Why You Need to Hire a Realtor
Until you’ve experienced all the steps involved in a property purchase, it’s tough to imagine how incredibly complicated it can be. For many buyers and sellers, the process is a lot like learning a foreign language—with really important consequences if you get don’t get the lingo just right.
That’s why having a trustworthy guide during a real estate transaction is so important. If you’re considering putting your house on the market or purchasing a property soon, strongly consider enlisting professional help. Think of a REALTOR® as a superhero—someone who appears by your side grabs your arm and leads you out of danger. While that might sound overly dramatic, the concept is solid—a real estate transaction requires expert leadership to keep you safely moving toward your goal.
“People are, of course, sentimental about a house they’re selling or one they’re excited to buy,” says REALTOR® Kirbi Barbosa of Sojourn Real Estate in Temple, Texas. “So, it’s hard to be unbiased when they’re negotiating. That’s where a REALTOR® comes in—we take the emotion out of the equation and mediate with the other party, so you’ll get the most value from the property.”
Ways a REALTOR®’s Expertise Benefits a Seller
Scope Out the Competition
Anyone can browse real estate websites and check out local homes for sale. But a well-informed REALTOR® understands what buyers look for and also knows what properties are currently on the market. That means they can provide insight into comparable neighborhood sales and give you expert advice about how to price your home to maximize its profit potential.
Social Media Savvy
REALTOR®s offer networking strategies that quickly target potential buyers, like managing your home’s online presence. When a REALTOR® places your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), your listing will automatically pop up on websites like Zillow and Trulia. Even better, well-connected REALTOR®s spread the word to their social media followers, too.
Master Scheduler
A REALTOR® juggles the calendars of all players involved in a home purchase, so you don’t have to. From the moment a lockbox is snapped on your front door, the REALTOR® books home tours, open houses, inspections, and appraisals.
Paperwork Pro
Once your REALTOR® negotiates the terms of the sale that are most favorable to you, they manage how the contract is written. Having an experienced pro oversee the mountain of closing documents is a huge benefit. A REALTOR® explains the details and works to protect you from contractual pitfalls.
Trusted Advisor
REALTOR®s are licensed real estate agents and members of the National Association of REALTOR®s. They pledge to uphold high ethical standards and are held accountable to perform responsibly on your behalf.
Get the Most from Your REALTOR®
Tip #1: How to Spend Your Fix-It Dollars
Ask your REALTOR® where to spend your home-improvement dollars prior to listing a property. Even if your repair/replace budget is minimal, they’ll know how to get the most bang for your buck. A freshly painted front door or new carpet could mean the difference between receiving an immediate offer or spending weeks languishing on the market.
Tip #2: REALTOR®s Represent Buyers at No Charge
Looking to buy? A REALTOR® can steer you to neighborhoods offering the best amenities for your lifestyle. The REALTOR® arranges home tours, presents your offer, and negotiates with the seller—all at no charge to you (sellers typically pay for those services).
Tip #3: Get the Skinny on Local Resources
REALTOR®s can recommend lenders, title companies and escrow agencies they trust to take good care of you. Ditto with other services you might need, like landscapers, painters, photographers, movers, or cleaning crews. By law, a REALTOR® can’t recommend inspectors or appraisers, but they can provide you with a list of qualified companies.
Have questions? Need help getting started? Find the Sojourn Agent that’s perfect for your Central Texas real estate needs.
