Regardless of whether you’re entering the real estate market as a buyer or a seller, it’s always a good idea to have a knowledgeable real estate agent by your side. While some think that this is untrue and they can still buy or complete a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) on their own, as the market continues to recover throughout the nation, meaning rising interest rates and home prices, the reasons to work with an experienced realtor are now more important than ever.
Anyone remotely familiar with the real estate market knows that there’s a lot of paperwork involved. With all of this paperwork, documents and what is required from buyers and sellers is always changing. If a homeowner chooses to do a FSBO they may not be up-to-date on what paperwork is required or how to fill it out; a realtor will have this information and can help throughout the transaction.
Not only is there a tremendous amount of paperwork involved in the real estate process, there’s also a lot of negotiating that needs to be done. Did you know that there are almost a dozen people that a seller will have to negotiate or work with? Are you prepared to flex your knowledge and show them you know what you’re talking about if you choose to FSBO?
If you’re a buyer out searching the market, do you know what to do once you’ve found the home of your dreams? Many realtors say that there are well over 200 different items that need to happen throughout the duration of a real estate transaction. If you don’t even know what to do once you’ve found a house you like, how are you going to navigate the rest of the transaction successfully?
Another major reason to work with a realtor, and ironically the one why many buyers and sellers choose not to work with a realtor, is money. If you’re selling, are you aware of current market conditions and what your home should really be priced at? Many times sellers overprice their homes, just to watch it sit on the market for too long. In the end, they actually end up selling the home for much less than if they would have listed with a realtor in the first place. Likewise, if you’re buying, how do you know you’re not overpaying compared to what other homes are selling for in the area?
It doesn’t matter if you’re buying or selling a home; it just makes financial and legal sense to work with a real estate professional. No matter where you live the market is constantly changing, so much so that a realtor is truly the only person that is aware of the current market conditions and what is required for a real estate transaction. Do yourself a favor, save yourself time, money and unwanted stress and work with an experienced real estate professional the next time you buy or sell.