It’s a sunny Saturday morning. You’ve just brewed up a nice pot of coffee and popped open your laptop to look at the latest home listings in your area before you head out the door to hit up some open houses.
You’ve decided to fly solo when it comes to this whole “purchasing a home” thing. After all, all of the information you could ever possibly need is available online at the touch of your fingertips, right? Wrong.
Real Estate is a Big Deal
Purchasing a home is likely one of the largest financial decisions you will ever make in your life. It’s a serious transaction, and could have {positive or negative} ramifications for those involved, if not handled properly. While flying solo on your home purchase may seem like a good idea –saving you roughly 3-5% in the cost of working with a realtor– the financial savings in both time and money in the long run are likely to pay themselves off. Below are the top 5 reasons you should consider working with a realtor on your next home purchase.
5 Reasons for Working with a Realtor
- An expert guide. Licensed realtors have taken courses, studied, kept up on buying and selling trends, and the latter. They are experts in the real estate field and know how to help home buyers get the best home for the best price. While you may think, “Oh, I’ve looked into houses by myself before, how hard can it be?” just remember that realtors have made hundreds of transactions over the years. They know their stuff. Whether it be preparing the paperwork or else, avoid costly mistakes and close the deal.
- You’ll likely end up saving money. Did you know that most individuals who fly solo on their home purchase end up spending more than they would have had they invested in representation from a licensed real estate agent? Pricing guidance and expertise goes a long way. Real estate agents have the sure felt knowledge to know when a house is overpriced or underpriced.
- Better access and more convenience. Not only do real-estate agents seem to have connections everywhere they go, but they also have turbocharged searching power when it comes to finding the home of your dreams. While the internet is a hub where you can find nearly anything –price listings, house details, etc. – realtors have access to even more listings and information. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Let them help you uncover the options you didn’t even realize existed.
- Time saver – and time is money. Sit back, relax and let your realtor search for your dream home. Give them the details you require in a home, i.e.: a basement, walk-in closet in the master bedroom, real wood floors in the living room, etc. That is what they are there for – to make your home buying dreams a reality. And referring back to point #3, they have access to a plethora of information on available homes. Let them do the research, and use your time to cook dinner for your family, go bowling with friends, or prepare your home for its own upcoming sale.
- Someone else can do the dirty work. That awkward negotiation stage? Yeah, let your experienced real estate agent handle that. A good real estate agent will look at a purchase from every angle of your perspective, and craft up the perfect agreement to give you the flexibility you want and need. Have a tough seller on your hands? It’s always best to let your real estate agent be the “bad” guy, so as to not cause any fire between you (the buyer) and the seller –a case that could kill a deal. Your agent will best represent you and your interests, bugging off any sellers who may want to upsell on the price.
While it isn’t impossible for home buyers to purchase a home on their own, the process isn’t as simple as most individuals might think. There are a variety of benefits to using a real estate agent that most home buyers aren’t even aware of. Before you try tackling such a large financial task on your own, be sure to do your research and determine, in the long run, what the best choice is for you when it comes to purchasing a home. The benefits of using a real estate agent can make it far worth your while.
Looking to buy or sell a home and have questions? Give the experts at Lakeshore REALTORS a call (419) 586-6427 or contact us today!