Why Use an Agent to Buy a Home, Farm or Property?

Negotiator
Buying a home or property is a very emotional experience. It is so valuable to have a negotiator on your team that is unemotional during negotiations and can professionally put forth your requests. Also, because the seller agent’s best interests are for their client, not you, having someone on your team that the seller knows is a professional will put you in a much better place while negotiating. You need someone who's only priority is you.

Time
It’s true that anyone can look for a property online and make an appointment to see it without using a realtor. However, unless you want to make house hunting a part time job, its best to let me handle a lot of the legwork for you. Once I know what you are looking for, I can find houses and make appointments faster than you can. This is because of the systems and resources I have at my disposal as well as my experience in finding homes for buyers. I am also better aware of the market, neighborhoods, financing options and potential problems.

Ethics
I am a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Members of the NAR agree to abide by a very specific code of ethics. This code demands that I be honest with all of my clients and put my client’s needs ahead of my own and even ahead of the seller. You will be my number 1 priority and I am bound by a code to make that happen. Also, the NAR isn’t just a name. There are some very costly penalties they can hand down to me if I do not stick to the code of ethics. In other words, while I am a very honest and dedicated person, the NAR makes me stick to those practices.

Pricing
Because real estate agents do this for a living, we have the experience to know if something is priced too high or is a good deal. We deal with home sales every day and will help you get the most bang for your buck. Also, because realtors are very familiar with multiple financing options, we can generally point you in the right direction to secure that financing and buy that dream home. Also, because the seller pays all of my commissions, there is no cost to you, the buyer, for using my services.

Repairs
Many times, requesting repairs as part of the negotiation process can be tricky. I have experience in doing this and can guide you on what is reasonable and what isn’t. I also have the experience to help you come up with easy solutions for handling repairs yourself that we might can use to negotiate a lower selling price. Also, I have resources, such as home inspectors, that we can use to get a very detailed report on any problems that exist at that home.

Paperwork
If you have ever purchased a house, you know about the ton of paperwork involved. It can be so easy, for someone who is not experienced with this process, to miss something. A forgotten or incorrectly filled out form could not only delay the process, it could actually cost you the whole deal. Having someone who is very familiar with all of the paperwork, inspections, and checklists can be a huge benefit during the entire process. Another benefit is having someone to not only guide you through the paperwork but to also guide you through all of the things you have to do as a buyer. This is also very important. I will be that person.

Record Keeping
While real estate agents aren’t attorneys, we do keep a lot of records about your sale for many years. This gives you a great source to go back to if you have lost some paperwork that you need. Also, I use a data storage system that keeps up with all of my clients, appointments and tasks and will notify you on an ongoing basis of my progress.

Closing
The closing is the final step in the process and can have a lot of pitfalls. As a real estate agent, I know what trouble to look for and can catch most problems before they cause a delay in your closing. I know what the closers need to finish the deal and will go over your paperwork with a fine tooth comb more than once before the closing appointment.

Summary
As you can see, there are a lot of reason to use a realtor to help you find and purchase a home. As for choosing me? I will promise you that I will work very hard to help you find and get into that new home. I am honest, ethical and love helping people. That’s why I got into this field. I will make your dreams my dreams and your goals my goals. After all, if you don’t get into your dream home, I don’t make a dime..

Why Use an Agent to Sell a Home, Farm or Property?

Selling a house or property can be a complex process. A Realtor can help you at every stage, from setting a price to marketing the property to closing the sale.

Setting the Price
The selling process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your real estate agent or Realtor can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in your local marketplace, as well as the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in marketing your home and selling it at the best price. Often, your agent can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of the property.

Marketing
The next step is a marketing plan. Marketing exposes your property to the public as well as to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service, other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, and so on. In many markets, a substantial portion of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. The Realtor Code of Ethics requires Realtors to use these cooperative relationships when they benefit clients. An agent will also know when, where and how to advertise — which medium, format and frequency will work best for your home and your market. Though advertising can be valuable, the notion that advertising sells real estate is a misconception. National Association of Realtors studies show that 82 percent of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts from previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts.

Providing Security
When a property is marketed with an agent’s help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Agents will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

Negotiating
Your agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing — a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

Monitoring, Renegotiating and Closing
Between the initial sales agreement and the closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, there are unexpected repairs that require the buyer to obtain financing, or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing.

Getting the Realtor Guarantee
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate agents who are members of the National Association of Realtors are called Realtors. They proudly display the Realtor logo on their business card, website, and marketing. Realtors subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. Realtors are committed to treating all parties to a transaction honestly. An independent survey reports that almost 85 percent of home buyers would use the same Realtor again.

Getting Expert Assistance
Finally, consider the scale of your transaction. Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to solve it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the relatively small cost of hiring a Realtor and the large potential risk of not hiring one, it’s smart to find a professional to sell your home.