can be set up by the real estate agent to ensure that your home looks the best in pictures for internet marketing. A buyer’s first impression is everything, so it’s important to get this right on the first try.
One thing that both a buyer’s agent and a seller’s agent can do for you that you may not be able to do on your own is negotiate. Real estate agents are trained to propose offers and counter-offers. They can help you get the home of your dreams for the right price, or sell your old home in a way that makes the most money for you.