When thinking about buying a home, hiring a professional real estate agent to guide you will make the process much easier. Today I’ll discuss the top five reasons you should hire a professional.
Reason 1 – Market/Area Expertise
An agent will assist you in the process of shopping for your next home by providing pertinent information to help you decide what area or specific neighborhood is right for you. The agent is your local expert that can help you narrow down your search and fit your lifestyle. Once you find that home, your agent will provide you with a Competitive Marketing Analysis so that you can compare similar properties and determine value. Is the home priced above or below market value?
Reason 2 – Home Search Assistance
What characteristics and features of a home are the most important to you? What about the size, location, number of rooms in home? Do you want a single family, condo or townhouse with or without an HOA? An expert will help you prioritize to narrow your search. Then your agent will do the research and coordinate appointments to view properties that are worth seeing in person or virtually. It may seem easy to do this on your own; however, not all sites are created equal and an agent to make sure the homes of interest are actually actively for sale.
Reason 3 – Representation and Negotiation
Real estate agents are fiduciaries, your advocate that has your best interests in mind when working with the seller and their agents. As you make possibly the largest financial transaction in your life, you want an expert in your corner, holding your hand through the process, guiding you through the paperwork and helping you understand the language.
Real estate agents negotiate in your behalf, work with the selling agent, while helping you understand the current market trends, items that are customary to ask of sellers in the deal and factor in costs such as HOA fees or closing costs. If you find yourself in a bidding war, you want an agent with the expertise to get the best outcome for you and win that listing.
Reason 4 – Concierge List of Services
The real estate agent is not the only expert needed when purchasing a home. Your agent can recommend local lenders, inspectors, title companies, handymen or other local professionals that may need to be called upon during the home buying process such as structural engineers or plumbers for estimates.
Reason 5 – No Cost to You
There are no out of pocket costs for you as the buyer. Commissions come out of the final sale price of the home and are covered by the seller. The seller’s agent negotiates the commission with the seller and then typically splits that commission with the buyer’s agent. All the expertise and not a penny comes out of your pocket to pay for the services.
Your decision to buy a property, whether it’s a home on the lake, a sky rise condo, farm, or retirement home will be a decision that will impact your life. You want a real estate agent on your side that will guide you through the process and look out for your best interests financially and personally.