The truth is you don’t have to use a realtor to sell your home. Another truth is that it will benefit you greatly to use a realtor to sell your home. Selling a home successfully takes time, expertise, access to appropriate marketing tools, knowledge of trends in your particular market and so much more. It is tempting to many to try to sell alone to save that percentage of the sale that goes to realtor commission (typically around 6% of the sale price). However, you will gain so much more by hiring an expert to help you with your home sale. Here are 5 reasons to use a realtor to sell your home.
Reason #1: Pricing
A realtor has expertise in how to price a home based on location, condition, age, and more. However, a realtor also has access to information about recent sales in your area. Comps can affect the sale price of a home greatly. Not only will your realtor have access to these figures, but your potential buyers’ agents will, as well. Pricing of your home is one of the most important factors in success of selling. A home priced too high will eliminate potential buyers without even viewing the home. A home priced too low will devalue itself not allowing for the best profit on a sale.
In addition to assisting in setting the listing price of your home, your realtor can help with negotiations with potential buyers. An agent with a solid knowledge of the market in your area will be able to fairly negotiate with or for you, according to your instruction. He or she can advise on how much to give or when to stand firm. Particularly if you are not accustomed to negotiation, this can be immensely helpful.
With a realtor on your side, your home will likely sell for more, making it well worth your while to hire a real estate agent.
You don’t have to do it alone to get the most out of your home!
Reason #2: Marketing
Real estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This is a database of current homes for sale. Though it is possible to sell a home without a listing on the MLS, it is often the first place potential buyers look for a home. You will miss out on an entire audience of agents and potential buyers when you list outside of an MLS.
In addition to the MLS, realtors have a network of contacts to whom they can directly market your home. They often discuss with other agents their clients’ needs and can recruit potential buyers in these discussions.
Reason #3: Preparation for Sale
A realtor can help you prepare your home for sale. This may mean bringing certain things up to code for an older home, or just cosmetic updates for any home. A realtor can also help you stage your home for sale. Staging can include ridding the home of clutter, rearranging furniture for optimum use of space, and much more. Realtors know what things in a home need to change to appeal to more potential buyers. Often, it is not things that an average person would consider, so this information can be invaluable.
Also, your agent can recommend reliable inspectors and contractors if your home needs additional work before listing. Reliable contractors are not always as easy to find as you might think. Realtors typically have trusted partners they can recommend to you.
Reason #4: Legal Matters
Though realtors are typically not attorneys, they are familiar with the laws and regulations governing real estate transactions. They can help you make sure you have the appropriate paperwork in place before listing your home. They can advise you throughout the process of the sale to ensure you have all the details handled appropriately.
A realtor can also refer you to an attorney if any legal concerns arise. Because of their expertise in the field, they will know when a concern is worthy of legal advice from an attorney.
Reason #5: Peace of Mind
In general, having a partner who deals with real estate transactions often can give you great peace of mind in the process. A realtor can handle the day-to-day questions and actions necessary to complete the sale. When the sale is complete, you can be sure that all the necessary paperwork is completed and that you may move on to new beginnings in your life.
All of these reasons to use a realtor to sell your home are important. In undertaking such an important transaction, you want the best information, expertise, and advice you can get. These will always come from a reliable realtor.
