Real Estate Agents: To Use or Not to Use?

You will find there is much debate about this question. Some insist an agent is the only way to go while others claim you can do just as well on your own and save the commission. The truth is it depends a great deal on you, whether you use an agent to buy or sell a home. If you are new to the process, you should (no question about it) use a qualified real estate professional in your area. They will have a wealth of information to offer and can help you quickly locate potential properties or buyers. Here are a few other benefits to using a real estate agent as opposed to going it alone.

Contracts

Whether you are buying or selling at some point there will be contracts involved in the process. There are standard contracts that are fairly straightforward and then there are those written with contingencies that you may not understand. When you have a real estate agent in your corner, they will go over the paperwork with you and can quickly point out abnormalities or things that could be potentially harmful to you in the transaction. If you are very familiar with contracts of this sort, in that you have bought or sold a lot of real estate you may not need this service, but you should still have them looked over by an attorney.

Negotiations

Are you a great negotiator? If not you might want to consider the services of an agent. You see when you work with a buyer or seller one on one there is the potential that someone is going to be offended. Your real estate agent performs as a type of disinterested third party. A seller may accept a lower offer when it comes from a qualified agent but become angry and insulted when presented by you. Of course, not all agents are good negotiators either, so check some references before choosing yours.

Advertising

If you are a seller you need to get your home on the market and shown in the best possible light. Real estate agents are almost always online and skilled at creating beautiful listings. Pictures and adequate descriptions with your online ad are essential to catching the interest of potential buyers. Plus, agents generally work of an agency that has a permanent website where listings are updated regularly. Even if you are internet savvy and could do your own ads and images, you still have a problem getting people to see them. Buyers frequent agency online listings to get a sneak preview of homes they might want to see in person and if your home is not on the list they may never know it is available.

FSBO (for sale by owner)

There are websites cropping up for people who want to sell their homes themselves and it is really opening up the market for the FSBO listings. As these sites become more popular and prolific it will become easier for the average individual to sell their home. However, today, the real estate sites are still getting more traffic.

Conclusion

Whether you are buying or selling the chances are good that the other party is going to be represented by an agent. Going it alone leaves you at the mercy of the seller and their agent or the buyer with theirs, hire your own agent so that your interests are well represented as well.