| The internet has made it very easy to get lots of | | | | pricing decision. Once you've established a price, |
| information about houses for sale in your area. So | | | | your agent will formulate a strategy based on |
| more and more people are apparently thinking | | | | supply, demand, and market conditions. |
| they can sell or buy a new home without using | | | | 5. Networking - Realtors will network with other |
| realtors. This is a big mistake. | | | | real estate professionals. In addition to the |
| Here are a few reasons why you should consider | | | | obvious advantage of access to more |
| using realtors: | | | | information, your agent can provide a list of |
| | | | vendors which are competent, efficient, and |
| 1. Save Time - How much time do you have on | | | | competitively priced. By telling you who they have |
| your hands? Real estate agents have knowledge | | | | worked with in the past, and some background |
| which will save you lots of wheel-spinning and | | | | information, your realtor can help you make good |
| wasted trips. They will save research time as well. | | | | choices. |
| Ask about local schools, comparable properties, | | | | 6. Negotiating - Real estate agents are removed |
| etc. and they will have the answers for you. | | | | from the emotional connections to price and |
| 2. Experience - You might be able to identify a | | | | property. They can therefore logically present |
| house on a particular street that is selling for | | | | their case with their client's best interest in mind. |
| $375,000. A realtor will know that houses on that | | | | In addition, they are bound to hold their client's |
| street haven't sold for more that $325,000. An | | | | information confidential from competing interests. |
| agent will be able to tell you if the house had | | | | 7. Help With Bureaucracy - taxing authorities and |
| upgrades or not, and how long it's been on the | | | | other bureaucracies will be looking for information |
| market. He/she will know about comparable | | | | before, during and after your closing. Any |
| houses on other streets that will sell for less. | | | | questions that you or your attorney can't answer, |
| 3. Market Knowledge - Your buying or selling | | | | just call your realtor. |
| decisions will be governed by current market | | | | A real estate agent's success is based on |
| conditions. Realtors can give you access to | | | | referrals. Few agents would last very long if they |
| information about average-dollars-per-square-foot | | | | always had to rely on finding new business. They |
| of comparable houses, median or average sales | | | | definitely have lots of incentive to keep their |
| prices, comparisons between listed prices and | | | | clients happy. They might make an effort to stay |
| actual sold prices. | | | | in touch after your business is concluded. If you |
| 4. Pricing Help - You determine the price - not | | | | were happy, and might using realtors again in the |
| your broker. However, agents can provide | | | | future, you should consider making the effort as |
| guidance so that you can make the appropriate | | | | well. It could be mutually beneficial. |