There is no requirement for a homeowner to work with a real estate agent when selling a property, and many homeowners consider saving themselves the cost of a real estate agent’s commission fee in an effort to reduce costs and to keep more money in their pocket from the sale. While this may seem to make sense, the fact is that a professional real estate agent’s services have true value to you, and there are several key reasons why you want to work with a real estate agent when selling your home.
Assistance With Pricing The Home
Before you initially list your home for sale, you must decide what a fair and reasonable price is. You may actively compare price per square foot data with other homes in your community to arrive at a reasonable estimate, but there are other factors that come into play. For example, one and two-story homes will have a different price per square foot even in the same neighborhood, and property condition and layout will also play a role. Pricing your home right from the start will generate immediate interest and will help you to sell your home more quickly. A skilled real estate expert will know your community and will have seen inside many of the homes that your home will be competing with on the market and will therefore be able to recommend a price for your home that will generate the most interest in your home without leaving money on the table.
Marketing Expertise And Services
It is not enough to simply list your home for sale, you must also actively market your home for sale. A professional real estate agent does much more to market your property than simply place a sign in the front yard. Everything from using online marketing avenues and mobile apps services to professional photography and videography, virtual tours, flyers, hosting open houses, etc. are included in an agent’s services. These services take time, effort and financial resources to execute. The costs of marketing your home are paid up front by your agent and are included in the commission paid to your agent only upon the successful sale of your home.
Skilled Negotiations Services
Negotiating with a buyer and buyer’s agent on your own is possible, but you may find yourself making impulsive, emotion-driven decisions. While it may look easy on the surface, the fact is that you don’t see the problem solving and transaction coordination that goes on behind the scenes. A real estate agent that is skilled with negotiations will help you to remain clear-headed and focused on your goals during negotiations, give you sound advice when complicated matters arise, and keep your home sale on track coordinating with all parties involved in the transaction including the buyer, buyer’s agent, loan processor, title company, appraiser, home inspector, etc.. Keep in mind that there are multiple times throughout the process when you may need negotiate with the buyer. You would not represent yourself in a court of law, you do not want to represent yourself with what is, for some, the largest financial investment of your lifetime.
Showing Your Home
You will want to show your home to as many potential buyers as possible, but you do not want to waste your time showing it to buyers who are not qualified to actually purchase the home. A real estate agent will make sure that the buyers who are allowed inside your home actually qualify to purchase the home. Also, you will not be required to wait around for people who wish to see your home or run home from work to open the door. A real estate agent will accompany potential buyers into your home and make it possible for as many potential qualified buyers to see the inside of your home as possible, without restricting your time.
The Need To Pay The Buyer’s Agent
You may not save as much money as you might think on your real estate agent fees by listing your home on your own. Keep in mind that the seller typically will pay for both the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent fees. Even if you list your property for sale on your own, you will still be responsible for paying the buyer’s agent fees.
The bottom line is that most real estate agents work hard for their clients, and they bring true value to the transaction. If you have been thinking about listing your home, you may consider speaking with an agent about the services that he or she can provide to you.