Selling your home is a big endeavor that should include working with a real estate professional. When considering a licensed Realtor® to represent you in your home sale, be sure to ask plenty of questions to ensure that they are knowledgeable and experienced enough to have your best interests at heart.
1. Realtors Will Get You Top Dollar For Your Home
Aside from an urgent financial crisis or other extenuating circumstances, you shouldn’t settle for one of those ‘fast cash now’ offers, as they typically will only net you a fraction of what your home is worth. While this can be a useful strategy if you need to exit a home quickly, it usually doesn’t make the most financial sense. Don’t leave your hard earned equity behind unless you have absolutely no other choice. A Realtor® with expert market knowledge will be able to interpret recent sales trends and advise on the best list price and potential sales price. It is statistically proven that working with a Realtor® will net you more money than selling your home yourself or working with investors directly.
2. Realtors Possess Overall Market Knowledge
As you begin the process of selling your home you want to have an expert that can guide you through the process. A Realtor® has access to a variety of data about recent home sales in your neighborhood which will allow you to price your home accordingly. Additionally a Realtor® can access your local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Your home will be showcased in the MLS so other Realtors helping home buyers can find your property. Listing your home in the MLS offers a broader scale of exposure and therefore attracting a larger pool of potential buyers.
3. Realtors Are Trained in the Many Legalities of Selling a Home
Selling your home is likely one of the largest financial decisions you’ll encounter, so make sure you don’t miss a step in the process. During the selling process there will be a plethora of paperwork that needs to be completed. A real estate professional will help you navigate that paperwork, ensuring the sale of your home goes smoothly. Solid listing agreements and sales contracts will help you avoid potential pitfalls in the process. A Realtor® will also be able to alert you should problems arise and either help you navigate those situations or advise when you should consult with an attorney.
4. Realtors Are Able to Network and Coordinate Showings and Other Visits
Putting your home up for sale can easily become a full time job when you have to manage showing appointments with potentially unqualified buyers. How do you determine which showings to allow? When is it safe to meet a complete stranger and allow them access to your home? Realtors® are trained to ask the right questions and have safety measures in place to ensure that your home is shown to pre-approved and qualified buyers only. Your Realtor® also becomes your marketing specialist and will be able to coordinate open houses, set up showings, and perform other marketing activities to get your house in front of more interested buyers.
5. Realtors® Assist with Pricing to Sell, Negotiation, Inspections/Due Diligence, and The Closing Process.
Negotiating is tricky. While you may think it would be easier to eliminate the middleman (buyer and seller agents), the negotiations are not always easy. Be prepared. A Realtor® acting as a messenger or the ‘bad guy’ helps to take emotion out of the equation, and can prevent disagreements that result in a deal being pulled from the table. Once you are under contract the Realtor® will have many recommendations to assist with any final details to get you to the closing table.
