It’s something Realtors hear all the time: “Do I really need a Realtor? Is hiring a real estate agent worth the cost?” After all, Google offers a treasure trove of information, forms, and advice, so why can’t you close your real estate transaction on your own?
We are here to tell you that hiring a Realtor can save you thousands in the long run. A do-it-yourself real estate deal isn’t something you want to deal with. Hire a licensed Realtor; you’ll be glad you did.
Here are seven reasons why your agent is worth their weight in gold.
1. Access to Multiple Listing Service.
One of the most valuable resources a Realtor can offer is unlimited access to the Multiple Listing Service, or MLS. This database shows real estate agents detailed information about properties in and around every city in the U.S., and the insight from the MLS can be invaluable when buying or selling your home.
When you hire a broker to sell your home, it will be added to the MLS, giving other agents instant access to your listing. More exposure means a faster sale. As a buyer, hiring a Realtor provides you access to real-time listings in your neighborhood. If you wait for them to post on your favorite real estate website instead, you could be missing out.
2. Realtor-Broker Homes Sell Faster.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 87% of buyers purchase homes through a real estate agent or broker, up from only 69% in 2001. This upward trend shows that buyers prefer to work with sellers who use a licensed Realtor. When you list your home for sale using a licensed professional, you’re likely to sell your home faster.
3. Word of Mouth Marketing.
Real estate agents know other real estate agents, and word of mouth is often the best advertising. Both your Realtor and other Realtors will see your home, keep it cataloged in their memory, and bring it to the attention of potential buyers. In some instances, your listing agent might have a buyer in mind before the house even hits the market. That social and professional network isn’t something you can create on your own, and it’s priceless.
4. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork!
If you’ve ever participated in a real estate transaction, you know there is an immense amount of paperwork involved. Even one wrong keystroke can send the entire deal into a frenzy. That’s why it’s so important to hire an experienced, knowledgeable Realtor who knows how to fill out every form correctly. As a bonus, if something does go awry, your Realtor will know when it’s time to call a lawyer for backup.
5. Your Realtor Can Act as a Buffer.
A “For Sale By Owner” sounds like a great proposition from a financial standpoint until you begin to consider all the things that could go wrong. Chief among them? Demanding or difficult buyers. A real estate agent or broker can act as a buffer between you and the problematic buyer/seller should the situation become complicated. Without an agent, you’re navigating that mess all on your own.
6. Tips That Can Help Your Home Sell.
An experienced agent can help you make your home sale-ready by offering specific staging advice, suggesting repairs, or pointing out code violations. This expert guidance will save you both time and money; you’ll appeal to buyers more quickly, and home inspectors are less likely to find unwelcome surprises that could jeopardize the deal.
7. Price Comparisons and Negotiation.
Real estate agents know how homes are priced in your area. If you’re a homeowner looking to sell, a licensed Realtor can look up other comparable properties in your area and make sure you’re priced competitively. If you’re a buyer, your Realtor can help you negotiate with a seller based on price comparisons, time on market, and other factors. If you’re going it alone, you may end up losing thousands of dollars on the sale of your home simply because you don’t have access to the same information a Realtor does.
Yes, you can do it alone. No one is stopping you. But should you?
Some homeowners choose to sell themselves and avoid paying commission fees. But when you consider how much a professional real estate agent can save you on a deal – not to mention the time, effort, and frustration you’ll avoid by hiring someone to do much of the legwork for you – the fee suddenly seems like a bargain.
Do you really need a Realtor? The answer is clear. Hiring a real estate agent is the best choice.
Thanks for helping me decided whether I should get a realtor or not. My husband and I are planning to purchase our first residential property. I never knew that there are a lot of paperwork involved in a real estate transaction, which is usually handled by an agent. With this putting into consideration, I shall then hire one so that the hassle of handling documents won’t stress us out.
Hi Victoria! We are glad our article provided you some valuable insight. There is definitely a large amount of paperwork, but Realtors provide a lot of value in other ways as well. In my experience, hiring a real estate agent has always been well worth the investment. Good luck buying your new home!
You made a good point that hiring a realtor can help a lot in making sure that the paperwork required is handled properly. I’m thinking about investing in a vacation home soon so I’d like to start browsing before the year ends. I think the process would go a lot faster if I’m getting some expert advice from a realtor.
I like that you mentioned how you’re likely to sell your home faster when you list your home for sale using a licensed professional. We have a property that we do not use and I think it would be a waste to just let it go unused, so I am thinking of selling it. However, I don’t know how property transactions work, so I am planning to ask for some help from a real estate agent.