Some of the most important reasons to use a real estate agent when listing or buying a home.
In the era of do-it-yourself, and the huge amount of information that can be found online I see a question come up now more often than ever. Why do I need to use a real estate agent?
While there are many things I advise people to do themselves for the sake of saving time or money, listing or buying a home is something that I insist people do not do without a licensed agent. Why? Let me tell you.
1- The Benefit Outweighs the Cost
Most people who have opted to list a home without a licensed agent say that they do so to save money. They believe that not having to pay commissions means more money in their pockets. The problem? That just isn't true. One source says, "The typical FSBO home sold for $200,000, compared to $280,000 for agent-assisted home sales, according to the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers". What does that mean? Yes, you will be paying a commission. But, if your home is sold at a higher value than you could do on your own, that still means more money in your pocket.
2- Resources Galore
One of the biggest benefits of using a real estate agent is that it is their job to make sure that you are able to live your normal life while your house is on the market. From top-grade marketing, to access to MLS (the multiple listing service), to expert knowledge on housing and zoning code violations, and someone to handle all the paperwork for you (trust me it is A LOT of paperwork) there are some things that you just won't get without a real estate agent.
3- Pricing your House Correctly
Pricing your home is not as simple as it seems. Without a real estate agent, you could be left wondering why your home is not selling, or whether you have undervalued your home. Agents have access to comparable home sales and neighborhood information dating back years. That kind of information isn't available using sites like Zillow. real estate agents not only understand the right price for your home, they understand the market trends that will help you sell your home for the right price at the right time.
Happy selling!
-Kelly
