Why should you use a Realtor when buying or selling property?

Is it something that you think you can do on your own or should you leave it to a professional to handle? Let me help you look at this objectively so you can make an informed decision.

For Buyers and Sellers:

1. This is one of the biggest financial transactions you will ever make in your lifetime. So many factors come into play when buying or selling real estate. You want to make the smartest decisions possible and a real estate agent can expertly guide you through those decisions.
2. Realtors are professionally trained and licensed by the State of Ohio. We take continuing education classes to stay up-to-date on all the latest trends in the industry and to learn and maintain our knowledge, skills, and abilities.
3. Agents are objective and help guide you and work through a multitude of emotional and financial decisions; with your best interests in mind.
4. We work for you, our client, to negotiate the best deal for you to get the property that best fits your wants and needs. 
5. Realtors are also guided by a Code of Ethics set forth by the National Association of Realtors. This business is highly regulated and we want to ensure that all items are handled legally and timely to meet your goals.
6. We have access to a bevy of contractors, lenders, title companies, warranty companies, and others who can help you in the process of buying, selling, and maintaining real estate.

For Buyers:

1. Real Estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), as well as many other resources, so that we can conduct searches to find your next home or commercial property. 
2. With our access to lenders, we can recommend those to help with your conventional, VA, FHA, or USDA loan needs.
3. We know how to best structure an offer that meets your needs to help you get your property of choice.
4. We guide you through the many inspection choices in order to properly assess the property for potential issues; then how to best get them resolved with sellers prior to closing on the property.
5. We also help you make the important connections to get your mail and utilities transferred.

For Sellers:

1. Because real estate agents have access to the MLS and other means, we are able to market your home to more potential buyers than you yourself could do. More potential buyers viewing your property’s assets could potentially mean more potential buyers making offers. 
2. We know how to conduct Comparative Market Analyses (a CMA) to price your home or commercial property appropriately for the market. We take many things into consideration when doing a CMA. A properly priced property can actually drive more buying activity to your home or business.
3. Realtors know how to help you best prepare your property to sell so that it has more appeal to potential buyers.
4. Agents know how to provide maximum exposure in marketing your property to more potential buyers. 
5. Agents coordinate all of the showings with other agents so that you don’t have to handle the stress of calls, texts, changes, and cancellations.
6. Realtors guide you through the contracts and documents to get your property sold efficiently so you can move on to your next location.

In summary, Realtors/Real Estate Agents know our industry and study it continually. This is not a hobby but a career that is focused on people and the many decisions and legalities required to buy and sell real estate. Do you now agree that it is good to leave it to a professional? If so, and you’d like to chat about it, please call your real estate agent to see how we can help guide you through the many necessary decisions.

Barbie Lange, REALTOR©