Why Use a Real Estate Agent?

Many people think that finding and purchasing a new home must be a fairly straightforward experience. After all, with so many properties advertised online, sourcing the right one for your needs shouldn’t be too difficult – should it? Unsurprisingly, there is a lot more involved in the process than you might think, and it can quickly become a full-time job trying to narrow down properties, schedule viewings, deal with negotiations and completing the seemingly never-ending paperwork that is involved. A property is likely to be the biggest purchase that you ever make and with so much money at stake, you simply can’t afford to get it wrong. Hiring a real estate agent can help ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Here are some of the key reasons why you should hire a real estate agent at the start of the process. 

 

They Have Extensive Experience

One of the main reasons that people hire a real estate agent is for their experience. Unless you have bought and sold a lot of property over the years – which is very unlikely – you will have nowhere near as much experience as a real estate agent who will have complete understanding of the latest laws and regulations and can use the benefit of their accumulated knowledge to support you at every stage of the process. This experience is invaluable for securing a smooth sale and to get you the best deal possible. 

 

They Have Insider Knowledge

You might think that anyone who is keen to sell their property would openly advertise the fact, but this isn’t always the case. If the seller has personal reasons for putting their home on the market – such as ill health, financial problems or a divorce, then they may not wish all in sundry to know their business and would rather keep the sale on the down low. Real estate agents are likely to know if there are any potentially suitable homes that are quietly on the market in your desired area. Real estate agents can also sometimes find out that a property is going to be listed for sale before others do. This could give you an edge by placing you in front of them for viewing and making an offer. 

 

They Are Experienced Negotiators

For many sellers and buyers, the negotiations are one of the most stressful elements of property transactions. If you are a seller, you want to make sure that you get the maximum amount you can for your home whilst still securing a fairly quick and easy sale, and if you are buying you want to be sure that you don’t pay over the odds for your new home. Your real estate agent will understand pricing and value and be able to make recommendations that will ensure that you get the best deal. They will also deal with the back and forth between the parties until an offer is accepted on the property. This will eliminate a great deal of stress involved in the process. 

 

They Can Be Objective

Objectivity is a difficult skill to have when you are buying your own home. Many people fall in love with a home and find it impossible to overlook their feelings, even if the practicalities of the property mean that it just isn’t viable – for example, it is over-budget or needs a great deal of work to bring it up to standard. Your real estate agent can be objective on your behalf, helping you to see and understand any issues that there may be and ensuring that you make an offer that reflects any concerns that you or the real estate agent has about the property. 

 

They Have Your Best Interests in Mind

Many people worry that a real estate agent won’t necessarily act in their best interests. However, if you choose one who is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) you can rest assured that they are obligated to put your interests ahead of their own. As part of this, they will be also be obligated to fully disclose any issues that a potential property may have and advise you if a potential home presents a high risk – even if it mean potentially losing their commission on that specific deal. We also advise that you do your research anyway. Ask for recommendations as to great real estate agents in your area and meet with them beforehand so that you can get to know them and feel confident in their ability and their commitment to you. 

For more benefits to choosing a real estate agent to handle your property sale or purchase, please contact our office:

Phyllis Cyphers, Realtor

Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

DRE#01810454

C 714.323.1175

pcyphers@pacificsir.com