THE VALUE OF A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
Selling a home requires a significant amount of industry experience and resources. Hiring a real estate professional can help lead you to your ultimate goal. Here are just a few areas in which a real estate agent can provide great value.
Marketing Expertise
Preparation. Your Agent is skilled in recommending repairs and cosmetic work that have proven to minimize time on the market and maximize both prospect interest and sales price.
Exposure to the public. Your Agent knows best how to use today’s technology to guarantee your property’s maximum exposure in the market place. The National Association of REALTORS® studies show that a large percentage of real estate sales are the result not of advertising, but of Agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends and family, and personal contacts.
Exposure to other industry professionals. Your Agent will utilize a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks. Once your property is listed, it is statistically likely the buyer will be the client of another Agent associated with yours.
Pricing Considerations
Starting out at the right price for the property is critical to success. A professional’s insight in determining a pricing strategy for your property can keep you from missing an opportunity by undervaluing or wasting time by overpricing. Experience evaluating competing properties and market trends is the first ingredient for the best transaction experience.
Security
Working with a real estate agent ensures showings will be supervised. You can instruct unchaperoned buyers to contact your Agent for an appointment so they can be prescreened.
Negotiating
Most buyers prefer to negotiate with someone they perceive as unbiased, not emotional, and professionally trained. They are more likely to express objections to Agents with the hope of resolution, when they otherwise might move on to another property rather than talking to you directly.
Your Agent will evaluate proposals privately without compromising your marketing position.
Monitoring, Renegotiating and Closing or Settling
The process of appraisals, inspections, and financing involves a lot of possible pitfalls. There are many required legal forms and processes.
Your Agent has experience reading and following escrow instructions. Instructions must be clear and complete. Your Agent is the best person to objectively help you communicate these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).
Your Agent can meet specialists and negotiate regarding repairs needed to complete your contract. Industry contacts provide resources for specialists in many areas with knowledge as to their historical skill and reliability.