Here are just a few reasons clients benefit from your expertise as a Realtor;
1) Realtors Save You Time and Money - Extensive knowledge of the real estate market and excellent negotiation skills can save you time and money. If you're buying, a Realtor can help you get the right house at the best price. If you're selling, they can often reduce the time on the market and get you a higher selling price as compared to selling by owner.
2) Realtors Lower Your Risk - Working with a Realtor can assure that you're buying a home that is safe and priced fairly. When a Realtor lists your home you can be sure your asking price has been well researched in advance. Let's face it: with so much that can go wrong, a Realtor increases the chances of smooth "sale-ing" ahead!
3) Realtors are Real Estate Specialists - There are a number of licensed real estate professionals, but only members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) can call themselves Realtors. This association provides a strict Code of Ethics and educational programs to standardize their services.
4) Realtors Do What You Can't Do Alone! - Because Realtors network with one another, you have the opportunity to find out about properties that will soon be on the market-even prior to their listings! You get a heads up on current inventory before it ever hits the system! Talk about an advantage!!
5) Realtors Understand Complex Real Estate Transactions - Realtors know what is required to efficiently complete and accurately interpret complex real estate forms. Working with a Realtor protects you from potential legal exposures and long, drawn out time delays. After all, they are highly trained, skilled experts. You may think you can save thousands of dollars selling by owner. However, compromising your asking or purchase price, dealing with potential lawsuits or unplanned delays can end up costing you a lot more than a Realtor's well-deserved commission!!
One thing that I am constantly telling buyers is that in Washington State (at least) it costs them nothing to have a buyer represent them. I would say that only 1 in 20 people I tell know this... they think that it costs them money. So, I am always giving out cards of Realtors to buyers who thought that they would be "ripped off". :)
Is that different from one state to another, or is it standard that the agent representing the buyer is not actually paid by the buyer, but by the seller?
Justin Nickelsen, Vancouver Washington
Yes, use REALTORS. Our office is a pround member of our local REALTOR Association :)
That is why I love working with Realtors!
Ben
Jason:
Great tips. There are so many other reasons why a Realtor is important. It could be a blog subject of its own.
Jason - cleaning out the attic? :^)
Nice post. A good Realtor is SOOOOOOOO important in buying/ selling a house. Now ALL of them of course market themselves.... as 'good'.
Now we need techniques from the client standpoint to sift throuh the clutter and determine who is where on the Normal Distribution Curve.
Jason, all very excellent points. REALTORS are true professionals who have the knowledge, skills and tools to make the transaction happen as smoothly as possible. And I can speak from experience and say that usually when I am contacted by a FSBO to do a virtual tour, they are just starting to work with a REALTOR who has recommended it - I think at that point they know they need the expertise that you all bring to the table. Or should I say, "the closing table".
Brian Benjamin
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