5 Reasons you shouldn’t buy or sell a home without an agent in 2022 is the furthest thought from your mind. It’s the weekend and you’re sipping on your just brewed expresso while mapping out the listings of the week. Soon you’ll hit the road with the day’s open houses clearly in view! With all the information you could ever need just a click away, you figure you’re doing pretty good with your real estate venture! It’s even kind of fun. You certainly can navigate, negotiate, go under contract, etc. on your own. BUT should you? This is likely the biggest financial decision of your entire life, and hiring a realtor is necessary if you want to do it right. Here’s why.
They have the skills and expertise
When it comes to points, PMI, ARM’S, Amortizations, Appraisals, Binders and SO much more, the average person can get lost so deep in the woods at the beginning of the path. Real estate has its very own language complete with acronyms and specific jargon, and your realtor is trained to speak that language fluently.
In addition, buying or selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. Realtors have the expertise to help you prepare that perfect deal—while avoiding delays or costly mistakes that can seriously cause you to lose the deal, especially in the hot market of 2022.
Searching is their Superpower
The Internet is such a powerful search engine when it comes to finding your dream home. You can find ALMOST anything! Online real estate listing sites make it easy to find up-to-date home listings on your own, and at your convenience. What you may be unaware of is that realtors have access to even more listings. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. A Realtor can help you find those hidden gems.
Local realtors are going to know the area. Have you had your eye on a specific neighborhood, but it’s not in your budget? Your realtor is armed with the skills and knowledge to navigate the ins and outs of most every neighborhood. She can direct you toward a home in your price range that you may have overlooked.
They have incredible negotiating skills
Any time you buy or sell a home, you’re going to encounter negotiations—especially in today’s fast and furious housing market. Negotiations are every day fare for realtors and they manage them without emotion and can efficiently get the job done. 2022’s real estate market is full of competition, cutthroat tactics all cash offers, and bidding wars. A savvy and professional negotiator can seal the best deal for you.
It would be one thing if it were just about how much money you end up spending or netting. There are more things to consider and a realtor will help draw up a purchase agreement that allows enough time for inspections, contingencies, and anything else that’s crucial to your particular needs.
They have strong networks in place
Realtors make it their business to know just about everyone who can possibly help in the process of buying or selling a home. Mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, home stagers, interior designers—the list goes on—and they’re all in your realtor’s network. These vendors have a solid relationship with your realtor and basically will jump through hoops to get the job done in a timely fashion.
They’re your 24/7 advocate
Realtors wear many different hats. They work hard to earn their commission. They’re constantly driving around and checking out listings for you. They spend their own money on marketing your home (if you’re selling). They’re researching comps to make sure you’re getting the best deal. They work for you at nearly all hours of the day and night—whether you need more info on a home or just someone to talk to in order to feel at ease with the offer you just put in. Buying or selling your home is one of the biggest financial (and possibly emotional) decisions of your lifetime. Guiding you through this time it isn’t a responsibility realtors take lightly.
5 Reasons you shouldn’t buy or sell a home without an agent in 2022 is just the tip of the iceberg. My team and I are honored to work with our clients and find ourselves doing whatever it takes to be helpful to them. We have helped clients pack when they are overwhelmed. We have employed people to help clients move when there was no one available in the necessary time frame. We really do care and would love the opportunity to begin a conversation with you. We invite you to connect with us socially on Facebook and Instagram.
